We're visiting Castello di Montegufoni just west of Florence based on the many recommendations on the Slow Traveller Website in mid-June.

We would like to know what people would suggest are the must see day trips that we can drive to in Tuscany, with the one reservation that we'll have a 1 year old with us (so art museums and places with lots of stairs are out).

We'd really appreciate where people had great experiences and how kid friendly they'd be (he loves dogs and cats).
Richard

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Dear Richard,

The first time I went to Italy I went with my three year old and one year old - we're going back this year and they're 9 and 11, and now have a 5 year old sister. Italy couldn't be a better country to travel in when you have a toddler.

Does your one year old walk? Mine didn't when she arrived, but after crawling through one dusty piazza after another, she finally mastered it! It never occurred to me that there wouldn't be green space to spread out in each town. Very rare.

But we did find that most towns have great playgrounds, and it was so fun to just hang out with our kids and listen to the other Italian parents. As for "must see" - some memorable spots:

Sorry, I got a little too long. Anyway, memorable spots:

-San Giminano. Great with the kids.
-Volterra was lovely.
-The zoo at Pistoia - they loved the peacocks walking free and could feed the animals through the bars!
-The beach at Viareggio. A nice day off.
-They enjoyed Sienna - fun to walk the main piazza
-Walking on top of the wall in Lucca. Wish we had rented bicycles.
-Parco di Pinnocchio in Collodi. Your little guy may be too young to make the connection, but so much fun for you to take him!

Just a few ideas. Have a great trip!

Have a look at these trip reports. These people all stayed in that same area last summer:
http://www.slowtrav.com/trip_reports/2001_fall_andy.htm
http://www.slowtrav.com/trip_reports/2001_fall_paul.htm
http://www.slowtrav.com/trip_reports/2001_summer_liz.htm
http://www.slowtrav.com/trip_reports/2001_summer_amy.htm

Richard, let me know what it's like with a toddler in Tuscany. As I have mentioned before, we will be with a couple and their two bambini, one and three, for two weeks in September. There will be child-care where we are staying, but the parents (and I) wonder what the realities of little kids and Tuscan slow travel are. Have a grerat time, and fill us in on the details when you return.
Yrs, Robert

As a mother of 2 toddlers (2 and 4) who lives in Tuscany I think you will find that anywhere will pretty much work. The towns mentioned are great. Lucca is great and near Collodi (Pinocchio Park) so that could all be done in a day. Are you looking for things for you all to do that won't be a problem with a 1 year old? If so, then I think Siena is great as you can see the museums, the Duomo, the old hospital and also let your little one go crazy in the piazza. If you go on a Sunday you will get to see a parade for a feast day of one of the Contrade. You don't say which days in June but in here is a list:

• Civetta (Owl) St. Anthonyt of Padua April 13
• Tartuca (Tortoise) St. Anthonyt of Padua April 13
• Leocorno (Unicorn) St. John the Baptist June 24
• Chiocciola (Snail) Holy Apostles Peter and Paul June 29

The parades are normally held the following Sunday after the saint's day although the contrade baptisms (for the new births) happen specifically on the day. Also, the Chiocciola always does their parade (giro) on the 29th no matter what day of the week it is. So if you happen to be in town for one of the days you could see the baptisms (held at the contrada fountain) or the parades.
You could also make a day trip out of Montalcino with stops at San Galgano and Sant'Atimo (where the monks sing).

Hope this helps. There is a great book, Italy with Kids by Barbara Pape & Michael Calabrese that I find wonderful. Hope thi9s helps.

Cristina

Richard
You'll love Castello Montegufoni. After visiting the towns with little or no car traffic (San Gimigiano, Volterra, Pienza) Siena made us a nervous wreck with the kids. The streets are narrow with lots of traffic so I'd say a visit there would depend on how secure I'd feel that my 1-year old would stay in a stroller or hold my hand. Our kids enjoyed Abbazia San Galgano, which allowed them some room to run around in an icredible setting. Don't forget to eat at Paolo's Trattoria while you're staying at the castle. They're great with kids! Have a great trip.

Denise, if you have stayed at Montegufoni, send me a review. I would like to put in on our SlowTrav Favorites and do have three great reviews - but two are from Liz - so I need more.
http://www.slowtrav.com/reviews/about_reviews.htm

We want duplicate reviews of agencies and places - it is good to have as many different viewpoints as possible. It would be great if Richard could send one too after his trip.

Many thanks for all the advice. Our son is almost walking, he currently walks as long as you hold his hand. So maybe like Maria's daughter he will decide to take his first walk in Italy's dusty streets.

Cristina - We'll be in Tuscany June 8th - 15th. Is there a Siena saints parade on Sunday June 9th? Your calendar suggests that there isn't.

Is there convenient parking on the outskirts of Siena with a shuttle into the city?

Many thanks for everyone's wonderful advice. We'll submit a review upon our return and alert Robert to the perils of taking young children to Tuscany.

Richard

We have a page where we collect Siena parking information:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/drive/parking_siena.htm

From some of the parking lots in the south, there are shuttles. But from where you are coming, the best parking lots are in the north and they are pretty close to the center of Siena. There are two lots near Porta Ovile and we have directions to them on that page.

I am sure you will have a stroller with you - it will work well in Siena.

Richard, glad to hear Castello Montegufoni is in your future! I've been twice and am already starting to plan for 2003!

One of the reasons my kids love Montegufoni is because they have many cats/kittens running around for the kids to play with. If you dine out on the terrace, the cats should keep your little one occupied while you have a lovely dinner.

Hope that your experience at the castello will be as great as all of ours!