The Tuscan coastline offers you the full-on Italian beach experience: miles of ombrelloni & deckchairs, beach volleyball, gelato...!

Viareggio, 30-mins north of Pisa airport, was voted one of the Telegraph's best beaches. Stop for an espresso or a Campari at the Gran Caffe Margherita, the most famous of Viareggio's Liberty-style buildings or lunch at Trattoria Buonamico, via Sant-Andrea 27: 584 943266 - one of the Fiat-owning Agnelli family's favourite haunts.

Forte dei Marmi, slightly further north, offers its rich villa dwellers a fabulous Wednesday market that deals in designer clothing, cashmere, homewares etc. The town is centred around the market and the marble fortress built in 1788. If you want to book a private umbrella and sun loungers on the beach, contact Bagno Dalia by phoning Signora Tiziana on (0)58420929. www.bagnodaliadauro.it