The Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Tuscany
From family campsites (such as hu Norcenni Girasole village), to smart villas (including the newly renovated Villa Il Santo), and even private islands (perhaps Forte San Giorgio and its 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms?)—there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from, however big your brood. Plus, tour companies such as Black Tomato are on hand to come up with multiple places and a broader Tuscan adventure. But for canny parents who like to make the most of room service, fully-staffed kitchens, and increasingly creative (free) childcare to maximize everyone's eating and exploring time while travelling as a pack, here's our pick of the best hotels in Tuscany for families.
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Travel + Leisure
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Italy's Top Destinations Are Cracking Down on Bad Tourist Behavior—and It Could Cost You Hundreds
Overtourism has become a global problem, especially in Europe. Italy's bucket list destinations are no longer once-in-a-lifetime trips; instead, they're on summer travel checklists for millions. This means the once-romantic streets of Venice are overcrowded, the picturesque shorelines of Positano are bursting, and the stunning architecture of Rome is obscured by the hundreds of people milling about on every street corner. The accessibility of travel is great, but with so many people in new places—often under the veil of anonymity and the lowered inhibitions that come with being on vacation—the already crowded nature of top tourist spots is worsened by poorly behaved visitors. Headlines in recent years have highlighted loud beachgoers, Venice canal swimmers, and even acts of vandalism against art and monuments. In response to repeated extreme behavior, many major destinations in Italy have implemented a series of fines targeting tourists who disregard local rules. The city of Venice, for example, has published a list of new rules and "unacceptable behavior,' on its official government website in hopes of curbing some of these offenses. 'Current regulations enforced by the Venice City Council Municipal Police forbid certain behavior, in order to preserve urban cleanliness and landscape, and also for reasons of safety and public hygiene,' the website states. 'The violation of such regulations involves the application of administrative fines—from €25 to €500.' (At the time of publication, €25 to €500 is roughly $30 to $584.) So what can you get fined for in Venice? Here's a few of the new rules: No consuming food and drink while sitting on the ground, or while sitting or lying on banks and foundations, monuments, bridges, steps, puteals (wellheads) and high-water walkways. Fine: € 100 to € 200 (about $117 to $234) (wellheads) and high-water walkways. € € No bathing, diving, or swimming in the canals. Fine: €350 ($410) No littering or dumping trash in public areas. Fine : €350 ($410) : Do not walk around bare-chested or in swimwear. Fine: €250 ($292) You also can't bike, camp, or feed the seagulls within the city limits or you'll risk a fine. According to Tour and Travel World , Venice isn't the only Italian city enforcing penalties for bad behavior. Just like in Venice, you can be fined up to €500 ($584) for wearing swimwear outside of designated beach areas in Tuscany, Veneto, and Campania. In Cinque Terre, wearing flip-flops or other improper footwear on certain hikes can result in a fine of up to €2,500 ($2,920). Many municipalities and regions enforce these fines primarily during the busiest travel months. In Portofino, for instance, eating on the ground can incur a €500 fine, but only through Sept. 30, 2025. These fines are part of a broader trend in Europe and beyond, as local governments attempt to regulate tourism through fees, taxes, and fines in an effort to counteract the wear and tear caused by high volumes of visitors on infrastructure and local communities. When planning your trip, make sure to do a quick search tourist regulations. Once you arrive, keep your eyes peeled for signage about what is and is not allowed. Just to be safe, keep a swim coverup handy and avoid eating your meals on the ground—both good rules of thumb regardless of the destination.
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Travel + Leisure
10 hours ago
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I've Lived in Italy for Over 40 Years—These Are the Most Beautiful Islands No One Talks About
Everyone's heard of Sicily, Sardinia, and fashionable Capri, but when it comes to enchanting islands, Italy has much more to offer than the usual headline acts. And few people realize that the country's coastline is actually peppered with over 350 idyllic islands, from picture-perfect Favignana to car-free Panarea to rugged Marettimo. Some islands are remote and hard to reach, while others require less effort. Some are chic, while others are laid-back and rustic. One word of warning, though: Italians adore their islands and make a beeline for them during their summer holidays. So, if you don't want to share your slice of paradise with lots of others, avoid traveling there in July and August. If true solitude is what you're seeking, visit during the winter months—you may be the only visitor. Here are some of the most underrated islands in Italy. Favignana Favignana Lighthouse at dusk. FrancescoAn hour's ferry ride from Trapani, Sicily, butterfly-shaped Favignana—known for its jagged shoreline, sandy beaches like Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, and hidden coves lapped by impossibly clear Tyrrhenian waters—is the largest of the three Egadi Islands. Hire a small boat from the port (Capitan Sinagra is a good bet) to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe, then explore on land by scooter (rentals available from Brezza Marina). When hunger calls, head to Osteria del Sotto Sale for fresh seafood and pasta before retreating to Dimora dell'Olivastro, a tranquil guesthouse set among olive groves. Marettimo Aerial view of a village on Marettimo most remote of the Egadi Islands, tiny Marettimo—accessible via ferry from Trapani—remains delightfully rustic thanks to its limited accessibility, near absence of cars, and lack of large hotels. The main (and only) town has a cluster of whitewashed, blue-shuttered buildings by a shabby port. Here, travelers spend their days swimming, snorkeling, or diving in the surrounding protected waters, exploring sea caves and grottos, or hiking fragrant trails. Marettimo Residence, an eco-friendly aparthotel with sea views, offers an excellent home base for exploring. Salina Lingua coastline on middle of the seven Aeolian Islands, sleepy Salina is famed for its Malvasia wine and capers. Small, whitewashed villages dot its coast, with Santa Marina serving as the central hub—and the best place to hire a boat for exploring by sea. Days here are blissfully simple: swimming in crystal-clear waters off pebbly beaches, lingering over fresh seafood, and taking in sweeping views. Don't miss the lemon granita at Da Alfredo in Lingua, dinner on the waterfront terrace of Porto Bello, and a stay at the luxe Capofaro Resort. To reach the island, take the ferry from Milazzo via Lipari (about 90 minutes). It's also accessible via ports in Sicily, Palermo, and Naples. Panarea White buildings on the coast of Panarea. RogerWith its whitewashed lanes and bougainvillea-draped terraces, Panarea is the definition of barefoot luxury. One of the easternmost Aeolian Islands, it's reachable only by ferry from Naples, Milazzo, Messina, or Reggio Calabria. Cars are banned, so visitors get around on foot or by golf cart; however, the island is arguably best explored by boat. Rent one from Sea Panarea to discover hidden coves, sea caves, and the nearby islets of Basiluzzo and Lisca before settling in for sunset Negronis at the see-and-be-seen Bar del Porto. Nights often end at Hotel Raya, famed for its rooftop cocktails and late-night soirées. Pantelleria Agricultural terraces on Pantelleria. Grey Zone/Adobe Stock Closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy, Pantelleria is a remote volcanic island dotted with traditional dammusi, thick-walled, domed stone dwellings built to keep out the heat. Its rugged landscape is shaped by geothermal activity, with fumaroles, mud baths, and natural saunas in place of sandy beaches. Don't miss the cave-like Grotta del Bagno Asciutto, where steam rises from the earth, or a glass of the island's famed sweet dessert wine, Zibibbo. Reserve a room at Sikelia, built around a group of typical dammusi, where the mud treatments at the spa alone are worth a stay, and dine at La Nicchia for swordfish with tomatoes, olives, and capers. Pantelleria is reachable by plane from Palermo or Trapani (it's about a 30 to 45-minute ride). Vulcano A hiker on an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea. Beyond the shore, rent a Mehari to explore the island's lush interior, where goats roam the mountainside. Then, follow the winding roads to Gelso, home to a black-sand beach and the waterfront Trattoria Da Pina, also referred to as Trattoria Dai Maniaci. Finally, for sweeping sea views, book a stay at coastal Therasia Resort near the extinct Vulcanello. Ponza A woman on a remote nature path on largest of the Pontine Islands, Ponza sits in the Tyrrhenian Sea between Rome and Naples, and remains largely under the radar for most international travelers. Brightly painted houses cling to cliffs above the bustling harbor, and the island's hilly terrain makes the local bus the easiest way to reach scenic trails that wind through scented vegetation to hidden bays and coves. The stunning Spiaggia di Frontone, a pebbly crescent of clear water framed by rocks, is easily reached by taxi boat from the port. Stay at Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla, which boasts its own beach club, and dine at Acquapazza for fresh-caught seafood with a view. Ferries from Anzio take about 80 minutes. Procida Marina di Corricell on Procida. Frank Fell/robertharding/Getty Images Often overlooked in favor of Capri and Ischia, the tiny, low-key island of Procida charms with its lemon groves, pastel-hued fishing villages, and laid-back pace. Ferries from Naples and Pozzuoli disembark at bustling Marina Grande, lined with shops and restaurants, but the real draw is Corricella, a jumble of candy-colored houses made famous in "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Climb to the fortified Terra Murata for panoramic water views, then explore the flat terrain by scooter or bike from Sprint near the port. After a day in the sun, unwind at La Casa sul Mare, where airy accomodations offer sea views, and linger over plates of seafood pastas at Da Mariano. La Maddalena A secluded beach on La Maddalena. Salvatore/Adobe Stock La Maddalena, the largest of Sardinia's namesake archipelago, is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Palau but feels far removed from the flash of the nearby Costa Smeralda. Its pink-tinged rocky shoreline frames some of the clearest turquoise waters in the Mediterranean, best experienced via boat tour. The island's sole town is a lively port with shops, bars, and restaurants, while a short bridge connects it to Caprera, home to Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi's former residence and pristine beaches. Base yourself at Grand Hotel Resort Ma&Ma, which offers adults-only accommodations, a spa, and easy access to the archipelago. Elba Fetovaia beach on Elba the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, offers a mix of history, culture, and postcard-worthy beaches—and it's only an hour ferry ride from Piombino. Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled here in 1814, and his villas remain among the island's top sights, along with the ruins of a first-century B.C. Roman villa at Punta delle Grotte and Portoferraio's hilltop Forte Stella. Between sightseeing excursions, lounge on the sweeping bay at Biodola or seek out hidden coves only reachable by boat or on foot. From Marciana Alta, ride the cable car to Monte Capanne for views as far as Corsica, then unwind with gelato in Portoferraio, Marciana Marina, or Capoliveri. For a romantic base, book the standalone seafront suite at the boutique Hotel Ilio, set above Sant'Andrea Beach and surrounded by gardens. Ischia Just an hour by ferry from Naples, Ischia offers a quieter charm than nearby Capri, and Baia di Sorgeto is its hidden crown jewel. Tucked into the southern village of Panza, this rocky cove is home to natural infinity pools warmed by volcanic springs that spill into the sea. While Baia di Sorgeto feels blissfully under the radar, other hot springs on the island—such as Negombo and Giardini Poseidon—are more popular and, chances are, far more crowded. After your soak, head to Sant'Angelo, a car-free fishing village with boutiques, seaside cafés, and sweeping views, or unwind on nearby Maronti Beach. Accommodation options abound, from the cliff-top Mezzatorre Hotel and San Montano Resort & Spa to Regina Isabella Resort and the garden-filled Villa Ravino.
CBS News
11 hours ago
- CBS News
Flight makes emergency landing in Italy after pilot forced to cut engine
A flight from Greece to Germany made an emergency landing in Italy after a "reaction near the engine" of the aircraft, airline officials said. Condor Airlines flight DE3665 was flying from Corfu to Dusseldorf on Saturday. The plane departed Corfu's airport shortly after 8 p.m. local time, according to the tracking site FlightAware. Passengers saw flames near the plane's engine around 8:30 p.m., local media reported. Videos shared on social media show bright orange flames near the engine. Condor Airlines said it could not confirm an engine fire, but said there was a "reaction near the engine that normally takes place in the engine's combustion chamber leading to a visible reaction at the rear of the engine." The flight crew received a fault message indicating "a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine," the airline said. The engine was shut down "in a controlled manner," the airline told CBS News, and the plane made an emergency landing in Brindisi, a coastal Italian city. Local media reported that air traffic was closed for about half an hour as firefighters waited on the runway to respond to the plane. No injuries were reported. There were 273 passengers and eight crew members aboard the aircraft. Some passengers spent an uncomfortable night in the Italian city. Condor Airlines said there was "insufficient hotel capacity" in Brindisi, so some slept at the airport. The airline arranged vouchers and blankets for those passengers, and airport shops stayed open "to provide supplies." Passengers who slept at hotels will be reimbursed for the expense, the airline said. On Sunday, Condor Airlines dispatched another aircraft to complete the route. All passengers arrived in Dusseldorf that day. "We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority," Condor Airlines said.
