FOR KIDS: THINGS TO DO & SEE

ACTIVO PARK SCHEGGINO

Around 1 hour drive from the villa – an energetic and exciting family day out!
Get kids active during the holiday at this natural theme park. The park offers two kinds of tickets: one for ground-based activities, and one for areas of the park requiring ropes and harnesses. There’s something for kids of all ages; even teenagers will enjoy the zip lines.
A spacious nature park dedicated to outdoor activities – rafting, safaris, canopy tours (monkey style), children’s play areas, go carts, tots area, cafes, car free bike routes, tubing, mini marines, climbing, archery etc….
Basic entrance fee €12 – with selected activities €15 for under 150cm and €25 for over 150 cm. Rafting from around €30 pp. www.activopark.com

 

 

CITTA DELLA DOMENICA 

– Perugia –

The park was created in the 1960’s by Mario Spagnoli as a place where his employees (from the Perugina chocolate factory) and their families could relax on Sundays. Not much renovation has been carried out since, however, and the park is rather shabby in appearance and a bit unkempt. This is not a place for the super safety conscious Mum! This is Italian style fun – a bit rough and ready. You will also have to pay extra for a lot of the rides your children will want to go on. Despite all the negatives – the park remains a great favourite of local children and if you don’t expect too much – it can be a good day out for younger children. Ride around the 45-hectare grounds (helm-oak woods populated with deer) in a little train to visit a fairytale village, a small zoo, playgrounds, a botanical garden, a pony-riding center, and a Reptile House. Via Col di Tenda 140, Perugia. www.cittadelladomenica.it

 

 

CASTLES AND HILL FORTS

– be a king for a day –

Umbria is full of hilltop castles, and there’s no better way to get your children interested in history than a game of damsels and dragons at a real-life castle. Clambering around in ruins is not only great fun, but also an easy way to engage younger children in culture without resorting to museums or cathedral tours. Carsulae (Loc. Carsoli, 05029 San Gemini, Terni), the remains of a Roman settlement, is a must-see and entrance is only €5.

Also -One of the best castle in Umbria for kids to conquer is the Rocca Maggiore in Assisi. Only partly restored, this stone fortress has tunnels, towers, and turrets galore – Assisi is an ideal family day out – as there is plenty more to do beside visiting the castle. Less rustic, but still fun to visit, are the Castello del Leone in Castiglione del Lago and the Rocca Albornoziana in Spoleto.

 

 

PERUGINA CHOCOLATE FACTORY

A fun family day out for chocolate lovers of all ages. This factory is where the famous ‘Baci’ chocolates are produced – the chocolate kisses with love messages inside. There is a museum and gift shop and a chocolate school. Free guided visits last about one hour, tel. 075 5276796 for bookings. There are usually 2 guided visits in English per day. At the end, you will actually be walking on a glass passage way and observing under you the production line of the Baci. To be sure to see the factory you must visit between Monday and Friday (on Sat the factory may be closed). For the chocolate school telephone 800 800907: 3-hour workshops on chocolate making cost €40, for adults and children over 6 accompanied by an adult. Via San Sisto 42, San Sisto (Perugia). www.perugina.it

 

 

FLEX VILLAGE WATER PARK

A great family day out – not only for kids! Just 40 minutes drive from the villa – a fab fun place to spend the day with children of all ages.
The park has a toddler pool, main swimming pool with spring diving board, 3 larger slides with inflatable rides, 1 fast body slide and several fun smaller body slides, volley ball, football, gym snack bar & bar. The park is set out like a beach area with sun loungers and umbrellas – it is a fantastic, fun family day out. You can take your own picnic if you want – the bar sells cold beer, coffees, ice creams and lollies. Usually open mid June to September.  www.flexbeach.it

 

IL BARONE RAMPICANTE

You can find this climbing adventure experience at Ponte Felcino near the swimming pool ‘Giardino Thebris’ along the Tiber River. They offer a ‘monkey experience’ climbing through the trees. With/without a guide, you can test your nerve and physical ability by completing the course of climbing activities through the trees. There is a path for adults and older children and an easier path for younger children – check their website for details – open in summer – like most organised outdoor activities, in Italy, this will only be open on good weather days in the summer season. www.parcoilbaronerampante.it

 

 

HORSE RIDING

Horse riding for kids can be found in Gubbio or locally, just 15 minutes from the villa. This activity usually needs to be booked in advance of your stay. You and your children can enjoy a tranquil trek through the Umbrian countryside. Helmets and back boards are provided for children.  Horses are well trained and used to children. From around 22 euro per hour per child. Please contact us for further details: [email protected]

 

 

ROSSO POMODORO

(at the Collestrada shopping centre)

Collestrada is one of the only 2 shopping malls in the local area. It is an ideal place to do the family shop or somewhere to look around on a rainy day. The restaurant Rosso Pomodoro offers decent fresh cooked pizzas and various traditional dishes. At lunchtimes and evenings (from 7.30pm) they also have a bouncy castle free for kids to use and face painting on weekends. It is a good place for a simple family meal & fun for the kids.

 

 

PARCO AQUAROSSA

Is a small park with several things to do: There is a tractor pulled ‘train’ called the Sagrantino train. This stops at a few wine producers (weekends only). There is a 250 meter long 4m heigh zip-line. They offer a lake where you can play with radio controlled planes and cars,  a playground for young children, a special 4×4 road and you can drive a quad, sport fishing and a petting farm. www.parcoacquarossa.com

 

 

AQUA FAN

Huge water park with slides, pools, and water based fun. Riccione – Rimini around 2 hours drive from the villa great for older kids.

Open 1st June -12th September –entrance fee €19-€26 a person for the day. www.aquafan.it

 

 

INDOOR 10 PIN BOWLING

at Gualdo Tadino –Le Grande Mela

20 mins from the Villa. To Gualdo, turn right at the roundabout, follow the via Flaminia towards Rome.

Open most afternoons from 4pm. Pizzeria on site. (There is also bowling at Guerlinda near Corciano, Perugia )

 

 

BOMARZO MONSTER PARK

Found just over the border of Lazio (South of Umbria) is the Bomarzo monster park. This is lovely for children with a bit of imagination. It is a very large garden with weird statues… Open every day from 8 am to sunset. More info can be found on the website: www.parcodeimostri.com

 

 

THE UCI CINEMA

(exit Madonna Alta)
There are weekly evening showings of films in English – a large brand new cinema complex – see on line for details: ucicinemas.it (search under ‘I Film’ and then ‘Film in Inglese’) There is also an American style burger bar next to the cinema.

 

 

LOCAL PARKS

Casacastalda

In the village centre – Gated play area with slides, picnic benches, climbing frames.

Gubbio

Next to the Amphitheatre – decent adventure playground, with zip slide, picnic tables, lawn and cafe. Park in the amphitheatre car park.

FABILANDIA

Rimini – 2 hours from the villa. Amusement park with rides, nature tours, 4d cinema- the full works fabilandia.net €20-€23 a head entrance fee open end of April until September and on some fine weather weekends