Family Tuscany Multi-Activity Adventure

The trip starts today in Lucca, an old Roman town with considerable charm, several Romanesque churches and Renaissance architecture, Lucca retains a delightful mix of narrow lanes and easy charm all enclosed within its city walls.



For those arriving on time, our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Lucca at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Pisa International airport (airport code PSA), which is 35km, around 35 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, Lucca is easily explored on foot. Head into the old town, wander around the narrow lanes, stop for a coffee or a bite to eat and browse its local markets.

After breakfast, we head out with our tour leader into the old town of Lucca to spend the morning exploring the narrow streets and hidden squares. We start the day on foot heading under the fortified old city wall into the old citadel with its narrow cobbled alleyways and open air palazzi. One of Lucca's best known highlights is its remarkably well preserved walls that encircle the historic centre. The ramparts have a wide tree lined path which offer excellent views of the town and surrounding countryside. For the second part on this morning's tour we switch from foot to bikes and cycle around the old town ramparts then head out along the banks of the River Serchio towards Ripfratta, returning to Lucca via quiet rural lanes.



The afternoon is kept free to further explore Lucca, be sure to make a stop at one of the many shops that sell the famous buccellato, a sweet tasting bread with raisins.

Today has been kept free, with various options for exploring further afield from Lucca if desired. You may chose to visit the fabulous Renaissance city of Florence for the day (direct trains run approximately every hour taking 1 hr 15 mins). The city's major sights are all easily reached on foot. You can visit the Duomo with its magnificent pink, white and green marble facade and climb up its red-tiled dome that dominates the skyline of the city for your own bird's-eye view. Or cross the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge and take a stroll along the banks of the River Arno. If you wish to visit the world famous Uffizi Gallery; home to Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian and Leonardo Da Vinci masterpieces it's best to book in advance at https://www.uffizi.it/biglietti.



Frequent trains to Pisa take just 30 minutes and Pisa Central Station station is around 20 minutes on foot from the famous Leaning Tower, alongside the architectural splendours of Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery and Belltower on the square known as the Miracoli Dei Campo, (Field of Miracles). A trip here could be combined with a cooling dip in the sea at Marina di Pisa, around half an hour on the number 10 bus from the city. As well as a pebbly beach there are plenty of bars, restaurants and you can stroll around the small port. Alternatively the beach resort of Viareggio can be reached by direct trains from Lucca in as little as 20 minutes. Viareggio has some of the best beaches near Lucca although you should be be aware that along much of the beach you will have to pay to access the sand at one of the town's beach clubs. Take the promenade to the edge of town, to find the Spiaggia Libera, the free beach.

After breakfast we bid farewell to Lucca and drive to northern Tuscany's Garfagnana region. Enroute we stop at Bagni di Lucca Canyon Park to take part in a high zip wire course 100 meters above the rapids on suspended cableways above the canyon. The high wire course takes one-and-a-half to two hours with a series of thrilling rides through the canyon. For safety reasons children need to be a minimum of 10 years and over 140cm in height to take part on the zip wire course.



Afterwards we'll take to stand up paddleboards to explore the beautiful waters and nature of the canyon. Our guide will provide full instruction in the use of the boards before setting off and they'll be opportunities to stop and swim along the way. Children under the age of 12 will need to share a paddle board with an adult. Older children may choose to share or take their own board.



We'll enjoy a picnic lunch by the river before driving the short distance to our base for the rest of the week, a family-run hotel on the outskirts of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, situated in the Serchio River Valley. The hotel is surrounded by the magnificent scenery of the Apennines and the Alpi Apuane and features a large pool and sun deck. On arrival we will enjoy a traditional dinner and sample for ourselves some of the food and wine for which this region is justifiably famous.

The morning is free to spend as you wish, relax by the hotel pool or take a stroll around the historic riverside town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana.Thursday is market day and the town will be lively with stalls selling locally grown produce, clothing and bric-a-brac taking over the streets.

This afternoon we jump in a bus and head to the Selvano River to try our hands at canyoning, an exhilarating activity that lasts around two-and-a half to three hours. We'll slide, jump and abseil our way along a series of pools and channels, accessing a beautiful world inaccessible on foot. Technical expertise is not needed as full instruction is given but you should be reasonably fit and know how to swim to take part. All equipment including wet suits and helmets are provided. Please note this activity is restricted to those aged nine and over.

Today has been left free. You may decide to spend a relaxing day by the pool or meander into town where you can visit the Rocca Ariostesca castle from which the town takes its name, browse the shops and while away time in local cafes.

If you're up for more adventure you can pay a visit to the Selva Del Buffardello Adventure Park, further up the Garfagnana valley in San Romano, your tour leader can assist in arranging transport. Set amongst two and a half hectares of forest in the heart of the Garfagnana, this unique adventure park affords children and adults alike the opportunity to enjoy this woodland setting from the air, with a range of activities suitable for all ages, including swinging beams, suspension bridges, nets, ropes and obstacles. On arrival, you will be kitted out with all the necessary safety equipment with trained instructors on hand to supervise your enjoyment. Please note there are seven courses in total, to climb the full course there is a minimum height requirement of 140cm. There are three courses suitable for children over 100cm; children under 100cm will not be able to take part in this activity. The park also has a number of walks and activities within the forest that do not require leaving the ground.

This morning we'll explore some of the breathtaking views in the Apennine mountain range, driving by bus up into the Orecchiella National Park, an area characterised by beech woods, grasslands and sheer rock faces hanging over narrow gorges, all of which are a natural habitat for birds of prey, wild boar, deer and many other animals. We begin our walk from the visitors centre up to refuge Isera (1200 m) with great views of the Pania del Corfino mountain along the way. We then ascend from Isera following the footpath to the Col of Campaiana at 1500m for around an hour which affords great views of the Appenines before a final short walk up to the peak and summit of the Pania del Corfino at 1600m.



With probably one of the best views of the Garfagnana Valley, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch and then relax before descending back down using the same routing to the visitors' centre. And then it's time for an ice cream before we head back down to our hotel where we can relax and enjoy the pool for the rest of the afternoon.

Departing the Garfagnana this morning we drive to Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA) where the tour ends at 10.00 am. The earliest time you should book a flight to depart today is 12.00 pm. For those of you that have a later afternoon or evening flight you may decide to explore Pisa's cultural highlights, Pisa has so much more than just its famous Leaning Tower. The Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles), of which the Tower is but one part, also contains the Baptistery, Duomo and Camposanta, which between them make up a stunning collection of architectural delights.



The airport has luggage storage facilities and a regular, inexpensive light railway, the Pisa Mover that travels into town in a matter of minutes. This is at your own expense and unaccompanied but the leader will be able to assist with information.