Family Adventures: The Itinerary for Children and Teens

Traveling with children and teens in Tuscany and Umbria doesn't mean giving up adventure: it means choosing the right one for their age. This itinerary isn't a single route, but four different experiences designed for families with different needs.

If your children are between 3 and 8 years old and love animals and fairy tales, Città della Domenica in Perugia is the perfect park: 45 hectares of nature, educational farms, reptiles, and fairy-tale installations.

If you have teens between 8 and 14 seeking adrenaline, Saltalbero in the Crete Senesi is an adventure park with tree-top acrobatic courses, zip-lines, and challenges suspended among oak trees.

If you want an experience that works for all ages, Lake Trasimeno offers flat bike paths, ferries to islands, lakeside playgrounds, and beaches for summer swimming.

If your teens love history and mysteries, the Etruscan archaeological adventure between Chiusi and Orvieto takes them to explore ancient tombs, underground cities, and labyrinths carved 3,000 years ago.

Choose the right adventure for your family. Or do all four.

Four adventures, one for every family

There's no perfect itinerary for all families: there's the right one for yours. Small children who adore animals will find paradise at Città della Domenica. Brave teens seeking adrenaline will go wild at Saltalbero. Families with mixed ages will enjoy Trasimeno by bike and ferry. Young explorers passionate about history will get lost in Etruscan labyrinths.

All experiences are close to Podere Grotta Antica (from 5 to 45 minutes): you can do them on different days during your stay, or combine them (morning biking at Trasimeno, afternoon museums in Chiusi). The important thing is to choose based on your children, not based on what you "should" do.

Happy children make memorable vacations. And you come home relaxed.

ROUTE 1: CITTÀ DELLA DOMENICA (3-8 YEARS)

Città della Domenica is the first amusement park ever opened in Italy, in the 1950s. It's not a modern park with mechanical rides: it's a 45-hectare forest where children can run free, meet animals, and relive their favorite fairy tales.

The park is built on a hill overlooking Perugia, with breathtaking views of Umbria. Once you arrive at the entrance, you can choose to explore on foot or board the historic train that makes a complete loop stopping at all areas: the Wild West's Fort Apache, the medieval village, the fairy tale area.

In the farm zone, children can pet and feed domestic animals: goats, rabbits, sheep, chickens. Further along you'll encounter unusual animals: llamas, kangaroos, ostriches, yaks, American bison. Some live in enclosures, others roam free along the paths. The park's mascot is Burro, the white Asinara donkey, a breed saved from extinction.

The fairy tale area is the heart of the park: here children can enter Snow White's house, visit the Sleeping Beauty's castle, explore Pinocchio's village, and climb Merlin's tower. These aren't modern installations: they're cottages and castles from the 1950s, a bit retro, just like parks of the past. Children love them precisely for this reason: they seem like real fairy tale houses, not plastified attractions.

Among the attractions are also the mini-kart (from 6 years old), the masonry labyrinth (you really get lost!), the Trojan Horse where you can enter en masse, the rocket several meters high from which you can see all of Perugia. There's also the Ponte Matto (Crazy Bridge), wobbly and fun.

Before leaving, visit the Perugia Reptilarium, one of Europe's largest: crocodiles, alligators, giant snakes (even venomous ones), chameleons. Perfectly recreated habitats, interactive panels, fossil path with mammoth bones. Entrance is included in the park ticket.

The day at the park is punctuated by animations and shows (weekends and high season): falconers with birds of prey, medieval knights, cowboys at Fort Apache. The program is given at the entrance.

🧺 Equipped picnic area

The park has large lawns with tables and benches for picnics. Bring sandwiches and snacks: children can play on the grass while you relax in the shade. There's also a bar-café at the entrance.

👶 "Meet the Cubs"

Special experience (paid, by reservation) to enter animal enclosures, cuddle them, hold them. Includes goats, rabbits, sheep, but also Maremma cattle and Asinara donkey. Children go crazy for it.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Distance from Podere: 40-45 min

• Recommended time: 4-5 hours (half-day/full day)

• Ideal age: 3-10 years

• Tickets: Weekday €16.50 / Weekend €24.50 (includes free annual pass!)

• Free: under 3 years

• Hours: Seasonal opening (mainly March-October, special winter events)

• Website: www.cittadelladomenica.it

ROUTE 2: SALTALBERO ADVENTURE PARK (8-14 YEARS)

Saltalbero is an adventure park immersed in a forest of oak and holm oak trees in Rapolano Terme, in the heart of the Crete Senesi. From here the view opens onto the Ombrone River valley and the rolling landscapes of the crete: a natural terrace between Chianti, Val di Chiana, and Trasimeno.

The park offers 7-8 tree-top acrobatic courses divided by age and difficulty, from the simplest for little ones to the most challenging for daring adults. All courses are totally safe with harness, carabiners, and continuous lifeline.

The Coccinella (Ladybug) courses are for children aged 3 to 6: low bridges, small ladders, little zip-lines a few meters off the ground. Up to age 6, an adult must climb with them on the courses.

From age 7 onwards, kids can tackle intermediate and advanced courses: Tibetan bridges suspended between trees, oscillating logs, pirates' ladders, climbing nets, wobbly walkways. All at different heights, with increasing difficulty.

For the bravest there are zip-lines: cables dozens of meters long where you launch from tree to tree flying over the forest. Adrenaline guaranteed, but safety too.

Each course can be repeated infinitely with the same ticket: kids climb, descend, climb again, try different courses, challenge themselves. Time flies.

Beyond the tree courses, the park offers a large equipped area with football, volleyball, mini-golf, ping pong, ground games. Those who don't climb trees can relax in hammocks under the oak shade, picnic at equipped tables with barbecue (bring charcoal from home), play in the meadows.

There's a refreshment point with typical Tuscan dishes and snacks. And 5 minutes away by car are the Rapolano Terme (two thermal establishments with outdoor and indoor pools): perfect for relaxing muscles after the adventure.

👟 Comfortable clothing and closed shoes

To climb the courses you need closed shoes (no flip-flops, no sandals) and comfortable clothing. In summer bring water (free dispenser available). Reservation recommended on weekends.

🐴 Horseback riding

In the woods around the park you can book horseback riding (managed by external stable). A different way to explore the Crete Senesi after the acrobatic courses.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Distance from Podere: 30-35 min

• Recommended time: 3-4 hours

• Ideal age: 8-14 years (but courses also from 3 years with adult)

• Course prices: €15 adults/kids 7+, €12 children up to 6 years, €5 mandatory supervision under 6

• Park entrance (without courses): €3 adults only (minors free) - includes play area

• Hours: 10:00-19:00 continuous hours

• Seasonality: Mainly April-October

• Website: www.saltalbero.it

ROUTE 3: TRASIMENO FAMILY (ALL AGES)

Lake Trasimeno is 25-30 minutes from the Podere and is the perfect family experience when you have children of different ages or when you're looking for something that truly pleases everyone: grandparents, parents, small children, teens.

The secret ingredient is the flat bike path that runs along the lake for 56 km. You don't need to do it all: the most beautiful and safe sections for families are between Castiglione del Lago, Passignano, and San Feliciano. Almost entirely dirt or paved road separated from traffic, shaded by pines and reeds, with the lake always alongside. You pedal slowly, stop when you want, children risk nothing.

Don't have bikes? No problem: Cicli Valentini in Castiglione and Lake Bike Store in Passignano rent bikes for all ages: city bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, children's bikes, seats for little ones, trailers. Prices are fair and the service is well-established.

Along the route you'll find wonderful lakeside playgrounds: Passignano's is large, with wooden castle, slides, swings, train, all on sand. San Feliciano's is the best according to local families: colorful games, "book exchange" houses, kiosk for aperitif while children play. At Castiglione del Lago there's an immense green area flanking the entire lakeside promenade, with sculptures that become games and spaces to run.

Another experience children adore: taking the ferry to the islands. Isola Maggiore is reachable from Castiglione, Passignano, and Tuoro: 15 minutes of navigation, zero cars on the island, a 15th-century fishing village where time has stopped. Children can run free through the alleys, chase cats, watch swans, discover Guglielmi Castle (exterior) and the church with frescoes.

Isola Polvese (ferry from San Feliciano) is even wilder: 70 hectares of protected nature, zero inhabitants, zero cars. Manicured lawns for picnics, pebbly beaches to stop at, the medieval Castle with walls overlooking the lake, the Water Plants Garden (historic pool carved into rock). Children can explore, play, run without danger. And the sunsets from here are legendary.

In summer there are equipped beaches for safe swimming: shallow, calm, supervised water. In Tavernelle there's also an aquapark (Aquapark Tavernelle) with slides, pools, water games: 30,000 square meters of water fun, Umbria's largest.

If kids love nature, stop at Oasi La Valle in Magione (25 min from Podere): nature oasis for birdwatching with 200+ species of migratory birds, lake paths, walkways, interactive visitor center where children witness bird ringing. Educational activities by reservation.

⛴️ Ferries are part of the adventure

Don't think of ferries as simple "transport": for children they're an adventure. The lake crossing, wind in your face, islands approaching, seagulls flying around. Take it easy: bring sandwiches, sit on deck, enjoy the navigation.

🚴 The perfect family loop

Start from Castiglione del Lago, pedal north to Passignano (8-10 km). Stop at the playground, lunch at a lakeside trattoria, take the ferry to Isola Maggiore (1h on island), return to Passignano by ferry, return to Castiglione by bike. Perfect day.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Distance from Podere: 25-30 min (various villages)

• Recommended time: Half-day / full day

• Ideal age: All (0-99 years)

• Bike rental: €15-20/day (indicative prices, varies by type)

• Island ferries: Seasonal schedules (check online), reasonable costs

• Playgrounds: Free, always accessible

• Aquapark Tavernelle: Summer seasonal, entrance ticket

• Oasi La Valle: Free entrance or symbolic contribution, activities by reservation

ROUTE 4: ETRUSCAN ARCHAEOLOGY (8-14 YEARS)

If your teens love mysteries, adventures, and ancient history, the Etruscan archaeological adventure is the right one. Two cities - Chiusi and Orvieto - hold an extraordinary Etruscan heritage told in an engaging way even for young people.

CHIUSI - THE UNDERGROUND CITY (5 minutes from Podere!)

Chiusi is very close to the Podere and is one of the most important Etruscan cities. The Museo Civico "La Città Sotterranea" (Civic Museum "The Underground City") offers workshops designed specifically for children and teens.

In the Etruscan writing workshop, teens learn the Etruscan alphabet (written from right to left, without spaces between words!) and practice reproducing symbols and phrases using wax and clay tablets, small terracotta vases, fabric scrolls. It's like going back 2,500 years and writing like the ancients.

In the "Draw Etruscan Monsters" workshop, after a brief lesson on Etruscan symbols and decorations, teens draw mythological figures, winged demons, banquet scenes, images that decorated cinerary urns. The museum has 500 inscriptions on urns and tiles: Italy's largest Etruscan epigraphic collection.

The museum also tells the myth of Porsenna's Labyrinth: according to legend, Etruscan king Porsenna built a grandiose mausoleum with an underground labyrinth right beneath Chiusi. The labyrinth has never been found, but the Etruscan tunnels under the city really exist and make teens dream.

From the museum square you descend into the Underground City: a path of galleries, tunnels, and Etruscan cisterns carved into tufa 2,500 years ago. You walk under Chiusi's streets in a silent and fascinating maze.

Outside the city, the Necropolis of the Tomb of the Monkey preserves painted Etruscan tombs with 5th-century BC frescoes. The tomb takes its name from a monkey depicted in the frieze: visiting it is exciting.

There's also the National Etruscan Museum with extraordinary artifacts arranged chronologically: vases, urns, bucchero, bronzes, jewelry. All very well curated.

ORVIETO - THE CITY ABOVE AND BELOW THE CLIFF (45 minutes from Podere)

Orvieto is built on a tufa cliff that the Etruscans carved 3,000 years ago to create wells, cisterns, tunnels. Below the medieval city lies an entire underground Etruscan city: 1,200 cavities discovered in the 1970s by speleologists.

The "Orvieto Underground" tour (guided visits) takes visitors inside this labyrinth: you descend ancient stairs, cross caves where Etruscans stored water, see very deep cisterns, medieval mills, Renaissance pigeon houses. Each cave has a different story, each tunnel tells an era. Teens love this real explorer experience.

The Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick's Well) is an engineering spectacle: 53 meters deep, two independent spiral staircases (one to descend, one to ascend), 70 arches that change perspective at each level. It was carved in 1527 to guarantee water to the city during sieges. Descending to the bottom takes your breath away (and makes your legs climb!), but teens love it.

The Pozzo della Cava (Cava Well) is another underground complex of 9 caves with Etruscan, medieval, and Renaissance findings. It has cartoon mini-guides for children and teens: seven ironically drawn characters tell the story of different areas. At Christmas they set up an underground mechanical nativity with life-size animatronics.

Above ground, the Etruscan Museum C. Faina holds one of Italy's most prestigious archaeological collections: bucchero, bronzes, Attic ceramics, Etruscan jewelry, the Venus of Cannicella. It has paths designed for teens with illustrations by Emanuele Luzzati.

Outside the city, the Necropolis of Crocifisso del Tufo is one of the major Etruscan funerary areas: chamber tombs carved into tufa with architraves inscribed with family names. It's fascinating to walk among these 2,600-year-old "houses of the dead."

For more tech-savvy teens, Orvieto has a virtual mascot called "Anna": thanks to an augmented reality app, Anna comes to life on smartphones when framing tourist signs and accompanies visitors telling about the city. It's a modern and fun way to explore.

🏛️ Chiusi is 5 minutes from the Podere!

Chiusi is very close and allows a brief but intense archaeological experience. Perfect for an afternoon when teens want to do something different without going too far. Combines well with dinner in the area.

🏰 Full day in Orvieto

Orvieto deserves a full day: underground morning (Orvieto Underground + St. Patrick's Well), lunch at typical trattoria (handmade umbricelli!), museum afternoon (Faina) + spectacular Duomo + medieval alley walk. Teens never get bored.

PRACTICAL INFO CHIUSI:

• Distance from Podere: 5 min

• Recommended time: 2-3 hours

• Ideal age: 8-14 years (but also younger with passionate parents)

• Workshops: By reservation

• Tickets: Civic Museum + underground approx. €8-10

PRACTICAL INFO ORVIETO:

• Distance from Podere: 45 min

• Recommended time: Half-day / full day

• Ideal age: 8-14 years

• Orvieto Carta Unica: €25 full, €20 reduced, FREE under 10 years - includes everything

• Orvieto Underground: Guided tours from Piazza Duomo, duration approx. 1h

• St. Patrick's Well: Paid entrance (included in Carta Unica)

PRACTICAL INFO

📍 Distance from Podere

Città della Domenica: 40-45 min
Saltalbero: 30-35 min
Lake Trasimeno: 25 min
Chiusi: 5 min
Orvieto: 45 min

The Podere is perfectly positioned as a base for all adventures.

👶 Which experience for which age?

3-8 years: Città della Domenica (animals + fairy tales)
8-14 years adrenaline: Saltalbero (acrobatic courses)
8-14 years history: Etruscan Archaeology (Chiusi + Orvieto)
All ages (0-99): Trasimeno (bikes + ferries + playgrounds)

Obviously these are guidelines: you know your children better than anyone else.

🗓️ When to go

Città della Domenica: Spring-autumn (March-October), special winter events
Saltalbero: Mainly April-October
Trasimeno: Year-round (aquapark summer only)
Chiusi/Orvieto: Year-round

In summer book in advance (high season). In low season check opening hours.

Ready for the perfect adventure for your family?

Start from Podere Grotta Antica and choose the right experience for your children