LAKE TRASIMENO
Lake Trasimeno is among the largest lakes in Italy and is an ideal family day out. Located about 30km from Pian di Cascina as the crow flies, it is roughly 40 minutes drive – or you can. There are several fish restaurants on the island and you can walk along the shoreline and watch the boats sailing on the lake. Passignano sul Trasimeno is one of the main lakeside towns on Lake Trasimeno and, from its small harbour, you can board a public ferry boat that crosses the lake to Isola Maggiore, the largest of the lake’s islands. The boat trip is short and calm (around 15–20 minutes), making it ideal with children. Once on Isola Maggiore, everything is car-free — you explore on foot along flat paths, with cafés, gelato, a small beach, and shady spots for picnics.
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. For up to date prices and other information, see: https://www.lagotrasimeno.net/en/
PARCO DEL MONTE CUCCO
Just 40 minutes drive from the Villa – Parco Del Monte Cucco is a stunning park of National beauty with high mountains, walking trails, amazing rock formations, waterfalls 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) https://www.parcodelmontecucco.it/it/
FUN DAY OUT IN GUBBIO
Just 30 minutes drive from Pian di Cascina, Gubbio is a great place for a family day out. The hills are steep, so be prepared for a bit of a work-out if using pushchairs or carrying smaller kids! There is a tourist train (in season) that takes you around the town centre and you can hop on and hop off, so it is a fun way for younger children to avoid the walking. Our children love going up the Funivia (cable car) and you can 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 café, then walk down into Gubbio enjoying the great views along the way. The walk takes about 30-40 minutes to Gubbio centre with small children and ours really loved running downhill and watching all the houses and cars get bigger as they got closer!
Gubbio provides plenty of places for 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 café just of the Piazza 40 Marteri does filled rolls, drinks and ice creams if you just want a snack.
GROTTE DI FRASASSI
The Grotte di Frasassi are among the largest and most famous show caves in Europe, just 40 minutes drive from Pian di Cascina. It’s a great option to visit on a bad weather day (yes, we do get the occasional one!) and the temperature in the caves remains constant all year round at about 18 degrees C.
Arguably the best cave complex in Europe, the main chamber is large enough to dwarf a full size cathedral. Tours can be booked in English and a baby carrier is recommended for tots, although its not ideal for pushchairs, as there are steps. Nearby family restaurants, museum and Abbey. See website for opening times, costs and further details: https://www.frasassi.com/?language=EN
PRIMASECCA & THE BEACH
Primasecca is a fantastic little restaurant at Toretta di Fanno in a beautiful location, right on the beach between Rimini and Ancona. You can have a lovely seafood lunch (they also do meat dishes and other options), then walk 10 paces to relax on the sandy beach.
Take your towel and enjoy the free beach in front of the restaurant, where sun loungers and umbrellas are for hire. There is also a cafe with showers, toilet, a little playground, pedal boats & canoes for hire, and shallow seas, so it is perfect for little ones to try out the sea for the first time and older children will love the (usually) calm, shallow water perfect for water games and messing about. An idyllic place to spend the day and one of our favourite family days out. www.primasecca.it
MARMORE FALLS
Around 1 hour 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 (see https://www.raftingmarmore.com/en/ and there are donkey trekking tours up the falls for children.
A 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
PERUGIA MINI METRO
Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is only 30 minutes from Pian di Cascina and 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
The main weekly market in Gubbio takes place each Tuesday from 8am to 1pm, featuring there is food, drinks, fruit, veg, fish, cheese, household goods, toys and more. Why not try a filled roll with porchetta for lunch and after a visit to the park. There are also various museums and exhibitions and events take place in Gubbio throughout the summer, so check local websites for details.
FORESTA FOSSILE
About an hour’s drive south of Pian di Cascina is a an amazing 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; https://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. https://pangea-italia.com/
LORD OF THE RINGS & HARRY POTTER
This is a really interesting place to visit for children and adults, about 25 minutes drive from Pian di Cascina. The shop has an infinite number of harnesses, old weapons armour and other medieval objects. They have made armour for the Lord of the Rings and 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. See website for details: https://www.medioevo.com/
DYING CITY OF BAGNOREGIO
While it is about 1 hour 30 mins drive from Pian di Cascina, if you are having a day out in the area, another very interesting option for both for young and old and in the same area of the Bomarzo park is Civita di Bagnoregio, which is known as 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. https://www.civita-di-bagnoregio.info/
CARSULAE
The remains of a Roman settlement in Umbria. This is described as an Archaeological Park. Carsulae is close to San Gemini in the province of Terni about 1 hour 30 minutes drive south from Pian di Cascina. The area itself is of outstanding natural beauty and the archaeological site is very interesting for children as well as adults – and is close to Foresta Fossile, . There are some very old arches that are still standing, you can see old roman roads, cisterns, a temple and much more. See website for full details: https://carsulae.info/
Carsulae is also close to Foresta Fossile, which is also well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
RAFTING NORCIA
Serravalle di Norcia, around 1 hour 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!
Usually open from March to early November – check website for full details: https://www.raftingumbria.it/en/