subject: A Perfect Family Day Under The Tuscan Sun In Florence [print this page] Although it is understandably difficult to prise yourself away from the idyllic surrounds offered to your family at your rental villas in Tuscany, there is more to Italy than lolling around poolside under the warm Tuscan sun.
The Villa
A perfect day begins with a delicious and nutritious breakfast. The region is conducive to rising early, the sounds of birds and a balmy breeze beg you to leap out of bed and take an early morning constitutional to one of the nearby farmers markets. Here you can buy any manner of fresh produce, still throbbing with life force. The markets here are famous for the availability of organic produce that has arrived directly from the farm.
Returning to your well-appointed kitchen you can revel in the simple things the good life has to offer and leisurely prepare the family breakfast. Out on the terrace, overlooking the lilting hills and olive trees, your family feast upon delicious, locally produced fruits, jams, eggs, wild boar bacon, porcini mushrooms and breads. With so much to do on offer for the whole family, it is important to sustain yourselves for the big day ahead.
One of the added bonuses of holidaying at villas in Tuscany is that just a short walk or road trip can take you to any manner of awe-inspiring attractions. Depending on where you stay, Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, may only be a few kilometres away. Abuzz with family fun just waiting to happen, a day trip to Florence should definitely be on the agenda.
Home to nearly half a million Italians, Florence packs a punch as one of Europes most culturally dense cities. Awash with palaces, cathedrals and museums it is renowned as having more art than any other city in Europe. With its proud legacy of the Renaissance explosion of architectural and artistic activity, Florence stands loudly and proudly as the epicentre of fine arts in Europe.
The Uffizi
Acclaimed as the most famous of Italys museums, it is also one of the greatest in the world. A mecca of artistic riches, the Uffizi houses 1800 works of art. The Uffizi museum grants your family the opportunity to get up close to masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo, da Vinci, Giotto, Cimabue and Raffaello. Assuming, (as one does in contemporary times) that your family is armed with smart phones, consider downloading Rick Steves podcast on the gallery (considered superior to the audio on offer in house) and start from the beginning.
The number and magnificence of the masterpieces on show is simply staggering and includes The Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto, Madonna with Child and Two Angels by Filippo Lippi, La Primavera and The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael, Doni Tondo by Michelangelo and Venus of Urbino by Titian.
The City
The city of Florence is arguably one giant museum; however, there are still many child- friendly activities available to break up, what they may consider is, cultural overkill. The beautiful squares, like Piazza della Signoria, are a welcome respite for children to sit and enjoy a famous Italian gelato. The city centre has wide piazza, a maze of interesting alleyways, bustling markets and is dotted with statues and fountains that children are sure to appreciate.
By evening you can almost hear the villas in Tuscany calling the weary sightseers home to their creature comforts. Back in your home away from home, your family can take an evening dip in the pool and gather together on the marble terrace, to relax and marvel the multi-faceted magnificence that personifies this region.
by: Giovanni Balboni
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