Forte dei Marmi, Italy

Is there a more idyllic town to escape to in the Summer than Forte dei Marmi?

In the heart of Tuscany’s Riviera and at the foot of the mountains of Carrara (source of the world’s best marble), Forte dei Marmi simply enchants.

Everyone bikes in Forte, which helps keep an unassuming air to the toney surroundings. There are cars of course but at the end of each day it seems the whole town is either biking to dinner or window shopping on foot – and happily all the shops and countless gelateria’s stay open every night until midnight. My little Gabriella was particularly taken with Balenciaga – “No my sweet -- 9 year old’s do not wear $800 trainers!”

Dinner at Bocconcino was a delight – we shared the linguini with truffles and a boulliabaisse stew – than a visit to another gelateria before biking home to our room at the lovely Byron.

In the day, beach clubs are as elegant here as any in Mykonos or St. Tropez – except with much better service and cuisine.

Pisa, Cinque Terra and Lucca are not even an hour away while less well-known Pietrasanta is the next town over and is also a must. An artists’ haven for six centuries, Michelangelo, Botero and Henry Moore are among the many who’ve made Pietrasanta a true city of art.

Cinque Terre’s picturesque Vernazza is about an hour away by car but a hiring a yacht to meander up the coast for half a day is certainly the most elegant way to reach the five towns.

Lucca, one of the most admired towns in Tuscany is only a 30 minutes drive from Forte and can easily be combined with Pisa for a wonderful Tuscan afternoon. We made it back in time for a quick swim in the pool before getting ready for another incredible dinner at Lorenzo’s.

We spent three glorious nights in Forte but next time it will be at least a week. Can’t wait.