Summer Abroad Camp List: Tuscany, Italy Edition

5 quintessential Tuscan summer camps

Welcome back to the third edition of The Summer Abroad Camp List, your tactical guide to living and working for the summer or simply vacationing in Europe with kids.

When Willow was 8 weeks old and Caden was 2, we took a family trip (with our au pair) to Tuscany for 3.5 weeks and it changed our entire outlook on travel… and honestly our relationship with work.

Caden was a COVID baby (born in May 2020) and although travel was such a big part of our lives pre-kids, we really never got the chance to experience it post-kids until this moment. I thought, as many do, that traveling with kids just wasn’t an option. Caden didn’t go on his first flight until he was 13 months old. The height of COVID had a lot to do with it, but it also really intimidated us. AFTER we spent this transformative time in Tuscany, we proceeded to travel nonstop. Willow clocked in her 26th flight on her first birthday.

Aside from realizing travel with kids IS possible, the biggest revelation we had is that we, as Americans, do not take enough real time off. Prior to this trip, my biggest request was 2 weeks for my honeymoon. But in Tuscany, in the middle of August, we were surrounded by Europeans taking the entire month off. Their attitude was refreshing: Work will be there when we return.

It made us think… why are we waiting for retirement to live these nourishing experiences? I have deep nostalgia for Tuscany. It truly is the quintessential family summer.

One note: Tuscany is MASSIVE. It’s a huge stretch of central Italy. You can have completely different experiences depending on the sub-region. There is beach, countryside, small villages, large villages like Montepulciano and cities like Florence and Siena.

And of course we are continuing with my photo album walk down memory lane…

Logistics: Getting There & Staying There

Ease of Getting There:

• Major Airports: Land at Florence (FLR) or Pisa (PSA).

• Flights: Direct flights from U.S. hubs like NYC or Boston often land in Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP) or from Central and West Coast you likely will have a connection from a larger hub like Frankfurt. From Rome or Milan, it’s a quick 1.5-hour high-speed train or short connection. From other airport hubs you’ll have a 1+ hour connection. Be warned smaller Italian based airlines often service Florence and are renowned for delays, cancellations, and lost baggage (our stroller got lost for 1.5 weeks). Total travel time is usually 9–12 hours.

• The Commute to Florence: From Florence airport to the city center is 20 minutes. To reach the countryside, expect a 45–120 minute drive.

Getting Around: Stroller vs. Scooter Realism

• If staying outside of Florence…rent the car: You cannot do the Tuscany countryside without a car. For a family of 4, opt for a small SUV; some village roads are incredibly narrow.

• The Stroller Strategy: Leave the flimsy “city” stroller at home. You need a stroller with sturdy, all-terrain wheels for the uneven cobblestones. Highly recommend the Uppababy Minu V3 which fits in the overhead bin, but I’ve personally tested over and over again on cobblestone and it passes every time.

• Skip the Scooters: Between the hills and the stones, scooters will just end up being something you have to carry.

Cost of Living & Rentals:

• Average 2-Bedroom Rental: For a family-friendly villa or agriturismo, expect to spend between $3,500–$6,500/month in July.

• Outsource the Stocking: TBH this region isn’t one of much “convenience” like we are used to in the states. You’ll need to plan to do your own shopping. Look for supermarkets like Coop or Carrefour which often have small formats in towns and larger in cities.

The “American Reality” Check:

• Air Conditioning: It is rare in the countryside. Thick stone walls keep things cooler, but always check for “A/C” or “Climatizzazione” if you can’t sleep in the heat. More likely though, you should be checking for fans, and asking about the quantity to make sure there is at least one per room.

• Laundry Habits: Standalone dryers are nearly non-existent. Embrace the Italian way: hanging clothes on a rack in the Tuscan sun. They dry in minutes!

• The “Slow” Pace of Life: Service in Italy isn’t “bad,” it’s just intentional. Don’t expect the check to come the second you finish your meal. You have to ask for it (Il conto, per favore). A “quick” lunch can easily take two hours, so order that extra aperol spritz and just lean into it.

The Weather: What to Expect in July

Tuscan summers are sun-drenched but increasingly prone to heatwaves.

• The Temperature: Daily highs average around 85°F–90°F, but can spike into the 100s during heatwaves.

• Evening Vibe: The air cools down significantly in the countryside. Evenings are balmy and perfect for al fresco dining.

The Tuscany Food Scene & Typical Schedule

What to Eat:

• Heirloom Produce: July is peak season for Costoluto Fiorentino tomatoes (the heavily ribbed ones that are actually sweet) and Zucchine Fiorentine. Look for Fiori di Zucca (zucchini flowers) they are everywhere and usually stuffed with ricotta and fried.

• Stone Fruits: The fruit stalls are overflowing with white saucer peaches (pesche tabacchiere), apricots, and plums… and look for the trees to pick fresh in the countryside.

• Pasta: Pici is the local hand-rolled pasta of the region and is a hit with kids. Pappardelle is also super common.

• Pizza: Expect rustic, thin, and crispy olive oil-heavy flatbread.

• Cheese: Pecorino Toscano is king here. In July, Italians love serving fresh fava beans with thin slices of young Pecorino.

• The Wine Scene: While Tuscany is famous for big reds like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, they can feel heavy in the 90-degree heat. For your villa afternoons, look for Vernaccia di San Gimignano (the region’s iconic white) or a chilled Vermentino from the coast. TBH we realized on our trip we don’t love the majority of Tuscan reds… we are self-proclaimed wine snobs and much prefer the oaky, fruit-forward reds of Napa. That said, my husband who has the title of our family’s sommelier, wrote an entire article about Tuscan red wines that is a must-read ahead of your trip.

Typical Eating Schedule:

• Lunch: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. This is often the main meal of the day.

• Dinner: Locals don’t eat before 8:30 p.m. Most restaurants don’t even open their doors until 7:30 p.m.

Things to Do With Kids

• Castiglione della Pescaia: Head to the Maremma coast for shallow, sandy beaches and calm water. Perfect for a day at a “Bagno” (beach club).

• Agriturismo Farm Days: Visit a sheep farm like Pieve a Salti for cheese tasting while the kids pet the animals.

• Pinocchio Park in Collodi: A nostalgic, whimsical park with puppet shows and vintage rides that feels like stepping back in time.

• Pasta Making Class: Many villas can arrange a local nonna to come to you. It’s the best 2-hour “activity” that also covers dinner.

• The “Piazza Run”: Every evening at 6 p.m., head to the local town square. The kids run free while you have an Aperol Spritz.

• Hot Springs Club: Visit Rapolano Terme for an afternoon of hot springs swimming in a more organized environment rather than a countryside “natural” pool.

Things to Do Without Kids

• Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo: If you’re in Florence, this is the spot for the best view of the city with a bottle of wine.

• Spa Day at Terme di Saturnia or La Posta Hotel: Visit the natural thermal hot springs or the luxury resort spa for a “water reset.”

• Antinori nel Chianti Classico: Visit this architectural masterpiece of a winery for a high-end tasting and lunch. Pro tip: book lunch there so you can enjoy a meal in a stunning setting and still get to taste the wines.

• Boutique Shopping in Lucca: Walk the top of the ancient city walls, then head inside for high-end Italian linens and leather.

• Private Boat to Elba: Rent a boat for the day to explore the crystal clear coves of the Tuscan archipelago.

Local Support

In the countryside, finding a sitter requires a bit more lead time than in the city, and your best bet may be asking a trusted local source like a local.

• MissBabysitter: A reliable agency covering the Tuscany region with vetted, multilingual sitters. Average Rates: €15–€25/hour.

• International Babysitters: Highly recommended for English-speaking families. They specialize in holiday childcare for travelers. Average Rates: €20–€30/hour.

• Villa Staff: Many agriturismos have local staff who will babysit if you ask in advance.

The Tuscany Summer Camp List

I’ve found 5 quintessential ‘under the Tuscan sun’ summer camp experiences.

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