Castiglioncello

I was in Italy this week to assist at the Platu 25 Worlds in order to gain accreditation as an ISAF International Measurer. The drive down through Alsace and Switzerland took 11 hours straight and was quite fascinating. The last couple of hours between Milan and Bologna was not terribly. It was most enjoyable to spend an evening with Cristina and Gianmarco at their place in the mountains above Modena. As usual, there was an excess of good food and conversation. 

The event itself took place in Rosignano on the coast just south of Pisa in Tuscany. Nearby is the traditional seaside resort of Castiglioncello which was previously the preferred place to be seen by the rich and celebrated. It still exudes a certain charm with its pine forests and elaborate villas overlooking the Tyrrhenian. Many of these elegant villas are now hotels, such as the one in which I stayed.

The Hotel Atlantico is extremely comfortable and well appointed with a choice of both indoor and outdoor pools. As it was, we were far too busy to try either. 

The reality of our situation was probably better illustrated by the photo below of the view from Castiglioncello to the Marina Cala de'medici in which the event was held, with the looming presence of the enormous Solvay chemical plant behind it.