I am looking for suggestions for somewhere in Italy to stay for 3 weeks with a 5 and a 7-year-old. I want to have one "home-base" so that they can get a taste of what it would be like to live in a village or a town in Italy (No agriturismos). We would need access to a hospital, as my eldest has 8 severe food allergies. I'd like to be within striking distance of Florence for day trips. Thoughts?
Month: June
Car: No (I prefer no, but am undecided.)
With car or no car?
What month?
I edited my response to add the month of June and no car. I might be the only adult on the trip for part of the time, so walking, bussing, and trains are a bit more comfortable for me with the two kids.
Lucca might fit your requirements.
If you stay within the walls it is a small (~9,000) community with a low traffic, very family friendly atmosphere with playgrounds and other family friendly things. Outside the walls there is a large modern hospital a few minutes away. The train station is a short walk outside town with access to Florence, Pisa and the coast.
My $.02,
=Tod
