Marina di Pietrasanta Holidays

Easy does it

Head to Italy's sweeping Tuscan Riviera to find Marina di Pietrasanta resort town. It's hugged on one side by the hulking Apuan Alps and kissed on the other by the glittering Ligurian Sea. Holidays here are about lazy beach afternoons and casual evening strolls – ice-creams and glasses of chilled sparkling wine optional.

Art and culture

A 10-minute drive inland from the beach, the sculpture-spotted town centre of Pietrasanta has ties to the art world that go way back – in the 16th century, Michelangelo sourced marble from its quarries for his work. Summertime in Marina di Pietrasanta brings contemporary cultural events to the area, too. Behind the beach, thickly wooded Versiliana Park hosts concerts, dances and popular musicals.

Shore thing

Sun-seekers, rejoice – Marina di Pietrasanta's soft, sandy shoreline stretches as far as the eye can see, and then some. There's oodles of room to lounge under a stripey parasol, play a game of catch or take a run along the shore. The calm Ligurian Sea's also fab for water-skiing, sailing and just plain splashing about.

Take in Tuscany

Marina di Pietrasanta's a great gateway to a Tuscan adventure. The big-hitters aren't far, with Pisa a half-hour's drive away, and Florence within reach in just over an hour and a half. Fun and flashy Forte dei Marmi, closer up the coast, is linked via a scenic bike path on the promenade – a low-key way to take in the sea views.