Forte Dei Marmi, Italy is a small resort town on the sea, about an hour’s drive from Pisa.Now there is a direct flight from New York on Delta. Even though there is this direct flight there were few Americans in Forte. It is mainly a place for Italians to summer in 100’s of small hotels and homes. It is a jewel where most people use their bikes for transportation. Each hotel has a cache of bikes for their guests but if you are a regular you own your own bike and personalize it. They have decorated their baskets, either front or back to the nines.
Trends in the shops and on the streets:
- Rhinestones every where
- Lots of white lace tops…antique Victorian
- A square scarf with a hole that they use as a beach cover- sold on the beach
- Hermes printed bags on canvas totes
- Bright colors even for winter
- Lots of costume jewelry…Italians usually wear real
- Big, big drop earrings
- Lots of platforms and high wedges …which is also unusual for Italians
Most of the shops had about a third of their stock in new fall merchandise which is very unusual. Most resort retailers do not put out fall till the end of August in Italy. Also a good percentage of summer was on sale which is also not the usual. Obviously, business is bad and sales are off. Another indication of a bad economy was the tourist class cabin was really empty going over but first class was full. Coming back to the US the plane was full mainly with Italians coming here as tourists.
The beach here is all private no entrance unless you belong to a club. There are hundreds of beach clubs one right next to each other. Some hotels have associations with a particular beach club. Most of them have restaurants for lunch which you can enter and eat but you will have to pay for a lounge or chair on the beach and they are very pricey. Love the square umbrella tents in each club.
There is a market on Wednesday and Sunday mornings that is quite the scene. It opens at 8:00am and closes at 1pm.-this is where everyone goes and buys either copies or regular merchandise. It is a fabulous event for a fashionista.
Last thought…now I know why there are always lines in front of Abercrombie they Italians are all wearing it, even the grownups are dressed in it.
Restaurants:
Ristorante Lorenzo- Via Carducci 61= 39 0584 89671- the fanciest in town
L’Enoteca-in Pietrasanta, a little town 10 minutes away-right on the main street and great for people watching. Must reserve and even if you sit outside don’t miss the inside which is so interesting. I saw Botero eating there when I was there.
Bagno Annetta or BA-beach club with a well known beautiful restaurant in it
Ristorante Bernardone- in the mountains above Forte – an old rustic farm house-well known for their
spareribs
Hotels that are special are:
Goya Hotel- right downtown with all the restaurants and shops
Grand Hotel Imperiale- brand new large hotel for Forte and maybe gets 6 stars- very ornate and this is the place for the Russians- in the lobby all the furniture is upholstered in gold leather.
Villa Roma Imperiale- like a private home with a very international clientele
Byron Hotel-small and really deluxe
Hotel Principe-very modern and new-rooms are small
