A little more information about my area in Italy.

F4b4Fitness in ITALY: The Fab4Fitness Squad in Italy operate from middle May to middle September in the town of Marina di Massa, sea coastal area of the city of Massa (about 5km inland). Marina di Massa is in far north west coast of the Tuscany region (see map). The town is located on the beach and is a very touristy area from the middle of June to the end of August. The majority of the tourists are Italians with a few foreigners (Germans, Russian and un legal North Africans). From Marina di Massa, you can tour the nearest historic cities and attractions by using train, bus or ship cruises. The historic Tuscany city of Florence is about 100km, Pisa (with the famous leaning tower) about 45km and Lucca about 50km. Also very attractive is the white marble quarries area of Carrara, about 6km and the Cinque Terre walk (5 Lands Walk) about 30km. The Italian lifestyle town of Marina di Massa is very well known for sports and relaxing holidays with beaches and window shopping all day and night!!!!

Fab4Fitness Bed & Breakfast: My family own a B&B house which is located in Santa Maria del Giudice near Lucca city. Santa Maria del Giudice is small inland village about 50km from Marina di Massa, 10km from Pisa and 12 km from Lucca. The family house is a 400 year old farm house and has belonged to the Andreoni family for more than 4 generations. The historic family home has been recently restored by my dad, becoming a family heritage named Casa Dando. In summer the house is used as Bed & Breakfast and is managed by Dando (my father) and there is the possibility of hosting a maximum of 6 people in four bedrooms options. About 50 euro per day for a B&B per room with two bed. The location is very central for visiting the historic Tuscany cities of Pisa with the famous leaning tower, Lucca with the unique city wall and Florence the capital of Tuscany and of Italian art. For a training area, you could not ask for a better place. Many kilometres of isolated roads contouring the Tuscany rolling hills. If You travel with a car, Marina di Massa, my summer home, is only 30 minutes. I the squad ride weekly from Marina di Massa to the family house (about 55km on secondary roads) and after a quick spot of lunch with my dad, we ride back to Marina di Massa.

Accommodations:Hotels, Pensione and Youth Hostels. If you are interested in staying in Marina di Massa or surrounding area, there are plenty of accommodation options. Marina di Massa is the classic Italian families summer destination. Accommodation ranges from 5 to 2 stars. In consideration of the summer season and the very high demand the prices are not cheap. The best value accommodation in Marina di Massa is Pensione Tonarelli. Family conducted and very well located for about 50 euro per person per day for a B&B in a room accommodating two to four people. Other cheap accommodation is the youth hostels. One is located 4km from Marina di Massa and the other about 2km.

Transport: The closest railway station is Massa Centro, about 4km from Marina di Massa. Sometimes, the Intercity trains do not stop in Massa Centro but in Viareggio (about 20km from Marina di Massa). To move around you can use buses and trains. They are cheap and cover all destinations. Car renting is another but expensive option. The best way to travel is renting a bike and discovering the near areas. Bike rentals range from city bikes to road racing bikes.

Training Venues: Marina di Massa and the surrounding areas are the endurance sports training destination of hundreds of professional and recreational athletes. Geographically, Marina di Massa is part of the Versilia Coast (similar to the Sunshine Coast). 30km of beach coast, a 5km coastal plain of towns and pine plantations. Just 5km inland from the beach there is the Alpi Apuane mountain range with peaks reaching 2000m in altitude. Famous is the MARBLEMAN Triathlon starting at the sea and finishing at 1500m above sea level.

Swimming facilities: Salt sea water natural pool (Torretta Beach) of 700m by 100m (no lane ropes in place!!!!). Many open water swim locations. 50m outdoor pool and three 25m pools.

Running facilities: Kilometres of pine plantation trails on flat and undulating terrain. Possibility of altitude training (around 1500m above sea level) 20min drive from the beach. Three synthetic running tracks. One of these tracks has a bike-velodrome surrounding the running track. Ideal for brick sessions.

Cycling facilities: Marina di Massa and the Versilia Coast is the Mecca of cycling in Italy. Hundreds of cyclists show up in the morning along the 30km coast road (Lungomare) before heading off for more challenging terrain. You can join a cycling group at any time of the morning. Every 30 minutes there is a group starting for a ride. Groups range from recreational to more advanced to semi-pro cyclists. You can often find yourself beside local legends ex Tour de France riders like Cipollini, Petacchi, Piepoli and Ricco’. All the rides starts from the very crowded and high traffic Lungomare (coastal road) before leaving for the inland quiet roads along rolling hills or hilly mountains.

F4F squad: In Italy I coach. I do not compete. I have a squad of around 20 athletes, all age groupers except two junior elites (Alessia and Lukino) and two elites (Mary and Roby) and two A.G. ITU (Fabrizio V. and Fabrizio A). I give them the program and they train mixing solo, squad and group sessions.

Swim training: three times in the 50m outdoor pool and three time OWS at the Torretta Beach per week.

Run training: one track run session and three runs in the pine plantation or road per week.

Bike Training: one long ride and two brick sessions per week.

More information: Please feel free to contact Fabrizio for any more information.

Fabrizio contact details in Italy: Email Info at Fab4Fitness.com Phone Number 0585 240555 Work Phone Number 0585 242842 (Note when calling from a foreign country it is necessary to use the zero in the area code eg +39 0585 24....)