With Children

Leonardo Museum in Vinci

The Leonardo Museum in Vinci is one of the most fascinating places you can visit. A place where you can find out more about Leonardo da Vinci. Located in the hamlet where Leonardo was born, it houses one of the largest collections in the world of machines and models reconstructed from his drawings. Here you can admire inventions ranging from military engineering to hydraulics, from flight to mechanics, accompanied by videos, animations and multimedia insights. It is an enjoyable journey which passes through ingenuity, science and creativity, an ideal destination for adults and children, where art and technology meet to tell the story of Leonardo's visionary universe.

More information: museoleonardiano.it

Pinocchio Park in Collodi

The Pinocchio Park in Collodi is a special place where imagination comes to life, in the midst of art, nature and fun. The park houses green spaces, play areas, theatrical performances and creative workshops designed for children. The itinerary tells the story of the adventures of the wooden puppet through sculptures, mosaics and artistic installations. It’s an enchanting stroll that blends culture and leisure perfect for families and for anyone who wants to rediscover the timeless magic of Pinocchio.
In addition to the fairytale itinerary of the Pinocchio Park, a visit to Collodi becomes even more special thanks to two nearby attractions: Villa Garzoni, a historic seventeenth-century house surrounded by an extraordinary baroque garden, with spectacular stairways, fountains, caves and statues that seem to have come out of a dream; and the Butterfly House, a large tropical greenhouse where hundreds of colourful butterflies fly freely among flowers and exotic plants.
Together with the park, these places form a unique itinerary weaving together art, nature and a touch of magic perfect for an unforgettable day out.

More information: pinocchio.it

Places of interest: The medieval village of Castelfalfi, in Montaione, was one of the main filming locations for Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio (2002).
At the time, the village had only been partially restored, and it was chosen to stand in for the hamlet where Geppetto lives and where Pinocchio comes to life. Its stone lanes, central little square, and historic houses were ideal for recreating a fairytale 19th-century setting without the need for heavy digital effects. In many of the early scenes such as Geppetto building Pinocchio and the village moments you can clearly spot glimpses of Castelfalfi.

Pinocchio's Oak A fairytale tree in Tuscany

In Gragnano, in the municipality of Capannori (LU), there is a majestic centuries-old oak tree over 24 meters high and more than 600 years old. According to tradition, it was here that the The Cat and the Fox hanged Pinocchio in an episode based on the famous novel by Carlo Collodi.

Today, the oak is protected as a natural monument and is easy to reach as it is just a short walk away. With its impressive leaves and branches and the enchanting atmosphere, it is an unmissable stop for families, lovers of nature and literature.

Free access, marked path.

Livorno Aquarium

The Livorno Aquarium, located on the waterfront near the Mascagni Terrace, is the largest in Tuscany and the third largest in Italy. Covering two floors, it houses more than 1,700 specimens of approximately 300 marine species, including sharks, turtles and seahorses, as well as a reptile house and an archaeological area with a reconstructed Roman wreck. It offers interactive educational experiences for families and schools and a terrace with sea views, making it an ideal destination for discovering marine biodiversity in an engaging way.

More information: acquariodilivorno.it

Places of interest: Ari and Cuba are two green sea turtles (Cheloniamydas), a protected species considered at risk of extinction. They have become famous as the 'mascots' of the Livorno Aquarium thanks to their special story. Both were injured at sea and brought to the Aquarium. Today they live in the large Indo-Pacific tank, alongside tropical fish, rays, and other marine animals. They are considered the real stars of the Aquarium, 'ambassadors' of marine protection.

Piaggio Museum, Pontedera

The Piaggio Museum in Pontedera preserves the extraordinary history of one of the symbols of Made in Italy in the world: the legendary Vespa.

The permanent collection has more than one hundred Vespa models, including some real rarities, such as the Vespa signed by Salvador Dalì, or the great classic that is the 1951 Vespa 125, the model used by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on the set of ‘Roman Holiday’.

At the Piaggio Museum you can see the extraordinary stainless steel train, an expression of the technology achieved by Piaggio in the 1930s, and the most beautiful and prestigious Gilera motorcycles that have made generations of enthusiasts dream.

More information: museopiaggio.it

Places of interest:

The most expensive Vespa in the world
In 1962, two Spanish students, Antonio Veciana and Santiago Guillem, toured the world on a Vespa 150 called ‘Dulcinea’ in honour of Don Quixote. Before leaving, the two young men went to Cadaqués, where the famous painter Salvador Dalí decorated the body of the Vespa and even signed it. Today, ‘Dulcinea’ is considered one of the most precious Vespas in the world.

... the most famous one: The Vespa in Roman Holiday
In 1953, the film Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, featured a 1951 Piaggio Vespa 125. The famous scene of the two of them zipping through the streets of Rome helped turn the Vespa into a global icon synonymous with freedom and the Italian Dolce Vita. Thanks to the success of the film, sales exploded in the United States as well as in many other countries, helping to make the Vespa a timeless myth.

... and the most loved: mine!
It was clear from the start that Luigi and I were not an ordinary couple! Instead of the banal diamond ring, I received this beautiful, third-hand 1986 Vespa 125 PX as a gift for our engagement. This explains why it has an RE (Reggio Emilia) licence plate, somewhere that neither Luigi nor I have ever lived. This Vespa has accompanied us on many adventures, it came on our honeymoon with us, it has had to go through 6 house moves and, equipped with a wonderful wicker basket, it has often brought fresh bread to Rigone. Now, after a small face-lift scheduled for this winter, she will be leaving shortly to enjoy her old age on the Dalmatian coast. And Luigi and I with her, hopefully.

ll Cavallino Matto

The Cavallino Matto, located in Marina di Castagneto Carducci, is the largest amusement park in Tuscany, immersed in a pine forest covering 100,000 sqm. It is ideal for families and children and has more than 30 attractions divided into Children, Family and Adrenaline areas, from roller coasters and free-falling towers, to water rides and themed trails.

For the little ones there are dedicated spaces with slides, swings, trains and mini-rides.

The park combines fun and nature, with picnic areas, restaurants and ice cream parlours, ensuring a fun experience in a green and well-kept environment.

More information: cavallinomatto.it

Acqua Village

The Acqua Villages in Cecina and Follonica two water parks around an hour’s drive from us are perfect for families looking for a fun day out with the ideal mix of adrenaline and relaxation.

They’re wonderfully kid-friendly spaces where everyone can enjoy a carefree day. Inspired by two Hawaiian islands, they feature volcano-themed areas, kilometres of slides, pools, waterfalls and splash zones for children and teens of all ages.

More information: acquavillage.it

Castelfalfi Adventure Park

The Castelfalfi Adventure Park, located in the Castelfalfi Estate between Florence and Pisa, is immersed in centuries-old woods and offers adventure and nature experiences for all ages.

The main activities include tree trails with Tibetan bridges and zip-lines, sport climbing, archery, falconry, night safaris and survival courses. The park combines fun, sports and close contact with nature in a safe, scenic setting.

More information: castelfalfiadventurepark.com

Vincigliata Adventure Park

The Vincigliata Adventure Park is in Fiesole, just a 10-minute drive from Florence’s city centre. You’ll find 8 adventure courses, 15-metre free-fall jumps, Tibetan bridges, Tarzan vines, net trails with giant inflatable balls, and seemingly endless zip lines!

All activities at Vincigliata Adventure Park are run in complete safety and are perfect for children of all ages.

More information: treeexperience.it

Il Gigante Adventure Park

Set in an oak forest, Il Gigante Adventure Park is the largest park of its kind in all of Tuscany. It lies in the hills just outside Florence, right opposite Villa Demidoff.

You’ll find six treetop courses, each with different features and difficulty levels, taking you up to 20 metres high plus breathtaking zip lines and ever-changing aerial challenges.

More information: parcoavventurailgigante.it