Florence & Tuscany with Kids
Second Edition - 2015
Ariela Bankier
Copyright text, maps and illustrations: Ariela Bankier
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.
Second edition, February 2015
Photos are used by permission and are the property of the original owners. All photos credits appear at the end of the book. If your photo appears without a credit, or isnt credited properly, please let us know and we will fix it immediately.
Front cover photos: Nickolay Vinokurov/Shutterstock.com and LianeM/Shutterstock.com; Back cover photo: Francesco R. Iacomino/Shutterstock.com
Managing Editor and Author: Ariela Bankier
Senior Editor: Suzanne Klein
Associate Editor: Amy L. Hayden
Scientific Advisor and Contributor: Federica Caneparo
Fact Checking: Maya Szczupak, Simona Graffeo
Graphic Design and e-book Format: eBook DesignWorks, Melisa Coppola
Illustrations: Karen Dishaw
Maps: Jiban Dahal
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Florence
Chapter 2
Pisa and Lucca
Chapter 3
The Garfagnana
Chapter 4
Volterra
Chapter 5
Chianti
Chapter 6
San Gimignano and Monteriggioni
Chapter 7
Siena
Chapter 8
Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Cortona and Lake Trasimeno
Chapter 9
Arezzo, Poppi, and Camaldoli
Chapter 10
Populonia and the Etruscan Beach
Chapter 11
Montepulciano and Chiusi
Chapter 12
Val dOrcia
Chapter 13
Maremma
Chapter 14
Top of the Top
Disclaimer:
Although the author of this guide has made every effort to provide readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information (as of the date of publication), she accepts no responsibility for any damages, loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by readers of this guide. The author makes no warranties or representations of any kind regarding the accuracy of the information (text or maps) listed in this guide, including the completeness, suitability or availability of the products and services listed, and does not endorse, operate, or control any of the products or services listed in this guide. The author is in no event liable for any sort of direct or indirect or consequential damages that arise from the information found in this guide. If you have come across any errors in this guide, please let us know so we can correct our future editions. If you have any comments or concerns, please write to this address: Thank you!
General note: Travel information tends to change quickly. In addition, the recent economic crisis has influenced many businesses and attractions, including restaurants and hotels. Shops may close without notice, and some sites may change, or reduce, their opening hours unexpectedly. For this reason, we recommend confirming the details in this guide before your departure, just to be on the safe side.
Introduction
Tuscany is a dream destination, a pivotal stop in any tour of Italy, and it isnt difficult to see why. With its enchantingly simple beauty, ranging from fruit-filled vineyards to tiny medieval villages and picturesque rolling hills, Tuscany is the heart of Italian culture. Its capital, Florence, has been attracting crowds for hundreds of years, and smaller towns like Pisa, San Gimignano, and Lucca also draw visitors from around the world. Throughout Tuscany, travellers find delicious food, world-famous architecture and artwork, andof courseheavenly ice cream. With all of this to offer, whats not to love about the area? The problem, at least for some families, is the mistaken belief that Tuscany isnt a family-friendly vacation destination.
My kids will never last in all those museums, you may be thinking. However, we can assure you that it doesnt have to be that way. Tuscany can actually be a wonderful place for parents and kids alike (from toddlers to teenagers), and if you plan your trip correctly, it may even be one of your most memorable vacations yet. How can you do that? Thats where we come in.
Florence & Tuscany with Kids is the most comprehensive guide for families travelling to this region. It contains everything you need to know to build the perfect vacation for your family, from practical tips on moving around Tuscany to information on B&Bs, beaches, adventure and amusement parks, medieval castles, kid-friendly museums, festivals, and great restaurants. Were also honest about which places arent worth your time and effort, which places shouldnt be missed, and the best ways to navigate hilly terrain when you (and your kids) are short on stamina. You will also find several unique features in this guide, such as Kids Corners (filled with interesting information), detective missions, insiders tips, money-saving ideas, and fun family events and activities. And all is presented in a friendly, easy-to-use format. In short, your next great vacation starts here.
Welcome to Tuscany, and have a wonderful trip!
Ariela Bankier
How to Use this Guide
Florence & Tuscany with Kids is divided into 14 chapters. Each one is dedicated to a different geographical area in Tuscany and includes one or two easy-to-follow (but detailed) self-guided itineraries. At the end of each chapter you will find sections dedicated to the best family-friendly restaurants and hotels in the area, as well as special events and activities that might interest your family. The last chapter (chapter 14) includes a review list of the best activities, hikes, parks, beaches, and museums for the entire family.
Q: Why is the guide divided into itineraries?
Several travel guides offer lists of all the attractions and sights in a given area, but they dont explain how to create a fun, sensible itinerary that everyoneeven young childrenwill enjoy. Our itineraries, which are meant to give our readers a sense of which sights and attractions go well together, are built so that readers can follow them to the letter or use them as a general reference point, whichever they prefer. All of the itineraries are designed to be very easy to mix, match, or modify. And since the itineraries are organized by geographical order and proximity, you can build a day with your favourite activities from two or even three different itineraries.
The longest chapter is dedicated to Florence and includes information about the citys museums, parks, kid-friendly attractions, family restaurants, the best ice cream, and much more. The other chapters cover northern Tuscany (Pisa, Lucca, and the Garfagnana area), southern Tuscany (mainly Val dOrcia, Montepulciano, Chiusi, and the Maremma area), eastern Tuscany (Arezzo and Cortona), western Tuscany (the Etruscan Beach) and central Tuscany (the Chianti region and the hill towns of Volterra, San Gimignano, and more). Each itinerary is filled with practical tips for navigating the area with children.
Q: What unique features does this guide offer?
We have included a number of unique features in this guide to help get your kids involved and have a great time. The first feature is our Missions , a series of fun, detective-style missions that kids can complete when you visit a sight.
A second feature is the Kids Corner that you will find at the end of most itineraries. These include fun facts, stories, and anecdotes, everything from how much the Pisa Tower weighs to techniques for training falcons and stories of pirates. These facts and stories are meant to get kids curious about their surroundings while having fun. Some kids still wont be interested and would rather just enjoy walking and exploring, which is, of course, perfectly fine. But if they do want to know a little bit more, all they have to do is turn a page
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