Private beaches, I knew, were normal in Italy but the extent is amazing. Much of the coast line, or at least the coast we saw is lined with private beaches. The beach roads are edged with these places making the coast road a long string of never ending establishments. I was surprised to be told by an Italian that they are illegal, I do not know how true that is. At the time we did much of the coast most of them were closed, so the signs were flaking, the gates locked and litter piling up in front of each place, this all means the sea front roads look very dismal as out of season decay is all you can see.

I’ve now been on some of the beaches and I’m aware that what I write may not be representative of all beaches but here goes.

Each business “sweeps” it’s beach with a digger and rakes at the start of the season. Each beach provides a car park, restaurant/bar, toilets, showers, changing cubicles, playgrounds, table tennis, volley pitches, table football, sunbeds and umbrella, everything you could want for a day on the beach with the family. No getting sand in your sandwiches as you go and eat in the restaurant, no sand in your e-reader as you lay on the sun beds. You don’t even have to entertain the kids as this is done for you. I really can see the advantages of these places, it really is all laid on, all round entertainment. The disadvantage anything from €5 for two beds and a brolly to €25 for a single sunbed depending on location.

Every so often you will get a small strip of dirty sand between the private beaches. These are free beaches, that is where you will find John and I laid on our towels.