Cheaper Italy

We recently spent a few days at the Italian beach resort Tirrenia, between Pisa and Livorno. Tirrenia is a gardened city of detached homes, many of which are charming pensiones. Pisa is only a 15-minute drive away along the tree-lined Via Aurelia. The Pisa Airport is even closer.

To visit Florence, we took advantage of one of the modern hourly trains from Pisa Aeroporto to Florence (and return). The train also stops at Pisa Centrale. The special fare is 11,000 lire round trip (must purchase tickets at the airport before boarding for the low fare). Add to this 5,100 lire for parking next to the train at the Pisa Airport. It saves the 7,000 lire each way on the autostrada, expensive gasoline and parking in Florence.

Believe it or not, there is an important U.S. Army base, Camp Darby, at Tirrenia. Those with U.S. military ID cards (active duty, retired and their families) may camp there and use the base’s private beach. There are also a limited number of rooms at the base’s Sea Pines Lodge.

DENNIS A. CAVAGNARO

Oakland