Family Holidays in Tuscany
Family Holidays in Tuscany
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Family Holidays in Tuscany Choose a boutique hotel, a villa or a holiday apartment with pool and garden, especially if you come here in July and August. The best periods to visit are summer and spring - autumn half-term school breaks. There are plenty of things to see and do that will entertain children and adults alike. The key to a successful Tuscan trip with children is to divide the region into three distinct areas and concentrate every time on one in order to limit trips to no more than an hour and a half by car.
Northern Tuscany
The Must-See Mix exploring the vineyards of Chianti with a visit to one of the fabulous castles. Then climb Tuscan towers. The Leaning Tower of Pisa will certainly appeal to the kids but beware you must be over 8 to make the assent. There are more towers to climb in San Gimignano, the backdrop to many a movie. Then it’s on to the beautiful medieval city of Siena to attempt the Torre del Mangia. Kids love the bare-back horse race, the Palio, which is held here twice a year on 2 July and 16 August. They also have heats, which are less busy and easier to watch with a young family.
The Great Outdoors Cycle on top of the mighty city walls of Lucca and pop a 'buccellato' cake into the picnic basket. Check out the famous marble mines at Carrara and go horse riding in the Gargafana. Be sure to ask in the tourist office about visiting a honey farm and seeing the famous Chianina cows. Parco di Pinocchio, 15km east of Lucca, always goes down well. 'The Adventures of Pinocchio' by the Tuscan writer Carlo Collodi was published in 1883 and this very Italian theme park was inspired by his adventures. Animal lovers will have fun at the zoo in Pistoia, book ahead for a moonlight visit.
Central Tuscany
The Must-See In Cortona, clamber up the steep steps to the Fortezza Medicea Girifalco and watch Punch, known as 'Pulcinella' in Italy, chime the time on the Torre di Pulcinella in beautiful hilltop Montepulciano. There are medieval festivals all over Tuscany and timing a visit to a must-see Tuscan town with one can make the trip for children. Look out for festivals in Volterra and the Palio and jousting festivals in Arezzo.
The Great Outdoors Tuscany is all about the outdoors with kids. Take a boat trip on Lake Trasimeno and enjoy the cool of the evening spotting constellations in the star-studded sky. Pack a picnic and head for the summit of Italy’s largest extinct volcano, Monte Amiata. Bring your walking shoes, as there are some lovely hikes. There are stunning views and a giant cross on top of the mountain that should impress. Tuscany can get hot in summer so factor in some cooldown time and take a trip to the coast. After some bucket and spade activity, go dolphin spotting - boats leave from the seaside resort of Viareggio.
Southern Tuscany
The Must-See Tour the hilltop cities of Sorano, Sovana and Pitigliano that appear to have grown out of the volcanic rock, the 'tufa'. Discover the Jewish heritage of Pitigliano, 'La Piccola Gerusalemme', which has a fascinating network of subterranean walkways. Then enjoy the panorama from the castle at Capalbio and do not miss the beautiful "Giardino dei Tarocchi"(the Tarots Garden), a sculpture garden based on the esoteric tarot created by Niki de Saint Phalle. Take a dip in the natural thermal falls of Saturnia – it has brag facto to satisfy any teenager. Then head for the most important Etruscan site in the area, the tombs of the Tomba Ildebrande.
The Great Outdoors The Parco Regionale della Maremma offers quiet beaches and unspoiled macchia. It’s a young bird spotter’s dream and has some great hiking, biking and canoeing. The massive sandy beach of Tombolo della Feniglia that connects Monte Argentario to the mainland, is the place to build a den as there are lots of sticks always scattered on the beach. Rent a boat in Porto Ercole and tour Monte Argentario, the silver mountain that was once an island. Or take a day trip to Isola del Giglio, which has more beautiful beaches.
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