The Tuscan Magazine

by Sarah Fraser

Yacht

Viareggio is a fabulous little seaside town on the coast of Tuscany (just above Pisa). It has a long ‘boulevard’ with designer shops, behind which is a wonderful stretch of golden sand. Originally a fishing port, the town now hosts one of the most lucrative business’ in Tuscany – Yachts.

It is an international industry, which quietly yet firmly established itself on our Tuscan coastline. Why Viareggio? Obviously, it has a good port. But more than this, there is also easy international access via the airport in Pisa and a fairly swanky piece of coastline to keep the mega rich amused for the time they will be visiting to pick out their designer interiors. The area has some wonderful 5 star hotels and nearby Forte di Marmi is a sophisticated playground for Italians and foreigners alike.

The other thing that is necessary to all yacht owners is a good yacht supply company. Just for a moment imagine the logistics of having to cater for decidedly wacky diets, desires for comfort food from all over the world, an owner on board who will not eat anything green… This is the daily life of a chef on board a yacht. As a rule, the more expensive the boat, the more wacky the food remit can be. It is essential for the chef to have a good supply company, and in Viareggio the best supply company is Versilia

Yacht

Another scenario that dogs the captain on a super yacht is what to do if something breaks whilst you are on the water. Who do you call to supply the set of bar stools that mysteriously went missing after an evening of drunken partying. Where do you go to replace the two full sets of Dolce & Gabbana crockery (every luxury yacht must carry at least two of everything breakable) that the owner flung at her husband half way to Sardinia? Is there someone who can replace one of an identical pair of unsinkable jet-skis that a corporate guest managed to sink off Elba whilst looking for his girlfriends missing bikini? (all true stories – though sources are understandably protected).

Again, one call to the Versilia Supply Service and you will have everything back to normal in no time, no matter where you are in the world.

Boats in Harbour

The other fabulous news about Versilia Supply Service is that they are opening an ‘international shop’ in Viareggio. This means that the general public can benefit from their ability to source anything from anywhere. From Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups & Mountain Dew to Cadbury’s chocolate and Glenmorangie single malt, Asian spices for curry lovers and Vegemite… you will be able to get everything you are missing at  Richmond’s English Food Shop in Viareggio, due to open in 2011.

Tuscan Coastline

Did you know?

Despite sustained challenge from the US, Italy remains the leading builder and exporter of yachts over 80feet. The Tuscan (Versillian) coast has the highest concentration of luxury boat producers in Italy.

The Azimut – Benetti Group are the largest exporters of yachts in the world. They are based in Viareggio and build their boats in Livorno.