Faces at Carnevale Viareggio 2019

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Debra Kolkka

Carnevale Viareggio is an incredible spectacle. The amount of organisation any work to pull this event together is huge. The floats are stunning, the costumes are fabulous, the music thrilling, but what I like most is the fun and enthusiasm of the participants and audience.

Here are some of my favourite faces from this year’s event.

See much more on Carnevale Viareggio on Bagni di Lucca and Beyond.

https://bagnidilucca.wordpress.com/2019/03/08/carnevale-viareggio-2019/

Faces at the Carnevale

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

On Sunday I wanted to be in 2 places at once. There was a mini Carnevale at Fornoli at the same time as the one in Viareggio. I went early to the one in Fornoli hoping to get some photos, but there was nothing happening so I unfortunately I have nothing to show you.

It was the last day time parade in Viareggio and it was a gorgeous day, so I headed off with a group of friends to join in the fun. I took hundreds of photos and have done a couple of posts. In this one I will concentrate on the people who dress up to take part, either as part of the exhibition or the enthusiastic audience. I love the way people get involved and make the event the exciting happening that it is.

Whole families go along to have fun. It is a great day…the result of huge amounts of work by many people. I’m sure next year is already being worked on. I hope I will be there to see it.

Go to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond to see more on the floats in the parade.

A day at the coast

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The beautiful Versilia Coast in northern Tuscany is only an hour away from Bagni di Lucca, making a trip to Viareggio, Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi an easy day trip.

There is a long strip of sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see with a magnificent backdrop of marble filled mountains. The view from the pier at Forte dei Marmi is one of my favorites in Italy.

I have occasionally seen surfers waiting patiently for a wave at Forte dei Marmi.

Click here to see more on the beach at Forte dei Marmi.

Forte dei Marmi is a beautiful town full of stylish shops and restaurants. I love the little fort, Il Fortino, in the centre of town.

The fort was begun in 1782 for Leopoldo, the Grand Duke of Tuscany to view and defend the surrounding territory. It also served as a customs office.

Behind the fort is a restaurant of the same name. I strongly recommend you go to Il Fortino for lunch. No trip to Forte dei Marmi is complete for me without branzino ravioli with scampi sauce.

There is a delightful antique market in Forte dei Marmi once a month…every second Sunday and the preceding Saturday.

Pietrasanta also has a beach, but I prefer to visit the town, famous for its art galleries and artists’ studios.

It has a beautiful piazza with a lovely church. The piazza is often filled with fabulous art works.

There is a wonderful food market in the piazza the same weekend as the antique market in Forte dei Marmi.

I had a delicious lunch at Pinocchio in Vicolo San Biagio 5.

We also like Osteria alla Giudea in Via Padre Eugenio Barsanti where I particularly like the spaghetti with anchovies.

Click here to see more on Pietrasanta.

A great time to visit Viareggio is in February for the magnificent Carnevale parade of floats. I have been 4 times and can’t wait to see the event next year.

Click here to see more on the Carnevale.

The quickest way from Bagni di Lucca to the Versilia Coast is to drive to Lucca and take the autostrada. It will take about 1 hour to reach the coast. There is also a very pretty road through Camaiora that will take a bit longer but it can be worth it for the drive through fruit orchards and olive groves.

It is possible to take public transport as well. Take the Lazzi bus to Lucca and change there for Viareggio. There are buses from there to Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi. There are also trains from Lucca.

Carnevale at Viareggio

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Viareggio is only about an hour away from Bagni di Lucca, so it would be silly not to go to Carnevale. It is a mad crush of people, strollers, dogs, the occasional cat and the most wonderful floats. Here is a small selection.

As you can see politicians come in for some pretty fierce criticism. Berlusconi still features heavily and Mario Monte made a few appearances.

People love to dress up to come to Carnevale.

It starts early.

I was covered with confetti at one stage and a large bird was making for my head in this photo.

Carnevale is on again next Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th March. The parades start at 3.00pm but you can go to the area earlier to see the floats before they start to move. Tickets cost €15. Go early to get a car park.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Viareggio

Faces at Carnevale Viareggio 2019

Faces at the Carnevale

A day at the coast

Carnevale at Viareggio