One in all my favorite locations to go to with my daughter is gorgeous Italy, after improbable metropolis breaks in Venice and Rome, I began plotting our return with my wishlist of locations to go to in Tuscany with youngsters.
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As a result of there are such a lot of tempting causes to go to Tuscany on a household vacation: from Florence and Siena, which I’ve explored and love, to the historic hilltop villages, the famously beautiful countryside with its vineyards, loads of luxurious villas in Tuscany, even the prospect of seashore too.
So in case you’re questioning the place to go in Tuscany with youngsters, I’ve picked my prime 13 locations to go to and issues to do.
Florence
You’ll be able to’t go to Tuscany with youngsters with out a minimum of a day exploring Florence – though having first seen town on a pavement-meltingly scorching day, it’s finest to keep away from peak summer season.
And in case you suppose your youngsters are going to be bored by artwork galleries and structure, there’s loads to seize their curiosity. I attempted a household tour of the Uffizi, which was good to deliver the work to life, together with titbits on the Medici household and a quiz to observe.
Or stroll the streets as an alternative and search for road artwork – we wandered from Piazza della Signoria in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, ambling alongside backstreets and facet streets earlier than strolling throughout the well-known bridge itself.
There are markets to walk by means of, pizza by the slice to purchase and gelato galore, together with Florentine speciality semifreddo – Perche No, the place you can too attempt making gelato is improbable.
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Don’t miss the Duomo, however group it with a experience on the standard carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, earlier than dressing up because the medieval Medici within the Palazzo Vecchio and rubbing the nostril of the bronze boar statue, Il Porcellino, to make sure you return.
Then burn off some vitality (and sugar) within the Boboli Gardens or marvel at among the machines designed by Da Vinci himself within the Leonardo Interactive Museum.
The place to remain in Florence with youngsters
There are villas inside a brief driving distance of town, however if you wish to be proper within the coronary heart of Florence, Plum Information has some nice residences that are nearly actually a stone’s throw from the Ponte Vecchio.
The Good Rose sleeps 4, and has its personal courtyard house, in addition to a view of the Palazzo Vecchio. The Uffizi is on the doorstep, and you may request a cot for infants.
There’s sufficient marble and velvet to get you feeling like a Florentine noble however loads of fashionable touches to make it simple for households.
For someplace inside simple attain of town, however the place you’ll be able to retreat after a day exploring, Prime Villas has some beautiful properties that are good for larger households equivalent to Villa Beltrami, with its personal pool.
Siena
Quieter than Florence – until you go to for the Palio! – Siena is made for wandering round. Residence to a different stunning cathedral, even youngsters will love recognizing the colors of the ornate ceiling and the mosaics on the ground, in addition to nice views from the tower.
Youngsters who love animals might be fascinated by the tales of Siena’s completely different areas or ‘contrada’, every with their very own mascot, nonetheless used right now for the Palio horse race.
You could possibly set your self a mini treasure hunt to identify as many animals as you’ll be able to alongside the streets (fuelled by extra gelato, after all), or attempt a strolling tour of Siena to find extra in regards to the historic rivalries and the way the completely different areas obtained their names – the silkmakers are represented by a caterpillar, for instance.
All over the place you look, there are mementoes of Siena’s previous – medieval bathrooms hooked up to the surface of homes in Piazza del Campo, iron rings on partitions to tether horses, even the relics of Saint Catherine within the Basilica San Domenico.
There’s additionally a Kids’s Artwork Museum to discover inside Santa Maria della Scala, together with alternatives to get fingers on.
The place to remain in Siena with youngsters
There are some nice villas round half-hour’ drive from Siena, together with renovated farmhouses for bigger teams and choices for smaller households – the gathering from Prime Villas has some beautiful luxurious properties.
Or contemplate the areas of Poggibonsi and Colle di Val d’Elsa, which make a super base to discover the entire space, together with Florence and Volterra.
Villa Wild Grapes is ready in a winery with beautiful views of the Val d’Elsa and its personal personal pool, whereas the temptingly named A Glass of Brunello is right for bigger households, on the outskirts of Siena with its personal personal pool.
Pisa
If there’s one landmark that’ll undoubtedly be in your youngsters’ wishlist, it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa, tilting at its 4 diploma angle.
Relationship again to the twelfth century, the bell tower has been tilting little by little because it was constructed, till work to stabilise it completed in 2001. You’ll be able to climb the tower, though solely with youngsters over the age of 8.
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And it could be touristy however who can resist posing for a photograph trying as in case you’re holding it up? You’ll be able to’t go onto the grass in entrance however stand on one of many bollards and await a transparent shot to get the pose – or simply amuse your self trying on the shapes everybody else is pulling.
It’s also possible to head over to the cathedral for a special view, which might be quieter. However be ready for crowds right here: that is one other one which’s finest performed in shoulder season or arrive early, to keep away from standing within the solar too lengthy.
In addition to exploring the remainder of the cathedral advanced, you’re not removed from Pisa’s botanical gardens, the Orto Botanico di Pisa, a stunning shady spot for a stroll. Or head out to see the stays of an aqueduct at Parco Don Bosco (with a playground for teenagers).
The place to remain in Pisa with youngsters
It’s finest to remain someplace exterior town, as a base to discover this a part of Tuscany – fairly Villa Gioli in Fauglia is just a half-hour drive from Pisa itself, but additionally a superb base to discover Livorno, and even Viareggio and Lucca. Sleeping as much as 12 (with the choice to rent a seventh bed room), it has its personal pool.
Or the well-named Portrait of Serenity is a nineteenth century manor home that’s been restored so the standard Tuscan fashion has loads of up to date touches, not least a pool and wood-fired pizza oven. To be even nearer, Villa Rossa from TopVillas is lower than quarter-hour’ drive and sleeps as much as 14.
When you do wish to be within the coronary heart of Pisa, verify in to Pisan Memoir, only a few minutes’ stroll from the leaning tower. Sleeping as much as six, the colorful condo has its personal shady courtyard as effectively, to flee from the hustle and bustle of town.
Lucca
Enclosed by its medieval metropolis partitions, Lucca is right with youthful youngsters – smaller than Florence, and fewer visited than Pisa and Siena, its relaxed really feel is ideal for strolling.
Take a stroll alongside the partitions themselves, or rent a motorcycle, earlier than getting among the finest views from the highest of Lucca’s towers: you’ll be able to climb the 14th century Torre della Ore, the city’s tallest, and Torre Guinigi, with its backyard on the prime.
When you favor to let an skilled reveal town to you, try this guided strolling tour of Lucca for teenagers.
Don’t miss Piazza dell’anfiteatro, initially a Roman amphitheatre that’s now lined with cafes (and room for teenagers to run round). And in summer season, you’ll discover festivals and music to entertain too, even an opportunity to listen to some Puccini in his house city
When you’re driving to Lucca, one among my prime journey suggestions is: don’t attempt to head inside the partitions as you threat a positive – there may be parking on the outskirts or it’s a brief practice experience from Pisa (and simply over 90 minutes by practice from Florence)
The place to remain in Lucca with youngsters
You’ll be spoiled for alternative relating to household pleasant residences in Lucca, together with a string inside the walled metropolis itself. Lucca Lullaby sleeps six, as does Candy Lucca with its rooftop terrace, whereas vibrant and ethereal Renaissance Glory sleeps 4 and can be very central.
For a bit more room, there are villas shut sufficient to discover. Solely 10 minutes’ drive from Lucca, six-bed Orfea has its personal infinity pool and is just half an hour from the seashore, as is Villa Marraccini which sleeps 4.
The Campannori space can be a stunning choice, shut sufficient to Lucca to discover however with extra choices to remain in a villa, so you will have your individual house and a pool to lounge by.
Villa Chiodo is a stunning outdated stone constructing with wooden beamed ceilings, plus an enormous kitchen, trendy loos and nice views.
The perfect hilltop cities in Tuscany with youngsters
Away from the cities, you’ll be able to’t go to Tuscany with youngsters with out seeing a minimum of one of many picturesque hilltop cities. What number of you squeeze in relies on your youngsters’ love of wandering by means of the little streets and the views of the countryside.
Volterra
Volterra is one among my favourites – and when you’ve got older youngsters who love the Twilight books, it’s unmissable. Make a cease at Dolceria del Corso, the city’s oldest pastry store for truffles and treats, together with bite-size doughnuts, earlier than strolling off to find Roman historical past, Etruscan tombs, crafts made with native alabaster marble and viewpoints galore.
San Gimignano
Not distant from Volterra is San Gimignano, one of the crucial well-known Tuscan hilltop cities with its 15 towers, one of many best-preserved medieval cities in Tuscany – each are driving distance from Siena, Florence and Pisa.
Cortona & Montepulciano
Additional east in the direction of Arezzo, you’ll discover Cortona and Montepulciano – the primary referred to as the placement the place the bestselling ebook Below The Tuscan Solar was set. Montepulciano rivals San Gimignano for the ‘most stunning’ title (to not point out being well-known for its wine).
Montalcino
South of Siena, Montalcino is one other nice choice for individuals who love meals and wine.
The seashore in Tuscany with youngsters
The seaside won’t be the very first thing that involves thoughts whenever you consider Tuscany, but when your loved ones vacation isn’t full with out a seashore, you received’t be in need of alternative alongside the Tuscan coast.
When you’re staying round Volterra or Livorno, it’s even potential to drive to Piombino to take the ferry throughout to the island of Elba – an extended day trip, however a really memorable day journey, and the lengthy sandy seashore at Marino di Campo is ideal with youngsters.
Not removed from Lucca, Viareggio additionally has a wonderful sandy seashore – the northern finish round Forte dei Marmi is filled with trendy seashore golf equipment and locations to see and be seen fairly than making sandcastles, however you’ll discover ‘spiaggia libera’ or free seashore at Viareggio.
Head additional south in the direction of Maremma and Orbetello and also you’ll discover the seashores hottest with Tuscan households – observe of their lead and hire a villa by the seashore or on the little island hooked up by a street to the mainland. The Fortune Teller sleeps 9, and as soon as belonged to a member of the Borghese household, with its personal personal pool and views to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Extra issues to do in Tuscany with youngsters
Vineyards in Tuscany with youngsters
Visiting a winery could be on most mother and father’ wishlists for a household vacation in Tuscany, however what in regards to the youngsters? Fortunately as Italians love youngsters, in all places is family-friendly, and lots of will present grape juice for them to attempt on the tasting classes.
Many are additionally set on farms, so there’s an opportunity to identify animals between sips: Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona even has wolves together with its Brunello di Montalcino vintages.
It’s essential to make reservations for tastings at any vineyards, so it’s simple to verify upfront – or contemplate a tour information who can suggest the most effective choices with youngsters.
Household sights in Tuscany
If wandering medieval streets and historic cities loses its attraction in your youngsters after just a few days, there are some nice household sights to go to in Tuscany with youngsters as effectively.
Head into the bushes
Parco Avventura Il Gigante, north of Florence, has a excessive ropes course within the bushes, in addition to simpler routes for youthful youngsters.
A waterpark in Tuscany
When you’re staying close to the coast, you may go to a waterpark in Tuscany. Acqua Village in Cecina, simply sound of Livorno, has flumes, swimming pools and different splashy enjoyable – plus a sister waterpark in Follonica, not removed from Piombino.
Go to the zoo
Select from the Zoological Backyard of Pistoia close to Florence, with greater than 400 animals to identify, or the smaller Poppi zoo to the east of town.
Discover a fortress
There are some majestic fortresses and fairytale castles dotted throughout Tuscany. Some have turn out to be libraries and museums, others are nonetheless intact, nevertheless it’s an awesome place for teenagers to let their imaginations run wild.
Probably the most spectacular is the Castello Dell’Imperatore – the emperor’s fortress in Prato, constructed for the King of Sicily, Frederick II. Take the steps to the perspective on the prime and debate the way you’d have completed this grand fortress in case you have been in cost – constructing work stopped on the emperor’s demise so it was by no means accomplished.
Gaze on the stars
Out within the coronary heart of the countryside, there’s loads of inspiration to stare as much as the heavens. However if you wish to know extra about what you’re seeing, head to the Planetarium on the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence, which you’ll go to on Sunday afternoons.
Go to an uncommon theme park
The creator of the Adventures of Pinocchio was born in Collodi in Tuscany, so it’s unmissable for anybody who loves the tales, particularly the Parco di Pinocchio theme park, with a sculpture path, rides which are good for youthful youngsters, and puppets.
*First revealed 2021, final up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions and love of gelato are my very own
Photos: Pisa/Lucca/seashore/winery/fortress courtesy Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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