DAY OUT ON THE LAKE – BY BOAT

Take a trip to lake Trasimeno is an ideal family day out- you can catch a boat to the Isola Maggiore from Passiginano. There are several fish restaurants on the island and you can walk along the shoreline and watch the boats sailing on the lake – a relaxing day out for all ages and children usually love the boat trip. Castiglione del Lago on Lake Trasimeno also has a small beach with umbrellas and deck chairs, pedal boats, and canoes for rent, a bar, and a playground, along with a few sailing clubs. Windsurfers, pedalos and sail boats can be hired from the Tuoro beach, and the wild at heart can hire a windsurfer or try kitesurfing.

Oasi La Valle is a nature reserve and a birdwatching centre. From mid June to mid September you can participate in a guided tour on Thursday or Saturday mornings from 10.30 to 12. There is a presentation of the lake and the oasis, birdwatching with binoculars (1 for every 2 participants) guided by ornithologists. You can also visit to the waterlily pound and witness birds getting a ring. The guided tour costs around €5 per participant. The tours are in Italian and in English. Participants need to be present 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The boat leaves from San Feliciano, Lake Trasimeno – visit to Oasi La Valle

 

MONTE CUCCO NATIONAL PARK 

Just 30-40 minutes drive from the Villa – a stunning park of National beauty with high mountains, walking trails and stunning views. Even small children will enjoy the drive up into the mountains – there are often wild horses and the stunning Chianina white cattle roam free. The International hang gliding and Para gliding competitions are held on Monte Cucco – when conditions are correct – the mountainside is full of gliding enthusiasts taking off and landing – it is a spectacular sight for all ages. Take a picnic or there are 2 good restaurants, La Lepre and Il Tobias on the top of Monte Cucco- there is a playground opposite the Tobias and plenty of green grassy areas to play on. There are also some short walks though the shady woods that even the littlest legs would enjoy. A great location for all kinds of outdoor activities – Mum’s and Dad’s can even have a go at a tandem paraglide if you are feeling very adventurous! (The mountain is usually at least 5 degrees cooler on a sunny day and if the winds blow – it can feel much cooler so take jumpers or jackets) www.parks.it/parco.monte.cucco/

 

FUN DAY OUT IN GUBBIO

Great place for kids who are able to walk – (accessible by pushchair as well – but you have to be up for a work out as the hills are steep!) There is a tourist train (in season) that takes you around the town centre – you can hop on and hop off and it is a fun way for younger children to avoid the walking. Our children love going up the Funivia (cable car) – fold your pushchair and ask them to put it in the car behind you. Take the Funivia to the top – explore the Basilica and views – have a drink in the cafe then walk down into Gubbio – great views along the way. The walk takes about 30-40 minutes to Gubbio centre with small children – ours really like running downhill and watching all the houses and cars get bigger as they walk down the hill! If you plan it to arrive into Gubbio at lunch time – there are plenty of places you can have a family lunch –the playground in front of the amphitheatre for a picnic, pizza at Antico Frantoio (outdoor eating)– opposite the Amphitheatre, Ai Cappuccini just off the Piazza Grande for good pasta and steak, or the Illy cafe just of the Piazza 40 Marteri does filled rolls, drinks and ice creams if you just want a snack.

 

CAVES OF FRASASSI

Ideal for a bad weather day – the temperature remains constant all year round at about 18 degrees.
Arguably the best cave complex in Europe – the main chamber is large enough to dwarf a full size cathedral. Tour can be booked in English – baby carrier recommended for tots – not ideal for push chairs, as there are steps. Nearby family restaurants, museum and Abbey. (See main book for full details)
Around 9 km from the caves, there is a dinosaur park called ‘le pietre del drago’. Entrance is around €5 per person and children under 3 years are free. There is a large park, museum, picnic area with BBQ’s (bring your own coals) and a bar /restaurant. Le Pietre del Drago, Localita Niegola 1, 60047 Sassoferrato (AN) – www.lepietredeldrago.it

 

PRIMA SECCA & THE BEACH

There is a fantastic little restaurant at Toretta di Fanno – it’s location is amazing – right on the beach. You can have a lovely seafood lunch (they also do meat) and then walk 10 paces to relax on a sandy beach – take your towel and enjoy the free beach in front of the restaurant or sun loungers and umbrellas are for hire – there is a cafe with showers and a loo, a little playground, peddle boats & canoes for hire, and shallow seas – it is perfect for little ones to try out the sea for the first time and older children will love the (typically) calm, shallow water perfect for water games and messing about – a very idyllic place to spend the day and one of our favourite family days out. www.primasecca.it

 

MARMORE FALLS

Around 1hour 45 mins from the Villa. The Marmore falls are rather spectacular powerful waterfalls that you can walk up and around on a special boarded walkway. You can also book a rafting trip on them and at certain times of year there are donkey trekking tours up the falls for children. The unique feature of the falls is that they are turned on and off – which is quite odd, but they certainly impress when they suddenly appear from nowhere! A good day out for all the family – the mist of the falls is cooling in summer. www.marmorefalls.it, www.raftingmarmore.com/english/

 

PERUGIA ON THE MINI METRO

This fun transport system makes an exciting and leg-preserving way to reach the “centro storico” at the top of Umbria’s capital. Children love the ride up from the free car park at the stadium. There is nearly always something going on in Perugia – street artists, music and markets are very popular. A great family day out.

 

MARKET DAY & MUSEUM GUBBIO

Tuesday is market day 8-12pm – which our children also love –there is fruit, veg , fish and more. Why not try a filled roll with porchetta for lunch and after a visit to the park. There are various exhibitions and events in Gubbio throughout the summer – including the Lego exhibition and Dinosaur Exhibits in summer 2018.

 

FORESTA FOSSILS

This is a fossil forest with some impressive stone remains of what once were trees – a unique paleontological site.
Foresta Fossile di Dunarrobba- Loc. Casacce – Dunarobba – 05020 AVIGLIANO UMBRO (TR)
www.forestafossile.it

 

RAFTING IN UMBRIA

A great family day out – In the Val di Nera and close to the Marmore waterfalls there is a rafting centre.
Rafting at the Marmore waterfalls: Centro Canoa e Rafting “Le Marmore”; Via Carlo Neri – 05037 – Papigno (Terni); tel +39330753420 or +39337729154; www.raftingmarmore.com Booking is essential – suitable for older children only.

If you have young children then the you can try: the Pangea outdoor centre in Scheggino they offer family rafting experiences that are suitable for all ages. www.pangea-italia.com/

 

LORD OF THE RINGS & HARRY POTTER 

This is a really interesting place to visit for children and adults. The shop has an infinite number of harnesses, old weapons armour and other medieval objects. They have made amour for the Lord of the Rings films and the Harry Potter films among others and are world renowned specialists in their field — Medio Evo riproduzioni armi antiche, Zona Industriale Ponte D’assi, 075 927 2596, Open until 1:00 PM

 

DYING TOWN OF CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO

Also very interesting for both for young and old and in the same area of the Bomarzo park is the ‘Citta che Muore’ (the dying city). Erosion is slowly taking over. You can still visit the little town by crossing a bridge on foot. Well worth a visit.

 

CARSULAE

The remains of a Roman settlement in Umbria
This is described as an Archeological Park. Carsulae is close to San Gemini in the province of Terni. The area itself is of outstanding natural beauty and the archeological site is very interesting for children as well as adults. There are some very old arches that are still standing, you can see old roman roads, cisterns, a temple and much more. Open April – September from 8.30 to 19.30 hrs. Closed 1st of May: www.carsulae.it

 

RAFTING NORCIA

– Serravalle di Norcia –
Around 1 h 40 mins from the villa.
A great family day out. Rafting, hydro speeding, kayaking and canyoning tours– a 2 hour ride down the rapids – booking advised – prices range from €30-€40 per trip per person including equipment – sure to be an adventurous family day out!
Open from March to early November. www.raftingumbria.com