As the first days of Spring arrive, thoughts begin to turn to outdoor activities and new things to discover and experience with the kids. Well, at least they do for me! There is a rumor that Florence (and Italy in general) is not a good place for young children. Sure, museums can be boring, and who has time to search for “kid” activities?
While we are always searching for new things to do with the kids, we discovered that almost all of our visitors knew about sites or activities we didn’t. And we found too, that many of our friends who have lived in Florence for years didn’t know about sites and activities that we had discovered. So. We resolved to step outside of our everyday routine and become tourists in our own city. And what do you know? We found out some interesting things that we hope you will find useful as well.
NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION
In our first months living in Florence, we were often asked what neighborhood we lived in. As we started to investigate the answer to that question, we became more confused, as neighborhoods are referred to in both their historical categorization Quartieri Storici (Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito) and the newer Quartieri or Administrative Wards/Districts (Quartiere 1, Quartiere 2, Quartiere 3, Quartiere 4, and Quartierie 5). We finally figured out some of it, but I’m not sure if anyone, even native Florentines, can determine neighborhoods accurately. We did find that once you have a general idea, there is much information to be found via the Comune di Firenze website which recently launched an English version – www.comune.fi.it
Bad News first – you have to figure out where you live.
Good News next – each administrative quarter has it’s own website (via the Comune di Firenze site) with information on “living” which includes information on the local libraries, ludoteche & play areas, parks & gardens, sports teams, courses & activities, dance & theatre, pools, summer camps etc. These can be found on the left hand side of the websites listed below. If you don’t speak or read Italian, there is a link at the top of each page that will give you an English version. The English version seems to be lacking some of the information in Italian, so a suggestion is to use a web-based translation tool like the Google Translate which you can access remotely or via the Google Toolbar.
Even Better News last – there are secondary websites maintained by each Quartiere with a map so you can find your street and determine where you live. The second website listed also includes a search engine at the bottom of the page where you can enter the CAP (zip code) and it will return in which Quartiere any address can be found.
| QUARTIERE | NEIGHBORHOODS |
| Quartiere 1 (Centro Storico) | Centro storico, Fortezza da Basso, Viali Circonvallazione, San Frediano, Porta Romana, Duomo Oltrarno, Collina sud, San Gaggio |
| http://www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/amm/il_comune/quartieri/q1/vita/index.html | |
| http://www.firenze1.com | |
| Quartiere 2 (Campo di Marte) | Piazza Liberta’, Campo di Marte, Le Cure, Coverciano, Bellariva, Settignano. Borgo San Lorenzo, Dicomano, Fiesole, Marradi, Palazzolo sul Senio, Rufina, San Godenzio, Vaglia, Vicchio, La Rondinella, Collina nord |
| http://www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/amm/il_comune/quartieri/q2/vita/index.html | |
| http://www.firenze2.com | |
| Quartiere 3 (Gavinana – Galluzzo) | Gavinana, Bandino, Europa, Sorgane, Due Strade, Galluzzo. Bagno a Ripoli, Barberino, Figline, Grassina Bagno a Ripoli, Greve, Impruneta, Incisa, Matassino Reggello, Pelago, Pontassieve, Reggello, Rignano, San Casciano, Tavarnelle, Collina sud, San Gaggio, Ponte a Ema |
| http://www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/amm/il_comune/quartieri/q3/vita/index.html | |
| http://www.firenze3.it | |
| Quartiere 4 (Isolotto – Legnaia) | Fonderia, Pignone, Monteolivo, Bellosguardo, Monticelli, Isolotto, Legnaia, Soffiano, Le Torri, San Quirico, Ponte a Greve, S. Bartolo, Argingrosso, Mantignano, Ugnano. Capraia e Limite, Castelfiorentino, Cerreto, Certaldo, Empoli, Fucecchio, Gambassi, Terme, Lastra a Signa Montaione, Montelupo Fiorentino, Montespertoli, Scandicci, Signa Vinci, Cintoia, I Bassi, Il Casone, La Casella, San Lorenzo a Greve,Torcidoda |
| http://www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/amm/il_comune/quartieri/q4/vita/index.html | |
| http://www.firenze4.it | |
| Quartiere 5 (Rifredi) | Careggi, Leopoldo – Rifredi, Poggetto, Dalmazia, Novoli, Peretola, Le Piagge, Brozzi. Barberino del Mugello, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Firenzuola, Osmannoro-Sesto Fiorentino, Poggio a Caiano, Prato, San Piero a Sieve, Scarperia, Sesto Fiorentino, Castello – Le Panche, Piana di Castello, Pistoiese, Il Lippi-Barsanti, Firenze Nova, Parco delle Cascine – Argingrosso, San Jacopino |
| http://www.comune.fi.it/opencms/opencms/amm/il_comune/quartieri/q5/vita/index.html | |
| http://www.firenze5.it |
GENERAL INFORMATION
Museums & Monasteries
Of course outside of this governmentally delivered information, there are things to do that are more routine – museums, churches, monasteries, etc. With two small children, we have found that the best and easiest way to keep it exciting is to make it fun from their perspective. For example, when guests are in town (as they frequently are during the spring and summer months), we often go to one of the many museums or churches in town. Not so much fun for little ones. Here’s a trick: browse through the collection online before the visit, print out a few works, and voila, a homemade scavenger hunt. For older kids, we’ll sit and chat about a piece or two while Grandma and Grandpa or Uncle John wander through the gallery on their own. There are now many museums and sites in Florence which provide unique exhibits and educational programs designed just for them, including the Institute and Museum of the History of Science, Museo Ragazzi, and Palazzo Strozzi.
Disney Guidebook
In 2006 a guidebook was printed by Florence Tourism, who teamed up with the Italian division of Disney Publishing and produced a travel guide for kids like no other, to help them explore Florence and its immediate surroundings (including the nearby town of Fiesole) with their great art and intriguing history. First written in Italian, it has been since been translated into English (though not very well). Aimed at children aged 7 to 12 and based on the principles of edutainment (short for ‘educational entertainment’ or ‘entertainment-education’) the 50-page booklet aims to help young visitors embark on a travel adventure with some of Disney’s favorite characters, the Ducktown family, featuring Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Uncle Scrooge and of course their clever and ever-curious youngsters, Huey, Dewey and Louie, with whom children are encouraged to identify for the purpose of becoming savvy leaders of their family’s Florentine vacation.
The Disney guide to Florence is available free of charge from the city’s Tourist Information Centers as well as from selected offices of the Italian Tourist Board worldwide.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Italiakids.com
A web resource with a wealth of information readily available, Italiakids.com was established to provide a centralized, informational online resource for international families travelling to or living in Italy. If you have already discovered this website, you will be familiar with the information available. If you have not, then here is an opportunity for you to discover something new about the town you live in (or towns you may visit) both from the resident and visitor point-of-view. Not only does this site offer information on activities with kids, it also includes useful information on topics such as health care and beauty, books and travel gear, schools, getaways, restaurants, family events, and shopping.
CiaoBambino.com
Ciao Bambino provides reliable accommodation recommendations written by and for parents. Reviews highlight information families need to select the vacation properties for children of all ages, and has a ranking system based upon age group. While not as inclusive as Italiakids for Italy-specific information, it is a good resource nevertheless on local things to do with kids in town, as well as if you are traveling throughout the country or anywhere else.
