Italy has its share of beach towns.    From the Cinque Terre and it’s beautiful jewel-like villages, to the Amalfi Coast and its buildings nestled into dramatic valleys.  This week, I visited Torre del Lago, a beach town west of Florence in northern Italy.  Just down the road from some of the more fancy beaches like Viareggio, Torre del Lago has a gritty, fabulous feel.

Torre del Lago

With the dramatic, green ocean in the foreground, and the often snow-capped mountains in the background, Torre del Lago offers amazing views from its colorful, public beaches.

Not only does it have beach access, Torre del Lago literally means, “Tower of the Lake.”  So for those who enjoy a more tame water experience, the town’s lake is a great, peaceful place to watch ducks swimming and eat a gelato.  As if that was not enough, this town is where the famous composer Puccini worked and lived. Those looking for a cultural experience can tour his home, opera house, or the church where he is buried.