Viareggio, spring by the sea

Viareggio is loved for its sincere and authentic characteristics. For its thousands of faces that surprise you when you decide to discover it slowly, and it seems as if you are in an open theatre. You are immediately drawn to its world of color, the intense perfumes, the voices of the people and the jargon of the local dialect- fun and simple.

The Market is one of the places of absolute representation of this world or way of being. It's in the center, where you can go shopping but also immerse in the most intense flavors of the local cuisine. It is definitely a unique experience if you eat at the fish restaurants. Viareggio is one of the most well known for its anchovy, a fish food they cook with the fruits of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A very short chain. You can smell the sea in the classic marinara with seafood sauce or in the trabaccolara, a real cult! Do not miss the fish soup (caciucco) on Friday. It is ecstasy for all senses.  Sea lovers will love the simplicity of the market in Viareggio, the chance to have lunch or dinner until 12 on plastic tables with tablecloths which evoke the color of the sea.

Speaking of food, you could head to Salumeria Triglia under the arches, one of the oldest places that produce the artisan salami of Gombitelli, sold since 1797. Gombitelli is a small fraction of the Comune of Camaiore, a short way from Viareggio. A small isolated country that is reached by a winding road that climbs between pines and chestnuts, kilometers of road in the middle of the plain and in the distance, the sea. Here, the Triglia (Mullet) family, as the local Delis do, produce many other types of traditional foods that you can enjoy on your stay in Versilia. Among these are the bridilo and brawn, poor but tasty, the butter and the precious cream of red butter, delicate and spicy, or even the institutional sausages of Gombitelli. Spread on bread or eat from the grill, great for sauces or stews with beans.

After a filling lunch, you can take a walk to Pineta, a place of relaxation but also for entertainment, ideal for everyone. For those who love to stand on a bench and read a good book or for those that want to spend some time renting a bicycle or walking on trails through the countryside, near the sea, or for tennis lovers, away from the sun.

Then there is the sea. A beautiful visit not only from the beach but also by boat. The panorama in which you can enjoy taking in the blue, flat, calm water, that is incredibly fascinating. And on certain days, you can see dolphins. There are the Apuan Alps, which form the immense theatre. Going there means going to a show of nature whose colors and emotion capture and surprise you every time. In spring you can discover the surprise of Viareggio, more than you think.