Travel: Tuscany with kids
- Mums Tips
- Travel with kids
- Published on Thursday, 10 January 2019 11:16
- Last Updated on 06 January 2019
- rita Kobrak
- 0 Comments
Tuscany is the perfect holiday destination for families as there is so much to do in this one fabulous region and kids are welcomed everywhere. Lots of pasta and pizza mean you don’t have to worry about what the kids will eat while you enjoy your “aperitivo”. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Amusement parks
The Pinocchio park at the town of Collodi founded a hundred years ago and recently renovated, is a perfect outing for the whole family. The writer, Carlo Collodi who took his name from his hometown was the creator of Pinocchio. Here you will find the theme park dedicated to the story. It is a very Italian park, combining nature and art, with workshops, statues and art exhibitions plus a zip line and a butterfly house close by and included in the ticket entrance price.. If you are looking for rides, I suggest Cavallino matto close to Livorno set in a pine forest and with roller coasters , boats, 4D movies and plenty of rides. Plenty of places to eat too so if you are hungry remember you are in Italy so even amusement parks have good food. In fact You have to work very hard to have a bad meal in Tuscany!
Wildlife and nature
If your children are interested in wildlife you have Pistoia zoo, Poppi zoo (near Arezzo), the Livorno aquarium and at Viareggio the chance to see dolphins at the protected pelagos sanctuary. Trips can be arranged to spot the dolphins by catamaran or sail boat with a marine biologist on board (www.cetusresearch.eu).
Horse-riding can be found all over Tuscany at a quarter of London prices. At the village Pieve Santo Stefano, Debora(see below) takes kids from 5 upwards for lessons in the beautiful Tiber valley at the cost of 10 euros a lesson . Close by you can hike the unspoilt countryside and along the lake Montedoglio through to Caprese Michelangelo to see the birth town of Michelangelo with a picnic in hand bought at the local market . There are plenty of picnic tables and although you will spot the odd tourist it is easier to spot deer, rabbits and small boar along with many different bird species .
Culture
Don’t miss the cultural sites too such as the leaning tower of Pisa, the kids will love taking silly photos pretending to hold up the tower.
Not far from Pisa is Lucca where the whole family can hire bikes to cycle around the 4.9 km walls, followed by some of the best ice cream in Italy ( our favourite is bottega del gelato in via Santa Croce) Kids will also love climbing the 230 steps of the Guinigi tower , a lot less crowded than climbing the Pisa one . Anghiari ( close to Arezzo), famous for the battle painted by Leonardo da Vinci is where kids will feel like knights and princesses in this medieval town that looks like a castle , especially if they visit during one of the numerous medieval festivals. Close by is San sepolcro where older kids will enjoy the aboca museum , the only herb museum in Tuscany , while younger kids will love the water park.
Where to stay
A family friendly villa is an ideal base to stay in Tuscany. Villa Radicata is family friendly family run villa is a less tourist part of Tuscany but within easy reach of the main towns such as Arezzo, Florence , Anghiari , Lucca . it is set in 2 acres if woodland with private pool and outdoor pizza oven . Wood can be provided if you want to have a go at making your own pizzas or Laura from the local village can show you how to do it . She can also provide pasta making lessons and dinners if required . Plenty of games, table football and trampoline. Family yoga and Italian lessons can also be arranged.
The villa sleeps 10 and the house is set on three levels with a large garden and outdoor eating area.
www.holiday-villa-in-tuscany.com
Tel 0778 5571292 or 0039 3495018679
Closet airport Perugia or Florence
Lucca accommodation can also be arranged.
Related features:
Inspirational Mums: Rita Kobrak & her Italian holidays for mums
Travel with kids: Tuscany – FAMILY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN
I have worked in 12 different countries as a tour manager for a travel company before having my beautiful daughter, Alessia 4 years ago. I since set up the mum and baby experience, running fitness, yoga and cooking holidays in Italy for mums and their little ones. I also run a small holiday rental business www.my-italian-holiday-home.com and www.mum-and-baby-experience.co.uk
I enjoy cooking, fencing, travelling and time with my family
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