Forte dei Marmi became particularly popular with Russians after the country's opera singers visited nearby Lago di Torre. Gucci, Prada and Burberry stores opened there.
Photo: Dmitry Kostyukov
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Russia’s Moneybags Prompt Italians to Flee to Hills
Russia’s moneybags that are renting summer houses in a small Tuscan town Forte dei Marmi have hiked the prices to astronomical levels. The town is the most fashionable destinations for the Russians this summer, while the locals flee to surrounding hills, The Telegraph reported.
The Russians pay roughly $140,000 to rent a villa for a month there. The big flow of money hiked the prices for goods and services in this town that is around 20 minutes away from Pisa.
Forte dei Marmi became particularly popular after the opera singers of Russia visited nearby Lago di Torre. Gucci, Prada and Burberry stores opened there; the local magazine is published both in Russian and Italian.
The authorities endeavor to prevent the locals from selling houses at large. Sometimes, they go as far as banning the sale for 30 years. What’s more, the locals suspect Russians of laundering money by buying the real estate in the town, but the probes have revealed no evidences so far.
www.kommersant.com
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