Family holidays in Tuscany

Why Tuscany?

You can’t talk about travelling to Tuscany with kids without mentioning the blockbuster attractions – Florence and Pisa – but there is so much more to this ravishingly gorgeous corner of Italy. Ancient hilltop villages, rolling countryside, corduroy-neat vineyards and some of the best food in the world are just a few of the attractions. 

But let’s start with the headliners. In Florence, there’s the Uffizi gallery (opt for one of their child-friendly tours for a brilliant introduction to Renaissance art), the striking Duomo, a ride on the vintage carousel at Piazza della Repubblica, followed by a generous serving of gelato, before strolling along Ponte Vecchio bridge or letting off some steam in enormous Parco delle Cascine or Boboli Gardens. Keep an eye out for Clet Abraham’s whimsical street art as you walk. Pisa is all about the leaning tower, obviously, although a walk along the medieval walls is also fun.

Heading into the countryside, the rolling hills are dotted with agriturismi – working farms to stay on – and vineyards, offering a range of bucolic activities, from hiking trails and grape-picking to bike trails and bread-baking in ancient stone ovens. But even Tuscany’s rural attractions are wildly varied, from flamingo-spotting in the marshes of the Diaccia Botrona nature reserve, to the fantastical Il Giardino dei Tarocchi sculpture garden. And then there are the sandy beaches of the Etruscan Coast and the island of Elba, offering the perfect mix of high culture and beachy relaxation.