Florence is truly a destination that the entire family will enjoy. There are a few activities that were designed specifically with children in mind. The children can enjoy discovering the countryside on horseback, visit an interactive museum, or visit the enchanted Pinocchio Park. With so many fascinating places to see and visit, children will never forget their trip to Florence.

Horseback Riding
The children will love a day of horseback riding around Florence. You can arrange for an excursion in the countryside on horseback. For more information, you can contact Centro Equitazione Vecchio Texas at 055 959126.

Museo Leonardiano di Vinci
Visit the town of Vinci, and the Leonardo di Vinci museum, situated in a medieval castle. The museum is chock full of exact models of Leonardo's inventions – his flying machine, tank, steam cannon, helicopter, and scads more!

Museo Dei Ragazzi
The Museo Dei Ragazzi receives visitors from 3 years old. They have exhibits for the entire family making discovery fun for all who attend. The activities are carried out by entertainers and graduated actors. Their key element is the interactivity: the children can maneuver architectonic pieces, dress up like small dukes, play with lenses or experiment in the vacuum.

Pinocchio Park
This park is not the usual amusement area but the stirring and precious collective work of great artists where visitors, thanks to the beauty of art and nature, walk through a living fairy-tale enjoying themselves in a most natural and spontaneous way. Pinocchio Park offers fully-equipped picnic areas, a cafe, a wide playground with wooden toys, a large chessboard and a shop

Stibbert Museum
The Stibbert Museum has one of the most important western arms and Japanese armour collections in the world. The children will be mesmerized by weapons from the Old West or of a Japanese Samurai.

Football is the most important sport in Italy, and Florence is no exception. Watching a football match is good entertainment, and also a great introduction to Italian culture, passion and drama. Besides football, the city offers horseback riding, bicycling and don’t forget that Florence has some of the most amazing golf courses in the world.

Aerial Athletes
The adrenaline-packed sport of skydiving takes on a whole new meaning as you are descending from the skies onto the beautifully tranquil Tuscan landscape.

Florence Marathon
Held every November, the Florence Marathon is becoming increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike.

Hiking and Biking
Tuscany is one of Italy's most spectacular regions, offering lots of natural beauty and unparalleled hiking and biking opportunities. This is definitely a way to experience the real Italy - past and present.

Golf
One can not pass through Florence without being aware of its natural beauty and medieval heritage. Many golf courses are situated amongst the ruins of castles and historic sights. Here you can actually golf and discover lost treasures along the way.

Spectator Sports
The fighting between the neighbouring cities of Florence and Siena has been replaced with spectacular traditional sporting events like the Palio bareback horserace in Siena. Held twice a year, the bareback race honours the Virgin Mary as the hopeful’s race around the town square.

Tuscan cuisine, is essentially based on the simplicity of its ingredients, it comes from the traditions of peasant food and is wholesome and tasty. Florentine food is uncomplicated with ample local produce, cheeses and grilled meats. Beans are a staple in Tuscan dining as is roasted or wine-braised game. Hearty soups and Chianti wine will be usually seen at the dinner table. Extra virgin olive oil is held in pride of place in Florence, and it is never missing from the Florentine table; olive oil is used in cooking, and as a condiment for salads and the delicious bruschetta (toasted bread with topping of tomatoes and basil).

At the heart of Florentine cuisine lie four fundamental ingredients: well baked bread, extra-virgin olive oil, meat (steaks, boar, dear and rabbit) and of course the wine.

A traditional Florentine speciality is the famous bistecca alla fiorentina steak. The steak comes from 'chianina' stock, and has a very thick cut, (no less than 800gm) and is cooked on the grill.

The soups are also local favourites. The most delicious and popular soup is ribollita, made with a mixture of bread and vegetables, with a red cabbage base. For a sweet Florentine treat, try the Schiacciata alla Fiorentina. It is a sponge cake, covered with icing and sometimes filled with whipped cream.

There are enoteche (wine bars) throughout Florence. Here you can enjoy good Chianti, delicious sandwich or a scrumptious appetizer. There are also pizzerias which can be found everywhere in the city and offers thin and crispy Florentine pizzas that are cooked in a wood-fuelled oven.

Coffee takes on a new meaning throughout Italy. You'll have to take some time to study the choices for yourself, but start out with a café macchiato, an espresso with a bit of steamed milk. You will see the locals as well as the smart tourist, leisurely hanging around the quaint cafés sipping the robust coffee drinks and enjoying the ambience that is Florence.

Florence is a vibrant city that is a major centre of fashion, style and taste in Italy. The most prestigious streets of Florence are lined with the showrooms of famous designers from Italy and around the globe.

Florence's version of Fifth Avenue is Via dei Tornabuoni, the place to head for the best quality leather goods as well as the best clothing boutiques, and for trendy, stylish and expensive shoes. Armani, Gucci, Versace and Ferragamo are all on offer.

There are also numerous outlet stores in and around Florence, that offer visitors to Italy a chance to enjoy discounted prices on some of the most famous brand names in Italy. Dolce and Gabbana and Fendi are among the outlet stores on offer.

Besides shops, Florence is rich in open-air markets. The Market of San Lorenzo, situated in the centre of the city, is the preferred destination of tourists. The New Market is sheltered under the sixteenth-century Loggia del Porcellino. At the Flea Market, near Piazza Santa Croce, one can make good deals on small antique items. The last Sunday of every month except July, the market expands into the adjacent streets.