Activities For Children, Tuscany & Umbria
Children’s activities in Tuscany and Umbria (and some in Emilia Romagna, Le Marche and Lazio), many within easy driving of our rental villas, some a little further.
Horse riding
There are several places to go Horse Riding on the Tuscany Umbria border near our holiday rental villas. There are also stables at Fattoria Caldese near Lerchi just to the north of Citta di Castello, where there is also a golf driving range, a 9 hole course and a spa.
Horse riding on the Tuscany Umbria border
Tuoro Beach
Lake Trasimeno has several beaches, from most of our villas the beach at Tuoro is most convenient. It is best to do things the Italian way and hire sun loungers, get a pedalo (preferably with slide) for a bit of excitement. There are also trampolines and children’s playground equipment.
A pedalo on Lake Trasimeno
Ferry Ride To The Islands On Lake Trasimeno
This requires a little planning in order to catch the right ferry, for a restaurant lunch and a quick stroll go to Isola Maggiore from Passignano or Tuoro. For a picnic and beaches go to Isola Polvese from San Feliciano. Check ferry times online.
Visit Perugia on the Mini Metro
Perugia has a beautiful hill top city centre, a fun way to get there is to use the Mini Metro monorail system (exit the dual carriageway at Madonna Alta to find the first station). In the city centre don’t miss the Underground City, houses that had their roofs removed and a papal fortress built on top. The fortress, the Rocca Paolina no longer exists but the walls of the houses are still there with huge brick barrel vaults constructed where the roofs used to be.
The mini metro in Perugia, Umbria
Read about a Visit to Perugia
Chianti Sculpture Park
The Chianti sculpture park is a woodland trail with contemporary sculptures along the way, many of them interactive and great fun for kids who get the chance to run around in the open air with interesting encounters along the way.
Find yourself in the Chianti Sculpture Park
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Tour the Perugina Chocolate Factory and taste the products
The Perugina chocolate factory which makes the famous “Baci” chocolates offers tours of its museum with a visit to the factory Monday to Friday – book in advance. It includes a tasting of their most popular chocolates and is inexpensive. The tour takes about one hour, the factory is located in the outskirts of Perugia.
Torre del Mangia, Siena
In the summer the queues can be extremely long as only a few people are allowed up at any time. If this is the case go to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, you can climb the unfinished extension to the Duomo and enjoy the views minus the crowds.
The Campo in Siena viewed from the Torre del Mangia
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Gubbio and the Funavia Ride
Take the cable ride “funivia” up Monte Ingino, at the top, enjoy the view and kids will be fascinated by the corpse of Sant’Ubaldo in a glass coffin in the church. Back in the town there is lots to do: walk three times around the Fontana dei Matti and become an honourary citizen of Gubbio, visit the enormous medieval town hall and head up to the Duomo where more blackened corpses await in their glass coffins.
The funavia in Gubbio
Read about a Visit to Gubbio
Orvieto: a funicular, a well, a tower and the end of the world in paintings
Ride the funicular railway up from the railway station at Orvieto Scalo. Visit the Pozzo di San Patrizio and climb the Torre del Moro.
The Pozzo di San Patrizio in Orvieto, Umbria
Finally, even children will enjoy looking at Luca Signorelli’s frescoes in the Duomo, they depict scenes from the Book of Revelations showing skeletons rising from the ground and demons torturing and carrying away the damned.
Read about a visiting Orvieto
Thermal Baths
There are several thermal baths in Tuscany, the nearest to our area are Rapolano Terme and San Casciano dei Bagni (free). On a hot day the pools below Bagno Vignoni are good as they are not particularly warm. In Umbria there is a spa (indoor) near Città di Castello called Terme Fontecchio.
The hot springs at San Casciano dei Bagni
Water Slide, Umbertide Pool
In case you haven’t spent enough time at your Tuscan villa’s pool, the public pool in Umbertide has a giant water slide, usually only available after late morning. It’s a great place to spend a whole day, especially in the middle of the week. Might also be fun for older teenagers who can check out the local talent.
Read about Umbertide Water Slide
At the top of the Umbertide water slide
Mirabilandia
A proper amusement park with world class roller-coasters and rides that equal those of anywhere else. Unlike amusement parks in northern Europe it’s actually fun to go on the water rides in the summer heat. Follow the E45 across the Appenines towards Ravenna on the Adriatic coast.
The I-speed roller coaster at Mirabilandia
Read about the Mirabilandia Amusement Park
Bike Ride Around Lake Trasimeno
The whole route is 60km, part road, part track so for older children and teenagers. With younger children you can do part of the Percorso Ciclibi Trasimeno which is on tracks only. Scooter hire for older teenagers and adults is also available, look up Umbria In Vespa for scooter hire.
Cycling around Lake Trasimeno
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Cascata delle Marmore
Waterfalls near Terni in southern Umbria with a total height of 165 metres. The Cascata delle Marmore were created by the Romans when they diverted the Velino River over a cliff into the River Nera. Today, the water is diverted to a hydroelectric plant much of the time so check the official website for visiting times.
At 165m, the Cascata delle Marmore are the tallest man made waterfalls in the world
Read about the Cascate delle Marmore
Rafting
For family rafting head towards the Rafting Centre on the road to Norcia in southern Umbria. For wilder, white water rafting contact the rafting centre at the Cascata delle Marmore (over 18’s only). Discover more about Rafting in Umbria
Rafting
Monte Tezio, Etruscan Tomb or Leaning Tower Walk
Monte Tezio is a fairly short walk with amazing views and the remains of an ice storage facility at the top. Alternatively, the Short Etruscan Tomb Walk or the Leaning Tower of Vernazzano are relatively easy and have interesting focal points to keep children interested. All walks are in my book, Circular Walks On The Tuscany Umbria Border, available for the Kindle.
At the top of Monte Tezio in Umbria
Read about a Walk On Monte Tezio
Train Ride to Sansepolcro
From many of our villas in the Niccone Valley it’s easy to get to the train stations at Niccone or Umbertide. From here you can go on the small, slow local train on a private railway to Perugia or head north to Citta di Castello and the end of the line at Sansepolcro.
Read about our Train Ride To Sansepolcro
Sansepolcro Train Station
Ramba Zamba Activity Centre below Assisi
I’ve never been here but friends recommend this indoor activity centre, useful to keep in mind if there is bad weather.. Has soft play, climbing wall, etc.
Activo Park
An outdoor activity park near Spoleto, I’ve not been but it has obstacle courses involving zip lines and rope bridges at different levels of difficulty as well as a water slide with inflatable tubes. Segway hire also available.
Rope bridges at the Activo Park
Carsulae
The little known ruins of a once thriving Roman town located near San Gemini between Todi and Terni. There is lots of space for kids to run around in and plenty of interesting things to look at. Take a picnic and combine with a visit to the Cascata dei Marmore.
The ruins of the Roman town Carsulae
Read about the Ruined Roman Town Of Carsulae
Bomarzo Monster Park
A garden full of whacky Mannerist sculptures from the 16thC depicting monsters, leaning houses, giants and other fantastical things to fire the imagination. Located just over the border from Umbria in the region of Lazio, it is close to the A1 motorway, take the Attigliano exit.
The face of the ogre
La Scarzuola
I have always wanted to go here but telephone booking is required and the phone often not answered! People who have been rave about it, it’s a collection of strange architectural sculptures in a garden setting, you need to book because the tours are always accompanied by a guide and a minimum of ten people are needed. Located near Montegabbione, south of Lake Trasimeno and Città della Pieve.
La Scarzuola
Read more about Sculpture Parks & Gardens
Tavernelle Water Park
Open only between June to late August a water park with four pools and several slides and flumes. There is a grassy area with sun-loungers and umbrellas for hire. It is located south of Lake Trasimeno about 1 hour’s drive from most of our houses.
Frasassi Caves
Located near the town of Fabriano in Le Marche, these impressive caves are around an hour’s drive from most of our holiday villas. Head towards Ancona and once past Fabriano you’ll pick up the signs.
The Frasassi Caves
Saltalbero Adventure Park
The Saltalbero Parco Avventura is located near the thermal baths at Rapolano Terme, between Lake Trasimeno and Siena. It has a series of different obstacle courses for children (and adults) of all ages.
Rope bridge at the Saltalbero Aventure Park
Canoeing On The Tiber At Citta di Castello
Hire a Canadian Canoe at Citta di Castello Canoe Club (€25 all day hire in 2013). A great family day out on the River Tiber – it’s best to head upstream at the start of the day.
Canoeing on the River Tiber
The Waterfalls At Sasso Near Città di Castello
Swim in the large rock pools below the waterfalls and enjoy a picnic of Torta al Testo from the local bar. There is also a large playground if this isn’t enough to keep you amused.
