A selection in partnership with
Florence
Framed by enchanting surroundings of hills with olive groves and footpaths lined with cypresses, Florence (Firenze in Italian) which features on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is the birthplace of countless literary geniuses, painters and sculptors. During the Renaissance the city set its mark on Italy and the whole of Europe. Today its beauties are there for all visitors to see as they lose themselves in its narrow alleys, from the Piazza del Duomo to the famous Ponte Vecchio or from the banks of the Arno to the Boboli Gardens. A compact city, it’s ideal for exploring on foot with the family before you sit down to enjoy the best ice creams, pizzas or pasta in this gastronome’s paradise!
Novotel Firenze Nord Aeroporto
To discover, to understand, to wonder, and enjoy oneself, to marvel…So many entertaining opportunities to be enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY and which can be reached from your hotel in Florence.
Novotel Firenze Nord Aeroporto
To discover, to understand, to wonder, and enjoy oneself, to marvel…So many entertaining opportunities to be enjoyed by the WHOLE FAMILY and which can be reached from your hotel in Florence.
1339
Florence was the first city in Europe to pave its streets. That was in 1339!
463
You’ll have to climb 463 steps to get to the top of the cupola of the Duomo, but the view’s well worth the effort.
50
Florence is the city of artistic masterpieces: it boasts 50% of all the works of art exhibited in Italy!
Kids’voyage’s special treats
The Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Follow the steps of the genius that was Leonardo da Vinci. Bringing the great man to life more than any biography could ever do, the museum lets you admire wooden models of his best inventions: the helicopter, the crane, the lift, the parachute, the car propelled by springs. All were imagined way back in the 15th century by this extraordinary man.
Via de Servi 66, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 282412
Open every day from 9.30am to 6pm
The Ponte Vecchio
A must-see for tourists in Florence: this bridge is one of the city’s most enduring symbols. Lined with shops and jewellers, it’s the only bridge in Florence which was spared by the bombers of the Second World War. Ponte Vecchio is one of the busiest promenades in Florence, so be careful not to lose other family members in the crowds!
The San Lorenzo Market
Probably the most important market in Florence, packed with opportunities to discover and try local produce such as cooked pork meats and olive oil, and buy products from local craftsmen from leather to home-made pasta. A true summary of authentic Tuscany, all in one impressive iron and glass building!
Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence
Open from 6am to 2pm Tuesday to Saturday
Follow the steps of the genius that was Leonardo da Vinci. Bringing the great man to life more than any biography could ever do, the museum lets you admire wooden models of his best inventions: the helicopter, the crane, the lift, the parachute, the car propelled by springs. All were imagined way back in the 15th century by this extraordinary man.
Via de Servi 66, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 282412
Open every day from 9.30am to 6pm
The Ponte Vecchio
A must-see for tourists in Florence: this bridge is one of the city’s most enduring symbols. Lined with shops and jewellers, it’s the only bridge in Florence which was spared by the bombers of the Second World War. Ponte Vecchio is one of the busiest promenades in Florence, so be careful not to lose other family members in the crowds!
The San Lorenzo Market
Probably the most important market in Florence, packed with opportunities to discover and try local produce such as cooked pork meats and olive oil, and buy products from local craftsmen from leather to home-made pasta. A true summary of authentic Tuscany, all in one impressive iron and glass building!
Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence
Open from 6am to 2pm Tuesday to Saturday
Museums and exhibitions
The Duomo
The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, called the Duomo, is the fourth largest in Europe. Instantly recognisable and a useful landmark to find your way about, its feeling of space when you stand under its dome and look up is truly breathtaking. Once at the top of the dome you have one of the best panoramic views of the city.
Via della Canonica, 1 Piazza del Duomo, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2302885
Open from 9am to 7.30pm (6.30pm in winter) Monday to Saturday
The Pitti Palace and Costume Gallery
This palace is the largest in Florence, set behind a sloping square which is popular with Florentines and children alike. The costume gallery houses a collection of historical garments and their accessories from the 18th century to today. A true explosion of colours and a marvellous sight to behold!
Piazza Pitti 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2388713
Open from 9am to 7.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Monday to Saturday
Museum of the History of Science
Don’t be put off by the austere name! The Renaissance was a rich period of scientific discoveries of all kinds and this museum gives you a chance to discover them with Galileo’s instruments and those of other renowned scientists. Considering just how old they are, the telescopes, microscopes and watches will surprise you by their accuracy and complexity.
Piazza dei Giudici 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 265311
Open from 9.30am (9am in winter) to 5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and from 9.30am to 1pm on Tuesdays
The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, called the Duomo, is the fourth largest in Europe. Instantly recognisable and a useful landmark to find your way about, its feeling of space when you stand under its dome and look up is truly breathtaking. Once at the top of the dome you have one of the best panoramic views of the city.
Via della Canonica, 1 Piazza del Duomo, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2302885
Open from 9am to 7.30pm (6.30pm in winter) Monday to Saturday
The Pitti Palace and Costume Gallery
This palace is the largest in Florence, set behind a sloping square which is popular with Florentines and children alike. The costume gallery houses a collection of historical garments and their accessories from the 18th century to today. A true explosion of colours and a marvellous sight to behold!
Piazza Pitti 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2388713
Open from 9am to 7.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Monday to Saturday
Museum of the History of Science
Don’t be put off by the austere name! The Renaissance was a rich period of scientific discoveries of all kinds and this museum gives you a chance to discover them with Galileo’s instruments and those of other renowned scientists. Considering just how old they are, the telescopes, microscopes and watches will surprise you by their accuracy and complexity.
Piazza dei Giudici 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 265311
Open from 9.30am (9am in winter) to 5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and from 9.30am to 1pm on Tuesdays
Some good places for a family meal
Festival del Gelato
A visit to a good ice cream restaurant is at the top of most children’s lists when visiting Italy, and Florence is full of them The Festival del Gelato is especially popular because of its music and coloured lights, but above all for its choice of over 50 different flavours!
Via del Corso 75, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 211766
Open from 8am to 1am Tuesday to Sunday
Il Latini
Children will love the simple food in this restaurant as they discover regional specialities. The ceiling is covered with hanging hams which create a bizarre and memorable atmosphere for a family meal.
Via dei Palchetti 6, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 210916
Open from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and from 7.30pm to 10.30pm Tuesday to Sunday
Mangiafuoco Bracerie
A small restaurant close to the Duomo, and ideal for families. The menu offers terrific variety, the food is excellent and when you order the family is considered as one so you can order dishes to share.
Via Guelfa 24, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 219201
Open every day from noon to 10pm
KIDS' VOYAGE travel guides and NOVOTEL hotels wish you an excellent stay in Florence.
A visit to a good ice cream restaurant is at the top of most children’s lists when visiting Italy, and Florence is full of them The Festival del Gelato is especially popular because of its music and coloured lights, but above all for its choice of over 50 different flavours!
Via del Corso 75, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 211766
Open from 8am to 1am Tuesday to Sunday
Il Latini
Children will love the simple food in this restaurant as they discover regional specialities. The ceiling is covered with hanging hams which create a bizarre and memorable atmosphere for a family meal.
Via dei Palchetti 6, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 210916
Open from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and from 7.30pm to 10.30pm Tuesday to Sunday
Mangiafuoco Bracerie
A small restaurant close to the Duomo, and ideal for families. The menu offers terrific variety, the food is excellent and when you order the family is considered as one so you can order dishes to share.
Via Guelfa 24, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 219201
Open every day from noon to 10pm
KIDS' VOYAGE travel guides and NOVOTEL hotels wish you an excellent stay in Florence.
Zoos, aquariums, parks and gardens
Pistoia Zoo
This zoo is located outside Florence, an hour away, but it offers a real change of scene! It’s a popular place in the region, and houses more than 600 animals on the banks of lakes and at the foot of a superb pine-covered hill, as well as a playground specially designed for younger children. The zoo plays an important part in the preservation of endangered species: jaguars, polar bears, pythons and giraffes await your family.
Via Pieve a Celle 160, Pistoia – Tel: (+39) 57 3911219
Open from 9am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday from April to September; and from 9am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays
The Arno River
For a more restful activity than a museum visit there’s nothing like a trip along the Arno. Why not enjoy ice cream in the city that claims to have invented it or take some photos of the famous Vecchio bridge? Experience the charms of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities against the background ‘music’ of the flowing water.
The Boboli Gardens
Offering a superb view of the city and located behind the Pitti Palace, Boboli contains lakes with little islands, fountains, grottoes, Roman sculptures and picturesque paths. It was used as a model for many royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles. This is where potatoes and exotic fruits brought back from all over the world were first grown in Europe.
Piazza Pitti 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2651816
Open from 9am to 6.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Tuesday to Sunday
This zoo is located outside Florence, an hour away, but it offers a real change of scene! It’s a popular place in the region, and houses more than 600 animals on the banks of lakes and at the foot of a superb pine-covered hill, as well as a playground specially designed for younger children. The zoo plays an important part in the preservation of endangered species: jaguars, polar bears, pythons and giraffes await your family.
Via Pieve a Celle 160, Pistoia – Tel: (+39) 57 3911219
Open from 9am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday from April to September; and from 9am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays
The Arno River
For a more restful activity than a museum visit there’s nothing like a trip along the Arno. Why not enjoy ice cream in the city that claims to have invented it or take some photos of the famous Vecchio bridge? Experience the charms of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities against the background ‘music’ of the flowing water.
The Boboli Gardens
Offering a superb view of the city and located behind the Pitti Palace, Boboli contains lakes with little islands, fountains, grottoes, Roman sculptures and picturesque paths. It was used as a model for many royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles. This is where potatoes and exotic fruits brought back from all over the world were first grown in Europe.
Piazza Pitti 1, Florence – Tel: (+39) 55 2651816
Open from 9am to 6.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Tuesday to Sunday