Hi,
During our upcoming trip to Italy my son will be turning 9. On that day we will be in Florence. By then we would have completed a tour of Florence (including museums - florence in a day tour offered by walks of italy). On his birthday I am thinking of taking him to see the tower of Pisa. Is there any fun activity to do around Florence/Pisa that is more suited for celebrating his birthday?
Thanks
GR
Maybe Lucca? Rent bicycles and ride on top of the walls.
In the town of Collodi, the birthplace of Carlo Lorenzini, the author of "The Adventures of Pinocchio", (between Florence and Lucca, next to Pescia), there is a Pinocchio open air museum and also a famous villa, or better a castle, called Villa Garzoni.
Carlo Lorenzini's father was a gardener at that villa while his mother was a maid, so Pinocchio's author basically grew up in it. In any case the villa has wonderful Italian gardens with water fountains, water falls, water games and even a labyrinth made with plants and bushes. I always enjoyed going there when I was a kid on some of our family Sunday getaways.
Also in nearby Montecatini Terme, a pretty spa town, I always enjoyed riding the funicular to the top of Montecatini Alto.
You can reach the above locations from Florence by train or bus. They are about 30-35 miles away from Florence.
I agree with seeing Lucca and Pisa, in one day, in that order. Rent a bike in Lucca and ride on top of the wall surrounding the town. Then go to Pisa after lunch. The crowds will have thinned considerably, and the marble at the Field Of Miracles looks lovely in the afternoon light.
Hey I celebrated my birthday in Florence in 2013! I was at Pisa in September and there were a lot of little kids running around and laughing at the very top of the Tower, looking down and waving at us groundlings. They were sure having a lot of fun.
I took my 9 year old grandson to Italy and his one request was to visit Pisa... I had never been, so we went. Although it was not his birthday, he loved it. One of my best memories is watching him sit on the steps with his sketch pad and draw the tower. Later that evening, in our hotel room he made a watercolor painting from that sketch.... that memory is priceless.
Be sure to have your son keep a daily journal/trip log. He will thank you for it in future years. I made up my own journal for the kids as a sort of 'fill in the blank' so they know what to write... favorite highlight, meal, sites they saw, funny moment...etc.
There are also extra pages for sketching and additional journaling. I also always bring some art supplies as there is so much inspiration. Have a great birthday celebration. (I would do both Pisa & Lucca if possible)
Thank you everyone. Looks like he will have his b-day party at the top of the tower:)
GR
