Is a Nature Holiday in Tuscany Right for the Whole Family?

A nature holiday in Tuscany is an excellent choice for the whole family, including children of different ages. The combination of space, nature, swimming water, and hands-on activities makes a stay in the Tuscan hills particularly attractive for families looking for more than a standard holiday park. The questions below will help you determine whether this type of holiday suits your family.

What can children do on a nature holiday in Tuscany?

Children on a nature holiday in Tuscany have plenty to do: swimming in an outdoor pool, hiking through forests, hunting for truffles in the wild, making pasta with local ingredients, and exploring rivers. Nature itself is the greatest playground, and it is precisely that lack of organised structure that makes it so special for adventurous children.

In the Casentino hills, children find an environment that invites exploration. Think of:

Free swimming in a large outdoor pool surrounded by hills
Truffle hunting in the forests with a local guide
Making pasta and sausages in the traditional Tuscan way
E-mountain biking along unpaved trails through the landscape
River trips and water games in nature

What sets this type of holiday apart from a child-friendly holiday park is that children are given freedom and space without everything being planned out for them. They make friends in the square, explore the village, and become part of a real Italian borgo. That appeals enormously to adventurous children.

Is an agriturismo child-friendly enough for a family holiday?

An agriturismo in Tuscany is certainly child-friendly, but in a different way from a resort or holiday park. There is no entertainment programme or water park, but there is space, freedom, a swimming pool, and activities that genuinely teach children something. Families who want comfort without the crowds of tourist destinations will find exactly that here.

A child-friendly agriturismo in Italy typically offers accommodation with its own kitchens, so you are not dependent on restaurant schedules. Children eat together at long tables, discover how food is made, and spend the entire day outdoors. The informal atmosphere suits families who are not looking for five-star service but do appreciate quality and authenticity.

One thing to bear in mind: this type of environment requires a certain openness from both parents and children. The grounds are not fully fenced, nature is present as it is, and the occasional surprise is part of the experience. Families who see that as an adventure are right at home here.

How far from everything is a remote borgo in Tuscany?

A remote borgo in Tuscany is typically located in the hills, twenty to forty minutes’ drive from larger towns such as Arezzo or Cortona. This means day trips are perfectly feasible, but you use the car intentionally. Within the borgo itself, everything is within walking distance.

In the Casentino valley, bordering the Casentino National Park, the surroundings are so rich that most families hardly need the car at all. The village is car-free: you leave the car at the entrance and your luggage is taken to your accommodation by 4×4. This creates a sense of peace and safety, including for children.

Supermarkets and pharmacies are accessible in the nearby villages. For those who want a day of culture, cities such as Arezzo, Siena, or Florence are within an hour’s drive. The remote location is therefore not a drawback, but a deliberate choice for peace and nature.

What is the best time for a family holiday in Tuscany?

The best time for a family holiday in Tuscany is from mid-June to the end of August, when the weather is reliably warm and sunny. This coincides with the Dutch and Belgian summer school holidays, making it also the most popular period for families. May and September are quieter and pleasant, but the pool may still feel cool during those months.

In the summer months, temperatures in the Tuscan hills are more comfortable than on the coast or in the cities. At higher altitudes, such as in the Casentino hills, days are warm but evenings are pleasantly cool. This makes for enjoyable morning walks and a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

Families with flexibility around school holidays might also consider May or early June. Nature is then in full bloom, crowds are smaller, and the atmosphere is intimate. Truffles are most abundant in autumn, which makes an autumn visit worthwhile for adventurous families too.

Which activities in Tuscany are suitable for teenagers?

Teenagers will find plenty of challenge in Tuscany: e-mountain biking on rugged terrain, truffle hunting in the forest, exploring wine regions, and learning to cook the Italian way. These are not children’s activities, but experiences that are meaningful and exciting for teenagers too, precisely because they are authentic.

What teenagers experience differently here compared to a typical holiday park is that the activities are genuine. They learn to make pasta from people who have been doing it for generations. They ride e-mountain bikes through the Casentino National Park on trails that truly challenge them. They are part of an environment that was not set up for tourists, but simply exists.

In addition, the social dynamic of a borgo offers something unique: teenagers travelling together with multiple families have space to do their own thing within a safe, manageable environment. That sense of independence, combined with shared meals and activities, strongly appeals to many teenagers.

Can multiple families book one place together in Tuscany?

Yes, multiple families can book one location together in Tuscany, particularly by renting a holiday home or an entire borgo. This is a popular choice for groups of friends with children who want to enjoy a shared pool, communal meals, and sufficient private space per family.

A borgo with multiple holiday homes offers exactly that combination: each family has its own dwelling with bedrooms and a kitchen, while the grounds, the pool, and the activities are shared. This gives the freedom of renting a holiday home in Tuscany combined with the conviviality of a group holiday.

The holiday homes in the Casentino area are available with two or three bedrooms, so multiple families each have their own space. Children play together on the grounds, parents relax by the pool or head out together for a truffle walk. It is a formula that works better for many families than each booking separate accommodation.

How Novanta makes a family holiday in Tuscany possible

Novanta offers in the Casentino valley exactly the environment that adventurous families are looking for: authentic, spacious, active, and far from the tourist crowds. The borgo consists of sixteen houses and a church, set on approximately three hundred hectares of nature bordering a national park. Everything you need for an unforgettable family holiday in Tuscany is available in one place.

What Novanta concretely offers for families and groups:

Holiday homes with their own kitchen, self-contained dwellings with two or three bedrooms, ideal for families or multiple families together
Two outdoor swimming pools, including a twenty-metre pool, accessible to all guests
Experience activities, truffle hunting, pasta making, e-mountain biking, river trips, and wine tastings
Car-free village, the car stays at the entrance, luggage is taken by 4×4, children play safely on the grounds
Sustainable approach, local products, energy-efficient systems, and collaboration with the local community

Would you like to know which accommodation best suits your family or group? View the holiday homes at Novanta and plan your stay in the Tuscan hills for the summer of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book for a summer holiday at Novanta?

For the summer months (mid-June to the end of August), it is strongly recommended to book at least six to nine months in advance, especially if you want to go with multiple families. The holiday homes in the Casentino area are popular with families and groups, which means availability during peak season fills up quickly. If you book for May or September, you generally have more flexibility.

What is the minimum age for activities such as truffle hunting and e-mountain biking?

Most activities, such as truffle hunting and pasta making, are suitable for children from around age six, provided they are accompanied by an adult. For e-mountain biking, there is generally a minimum age or height requirement depending on the type of bike; it is advisable to confirm this with Novanta in advance. Younger children can watch many activities and participate at their own level, which also makes it work well for families with children of different ages.

Is the borgo also suitable for children who cannot yet swim?

Yes, the borgo is also suitable for young children or children who cannot yet swim, although it is important that parents always supervise at the pool. It is advisable to bring armbands or life vests, as this type of accommodation generally does not have a lifeguard on site. The car-free environment and the manageable grounds do make things considerably more relaxed for parents than a busy holiday park.

What practical items should I bring for a nature holiday in Tuscany with children?

Think of sturdy walking shoes for the unpaved paths, good sun protection (the Tuscan sun is intense), insect repellent for the evenings, and a water bottle per person for walks. Since the holiday homes have their own kitchen, it is handy to stock up on local basics in a nearby village upon arrival. Also remember to pack light evening clothing: in the Casentino hills it can cool down noticeably in the evenings, even in summer.

How does Novanta handle dietary requirements or food allergies during activities such as pasta making?

It is strongly recommended to notify Novanta of any dietary requirements or allergies when booking or by contacting them directly, so that the local guides can take these into account during cooking activities. Tuscan cuisine is often gluten-rich, but local producers are generally flexible and accustomed to the varied needs of international guests. By communicating this in good time, you avoid surprises on the day and ensure the experience can be enjoyable for everyone.

Can we as a family also combine day trips with a stay at the borgo?

Absolutely, day trips to cities such as Arezzo, Cortona, or even Florence and Siena are easy to combine with a stay at the borgo, since the car is at the entrance and you can be on your way quickly. Most families opt for a mix: rest days on the grounds alternating with one or two cultural excursions. Bear in mind that cities can be very hot and busy in summer; set off early in the morning and return before the hottest part of the day.

Is there wifi or mobile network available for teenagers who still want to be online?

In most agriturismi and borghi in the Casentino hills, wifi is available in or near the communal areas, although the connection in remote areas may be slower than at home. Mobile network (4G) is generally available, but can be patchy in some spots on the grounds. For many families, that is precisely the appeal: teenagers are naturally drawn outdoors more, and the absence of constant connectivity is often experienced afterwards by both parents and children as a breath of fresh air.