Kid-Friendly Fun in Florence
Our adventure began in Florence, a city steeped in history and culinary delights. With young kids, we knew we had a limited attention span for museums, so we kept our visit to Florence short and only spent one night there. We skipped the other museums and headed to the Accademia Gallery to marvel at Michelangelo's towering masterpiece, David. This stunning (and huge!) sculpture left even my fickle kids in awe of the Renaissance brilliance.
Family-Friendly Accommodations in Florence
When seeking accommodations for our family of four I always do one of two things - find an apartment rental with multiple bedrooms or a hotel suite where the kids can sleep in on a sofa bed in a separate room from me. Not being in the same bedroom is key for us getting better sleep! In Florence, check out Grand Hotel Cavour for their reasonably priced, family-friendly suites.
Kid-Friendly Food in Tuscany
Let's face it, kids will tolerate art, but they're really on this trip for the food. The Mercato Centrale food hall in Florence was our first stop for delectable slices of pizza that satisfied every craving. And speaking of satisfying cravings, the best penne alla vodka we ever had was at the unassuming Alla Vecchia Bettola. The explosion of flavors convinced us that we had hit the culinary jackpot, and I've been on a vodka sauce bender ever since!
Florence is the birthplace of gelato, so it's no surprise that options abound. Gelateria La Carraia will please even the grumpiest kids. Italy pro tip: bribe your kids as often as needed with the promise of a heavenly scoop of gelato! We had it just about every day of our trip.
Unique Accommodations for Your Family in Italy
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| Castello de San Fabiano |
Tuscany is home to many agriturismos, which are a great option for families, but we opted for something even more unusual. Our base for our Tuscany family vacation was none other than Castello de San Fabiano, a family-owned castle that exuded warmth and charm. The castle's breakfast spread was a true feast served in a lovely room. We actually convinced the family to open a week earlier for the season than they intended so we were the only ones there. The hospitality of the family made us feel like we were part of their story. Although a real castle, the rooms are not fancy, so temper your expectations. For us, it was a reasonable trade-off for the beautiful setting.
Culinary Adventures at Casa dell’Abate Naldi
Food wasn't just about tasting; it was about creating. At Casa dell’Abate Naldi, we got our hands dirty cooking with a real nonna making pici, a thick, elongated pasta popular in the region. Our little chefs loved the whole experience and particularly enjoyed making and eating chocolate salami. I enjoyed sharing such an authentic experience and delicious food in a beautiful old home. This was a highlight of our trip that my girls still talk about!
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| Chocolate salami and pici at Casa dell’Abate Naldi |
Family-Fun in Siena: Almond Biscuits and Piazza Bliss!
Next up was Siena, a medieval town that transported us back in time. Piazza del Campo's charm drew us in as we sipped cocktails at one of the many bars that surround it. My kids were obsessed with this slanted, round piazza, and had to be stopped from rolling themselves down it in a fit of giggles.
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| Siena |
Don't leave Siena without savoring delightfully chewy ricciarelli, sugar-dusted almond biscuits from La Nuovo Pasticceria. One important note - these little Tuscan towns limit cars, and have confusing signage. We weren't aware of doing anything wrong, but that didn't stop us from receiving a ticket mailed to us in the US months later!
San Gimignano: Skyscrapers and Gelato Dreams!
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| San Gimignano |
Did you know that there were skyscrapers during the Renaissance? I certainly didn't! San Gimignano, a town straight out of a storybook, welcomed us with its medieval skyscrapers and quaint streets. Some background - during the Renaissance, merchant families showed off by building increasingly tall and splendid stone towers. At one point there were 72 of them. Today, only 15 remain, but it makes for a striking syline.
Da I' Mariani is a must-visit. At this postage stamp-sized charcuterie shop, we let the proprietor choose the meats and cheeses we ate and we washed it down with cheap local wine. It was exactly the kind of meal I find most memorable - spectacularly delicious and hyper-local. We of course had to finish the day off with another gelato, from the fantastic Gelateria Dondoli.
I operate on a one-for-you, one-for-me travel planning approach. So if the kids get to do their thing (read: stuff their face with gelato), then I get to do mine later. So that led us to a delightful afternoon wine tasting at Azienda Agricola Palagetto. The kids did fine there just hanging out while we lived La Dolce Vita!
Farm Animals and Fantastic Tuscan Photos
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| The drive to Podere Il Casale |
My only regret is that we didn't get to Podere Il Casale earlier. This farm and garden produces everything it serves at its restaurant, and it struck the perfect balance between kid-friendly fun and refined flavors. The kids were overjoyed to mingle with farm animals and were bummed when it was too dark to see them. The drive through Pienza to arrive passed cypress trees and one of the most stunning sunsets I've ever seen. Other must-see photo spots in Tuscany include Podere Belvedere and the Cypress Road in Monticchiello.
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| Getting my 'gram on in Tuscany |
Tuscany's Family-Friendly Secrets Revealed!
So, fellow adventurers, there you have it—a taste of our Tuscany escapade filled with unparalleled beauty, delectable flavors, and family-friendly fun! Tuscany is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be uncovered. And if you're ever in need of a little boost, just remember the magic word—gelato! Happy exploring!
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