Tucked quietly away in the north west of Tuscany, Versilia is the perfect holiday venue for anyone who wants to combine sunshine and sand with a vibrant nightlife.

And that's not all - there's plenty of history and culture to explore and enjoy, too. Ideal for families, it boasts golden beaches and safe bathing, all against the majestic backdrop of the Apuan Alps.

If you're visiting in the spring, don't miss the spectacular Viareggio Carnival with its giant floats and colourful fun. Enjoy a boat ride on the clear, rippling waters of the Massaciuccoli Lake before visiting the House-Museum of the great maestro of Italian opera, Puccini.

And if opera is your passion, the 3,000 seat open air theatre on the lakeside hosts productions of two Puccini operas at its August Festival each year. After some sight seeing, you might like to visit the chic town of Forte dei Marmi, with its designer shops for daytime browsing and lively clubs for evening entertainment. Tuscany offers some of the finest regional cuisine anywhere in Italy, so eating in Versilia is a delight. As you might expect, seafood plays a significant role in local cuisine, so sample risotto with cuttlefish, or spaghetti with arselle for the seafood experience.

Traditional Tuscan dishes for the fine diner include tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta covered in truffle sauce) or a range of noodle recipes using wild hare or wild boar sauces. And no Versilian holiday can be complete without enjoying some local Chianti wine.