Florence with children. Anyone been?

[norm1]

we're off to Florence next week with our three kids -11,8 and 4. Anybody know anywhere good to stay? And what about getting adjoining rooms or a room big enough for five. Anybody out there been with three kids? Any recommendations appreciated, as have booked flights but not anywhere to stay!

Havent been there with kids, but one tip if you want to go to Uffizi Gallery buy your tickets in advance. We had to wait three hours in a que to get in. Also take day trip to Pisa, as can climb up the leaning tower these days, am sure kids would love it.

ahhh florence .. sigh (got married there)

I love it there.

Don't know about rooms though but have a great time

Try Pensione Sorelle Bandini in Piazza Santo Spirito. It's in Oltr'Arno (on the other side of the river) but close to the main sights. Have to say that we went when dd1 was only 5 months old, so can't comment on taking three kids, but people there were very helpful and if I remember correctly the rooms were large. Lovely balcony/terrace thing overlooking the square. If the kids need to let off steam, the Giardini dei Boboli are good. (Look out for the 'fat naked guy' riding a turtle... and other assorted sculptures.) Lovely views of the city too. A day trip to Siena (bus much easier than train) would be good. Siena is small and fairly traffic free... and beautiful. Aaahhh.... I've come over all nostalgic. Also San Gimignano (not sure how you get there from Florence, though, probably bus again... you may have to change in Poggibonsi).

Have fun anyway. I'm sure you will.

Thanks for the suggestions - will give them a try. Ice cream and fat naked guy sculptures sound fun. Useful too to know about the age limit at the tower.

Ellbell - I'll try the pensione you suggest. Ta

You're allowed up the Tower of Pisa at 8. I know because I went with my 4 year old! Have been sworn to take her back.

We went with 10 month old DS and self-catered so not much help there.

But... there was a lack of toilets (and no baby changing) so do make the most of them when you find them!

Try looking at this site

www.italymag.co.uk

They might know somewhere in that area if not in advertising but in the forum.

The children are older so you don't need all the baby baby stuff. The Italian are very family focus where we are so I can't image it would be too different in Florence. Just remember everything will shit between 12 and 4 so plan your day around that. (when I say everything I mean everything.

"Just remember everything will shit between 12 and 4..."

lol

Agree about toilets and facilities in general. OTOH, this is made up for by people's willingness to help and general child-friendliness. In a restaurant, 4-month-old dd started to cry halfway through our main course and the waiter just came over and took her from me (not without asking, of course) and just wandered around with her under his arm, taking people's orders and keeping her happy till we had finished eating. (This was a small family-run type place... he wasn't taking her out of our sight or anything...!) Sadly can't remember name of restaurant. It was near Santa Croce, but that's not much help really... sorry! Anyway, it's typical of the generally helpful attitude. I am sure that if your kids need a wee, you'll be fine to nip into a bar and ask if they can use the loo. That's what I'd do, anyway.