Tuscany is a land of freedom and Versilia Gay it’s here to support and increase that dreamland.
Tuscany gave birth to two of the most important geniuses of mankind, Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. Florence has been the capital of sodomy between the fourth and fifth century. Gianluca Leopoldo I in 1853 was the first who in Italy decriminalized homosexuality. Pisa and Empoli the first two towns which have agreed to keep a Register for the Civil Unions of both gay and lesbian couples, a big first step indeed for the GLBT community. Pick any place of Tuscany and discover the beauty of this region, from the majesty of the Apuanians Mountains to the sweet Sienese hills, from the wild sand beaches nearby Livorno and Grosseto to the relaxing hot springs all over Tuscany.
This region has always been very welcoming towards gays and lesbians. “Friendly Versilia” is a project started in 1998 with the aim of giving visibility to the large and still hidden GLBT community in Torre del Lago, a nice town between waters, those of the sea and those of Massaciuccoli Lake, between Viareggio and Pisa. The project was created by the GLBT local switchboard, supported by the local Municipality and sponsored by gay and gay-friendly business. No matter the difficulties and the hard times, Friendly Versilia is today able to attract over 100.000 homosexuals both men and women from all Europe, from the last week of April until the first week of September.
Torre del Lago a new promising Sitges on the Thyrrenian Sea? Well, it may as well be. Walking along the promenade or the city centre and discovering lots of gay and lesbian couples walking hand in hand is a visibil result of what Friendly Versilia has been able to do. The Lecciona beach will not only surprise you for its beauty and expansebut also for the huge crowd of gays and lesbians that do gather here every summer. Lots of either gay or gay-friendly B&Bs both in Viareggio and Torre del Lago, campings and many other accomodations.
The promenade of Torre del Lago is packed with restaurants, pubs, disco-pubs and a lot more.
Come to visit Torre del Lago and enjoy each night of your stay, calendar is rich in events from May until September.