Great places to visit in Tuscany

n30_mkii

n30_mkii

n30_mkii

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Alfreton,Derbyshire
I've booked a holiday to Tuscany for the last week in May staying for ten days. We're going as a family with my two kids (11,13). I've split the stay so we will stop for five nights in Lucca followed by five in Siena so we can fully explore the area via car whilst we're there. I've found a number of historic towns which look good to visit and we'll also go to Florence and Pisa. I'm more looking for good areas to visit for nice walks ideally with great scenic views, and potentially some things to do with the kids which are a bit more fun i.e. Zip lines, Quad Biking, Jeep tour type things. I can see there are some lakes to the west of Lucca which look promising. Any advice is appreciated.
 
My favourite part of Italy and have been many times.

Lucca - Villa Reale di Marlia just to the North East is a nice place to walk around for a few hours. Great view.
LIPU Massaciuccoli - Worth a stop of on the way back from the coast to Lucca. Huge Wildlife reserve / lake.. really long wooden boardwalk (maybe the one you've seen on maps). To the west of the lake you can go sailing/ hire canoes etc.
Barga - Historical connection with Scotland, great fish and chips. Very hilly. Amazing views from the top.
San Gimignano - Have to go. Amazing views, lots of towers, great Gelato.
Pistoia - Home of, yes the pistol. Fairly quiet but nice to walk around. Very old.
Arrezo is nice but a bit of a way East of Sienna.
Pisa - Park at the Parchheggio auto per la Torre di Pisa and walk 10mins. Just be aware there are a LOT of African's trying to sell rubbish and they hound you. Stay infront of the wife and kids and very strongly say no - they'll leave you alone. They try it on with the coaches something fierce. Not pleasant. But once you in Pisa itself it's fine. Once you're done with the Tower etc talk a walk over the river.. there are some amazing small restuarants in side streets that most tourists don't go to. They are cheaper and the food is just superb.
 
Perhaps not for you with the kids in tow, but if anyone else is reading this the Antinori Winery is great to visit if you like wine.
 
Realised all my suggestions are attractions within Florence but hopefully a couple that might tickle your fancy.

Santa Elisabetta Restaurant - probably not dooable with kids but if you and your partner get a night off, one of the best restaurants I've been to. Very cost and romantic, based in a Byzantine tower (only around 10 covers).
E-Bikes Florence - there are lots of operators but we lucked out with this one. It's self-guided, e-bikes were great and you do a lap all around the outer edges of Florence with a lovely vineyard at the end.
Belvedere Franco Zeffirelli - you have to walk up a fair few steps but offers beautiful views of the city
The Boboli Gardens - beautiful gardens and something that the whole family can do
La Giostra - a restaurant we didn't go to but boy did it look good
I Fratellini - sandwich shop well worth visiting
Trattoria Giovanni - another lovely restaurant which is good to go to after Boboli gardens. Remember the owner or staff being very friendly/eccentric (in a good way)
 
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