Some tips for a successful parent-child vacation in Tuscany!

Anyone who travels with children knows that parents can only find peace and relaxation and enjoy their vacation if the children are not bored. It is important that “the little ones” have fun and have the opportunity to get to know new things.

Especially on vacation, children need stimulation and a lot of attention so that the trip is a positive experience for the entire family. It is important to respond to complaints of boredom with patience and calmness and to try to plan tourist tours together with the children and to design the activities as a kind of adventure.

  1. A good travel plan means being flexible and adapting your own wishes to those of your children. Include child-friendly activities in the daily program, such as: B. a visit to an amusement park or simply a walk through fields and forests.
  2. When planning your trip, find out about places and facilities (both along the way and at your vacation destination) that offer child-friendly activities.
  3. Don't forget to take enough cookies, snacks and drinks with you, as well as your favorite teddy bear or something similar, a favorite game, book, some fairy tales, children's CDs and a favorite blanket or pillow.
  4. If your children are still small, in addition to the baby bottles, think about a travel bottle warmer (for both water and homogenized milk)! Not to forget, of course, travel detergent, cooler bags for baby food, diapers and creams.
  5. For a long trip, it is advisable to decide in advance what clothes should be worn in the car, train or plane, so that it does not turn out on the way that something important for the children was forgotten at home and thus the vacation is already “a bad one Star” begins.
  6. Your luggage should contain sufficient rain and sun protection. Umbrellas and coats are a must, as are sunscreen and sun hats.
  7. Children are more likely to suffer from so-called “motion sickness” when traveling than adults. In addition to tablets for motion sickness, your first-aid kit should always contain a thermometer, bandages and disinfectants, anti-inflammatories, painkillers and lotions or sprays against mosquitoes.

Destinations for little tourists

Tuscany is known worldwide for its natural beauty and cultural attractions: rolling hills, historic villages, little churches hidden between olive groves and lush vineyards form the backdrop for tourist journeys of discovery. Plus, pasta, risotto, wine, art and museums are on everyone's lips... but what about when you're traveling with children? How can you make your Tuscany holiday an unforgettable experience for your children too?

Tuscany offers all kinds of amusement parks (traditional, water parks, miniature sports centers) and other attractive destinations even for little visitors to spend a fun day together. Many museums are prepared for children with appropriately prepared topics. This is an entertaining, playful way to introduce historical events to even the youngest ones.

"Acqua Villages" are Water parksthat offer and guarantee fun and games for the entire family. They offer slides and many water activities such as: E.g. hydromassage, whirlpool, etc. If water is not your favorite element, you can either relax on a lounger or take part in a wide range of sports (beach volleyball, football, etc.) in the surrounding extensive parks and green areas . Numerous events are organized throughout the summer.

Cecina, Acqua Village is an interesting alternative to the beach and sea: located in the countryside, the water park covers an area of ​​40.000 square meters and offers fun for children and adults: kamikaze, anaconda, surfing, wave pool, children's areas, Tropical Island and Paradise Island invite you to slide, play and relax. Fun Island is a 600 square meter area and features interactive water features, hydromassage pools, slides for children and much more. Parasols, tables and chairs are free

Follonica, Acqua Village covers an area of ​​75.000 square meters and offers water activities for the whole family. In addition to swimming pools for adults and children, the complex has kamikaze, surfing, anacondas and a magical lagoon. Animators ensure that neither children nor parents get bored. Sports activities are organized for adults.

Among the theme parks in Tuscany, the “Pinocchio Park” is particularly popular with young and old. The park is near the small village of Collodi, where the author of Pinocchio (Carlo Lorenzini) lived. A variety of activities are offered on a huge site, in addition to the famous puppet theater, puppet workshops, literary tours, etc.

“Cavallino Matto” is another popular theme park in Tuscany with roller coasters, pirate ships, shows, 4D cinema and much more.

It is possible to spend a day together with the dolphins. The catamaran tour starts at 09.30:16.30 a.m. and usually lasts until 9:XNUMX p.m. In a group of max. XNUMX people you start from the port of Viareggio (called “Madonnina”). During a pleasant cruise through the calm waters of Versilia, a marine biologist explains the behavior and world of whales and the different species of dolphins. Booking is mandatory.

The color of the water along the Etruscan coast ranges from blue to emerald green and the cleanliness of the beaches is documented by the “Blue Flag” awarded to the stretch of coast year after year. Castiglioncello, Quercianella, Rosignano, Vada, Cecina, Bibbona, Marina di Castagneto, San Vincenzo, are the towns worth visiting between Livorno and Piombino.

Long pine forests stretch along the individual beach sections, inviting you to relax and enjoy in the midst of untouched nature. Overall, the area is a pearl for parents, as there are small beaches and coves that make it easy to keep an eye on the children. Various attractions are also offered: Quercianella e.g. B. has a beach with a saltwater pool surrounded by natural barriers where children can play protected from danger. The actual beach of Quercianella is located to the south of the port and offers a free area and one equipped with parasols.

Vada with its white beaches is five kilometers long and therefore ideal for families. Here too there are free beaches and areas where you can rent umbrellas and loungers.

Finally, there are Marina di Bibbona, San Vincenzo and Donoratico, all three of which offer ideal conditions for children of all ages. Here your loved ones can swim and play or go on an excursion or a trip to the nearby pine forest.

A series of shows for children of all ages, every Sunday, are offered by both the Municipal Theater of Cascina and the “Teatro Rossini” in Pontasserchio. A variety of performances are aimed specifically at a young audience. Famous fairy tales, original and fantastic stories as well as contemporary items are staged with charm and excitement for the “small audience” and the adults who accompany them.

There are small snacks in advance to shorten the waiting time until the show starts.

The Museum and Archaeological Complex of Lucca Cathedral have designed a wide range of initiatives and activities for families. Through workshops and special animations, parents and children have the opportunity to discover the city's historical and artistic heritage together.

The tours take place between 15 p.m. and 17 p.m. Reservations are required, by email to didattica@museocattedralelucca.it or by telephone at 0583 490530. The program can be viewed on the website www.terzomillennio-didattica.org.

The cost is €10 for a family of up to 4 people (€2 for each additional person).

Finally, Maremma Park offers interesting activities:

It is possible to explore the park on foot, by bike or in a canoe along the waterways. The Maremma Park can now also be visited on a romantic horse-drawn carriage tour. Carriage rides are offered for 18 people, or alternatively for 8 people with the option of taking wheelchairs with you. A good opportunity to get to know some of the most beautiful areas of the Maremma Natural Park.

The calm and steady movement of the horses allows visitors to get closer to the animals living in the wild and to reach areas that would otherwise only be accessible after a long walk.

At the same time, the horse-drawn carriage tour is ideal for bird watching, especially in winter, as you can see the bird habitats from the carriage even in bad weather.

Two planned carriage rides are:

a) the route of the “Granducale Pine Grove” leads through the pine forest just behind the medieval lookout tower of Castel Marino and continues towards the Renaissance tower of Collelungo, after which the beautiful beach with juniper-covered dunes is named. A 45-minute rest is planned here. With a little luck you will see deer and wild boar. The journey then continues to the area around the grotto. Duration: 3 ½ hours (Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.) Cost: €19 per person, by reservation only.

b) Another tour leads through the Lasco Forest. First we walk a short distance along the road that leads to Marina di Alberese. Then you leave the asphalted route and head into hilly terrain towards Vaccareccia. Here there is the possibility of seeing “biancone” or snake eagles. In the hope of encountering some deer and wild boar, you pass through a gate into an almost surreal forest area with hundred-year-old plants and majestic cork trees and oaks. Duration: 2 hours. The tour is also possible at night (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m., 17 p.m. and 19 p.m. Cost: €14 per adult, €11 per child (4-12 years), by reservation only.

For those interested in the traditional flavors and scents of Tuscany, there are also interesting food and wine tours. In collaboration with local food producers, visitors are taken to factories and companies where they have the opportunity to try, buy and also experience the food production process.

For information and reservations:
Centro Visite del Parco della Maremma
via del Bersagliere 7/9, Alberese (GR)
Tel. +39 0564 407098 Fax +39 0564 407278
centrovisite@parco-maremma.it

NOTICE: Our information is not intended to be complete and is not guaranteed

Your contact persons

Ms. Elisa Santoni
Mr. Davide Azzaroni

Tel. +49 89 123 92 998
Cell phone +49 176 49657909

es@toscana-forum.de

Elisa Santoni and Davide Azzaroni - Tuscany experts

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