The Luminara (or Luminaria) of San Ranieri is a candlelight festival and it represents the most magical event in Tuscany. It takes place every year, on June 16th!

The origins

San Ranieri (or Saint Rainerius) is the patron of Pisa and the protector of all travellers. He was born from a wealthy family in 1118, when the Duomo had just been built.  He had a religious education and learnt the art of playing instruments. Even if he grew up in a Christian Catholic atmosphere, he never wanted to follow the religious principles, but one day he met a friar (Alberto di Corsica) and decided to become a man of faith following his teaching.

Once he had an incredible vision: an eagle carrying a light told him to “show the light to those people who were in the darkness”. For this reason, he decided to start his journey to Jerusalem, where he lived for 13 long years in poverty, making miracles, such as multiplying bread in order to feed the poor people.

He came back to Pisa, where kept on helping the people in need and when he died all the bells of the town began to ring. His tomb was inside the cathedral and in 1632 he became the patron saint of the city of the Leaning Tower.

The Arno river during the Luminara Candlelight Festival of Pisa [Photo Credits: Mr Seb]

What is the Luminaria?

The famous Luminaria is dedicated to San Ranieri since 1688, when the grand duke of Tuscany, Cosimo de’ Medici, decided to put his body into a precious, marble tomb. At sunset, every June 16, thousands of candles previously put onto Pisa’s bridges, near doors and windows are lit up.

A close-up of the candles [Photo Credits: Tiziano De Matteis]

The result is absolutely breathtaking: the Arno river reflects all these lights and the atmosphere is warm and mystical. At 11 pm fireworks colour the sky and take away the breath of all the people fallen in a Tuscan dream!

Fireworks in Pisa [Photo Credits: Fabio Di Lupo]

Have you ever tried to imagine how life was in Medieval times? Well, you don’t have to imagine it anymore: you can be part of a real Medieval festival in Tuscany!

Summer in Tuscany is like stepping back in time: countless cities and towns celebrate their traditions with re-enactments and medieval festivals. The Middle Ages have left a mark on our collective memory and that historic period continues to live through the ancient pilgrim route and the medieval hilltop villages.

Usually, the Medieval Festivals take place during spring and summer in charming villages, so if you attend these events you will live a unique experience while visiting these must-see Tuscan towns. Let’s check the 2017 calendar:

Medieval Festival in Monteriggioni (Siena) - July 6-7-8-9 and 14-15-16

Monteriggioni Medieval Festival Tuscany

“Monteriggioni di Torri si Corona” (or in English, “Monteriggioni Crowned by Towers”, a quote from Dante Alighieri) is a medieval fair that takes place twice every July for two consecutive weekends. It’s one of the most popular events on the Tuscan scene and the location is simply perfect! Visitors have to exchange Euros for the local currency during Middle Ages (called “Grosso”) to purchase food and beverage into the castle. In the streets there will be craftsmen, people wearing medieval costumes, knights, dancers, musicians, and so on. Check out our article “Monteriggioni Medieval Festival”.

Are you looking for what to see in Monteriggioni? Download our itinerary here!

Balestro del Girifalco in Massa Marittima (Grosseto) - May 28 and August 14

Balestro del Girifalco by night [Photo Credits: Foto Bruno di Marcello Pepe]

Discover more about Massa Marittima with our article “Massa Marittima: a treasure of Maremma”.

Volterra AD 1398 (Pisa) –  August 20 and 27

The archaeological Park “Enrico Fiumi” during Volterra AD 1398

The 3rd and 4th Sunday of August the city will be animated by fiery warhorses, fearless knights, noblemen, ladies, artisans and merchants, common people and peasants, flag-wavers and crossbowmen, musicians and jesters if by magic they will bring back the mysterious and magic Middle Ages to Volterra. The city of alabaster offers a very special program: medieval dinners, guided tours and, of course, tournaments crossbow and flag bearers.

Read more about this event in our article “Volterra AD 1398: a jump back into the Medieval times” and have a look at the “Things you can’t miss in Volterra.

Medievalis in Pontremoli (Massa Carrara) – August 17-18-19-20

A Knight’s Tale show [Photo Credits: Fulvio Denevi]

Bravio delle Botti in Montepulciano (Siena) – August 27

[Photo Credits: quinewsvaldichiana.it]

Palio degli Arcieri in Pescia (Pistoia) – from August 28 to September 4

Archers in Pescia

Also the town of Pescia, in the surroundings of Pistoia, celebrates its origins with the Palio of the Archers. From the end of August till the first weekend of September, you can watch shows with flag throwers and jugglers, the beauty contest for the most charming lady Medieval and play at the tournament “Ball to the Basket”. Visit the Palio degli Arcieri website to know more.

Medieval Feast in Vicopisano (Pisa) – September 2-3

The medieval dinner in Vicopisano [Photo Credits: Alessandro Olivieri]

Palio della Balestra in Sansepolcro (Arezzo) – September 10

Crossbowmen in Tuscany

We move to the Arezzo area to breathe the magical atmosphere of the Palio della Balestra in Sansepolcro, which usually takes place on the second Sunday of September. Throughout the two weeks preceding the main event, the town is tinged with renaissance dresses: it all begins with the offer of Wax, followed by the Palio di Sant’Egidio and the Palio dei Rioni, and culminates on September 10 with the dispute between archers. Check out the official website of the Palio della Balestra here.

Are you going to Sansepolcro? Explore Valtiberina area, a charming area near Arezzo.

Joust of the Saracens [Photo Credits: Luca Deravignone]

Joust of the Saracens in Arezzo – June 17 and September 3

The Giostra del Saracino takes place in Arezzo twice a year, once in June and once in September. The Joust of the Saracens, in English, originated during the Middle Ages and was revived in its actual form in 1931. Every city’s neighborhood (“Quartieri”) has a team of knights armed with lances who try jousting the “Buratto Re delle Indie”, a wooden effigy representing a Saracen warrior. Read our article “Joust of the Saracens in Arezzo” to know more.

The Palio di Siena is one of the most awaited events of the summer in Tuscany. It’s Italy’s most famous horse race, taking place twice a year in piazza del Campo, Siena’s main, medieval, shell-shaped square. The stars of the Palio who have competed in the event for centuries with passion are districts called “contrade” into which the city is divided.

This historic tradition dates to 1633 and every year Siena goes back in time to relive this event. Here’s the main information you should know to understand as much as possible about the Palio di Siena.

What is a “Contrada”?

There are 17 “Contrade”: Caterpillar, Dragon, Eagle, Forest, Giraffe, Goose, Owl, Panther, Porcupine, Ram, She-Wolf, Seashell, Snail, Tortoise, Tower, Unicorn, Wave.

Each Contrada has its own emblem and colours. While walking around Siena city centre, it’s easy to know which Contrada you’re in because all around there are flags and emblems hanging like street signs.

The Contrada gives a real sense of belonging to the inhabitants, who work all year round for the district taking part in the activities of the Contrada.

There’s even a museum showing memorabilia and victories in each Contrada as well as a church where horses are blessed on the day of the race! Another fascinating fact is that you’re only able to be a Contrada member if you’re born into it: most Contrade also have a fountain to “baptize” a new-born member!

Valdimontone contrada [Photo Credits: Dimitry B.]

When does the Palio take place?

2 July – Palio della Madonna di Provenzano (Palio of Mother Mary of Provenzano)
16 August – Palio della Assunta (Palio of the Assumption)

The Palio is a big tradition that lasts four days, from the warm-ups on the morning of June 29 until the races on July 2 for the Palio della Madonna di Provenzano and again on August 13-16 for the Palio of the Assumption.

The first day is for the “tratta“, or the drawing of the lots and assignment of the horses to each of the Contrade. So each Contrada has its own jockey but not the horse. There are 6 trial runs before the official race, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but the jockeys try to avoid tiring the horses too much.

The July race starts at 7.30pm, the August race at 7pm. Both races are preceded by a procession in costume and followed by open-air dinners in the neighbourhood or “Contrade”.

But that’s not all: on the day of the Palio race there is also a Mass at 8am called “Messa del fantino” (Mass for the horse jockeys) in the chapel next to the Palazzo Comunale. At 10.30am it’s time for the “segnatura dei fantini” within the Palazzo Comunale, which means that the names of the jockeys are confirmed. At around 3pm it’s the moment of the blessing ceremony of each Contrada’s horse and then the parade in historical costume takes place in the city centre till around 5 pm in Piazza del Campo.

Siena, the city of the Palio [Photo Credits: p.s.v.]

Who can take part in the race? How does it work?

It’s not very simple to explain how the Palio works because it is quite a complex event and also because there are many rules that maybe only the Contrade know! Not all the 17 Contrade can participate in the race. Only 10 out of the 17 take part in each race (10 on July 2 and 10 on August 16).

Before the Palio [Photo Credits: Janus Kinase]

What’s the prize?

The Palio prize is the so-called “Drappellone” meaning large drape or “Cencio”, a large painted silk canvas designed and created each year by a different artist. The winning Contrada displays in its museum the Palio as part of the celebrations. The oldest still existing Palio dates back to 1719 and belongs to the Aquila neighbourhood.

“Drappellone” – July 2007 [Photo Credits: pabel of florence]

More about the race itself

The race consists of three rounds of Piazza del Campo, which means that the race itself lasts for about one minute and a few seconds. Two long pieces of thick rope delimit the “Mossa”, the area where the race starts. The “Mossiere” is the person in charge of making sure that horses and jockeys are ready and in the assigned positions. The wait for the start of the race can be extremely long because this phase is more complicated than it seems (it’s not easy to manage 10 horses in a small place). As the race starts, the first horse that crosses the finish line after three laps wins. The horse can also finish without the jockey and still win the race because it still wears the colours of its Contrada (it sometimes happens).

This race is quite dangerous, especially in certain places on the square: sometimes accidents happen and this is why Italian animal right movements are against the Palio, constantly monitoring and criticizing the conditions of the animals during the race, calling for improvements.

Before the Palio [Photo Credits: Janus Kinase]

Where to watch the Palio

If you want to get close to this ancient tradition, visiting Siena during the Palio is a good idea, always keeping in mind some tips.

Access to piazza del Campo is free for everybody, but it’s better not to go with children because it gets very crowded and there are no toilets. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a hat and something to drink. Remember that the Piazza del Campo tends to fill up by early evening, so don’t arrive after 4pm if you want to attend the Palio for free.

If you want a more comfortable space, you can watch the Palio from the wooden tribunes and from the houses around the square, but you have to pay a lot of money. Ask the shops and the people in the city centre for tickets.

Where to watch the Palio [Photo Credits: Janus Kinase]

Every year, in early summer, Monteriggioni gets crowded with jesters, street artists, jugglers, men on stilts, musicians and minstrels. You even have the possibility to enjoy challenge tournaments between 13th century knights and breath-taking battles starring piker men, halberdiers, infantrymen and arquebusiers. Be prepared to be transported back in time with Monteriggioni’s very own summer Medieval Festival!

As for 2017, the calendar of events also boasts the reenactment of the epic battle of Colle Val d’Elsa. Can you think of a better opportunity to experience how life was in the medieval era?

Monteriggioni in Tuscany

Valdelsa Challenge on June 24-25

On the weekend of June 24th and 25th the armies of the towns of Monteriggioni and Poggibonsi will challenge each other in the reenactment of the Disfida della Valdelsa. The medieval tournament celebrates the battle of Colle Val d’Elsa, which happened back in the 13th century, and will take place just outside of the town walls (near the “Cipressino” car park). Expect also an open air market, crafts, military camps, falconry shows and medieval-style food.

Monteriggioni is Crowned by Towers on July 6-7-8-9 and 14-15-16

The feasting at the castle of Monteriggioni on July 6 will kick start the 27th edition of possibly the oldest medieval festival in Italy, renowned as Monteriggioni di torri si corona. This year, theme of the celebrations will be Mysteries, fears and magic at the time of Dante Alighieri. The historical streets of Monteriggioni will be brought to life by street artists and musicians coming from all around Europe, illusionists, craft shops reconstructing the activities of the 13th-14th century and, of course, people in medieval costumes.

A glimpse of the celebrations [Photo credit: Michele Piccardo via the official website of Monteriggioni Medievale]

INFO

The price of the tickets to enter the Valdelsa Challenge, the Feasting and the Medieval Festival varies depending on the day, check out the official website to learn all the details.

The Medieval Festival of Monteriggioni is only one of the medieval reenactments taking place in Tuscany across the summer, read also our article “Summer Medieval Festivals in Tuscany”.

Did you know that Tuscany boasts excellent beaches concerning water quality and accessibility? In fact, this year, 19 beaches in Tuscany have been awarded the blue flag, a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

FEE’s Blue Flag criteria include standards for water quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and general management criteria.  From Marina di Massa to Monte Argentario, find out here the full list of  beaches where you can see a Blue Flag weaving:

Le Rocchette (Castiglione della Pescaia)

Massa Carrara
1. Massa: Ronchi Levante, Campeggi, Ricortola, Marina Ponente, Destra Brugiano, Sinistra Brugiano, Marina Centro, Destra Frigido, Sinistra Frigido, Ronchi Ponente
2. Carrara: Marina di Carrara Centro

Pisa
3. Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia and Calambrone

Lucca
4. Viareggio: Marina di Levante, Marina di Ponente, Marina di Torre del Lago Puccini
5. Camaiore:  Lido Arlecchino
6. Forte dei Marmi: Litorale Centro, Capannina
7. Pietrasanta: Focette, Tonfano

Livorno
8. Bibbona:  Marina di Bibbona Centro/Sud
9. Livorno: Cala del Miramare, Rogiolo, Del Sale/Roma, Tre Ponti, Rex, Cala Quercianella
10. Rosignano Marittimo: Castiglioncello, Vada
11. Castagneto Carducci: Marina di Castagneto Carducci
12. Marciana Marina: La Fenicia
13. San Vincenzo: Principessa Centro, Rimigliano, Principessa Sud, Spiaggia La Conchiglia
14. Piombino: Parco naturale della Sterpaia
15. Cecina: Marina di Cecina, Le Gorette

Grosseto
16. Grosseto:  Marina di Grosseto, Le Marze, Fiumara, Principina a Mare
17. Castiglione della Pescaia: Spiaggia Pian D’Alma, Casetta Civinini, Piastrone, Punta Ala(nord e Sud), Rocchette, Roccamare, Casa Mora, Riva del Sole, Capezzolo, Ponente, Levante, Tombolo
18. Monte Argentario:  Il Pozzarello, La Soda, Cala Picola, La Caletta,  Il moletto, Feniglia. Porto Ercole, Le Viste
19. Follonica: Litorale Nord

Explore all the 2017 blue flag beaches on this map

There’s so much happening in Tuscany all year round: no matter the season, the region offers a full-packed calendar of events. From January to December, from music festivals to reenactments, here’s a quick guide to some of the top events in Tuscany throughout the year.

SPRING

Spring marks the return of the Nature Train to Tuscany, the historic steam train that allows you to travel slowly around the Crete Senesi, Val d’Orcia and Monte Amiata. Each itinerary is combined with fairs, festivals, exhibitions and markets where you can taste Siena’s local products.

Treno Natura in Tuscany

If you are planning to visit Florence in May or June, be sure to book your tickets for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a two month-long festival with opera, concerts and ballet featuring international artists. It’s the oldest music festival in Italy, and takes place in the superb Teatro dell’Opera di Firenze. To see this year’s programme check out the Maggio Fiorentino’s official site.

The Arno river during the Luminara Candlelight Festival of Pisa [Photo Credits: Mr Seb]

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable and magical spring night, don’t miss the Luminara di San Ranieri, in Pisa. Every June 16 at sunset thousands of candles put onto Pisa’s bridges, doors and windows are lit up. The Luminara (or Luminaria) di San Ranieri is a candlelight festival and is one the most evocative events in Tuscany.

SUMMER

Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy the most important outdoor music events. Puccini Festival is dedicated to the great Tuscan opera composer Giacomo Puccini and takes place in the open-air theatre set on the Massaciuccoli lakefront, a truly striking location in Torre del Lago (Lucca). The program of events runs from late July to late August.

Lucca Summer Festival can be considered the most important music event of the Tuscan summer due to the international artists it brings to the stage. It takes place every year in Piazza Napoleone (Lucca historic centre) in July.

Pistoia Blues is another event in Tuscany that is absolutely packed with good music. Every year great artists perform live in Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia in July.

Vertical dancing in Mercantia [Photo credits: Bernardo Conde]

If you love street art don’t miss Mercantia, a street art festival with more than 100 shows per night. In every corner of the medieval town, including the historic buildings, you’ll find different kinds of performances.

While some cities offer big rock and blues gigs, some others celebrate their traditions with re-enactments, ancient races and medieval festivals. The Palio di Siena is one of the most awaited events of the summer in Tuscany. It’s Italy’s most famous historic horse race, taking place twice a year in piazza del Campo, Siena’s main, medieval, shell-shaped square. “Monteriggioni di Torri si Corona” (or in English, “Monteriggioni Crowned by Towers”, quote from Dante Alighieri) is a medieval fair that takes place twice every July in the Medieval town of Monteriggioni. But there many other events to join. Check out this Summer medieval festival calendar.

Calcio Storico Parade [Photo credits: Amexandra]

If you ever come to Tuscany in June, try to be in Florence on June 24th for San Giovanni’s Celebrations. On this day, one of the most famous squares of Florence, Santa Croce, becomes the “stadium” of the Historic Florentine Soccer or Calcio Storico Fiorentino. Born in the 16th Century it’s a mix of wrestling, rugby and soccer. At the conclusion of the day, on the evening of the 24th, there is a traditional fireworks display in Piazzale Michelangelo called fuochi di San Giovanni (St John’s fireworks).

Medieval Festival of Monteriggioni[Photo Credits: Michele Piccardo]

AUTUMN

Autumn is definitely one of the best times for foodies to come to Tuscany. September is the wine month, while October and November mean olive harvest, truffle hunting, mushrooms and chestnuts.

In September, Piazza Buondelmonti in Impruneta becomes the setting of one of the most famous wine festivals of the Region. Festa dell’Uva, founded in 1926, is a collection of music, ballet and spectacular floats. The grape festival is one of the longest-running Italian festivals and much loved by locals.

Expo del Chianti Classico [Photo credit: Expo del Chianti Classico]

The Expo del Chianti Classico in Greve in Chianti offers visitors a full program of artistic and cultural events in one of the most beautiful squares of Tuscany. Find out here more about the wine festivals in Tuscany.

Every year in November, San Miniato hosts the White Truffle Fair, the most famous truffle festival in Tuscany. The best opportunity to taste traditional recipes made with the precious white truffle, buy traditional Tuscan products and take part in a truffle hunting.

“Heroic” cyclists [Photo Credits: L'Eroica on Instagram]

If you are a bike lover you must take part in L’Eroica, the most important cycling event in Tuscany. It’s held in Gaiole in Chianti in October and recreates the heroic age of the “Giants of the Road”. Participants ride on vintage racing bicycles some of the most beautiful gravel roads of the Chianti area.

WINTER

As Christmas approaches, every town in Tuscany organises its own festive market. From Mercato del Campo in Siena to the Christmas Village in Montepulciano, here you can find some of the best Christmas markets around Tuscany.

Main square [Photo Credits: Andrea Migliorati]

Pitti Immagine is held twice: in January and then in June at Fortezza da Basso.

Viareggio’s Carnival [Photo Credits: Kinzica Sorrenti]

February in Tuscany is the month of carnival and lots of towns celebrate it with colourful masked parades and decorated streets. Viareggio Carnival is one of the biggest of Italy and it’s renowned for its satirical floats made of papier-mâché. The carnival of Foiano della Chiana, in the surroundings of Arezzo, has been held since the Middle Ages and can boast of being one of the oldest carnivals in the country. But there are many other celebrations in Tuscany that you can join. Check out our Carnival guide here.

Of course there is much more. On Toscana Events you will find all the main festivals, fairs and exhibitions taking place in Tuscany month after month.

L’Eroica bike race held in Gaiole in Chianti in Tuscany every first Sunday of October is something really traditional and truly unique. Imagine to cycle on gravel roads (the so called “strade bianche”) with a vintage bike coming from the eighties, with an appropriate suit coming directly from those years and wonderful landscapes of Sienese Chianti, the Valdarbia, the Crete Senesi and the Val d’Orcia all around.

The name literally means “the heroic”, and that’s precisely how it feels: no support cars and gravel dirty roads that might ruin the bikes.

L’Eroica [Photo Credits: Ryanair Magazine]

A little bit of history

L’Eroica was first held in 1997 with the aim of saving Tuscan crushed gravel tracks from being replaced with asphalt. So the race was born for a “romantic” purpose strictly connected to the territory and today it is an example of appreciation of the environment, sustainable lifestyle and “clean” cycling. But there is more. L’Eroica has also a wine and food tradition, with lavish buffets of beef stew, jam tarts, other dishes of the Tuscan tradition and gallons of Chianti wine at the food stops.

L’Eroica and… the wine! [Photo Credits: ian]

Participation rules and dates

There is a strict regulation for this bike race and only a limited number of participants (about 5.000 cyclists) can join the Eroica, you will find the detailed info in the official guidelines. Another thing you should know is that it is possibile to choose between five different paths: 209 km, 135 km, 115 km, 75 km and 46 km.

In 2016 the Eroica took place on October 2 and celebrated its twentieth edition. In case you are interested in taking part in the 2017 edition, write down the date: Sunday October 1, 2017.

L’Eroica all year round: the permanent route

In case you don’t have the possibility to participate in the official event in October, don’t worry: you can ride on the permanent route every day of the year! The path is open to all, it can be completed in one or more days by anyone who wants to test their skills or simply wander the area by bike. You can also get a special road book that you can use to collect the stamps along the route and receive the “diploma”. Discover more here.

L’Eroica [Photo Credits: Costanza Giovannini]

L’Eroica beyond Gaiole

Following after the great success both in Italy and worldwide, the Eroica experience has been successfully exported in Japan, Great Britain and many other locations all over the world. Here is the list of the Eroica related events as for 2017:

• L’Eroica South Africa in Montagu, Cape Winelands (March 18);
• L’Eroica California in Paso Robles, US (April 7-9);
• L’Eroica Nova in Buonconvento, Tuscany (April 30), which is the only Eroica race open to modern bikes;
• L’Eroica Montalcino, also in Tuscany (May 7);
• L’Eroica Eiyu in Mount Fuji, Japan (May 12-14);
• L’Eroica Hispania in La Rioja region, in Spain (June 2-4);
• L’Eroica Britannia in Bakewell, Great Britain (June 18);
• L’Eroica Limburg in the southern region of the Netherlands (July 1st);
• L’Eroica Punta del Este in Uruguay (December 2-3).

Visit the specific website for the Eroica in Gaiole and also have a look at the website dedicated to the Eroica experience all over the world.

The original version of this article was written by Serena Puosi.

Pinocchio Park in Collodi, Pistoia Zoo, the Acqua Village in Cecina, the Cavallino Matto Park and dolphin sightings are just some ideas on how to spend time with children in Tuscany (you can find them in the post “Top 5 things to do with kids in Tuscany”). But we know that children are more and more demanding, so maybe you need more options to organize your holidays properly.

Here are other 5 ideas to experience Tuscany at its best together with your kids!

Galileo Museum in Florence

The Museo Galileo is set in Piazza dei Giudici, in the heart of Florence, near the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. The museum we are able to visit today is heir to a tradition of more than five centuries of scientific collecting, which has its origins in the central importance assigned to science by the Medici and Lorraine families.

Here children will have the chance to get in touch with unique objects connected to the history of science. Just to give you an idea, the museum is home to the only surviving instruments designed and built by Galileo himself, such as the two original telescopes and the objective lens that Galileo used to discover Jupiter’s moons. Make sure you check out the wide range of thematic visits and workshops offered by the didactic section of the museum, and explore the two-rooms interactive area, where kids can use touch screens and didactic models to learn more and (virtually) make experiments. Visit the website of the Museo Galileo to know all the details.

Opening times: The Museum is open every day including Sundays and holidays except for January 1st and December 25. Monday to Sunday 9.30am – 6.00pm; Tuesdays 9.30am-1.00pm
Entrance fees: 6-18 years old € 5.50; entry is free for under 6 years old; full fee € 9.00; groups (15 person minimum) € 5.50; school groups (6-15 years old) € 4.50; family ticket (2 adults + max 2 children 18 and under) € 22.00.

Address: Museo Galileo – Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Piazza dei Giudici 1 – 50122 Florence

Palazzo Castellani, home to the Galileo Museum [Photo credit: Museo Galileo Facebook page]

Innocenti Museum in Florence

The museum dedicated to the Istituto degli Innocenti, one of the oldest lay orphanages for abandoned children in the world, reopened in June 2016 with newly designed spaces and brand new thematic itineraries. Beyond the many treasures by artists such as Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Andrea della Robbia, what’s more important to us here is that the renovated Museo degli Innocenti has been conceived as a museum for children.

For starters, descriptions and audio guides, both in Italian and in English, were written by children’s book authors; second, kids will love the art installations you will encounter along the corridors and the stairways (as an example, there’s a huge open book where kids can leave a message or a drawing); third, the so called Children’s Workshop of the museum hosts family events and activities throughout the year. Discover more about the museum in our article “Museo degli Innocenti: history of childcare was born in Florence”.

Opening times: Opening times: every day 10 am- 7 pm
Entrance fees: Free for under 11 years old; 12-18 years old and over 65 € 5.00; full fee € 7.00; family small ticket (2 adults and up to 2 children under 11) € 10.00.

Address: piazza SS. Annunziata, 13 – 50122, Firenze

The Art section of the Innocenti Museum [Photo credit: Museo degli Innocenti Facebook page]

Tarot Garden in Capalbio (Grosseto area)

Your children will appreciate for sure the magical Tarot Garden in the heart of Maremma, an impressive park built by Niki de Saint de Phalle in the second half of the 20th century. The Garden displays 22 sculptures depicting the Major Arcana of the Tarot cards. The French artist was inspired by Gaudì’s Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain, and created her statues with a steel core covered by concrete with mirrors, coloured glass and ceramics. Here’s the link to the website of the Giardino dei Tarocchi.

Opening times: Opens everyday from April 1st to October 15 from 2.30pm to 7.30pm.
Entrance fees: Full ticket € 12.00; reduced (students with ID and over 65) € 7.00; free entry for under 7 and for people with disabilities.
Special tip: From November to December and January to March, every first Saturday of the month the park is open for free, from 9am to 1pm (in case one of these special openings coincides with a public holiday, the Giardino will open the following Saturday.

Address: località Garavicchio, Pescia Fiorentina, Capalbio (Grosseto)

Tarot Garden [Photo Credits: Riccardo]

Zoological Park of European Fauna in Poppi (Arezzo area)

This is the first and only park solely dedicated to fauna in Europe. Created in 1973 by Dr. Roberto Mattoni with ecological, cultural and didactic aims, the park extends over 50 hectares and provides the natural habitat for some of the most exemplary fauna species in Europe such as deers, badgers, wolves, wildcats, chamois, groundhogs, and more. Here you will find a big car park, a restaurant, two bars, a picnic area and a playground area. Check out the website of the zoological park for more information.

Opening times: The park is open all year round from 9am to sunset.
Entrance Fees: Kids (2-10 years) € 6.50; Adults € 8.00.

Address: Via Parco Zoo, 16 Poppi

The Zoological Park of European Fauna in Poppi [Photo Credits: Glen Bowman]

Mount Cetona Civic Museum of Prehistory and Belverde Archeological-Natural Park and Archeodrome in Cetona (Siena area)

Our list of top activities to do with children in Tuscany ends at the foot of Mount Cetona with a dive into the the prehistoric era. Human presence in this area of the Valdichiana dates back to the mid-Paleolithic period and the whole process of evolution up to the Bronze era is nowadays masterfully documented by the museum complex of Mount Cetona.

The Civic Museum of Prehistory shows the evolution of the landscape across the millennia and gathers archeological findings such as traces of the passage of the Neandertal man, from sharpened stone tools to remains of hunted animals. The Belverde Archeological-Natural Park allows visits to some of the caverns that open up in the travertine rock, which have been redecorated with lighting and other amenities. Lastly, the Belverde Archeodrome will delight you with an educational itinerary that includes a reconstruction of a Bronze Age village, with life-size huts and areas for artisan activities, not to mention a special area dedicated to simulating archeological digs. Kids will so fall in love with the Mount Cetona complex, don’t you think? Read more about Cetona in our article “Exploring Valdichiana: 3 reasons to visit Cetona”.

Opening times: From July to September the three sections are open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am-1pm/4pm-7pm; From October to June they open on Saturday and pre-holidays, Sunday and holidays 10am-1pm, 3pm-5pm.
Entrance Fees: Reduced tickets for the museum cost € 3.00, while regular tickets cost € 4.00; Reduced tickets for the Park cost € 5.00, while regular tickets cost € 6.00.

Address: Civic Museum is hosted within the Palazzo Comunale, Via Roma 37, Cetona; Park and Archeodrome: Loc. Belverde, Strada della Montagna, Cetona.

A glimpse of the Archeodrome [Photo credit: Museo Civico Cetona Facebook page]

The original version of this article was written by Serena Puosi.

What can you do with your kids in Tuscany? Here you will find a list of top activities for the whole family to make the most of your trip in our region. Some of the activities are more suitable for the spring and summer seasons, while others are perfect all year round, and we can tell you one thing for sure: you’re going to have lots of fun!

Pinocchio Park – Collodi (Pistoia Area)

Pinocchio park [Photo credit:  Parco di Pinocchio Facebook page]

Opening times: from March to November: open every day from 9:00 till sundown; from November to February: opens on Saturdays, on Sundays and other festivities, and throughout the period of Christmas holidays (on the other days you need a group reservation).

Prices 2017 (high season from March to November): single ticket is 13€ for adults, 11€ for kids 5 to 14 years and people older than 65, and 7€ for 3/4 years old children. Special prices are applied for groups, schools and for all inclusive tickets combining the entry to Pinocchio Park, Garzoni Garden, and the Butterfly House.

For further information on opening times and prices check out the official website of Pinocchio Park.

Pistoia Zoo

Pistoia Zoo [Photo credit: Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia Official Facebook Page]

Opening times: opens every day of the year (mon-fri 9.30am – 6.00pm; sat-sun 9:30am – 7pm; last admission is 1 hour before the closing time)

Prices 2017: single ticket is 11€ for children (3 to 10 years), 14€ for adults, 13€ for adults over 65 years old.

If you want to know more, here’s the link to the Pistoia Zoo website.

Acqua Village – Follonica (Grosseto area) and Cecina (Livorno)

Acqua Village WaterParks [Photo Credits: Acqua Village WaterParks]

Opening times 2017: open from June 10, everyday from 10 am to 6 pm

For more info have a look at the prices on the website.

Cavallino Matto Tuscany Park – Castagneto Carducci (Livorno area)

Cavallino Matto [Photo credit: Cavallino Matto Facebook page]

Timetable: open from April to September, the park is generally open from 10 am to 6 pm (or to 6:30 pm depending on the period of the year)

Learn more on the website of the Cavallino Matto website.

See the dolphins in Viareggio (Lucca area)

Dolphins by CETUS

In the Versilia waters lives a big school of dolphins (bottlenose dolphins). The area is part of a protected reserve known as the Pelagos Sanctuary, that comes from an international agreement between Italy, France and Principato Monaco promoting the safeguard of marine mammals. In addition, the Regional administration of Tuscany has created the Tuscan Observatory of Cetaceans.

In Viareggio you’ll find an information centre and a permanent exhibition within the local Maritime Museum about the activities of the observatory. The info point is managed by the CeTuS association, which also arranges dolphin tours your kids might be very, very interested in. The sighting tours happen aboard a catamaran (called “KRILL”) and are for a maximum of 8 people. Contact the CeTuS Association for more info, here’s the link to the website.

Visualizza Top 5 things to do with kids in Tuscany in una mappa di dimensioni maggiori

From the mountain peaks of the Apennines to the Tuscan Maremma, from the Via Francigena to the Renaissance ring of Florence, Tuscany offers itineraries for all kinds of trekkers.

A lot of paths are set up by the CAI (Club Alpino Italiano, that means Italian Alpine Club) and you can recognize them from the red and white stripes with an identification number. There are also many circuits in different areas of Tuscany that include several stages so you can choose the section you want to cover.

The Apuan Alps [Photo Credits: Fabrizio Angius]

1. Explore the Apennines

The longest trekking route in Tuscany is called the Grande Escursione Appenninica (GEA). It is about 400 kilometers long and it crosses the mountain ridges of the Tuscan – Emilian Apennines, from Bocca d’Abria (Umbria) to La Spezia (Liguria). It is divided into 22-27 stages (with a refuge for food and assistance at the end of each stage).

2. Climb the Apuan Alps peaks

A perfect area for trekking in Tuscany is the Apuan Alps Park. Two of the most classic itineraries which you can follow on your own or with one of the Park’s guides are:

• the “Anello delle Panie”, a 6 hours itinerary to the Pania della Croce mountain, (the so-called “Queen of the Apuan Alps”) at 1859 m above sea level;

• the “Anello del Monte Forato”, a 5 hours trekking to the characteristic Monte Forato (literally Holed Mountain);

Find out here a map with all the paths on the Apuan Alps.

If you want more than a mountain walk, Tuscany’s Apuan Alps offer interesting vie ferrate - protected climbing routes equipped with fixed cables, steeples, ladders, and bridges. Enjoy the thrill of walking on a mountain crest or climbing different types of rock faces. Check out more info about Vie Ferrate in Tuscany here.

Via Francigena in Tuscany [Photo Credits:
francigenatoscana on Instagram]

3. Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims: Via Francigena 

The Via Francigena is an ancient road running from France – hence the name “Francigena” – to Rome in Italy, although Canterbury in England is considered the main starting point, much further away from France. The Via Francigena passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy, 400 kilometers (250 miles) of which are in Tuscany. Find out here the most important information about the 16 legs of the Via Francigena. You can choose a single leg or the entire Tuscan path.

4. From Bologna to Florence: The route of Gods

The route Via degli Dei (literally the route of Gods) connects Bologna to Florence, retracing an ancient historic road used since Roman times to join the towns of Felsina (Bologna) with Fiesole (Florence). Named also “Military Flaminia,” the Via degli Dei is a 130 kilometres route characterised by paved roads passing through the Apennines.

5. In the footsteps of Sant Francis: The Cammino di San Francesco

Extending for more than 350 kilometres through the Northern and Central Apennine mountains, the Cammino di francesco stretches across the Italian regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio and can be explored both on foot and by bike.

6. The Renaissance Ring around Florence

If you are looking for a trekking path not far from Florence you must take the Renaissance Ring (Anello del Rinascimento), a 170 kilometers long route divided into 13 stages. It is ideal for walking or mountain biking and each section of the Ring has a public transport link with Florence, so you can also choose to cover just one portion. You will come across monasteries, castles, hospices to welcome pilgrims, ancient walled communities, country churches and sections of paved roads that go back to Roman or Medieval times. Florence Tourism office has created a map-guide that describes the following 13 Renaissance Ring steps: Calenzano-Vaglia; Vaglia – Alberaccio – Fiesole; Impruneta – La Certosa;  La Certosa- Firenze; Certosa Signa; Signa – Campi Bisenzio – Calenzano; Pontassieve – Montecucco – S. Donato; San Donato in Collina – Impruneta; Rignano sull’Arno – Montecucco – Bagno a Ripoli ; Vaglia – Alberaccio – Santa Brigida; Santa Brigida Pontassieve; Signa – Firenze. For getting a map-guide write or call: +39 05523320,  apt@firenzeturismo.it or download the description of each stage here.

7. Walking in the Mugello

Another ring route not far from Florence is the SOFT, acronym for Sorgenti di Firenze Trekking (Florence Springs Walking), a system of hiking trails with other twenty-two secondary trails in the Mugello valley, along the Florentine Apennines. Along the ring there are many accommodations in villas, farmhouses, monasteries and so on.

8. Among castles, hamlets and vineyards: Discover Chianti step by step

Would you like to walk the soft hills of the Chianti area? Explore Gaiole in Chianti on foot or by bike. The already extensive network of hiking trails was recently renovated and newly marked. You can now choose among 15 different routes, which will make you discover the castles, the hamlets, the vineyards and the surroundings of Gaiole at their best. Click here to download the general map of the trails.

Vetta Mare trail

9. From the mountain to the beach: Vetta Mare

Vetta Mare is a path of 151 kilometers divided into seven stages, which runs through some of the most beautiful places of the Maremma from Mount Amiata to Porto Ercole. The routes are approximately 15-20 kilometers each, the path is clearly marked and suitable on foot or by bicycle. From April 21 to May 1 you can join one (or more) guided excursions organized by Manciano municipality as part of the Top Secret Maremma activities. Info here.

Pania della Croce [Photo Credits: Luana Spagnoli]

10. Explore Elba island on foot

On Elba Island, take the Great Elba Crossing, a roughly 60km excursion route that cuts across the island from east to west. If you have limited time, simply reach the Monte Capanne summit from Marciana Marina in 2 to 3 hours. In spring and autumn join the Walking Festival island excursions in Pianosa, Giannutri, Elba, Giglio and Capraia. Participation is free, but booking is mandatory.

Have you ever been hiking in Tuscany? Which is your favourite trekking trail? Tell us in the comments!