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    Shop 'til you drop

    Northern Tuscany's Forte dei Marmi offers designer label shopping & grandbeaches

    Donae Cangelosi Chramosta
    Aug 12, 2012 | 12:00 pm
    • The Prada store in Forte dei Marmi is one of only two in the company that printsthe town name on the bags.
      Photo by Donae Cangelosi Chramosta
    • Shopping in Forte dei Marmi in Italy's northern Tuscany region is rich andcolorful.
      WeLoveVersilia.it
    • We love the Audrey Hepburn Birkin-style bag found in the beach resort popularwith wealthy Italians.
      Photo by Donae Cangelosi Chramosta
    • Love the neon Birkin-style bag from the market where the price is right and theknock-offs are perfection.
      Photo by Donae Cangelosi Chramosta
    • Bright and bold neon colors attract shoppers to Morini where chic items areoffered at reasonable prices.
      Photo by Donae Cangelosi Chramosta

    FORTE DEI MARMI, Italy — This charming enclave in northern Tuscany initially drew tourists for its pristene beaches and, in fact, was one of Italy's first beach resorts, luring wealthy Italians who settled in expansive villas nestled in the mountain pines. Over the years, the village has evolved into a popular summer playground where high-style shopping leads the extracurricula agenda.

    I started coming to Forte dei Marmi with my father in the 1990s. It was a logical destination for the family business — Cangelosi, a luxury provider of marble, granite and limestone products. It didn't take me long to fall in love with this lazy yet energetic, casual yet luxurious beachside town with beautiful people, amazing architecture and Italian vintage style.

    What's not to love about the glorious sparkling beaches lining the shore that is paralleled by the Apuan Alps, their glistening white marble caps giving the appearance of snow in the distance?

    Aside from Milan, Forte dei Marmi's is the only Prada boutique in the company that showcases the name of the city on the bag.

    The village itself, quaint and yet quite fashionable, is centered around a market and a marble fortress built in 1788. Famed Carrara, known for its marble quarries, is the next village over and decorative marble abounds throughout Forte dei Marmi. There are even white Carrara marble street curbs and glistening marble door pulls.

    Gucci, Prada, Escada, Dolce Gabanna, Mui Mui, Tod's and Moncler all have boutiques here. In fact, I still carry the orange Prada tote that I purchased here several years ago. Aside from Milan, Forte dei Marmi's is the only Prada boutique in the company that showcases the name of the city on the bag. As a bag connoisseur, I was sold on my glorious find.

    Passing through the cobblestone streets lined by buildings where balconies are brimming with flowers, I was drawn by the window displays at Morini, where brightly-colored bags, skull images and camo bags beckoned. Hermés-style canvas bags, Celine-style luggage bags and shoes that looked like they could rock their way down a runway were the rage. The neon colors were an instant, appealing jolt.

    Morini was full of surprises inlcuding the wedge platforms I fell for — they were Brian Campbell from California. How frustrating is that? Shopping in Italy, but buying American. They were just too cool and too comfy to pass up. A Courreges patent/vinyl retro style jacket in an amazing sky blue was my splurge. I couldn't resist when I learned that it wasn't for sale in the States yet, and was available only in Italy and France.

    As I continued my journey through the cobblestone streets, I was stopped in my tracks by the window display at Fiacchini. There was the much-coveted and rarely-available Celine Luggage Tote. According to the incredibly stylish and sexy store manager, only 16 of these bags are received by the store each season, making me appreciate even more the exclusive shopping opportunities in Forte Dei Marme.

    One of my absolute favorite shopping experiences is Forte dei Marmi's outdoor market, held each Wednesday.

    One of my absolute favorite shopping experiences is Forte dei Marmi's outdoor market, held each Wednesday. The markets in Italy offer an amazing opportunity to see a melting pot of goods in a small location. For the most part they accept cash only so plan ahead to trade your dollars for euros.

    Italians in Forte dei Marmi and surrounding areas were astonished to discover that we had traveled so far to vacation in their beachside oasis. In fact, we never heard another American accent until we traveled to Florence.

    In the markets of Forte dei Marmi and Florence, the bright and exotic colors were enticing while the smell of leather belts and bags were reminiscent of my grandfather's shoe shine shop in Bryan/ College Station. For this reason and many more, I will keep returning to Forte dei Marmi with its engaging people, deep-rooted culture, scrumptious regional Italian cuisine and impeccable style.

    Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, the owner of The Vintage Contessa, writes about travel, design and fashion.

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    the bee's knees

    Hidden cottages offer a sweet retreat for Round Top antiquers

    Emily Cotton
    Oct 30, 2026 | 11:30 am
    304 on the Hill Rose Hill Round Top
    Photo by Alex Montoya
    Welcome to The Rose Cottage at 304 on the Hill.

    As the Round Top Fall Antiques Show comes to a close, visitors admire, catalog, and post the most coveted new wares online while placing their stylish Fraulein Boots and Kemo Sabe hats in their respective wardrobes, presumably until rodeo. Equally relatable to this post-show ritual is the resounding woeful sentiment held by so many show-goers annually relegated to day-tripper status — “we simply must find accommodations next season!”

    Anywhere from 10 to 15 years ago, the notion of finding a hotel, motel, cottage, or even a camper to rent in Round Top was, well, laughable. However, thanks to a steady increase in lodging investments, it’s no longer such a comical feat to pull off. Over a dozen boutique properties have opened over the past decade, each one as charming as ever, making sure that, with some strategic planning, an overnight in Round Top is well within reach.

    Because the spring and fall antiques shows span two weeks and individual venues open and close on different schedules, visitors can easily turn a shopping trip into a full getaway. Lodging options throughout Round Top make it easy to stay close to the action, whether visitors prefer boutique hotels, charming cottages, or a property with room to settle in for several days.

    Guests can book rooms at Hotel Lulu, the stylish Frenchie Boutique Hotel, the eclectic Wander Inn located on the Junk Gypsy grounds, Hostie’s newly-opened Rabbit Hole Motel (complete with a swimming pool, fire pit, and pickleball court), or cozy accommodations at Round Top Inn and Red Antler Bungalows, all offering convenient access to the town’s markets, events, and dining.

    Looking for something close to the action, but tucked away? 304 on the Hill, aka Rose Hill Round Top, certainly fits the bill. As the crow flies, this property is positioned approximately a quarter mile north of Boon & Co., making its proximity to town and Henkel Square easily walkable — something to consider in a town with essentially zero ride sharing infrastructure to speak of.

    Situated on eight acres of lush hill country, a central farmhouse — owned and occupied by local residents James and Yvette Webb — anchors three small cottages that, together, can accommodate up to 12 guests. The grounds include a pond and a stone fire-pit-lounge perfect for unwinding after a long day of antiquing.

    “We love our property because we’re tucked away at the end of W. Mill Street on 8 acres. We feel like it’s unique because it seems like we’re out in the country but yet we’re actually still in the city limits of Round Top,” says James. “We’re 2 of the 87 population. It’s a great place to live and the three cottages are great rentals for the antique shows or just a weekend.”

    Since 2008, the three cottages — named The Rose Cottage, The Pond Cottage, and This Old Porch — have granted guests bucolic, hill country views just steps from the hustle and bustle of the square. Each cottage offers a generous porch with either rocking chairs or a vintage glider; This Old Porch includes an intimate outdoor dining area, complete with vintage wicker chairs. In fact, each cabin comes accessorized with local antiques and works by local artists.

    Guests who are keen to wander may take notice of fun outdoor sculptures strewn about the grounds or even the stack of bee boxes on the eastern side of the property. Watching the bees bumble about between the stacks can easily delight outdoorsy types during a morning coffee break — coffee and half-and-half are provided, as is chilled Fiji water, Chobani yogurt in several flavors, and other snacks. While honey from the hives would be a nice touch, it’s Brenham Bees who manage the stacks, gifting the Webbs just enough for personal use and a few seasonal gifts.

    Should the occasion arise, take a moment to wave at the main house’s canine occupants. The littles are Paco and Hugo, while the bigger boys are Tuvé and Jasper. They remain within the confines of the Webb’s personal fenced abode, but guests can sneak a peek if they’re out and about.

    Whether one remains a dedicated day tripper or plans far enough ahead to decamp for a while, Round Top during the fall is seldom an unpleasant experience. The lodging boom is far from over, with a large wellness-focused hotel property opening spring 2027 and smaller boutique operations opening all the time. Regardless of where anyone chooses to stay, one thing remains the same — everyone ends up at Royers.

    304 on the Hill Rose Hill Round Top

    Photo by Alex Montoya

    Welcome to The Rose Cottage at 304 on the Hill.

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