12 Days with Kids in Tuscany Need Help with Itineary
Jul 12th, 2013, 03:22 PM
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12 Days with Kids in Tuscany Need Help with Itineary
Hi, my wife and I visited the region 10yr ago but this time we are bringing two new visitors, our 5 and 7 yrs old. We will fly into Florence on Aug 2nd and fly out on 13th. With 12 days, how would you suggest itinerary and dividing up the bases of lodging?
Since we fly into Florence, we are thinking about dividing our stay in Florence (4 days) and Siena (the rest). We loved our stay in Siena so much last time and want to use it as a base for driving tour of Tuscany hill towns. But kids loves the sea and beach (me being the 3rd one). Being so closed to the majestic Mediterranean in hot summer and not going there seems a pity. I want to find a beach town to spend a few days but wife worries about packing and moving so often with two young kids.
What do you think? We loved our stay in Cinque Terre last time but with 2 kids and 100 lbs of luggage it is really not the ideal place to stay. There are Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Lerici, Camogli, .... Any upscale low key beach town we can manage while making the journey bearable? What would you do? Thanks a lot for your advice in advance.
Since we fly into Florence, we are thinking about dividing our stay in Florence (4 days) and Siena (the rest). We loved our stay in Siena so much last time and want to use it as a base for driving tour of Tuscany hill towns. But kids loves the sea and beach (me being the 3rd one). Being so closed to the majestic Mediterranean in hot summer and not going there seems a pity. I want to find a beach town to spend a few days but wife worries about packing and moving so often with two young kids.
What do you think? We loved our stay in Cinque Terre last time but with 2 kids and 100 lbs of luggage it is really not the ideal place to stay. There are Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Lerici, Camogli, .... Any upscale low key beach town we can manage while making the journey bearable? What would you do? Thanks a lot for your advice in advance.
Jul 12th, 2013, 03:31 PM
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We are currently staying in Lucca, and spent the day in Siena today. Lovely town! My one thought would be to make sure you rent a place to stay with a pool - it is so hot and humid, and it is only early July! Aug will be crazy hot, so plan that in!
Jul 12th, 2013, 04:54 PM
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First time I have ever heard the Med called "majestic" - I must admit it seems sort of wimpy to me. Yes, pretty water in some places - but usually flat as a pancake - and most of the beaches are pebbles or even rocks - rahter than broad white sane leading to pounding surf.
Caveat: I an used to US beaches and the north atlantic - a whole lot more "majestic".
Caveat: I an used to US beaches and the north atlantic - a whole lot more "majestic".
Jul 12th, 2013, 05:28 PM
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If you haven't been to Siena in 10 years, I have to say I think you'll notice much more traffic of all kinds, esp. during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Assuming you were planning to make several driving trips during your stay, visualize dealing with that twice a day.
Also, FYI, Siena and just about every other Italian town of any size have instituted limited traffic zones (Zona a Limitato Traffico, aka ZTL) which prohibit driving into the historical centers. You have to park outside the town and walk in, which takes additional time. Often, guests of hotels located in the center are allowed to drive into the ZTL to check in and drop luggage but then must leave and park elsewhere, but carefully search hotel websites to find info on this.
I third the suggestion to find a place with a pool in a rural location (but near a town). (FWIW, there would be no "upscale low key beach town" that I'd find bearable in August.) Think about where you want to explore, and then pick a relatively central base location. Check driving times on google.maps, viamichelin or mappy, but add time to every estimate to balance out the optimism they all seem subject to. Don't forget to set aside time for lunch and, in August, perhaps some down time in the (hot) middle of the day.
Also, FYI, Siena and just about every other Italian town of any size have instituted limited traffic zones (Zona a Limitato Traffico, aka ZTL) which prohibit driving into the historical centers. You have to park outside the town and walk in, which takes additional time. Often, guests of hotels located in the center are allowed to drive into the ZTL to check in and drop luggage but then must leave and park elsewhere, but carefully search hotel websites to find info on this.
I third the suggestion to find a place with a pool in a rural location (but near a town). (FWIW, there would be no "upscale low key beach town" that I'd find bearable in August.) Think about where you want to explore, and then pick a relatively central base location. Check driving times on google.maps, viamichelin or mappy, but add time to every estimate to balance out the optimism they all seem subject to. Don't forget to set aside time for lunch and, in August, perhaps some down time in the (hot) middle of the day.
Jul 12th, 2013, 05:48 PM
#6
Outside of Siena, your kids will forget the beach with this pool.
http://www.mulinodiquercegrossa.it/
>>>With 12 days, how would you suggest itinerary and dividing up the bases of lodging?<<<
You really only have 10 1/2 days.
http://www.mulinodiquercegrossa.it/
>>>With 12 days, how would you suggest itinerary and dividing up the bases of lodging?<<<
You really only have 10 1/2 days.
Jul 12th, 2013, 08:10 PM
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Thanks people. All sage advices.
Jean, even 10 yrs ago I found day tour bus made Siena difficult to enjoy during day time but it was magical at night. That is why we want to stay there and trip out during the day. In light of the ZTL, we will probably look for an agriturismo right outside of the city wall and just taxi in to the city center then. Not sure if day tripping to a nearby beach town is doable or not.
Kybourbon, thanks for the pool suggestion and you are right it is 10.5 days only. I shouldn't get over-ambitious.
What do you think if we use Fiesole as a base to shuttle/taxi into Florence and drive out to other hilltowns? Would that work? We can always spend one of the nights in Siena just to experience it.
Jean, even 10 yrs ago I found day tour bus made Siena difficult to enjoy during day time but it was magical at night. That is why we want to stay there and trip out during the day. In light of the ZTL, we will probably look for an agriturismo right outside of the city wall and just taxi in to the city center then. Not sure if day tripping to a nearby beach town is doable or not.
Kybourbon, thanks for the pool suggestion and you are right it is 10.5 days only. I shouldn't get over-ambitious.
What do you think if we use Fiesole as a base to shuttle/taxi into Florence and drive out to other hilltowns? Would that work? We can always spend one of the nights in Siena just to experience it.
