Tuscany Coast recomendation
 

Hello,

Heading to Italy next week w/ family (two small children). I am looking to fill a couple of days after doing Rome, Florence and Siena.

Currently, I have a reservation in Viareggio at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte. However, reading on the internet, I'm a bit worried about Viareggio.

I am looking for a slow tempoed place to decompress a bit after Rome & Florence, etc.

Was hoping for a small town on the coast, with a beach, but am not sure Viareggio meets that.

Anywhere else that is recomended in this area?

Anyone with experiences with the hotel Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte?

Thanks!!

-Rob

Hi Rob - My suggestion would be Castiglione della Pescaia.

http://www.idrea.it/foto1.jpg

http://www.castiglionepescaia.it/indexeng.htm

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Or move 40 minutes north to Lerici. It is a charming, kid friendly seaside village (even a park for the kids!). Hotels to try:

Doria Park Hotel
Hotel Florida
Locanda del Lido

I think you and your family would be quite happy here...

Megan in Lerici

Thank you both for the suggestions!

After a day of intense internet searching, I had come across Lerici last night, and will be staying at the Hotel Florida, it looks perfect!!

Thanks again.

-Rob

FYI: Lerici was an excellent suggestion. We stayed in Lerici last year instead of directly in Cinque Terre.(Read up on it w/ Rick Steves). I presume you know you will park your car and leave it. (north side of Lerici not far from the Info booth). You will have the option of taking the train or ferry boat to CT. Charming places. You must take the via amore walk if none else. It is flat, easy 4 the kids, and best of all, besides the view, there is a tiny hill hugging restaurant/bar where you can stop for a cool glass of wine & cheese plate. Awesome. Lerici is not as quiet as the other places mentioned, but a great lovely place. The town itself is charming and has cheaper restaurants. It is in poets' bay and we stayed at Hotel Baron. It had internet in the lobby-free & I recommend it if you change your mind on hotels. Nice rooms with balconies, nice service. okay brkfasts. Just FYI.

The good news about Lerici is the access (by boat) across the Bay of Naples to Portovenere and the the Cinque Terre. There's also the nearby fishing village of Tellaro with a nice little beach.

Guidebook writer's tips on Tuscany coast:
-Porto Santo Stefano, Orbetello are great but the beaches are not so clean this year.
-Capalbio rated very high for cleanliness this year and the village is lovely.
-Castiglione della Pescaia is also excellent choice
-Viareggio is a bit outdated , I had a bad hotel experience there ..website photos cannot show the sand on the floors and the holes in the sheets.
-Megan's insights are right on...its so important to listen to the people who live here as things change very rapidly.