Babble Best: Tuscany

The five kid-friendliest spots in Tuscany. by Melanie Mize Renzulli

May 16, 2007


Collodi

It isn't exactly Disney World — or EuroDisney, for that matter — but the Parco di Pinocchio is the spot in Tuscany to bring your grade schoolers, if only so they can commune with other kids their age. Pinocchio Park gets its inspiration from the world's best selling children's book, written by Collodi son Carlo Lorenzini. The original story about the mischievous puppet is a much darker tale than Walt would have us remember.

If you think your kids can handle encounters with grotesque, bronze sculptures, intimidating topiary, and original Pinocchio characters, such as the coffin-carrying rabbits and the great whale, then you've just bought yourself a few hours without the kids bouncing off the walls.

Located about halfway between Lucca and Florence, Collodi is ripe for a daytrip. But if you want to keep it local, head south to the spa town of Montecatini Terme. Hotel Columbia has discounts and amenities for kids and relaxation treatments for mom and dad.

Parco di Pinocchio:
http://www.pinocchio.it/old/uk/infouk.htm

Hotel Columbia, suites from €150 (or $205) per night

http://www.hotelcolumbia.it


Tuscany: Runners-Up

Lucca

Arezzo

Siena

Forte dei Marmi

Travel literature likes to talk up Tuscany's hill towns, but little Lucca, which lies in the valley of the Apuan Alps, lives up to the hype.
...read more

The genius of Il Borro, a 2,000-acre country estate just a few miles from Arezzo, is that you can physically contain your kids without containing their enthusiasm.
...read more

The Palio horserace, a twice-yearly event on July 2 and August 16, is Siena's biggest -- and, arguably, most kid-thrilling -- attraction.
...read more

When all else fails, you can always pack 'em up and head to the beach. Forte dei Marmi isn't just any beach, though.
...read more

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About the Author

Melanie Mize Renzulli is the author of The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy. She blogs about food and travel on her websites missadventures.com and italofile.com.

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