TUSCANY WITH KIDS
Tuscany with kids – our favorite family friendly tours of the Siena area
Tuscany is an amazing destination for families traveling with children of all ages. When staying at one of the family friendly hotels in Tuscany, such as Ripostena, you can choose to explore so many different areas. In our corner of Tuscany there is everything from cities filled with art and history, to natural parks and beautiful locations in the Tuscan countryside. It is also great just to stay on our property and enjoy activities as a family, like swimming in the pool, playing in the game room or at our little park, picnicking or just relaxing on your patio.
Siena family self-guided day trip
Less than half an hour from our charming accommodations in rural Tuscany is one of the best medieval towns of Tuscany: Siena. A powerhouse of history, Siena has been the rival of neighboring Florence for centuries. Once an equal, Siena was devastated by the plague and military losses to Florence and never fully regained the upper hand. Today the population is about 50,000 people, only about a 10th the size of Florence. But, because of its size, exploring Siena with kids is an easy day trip that can be done in just a few hours.
By parking in the Fortezza or Stadium parking areas, you can walk to the city center along the fun shopping street of Via Banchi di Sopra. You will see many kiosks filled with souvenirs. Your kids are sure to be fascinated by the intricate and colorful flags of Siena’s most famous event: The Palio. The Palio is a horserace that takes place twice a year in the main town square of Siena called Piazza del Campo. The origins of the race date back hundreds of years and the town is divided into 17 contrade, or neighborhoods, that compete against each other for a special prize. The kids can choose a flag with their favorite animal or symbol, with choices such as: giraffe, eagle, dragon and wave among many others. If you come in the summer you will see the different neighborhoods decorated with their contrada symbol, including fancy lamps and flags. During the week leading up to The Palio there are also many contrada dinners and events as well as the trial races, which can be fun for kids. The Palio itself is a very intense event, so it is not recommended for children, but teens might enjoy the experience.
Piazza del Campo and the fountains of Siena with children
The Palio takes place on July 2nd and August 16th each year, when the main square is transformed into a jam-packed arena. But during the rest of the year the square is a fantastic place to hang out, enjoy a gelato, or sit on the red bricks that line the entire shell-shaped square and people watch while the kids chase pigeons. Kids will also like the striking white Fonte Gaia monumental fountain with its intricate sculptures. Be sure to refill your water bottle from the water fountains with fresh drinking water on either side of the main fountain.
A fun thing to do in Siena with kids is to try to find all the different fountains, some well hidden, around the town. As the town did not have a water source, from Roman times the fountains of Siena were connected to incredible aqueducts that brought water from 25 kilometers away, an engineering feat! Each contrada has their own fountain proudly displaying their symbol and there are also large communal fountains like Fontebranda and Fonte d’Ovile.
Visiting Torre del Mangia and the Town Hall museum
Right on the Piazza del Campo is the Torre del Mangia, a stunning tower that is a defining characteristic of the Siena skyline. You can climb the tower, but the approximately 400 steps are not necessarily a great idea with kids, depending on their ages. A better activity would be a visit to the small Town Hall museum next door. It houses the incredible fresco called “The Allegory of Good and Bad Government” by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The painting shows the contrast of what happens to a town depending on whether or not it is well governed. It is an easily appreciated work of art for children and adults alike.
