Children
Children In Tuscany |
|
- FLORENCE
- SIENA
- AREZZO
- GROSSETO
- LIVORNO
- PISTOIA
- PISA
- LUCCA
- PRATO
- MASSA
- PROPERTY
FOR CHILDREN
When planning a child friendly holiday
that will suit the whole family, there really couldn’t
be a better destination than Tuscany. There is so much
to do and see there that suits any one of any age. Every
one is sure to feel that there was some thing for them
by the end of the trip.
The best and most economical way to
see Tuscany is to rent a self catering apartment or
villa in a country area for a week. Just because your
accommodation comes with a kitchen, doesn’t mean
you need to use it but often being able to have the
familiar snacks and breakfast foods on hand will contribute
an enormous comfort factor for your children.
With an apartment or villa, rather
than hotel rooms it means that every one has a communal
space to gather and relax in, kids can watch early morning
children’s programs on television (they don’t
seem to notice which language cartoons are in) and Mums
and Dads can have that after dinner quiet time, all
in peace and privacy.
Make sure, when you book your accommodation
that the agency has it’s feet on the ground in
Italy and can provide you with first hand answers to
your questions. Many agencies are actually based in
your home country and the person recommending the property
may not even have seen it, let alone have any experience
of your destination. At InTuscany.net we personally
inspect every property frequently and in case of problems,
have a close working relationship directly with our
property owners.
Which ever part of Tuscany you want
to see, every part of the province is so jam packed
with things to do and experience that you will be stuck
for choice. Each night when you return to the same place
and each morning when you wake up in the same beds,
your children will relish the familiarity.
Note: For people travelling with very
young babies we recommend that even if your child is
provided with a cot or crib by the accommodation provider,
it is worth putting a used pillow slip or blankie in
with your packing to provide the comforting smell and
feel of home.
The whole family will find it more
relaxing to be in the country with day trips to the
city rather than the other way around. Most accommodation
comes with a swimming pool or at least open green spaces.
Morning cultural excursions can be balanced with healthy
steam letting of activities closer to home (whilst parents
snooze in the shade) each day.
You don’t need to be concerned
about meals in restaurants. All Italians love children
and will bend over back wards to welcome them, smiling
benignly at even the most shocking monsters. If your
children can handle the later nights, no Italian will
think it at all unusual for you to take them, no matter
how small, out to a restaurant in the evening.
Many country restaurants also have
lovely gardens or spacious piazzas where the children
can play rowdy games with in eye sight, whilst the parents
finish their wine. It is also quite acceptable to send
older children to the near by bar to buy cheaper commercial
ice creams after dinner whilst the parents indulge in
the more expensive and delicious desserts at the table.
Of course the biggest challenge for
any parent is how to get a city dose of culture with
a gaggle of children who couldn’t care less.
For older children who may be able
to better appreciate what you are looking at we recommend
Dorling Kindersley guide books (available at all major
book sellers). They provide simple low downs, suggested
itineraries and lots of pictures and diagrams that will
help the children to better understand things in a visual
way.
There are also many things especially
for children in Italian cities, you just need to know
what they are and how to find them.
FLORENCE:
Of course every one wants to see the
Uffizi Gallery when they go to Florence. The first thing
to avoid is waiting in a long line with impatient children.
Call this number to make a booking ahead of time +39
055 294 883 and waltz ahead of all the others not in
the know. Before you do, pop into the book shop of the
Museum, (across from the entrance) where you can buy
very good children’s activity books in English
that will keep them moving along through the galleries
and interested in them whilst you have some time to
enjoy the paintings.
There are also Museums especially
for children in Florence.
Actually three museums in one: Palazzo
Vecchio, Museo di Storia della Scienza and the Museo
Stibbert. They target young people from 8 a 88 and have
a special section for the very young - from 3 to 7 -
The Playroom of Bia and Garcia laboratory-atelier .
You can find out more about this here:
http://www.museoragazzi.it/museoragazzi/db36cedtengl.nsf/home?openform
If the bell tower or dome of the cathedral
are open, climbing up there exhausts and occupies every
one, it makes the children sleep and frees up some space
for you to indulge in an extra course with your dinner.
The best idea here is to head for the Cathedral first
thing as the lines get longer during the day and there
is no way to book.
The baptistery is also rather stunning
with the interior all done in gold mosaic and doesn’t
take long to take in, thus catering to short attention
spans.
A walk around the Boboli gardens is
another thing that most children like to do, they can
run through the mazes and up and down the complex path
ways, there are plenty of diverting fountains and hide
and seek opportunities. You will be able to enjoy the
gorgeous renaissance landscape architecture. The views
back over the city are well worth the climb.
If your staying in the city and really
need some down time try the Piscina Bellariva Lungarno.
Aldo Moro 6 (055 678 841) Open summer 10am-6pm daily;
8.30-11pm Monday to Friday; Winter 8.30-11pm Tues,Thurs;
9.30am-12.30pm Sat, Sun. Separate pools for young and
old, next to lawns for lounging under shady trees.
Ludoteca Centrale,Piazza SS Annunziata
13 (055 248 0477) Open 9am-1pm, 3-6.45pm, Mon, Tue,
Thur, Fri; 9am-1pm Sat. Situated close to Brunelleschi's
'Ospedale degli Innocenti', this play centre is free
and includes a library for children as well as toys.
In Florence, there is a playplace called Mondo Bimbo, located just northeast of the Piazza della Liberta. It is a big indoor playspace with many different jumping and climbing structures, the oversized inflatable kind. There are also small riding toys, chairs for the parents, and snack machines. Their sign says that it is for children aged 2-10, but I would say it’s best for 2-6 year olds. It’s an excellent change of pace for when the little ones have overdosed on great art. The phone number is +39 055 5532946.
In Florence you can also tour the
city by horse and carriage.
SIENA
Siena also has a fantastic bell tower
that every one will love climbing up, it gives you a
wonderful over view of this walled medieval city and
burns off a lot of steam.
Younger children will be amused for
hours chasing the pigeons in the Campo below whist their
parents take a leisurely coffee or glass of wine at
the tables that border the square.
Il Museo del Bosco, (The Museum of
the Woods); is a collection of materials and stories
from the people who used to live in the nearby woodland
40 years ago. An ethnographic museum which includes
walks and trails to discover more, as well as the animals
and vegetation of the forest.
Orgia, Sovicille
53018 (Siena)
Tel. 0577 582323-0577 582336
Opening hours: Friday and Saturday
9.30 alle 12.30
Other days and times with advance booking
Price:
adult € 2,07
Reduced: € 1,03
THE PALIO has been described
as the most exciting 5 minutes of your life and is recommended
for older children, parents of young children should
know that the intense heat, the crowds and the long
waiting periods to see the race might be too much.
A special note about Siena, not all
bars have public bathrooms, we recommend the Nannini
Bar on the left as you head down the corso toward the
main piazza or at the bottom of the corso are actually
some public toilets. At the top is MacDonalds, they
have nice clean toilets and the French fries provide
a sugar free bribe.
AREZZO
Right at the top of the main corso
in Arezzo is the most beautiful park, shaded by a stately
pine glade and equipped with views, plenty of benches
and a very imaginative and plentiful selection of children’s
climbing equipment.
Ponte a Poppi; Zoo Park of European
Fauna, open all year.
Arezzo also has a number of festivals
that will amuse children.
In June,the ‘Giostra del Saracino';
which is an old medieval joust played on horseback.
It was brought back in 1931 in order to revive the atmosphere
of the 14th C. After some breathtaking flag waving the
cavaliers gallop towards a puppet trying to give it
a blow with a lance.
If every one is sick of Italian food
there is a reasonable good and very inexpensive Chinese
restaurant in Arezzo and most kids like Chinese food.
Its right off the main corso:
DRAGO DI GIADA
Tel: (0575) 23205
36, V. MADONNA DEL PRATO 52100
AREZZO, AR
If you call them they will also accommodate
you out side of normal restaurant hours.
NEAR TO AREZZO is the medieval
town of LUCIGNANO. Each May on the second to
last and last Sunday they have "La Maggiolata"
which is a procession of flower covered wagons with
folk groups and musical bands.
CHIUSI:The historical center
of Chiusi is very charming and undiscovered as well
as pedestrian only. They also have a spooky subterranean
Etruscan Tomb tour that is sure to take the imagination
of your young ones. The tour is mainly under ground
with a thrilling moment when the guide turns off all
the lights (you will be asked first if you want to experience
this)
Just approach the Pro Loco (tourist
office) in the centre and they will arrange a guide
for the same day. Please note that the passage ways
are quite narrow, do not attempt this tour if you cannot
fit into a standard economy air line seat!
SAN GIMIGNANO:There are various
castles and monasteries there. San Gimignano with all
it’s towers tends to excite their imagination,
most Tuscan school children go there on an excursion
at least once during their elementary school years.
Children’s books on medieval life might be a good
way to prepare them and help them get a feel for it
all before you arrive.
PIENZA: Another place where
children can burn off steam in the pedestrian zone whilst
you relax at the table. When in Pienza do the palace
tour, it is in English, not too long and also interesting
for the children. The best ice cream is at ‘La
Dolce Sosta’ which is half way down the corso
on the left (other side and down from the palace.)
GROSSETO
Sorano, Parco Archeologico "La
città del Tufo" ; The archaeological park
"City of Tufa", la Città del Tufo,
contains numerous remains from the bronze age and the
Etruscan period. The park is located in a beautiful,
natural landscape that has only been open to the public
since 1998.
It covers three areas of great natural
and scenic interest: Sovana, and its profusion of Etruscan
necropolis, Vitozza with its 200 rocky caves shadowed
by the ruins of the medieval castle above, and, finally,
Sorano, site of the impregnable Orsini fortress which
today hosts a medieval museum.
Older children will also enjoy Etruscan
tomb walking at Pitigliano, the Etruscans excavated
pathways several meters deep that connected their villages,
these passages can still be traversed today and are
intriguing as well as good exercise. (every one should
wear sandals or sneakers for this excursion)
Of course the main attraction for
children at Grossetto is the beach. Bicycles can also
be hired here and there for family rides through the
pine glades that flank the beaches
LIVORNO
Populonia, The Archaeological Park
of Baratti and Populonia; this Park is the site of the
some of the most important remains of the Etruscan civilisation,
together with the nearby San Silvestro Archaeological
and Mineral Park in Campiglia Marittima. Visitors follow
a winding path through the landscape of coastal pine
forests and Mediterranean scrub to discover the famous
necropolis.
Cecina, Water Park; the 'Acquapark'
at Cecina Mare.
Marina di Castagneto - Donoratico,
Cavallino Matto; funpark dedicated to the family and
includes swimming pools, minigolf, miniature trains,
water slides, aquarium etc
The Palio Marinaro is rowing race
which takes place the second Sunday in July in the open
sea in front of la Terrazza Mascagni, between il Porto
and i Bagni Pancaldi.
The races are strictly for youth under
18 years of age rowing boats that are 10 meters long
with 10 oars men (or women). It ends with a big beach
party that every one can participate in.
Sagra del Pesce (fish festival) at
Castiglioncello: Every year at, in the località
di (suburb of) Caletta, in June the locals celebrate
la sagra del pesce during which they cook literally
tons of fish in a frying pan four meters wide. Castiglioncello
i san enchanting placet o stop amidst pine glades and
the sea and whilst there you can also visita n Etruscan-roman
necropalis ony discovered in 1907.
PISTOIA
Collodi, Parco di Pinocchio; Al the
classic characters from the story of Pinocchio by Carlo
Lorenzini at the town of Collodi, which is also the
pen name of the writer. You can get more information
here:www.pinocchio.it
Abetone, The nature Trail; The forest
botanical Garden is situated in the high valley of Sestaione
at 4000 feet above sea level and covers 3.5 acres. This
woodland hosts a wide variety of tree and plant species
as well as a stream and all the species of flora present
in the mountains of Pistoia.
PISA
The virtual museum is great for pre
trip preparation; two thousand pages and four thousand
images distributed via internet and subdivided into
sections related to art and tourism, all interlinked
by different navigational routes: the tourist section
is a journey in the company of six characters through
the history of Pisa, from the 12th century to the present
day. www.alfea.it
Peccioli, Prehistoric Park; life sized
reconstructed dinosaurs and their habitat. Includes
Tyrannosaurus Rex, Mammoths, as well as a volcano, bears
and cavemen. More information here: http://www.parcopreistorico.it/index.htm
'Carnevale dei ragazzi' at Calci in
February for this children's carnival; Floats in procession
and entertainment for children.
'Festa dei bimbi' at Casciana Terme,
25 August; fireworks and hot air balloon rides are the
theme of this children's festival
LUCCA
Pietrasanta, the holiday train or
'Trenino delle Vacanze'; a colourful train runs along
the coast of Marina di Pietrasanta during the summer
season until the town centre and offers a fantastic
view of the beauty of the location. The route takes
in Le Nocette, Motrone, Tonfano, Fiumetto, Pietrasanta
and back again. www.artemare.net
'Carnevale a Viareggio', February.
Perhaps the most celebrated festival during Italy's
carnival period.
PRATO
Castello dell'Imperatore or the 'Emperor's
Castle'; ancient (XIII century), imposing castle built
for Frederick II of Svevia.
Piazza delle Carceri
TEL. 0574/38207
Hours: Summer;:9,30-12,30, 15,30-19.00 Winter: 8,30-12,30,
15-17,30
Holiday hours: 9-12,30
Closet on Tuesdays
Entrance free
This massive construction is any ones idea of a castle
and will excite young imaginations. It has the stair
cases, the towers, the boiling oil shoots, the moat
and drawbridge etc.
MASSA
Aulla, Natural History Museum; important
exhibition highlighting this unique area called the
'Lunigianese'. Includes 2000 examples of rare plants
from the Apuane Alps famous for its marble. Also a botanical
park for nature trails with export guides.
The Castles of Lunigiana; impressive
network of defences still visible today gives an insight
into Lunigiana's past as a border territory. Includes
the famous Masalpina di Fosdinovo Castle being restored
to its full glory.
Equi Terme, Fivizzano, Le Grotte Di
Equi; 'La Buca di Equi' is an underground system which
has yet to be completely explored created by the gushing
waters which run off the Apuan Alps. Visitors can reach
4km into the system. At the entrance there is also a
small museum to understand how prehistoric man developed
during the bronze age.
Thermal baths, great for winter down
time and also as a jet lag cure, children and parents
all love a day wallowing in the curative waters.
At Bagno Vignoni or any other thermal
spa you can have a day wallowing in the thermal waters
(bring your bathers) an excellent cure for jet lag as
well as child pleaser.
Saturnia, Cascate del Molino; The
Romans were the first to build a thermal baths here
making use of the natural hot springs. The swimming
pool is naturally formed by the waterfall of Molino.
The water arrives in a huge pool and the constant temperature
of 37.5°C
There is much, much more for children
in Tuscany, we have just let you in on the tip of the
ice burg. The main thing that we love about Tuscany
is that children are integrated into life here and not
kept apart or ignored. They are regarded as one of the
great joys of life rather than a burden, the Italian
culture embraces all children in the most joyous and
open way.
It is not uncommon for complete strangers
to offer your children sweeties in the street, whilst
this might be alarming for prudent Anglo Saxon parents
it is accepted as part of the culture here. Parents
of young babies will receive many admiring glances and
some times people stopping to gaze into your babies
carriage.
The population of Italy is diminishing
as economic and space concerns limit the number of children
that upwardly mobile Italians will produce, thus making
the culture of babies and children even more precious.
The magic of Tuscany gets into the
heart of young and old alike. Once you have been here,
you will want to return again and again, whether you
are 9 or 90.
Here
is a list of properties that we think are particularly
child friendly and why.
Please don't limit your choice to
these few, most of the proeprties on our site are wonderful
for children. There are a few that are not so great
and if you ask us we will tell you which ones they are.
Villa
nell'Oliveto - Pool fenced with international
standard child saftey gates. No interior stair cases.Toys,
videos and games provided. Manager has own children
who use the pool. Short walk from village play ground
with swings and slides.
La
Penisola - Lots of adorable animals to
pet.
Podere
Manzinaie - In house baby
sitter, owners particualrly love children.
Villa
Argentieri - Wave pool
and balconeys for child beds
Podere
Torricella - Ping Pong table as well as
a larger structure making it more likely to meet play
mates.
|
