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For families, Italy is a wonderful destination. Children love the lifestyle, weather and sense of fun the country provides, not to mention the fabulous food, which is always appealing to the young palate - because who doesn’t love a holiday where you get to eat pizza, pasta and gelato every day? Making a base in Florence is a good option, allowing you not only to explore the delights of the city itself, but also providing the opportunity to get out and explore on day trips and excursions. While there are plenty of ideas available for a day trip from Florence, one of the most popular is a visit to explore the wonderful Cinque Terre. This stunning region is well known for its picturesque views and the coastal hiking trail that links its five villages, but there’s plenty more that makes it one of Italy’s favourite destinations. Rest assured, if you take a day trip from Florence to this area with your children, they’ll find a lot to love. The Hiking Most kids love hiking and they’ll definitely love the opportunities in Cinque Terre. There are plenty of family friendly hikes in the region, in particular the walks along the coastal path from Riomaggiore to Manarola (about an hour but check for closures); from Manarola to Corniglia (around 45 minutes); and Corniglia to Vernazza (around an hour and a half). If your children are athletic and slightly older, you can do the harder Vernazza to Monterosso hike, which takes a bit longer, but the promise of a lovely dip in the ocean on arrival may provide some encouragement. The Colours Young visitors are generally extremely charmed by the sight of the five villages with their pastel-coloured houses clinging to the cliffs. It’s a lot of fun to simply explore the streets of each village on foot and wander past the rainbow houses; younger children particularly will enjoy choosing their favourite and perhaps dreaming about some home renovations… The Train If the kids aren’t into hiking, or if you’re travelling with younger family members, catching the train between the five villages is not only highly convenient, it's also a lot of fun. It’s only a few minutes between the stations at each town, so you can travel a long way in a short time on the Cinque Terre Express. In fact it runs from La Spezia right through to Levante, so if you have the time it could be a fun experience to ride the train from the beginning to the end of the line and back again. The Food We’ve saved the best for last because the food of this region, as in all of Italy, is simply delicious. While children might not be so interested in five-star cuisine, this is the home of authentic pasta pesto, a perennial favourite with youngsters, along with endless pizza, spaghetti, gelato and the ever-popular fritto misto, local fried fish and vegetables served in a paper cone. Visit Cinque Terre on a Day Trip from Florence Taking your whole family to this fantastic region on a day trip from Florence could well end up as one of the highlights of your Italian holiday. There’s so much for visitors of every age to enjoy and it has the perfect blend of history, culture and child friendly activities. Book your day trip from Florence with a reputable local operator and all you’ll have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. Author Plate Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable tours and excursions around Italy including the best itineraries for a day trip from Florence. Whether you want to ride a Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients, Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.
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