There is lots to do in the surrounding area for young and older children. We have listed some that we hope will appeal to you. If there is something more specific you are interested in let us know and we can find out if it is available locally.
There are wonderful beaches at Lago Trasimeno 20 minutes away. Sualzo beach at Passignano is one of our favourites. Alternatively Castiglione Del Lago beach is good too. Complete with play areas, swimming pool, sand to build sandcastles, water pedalows for hire, sun loungers and umbrellas. Actually on the beach there is a cafe bar serving drinks and food.
In nearby Tavenelle there is a great water park. There is a childrens pool, two large pools and slides down. It is generally not too busy as most Italians go to the beaches for their summer holidays. There is a coffee bar and restaurant or take your own picnic. You will need swimming hats though, which you can buy at the reception. www.piscinetavernelle.it/tavernelle/taindex.html
Every day there are boat trips you can take around the lake at Trasimeno. Ferries leave from Passignano and Castiglione Del Lago. There are 3 islands to visit: Polvese, Maggiore and Minore (privately owned). You can stroll around the islands, take a picnic and enjoy the bird sounds. www.parcotrasimeno.it
There are lots of thermal springs in the surrounding area of Siena which is about 45 minutes away. Here you get to relax in a hot spring (sulfurous) pools which tend to be around 37-39 degrees. San Casciano dei Bagni has a modern spa. This is a clean, modern facility with good treatments and a large pool area with a restaurant where you can spend a few hours. San Giovanni Terme Rapolano is a lovely complex and has day passes available at their 5 pools. Via Terme San Giovanni, 52 53040 – Rapolano Terme (SI) In many towns with natural hot springs there is also some place where you can get at the hot springs for free. These springs are generally out in the woods and more natural. San Casciano dei Bagni: There is a modern hot springs spa outside of town, but there are the old stone baths at the edge of town. The water is hot and full of minerals and it is not as crowded as the modern spa. Bagno Vignoni: On the edge of the small town of Bagno Vignoni there is a stone culvert where the hot water runs. You take off your shoes and put your feet in. The water is very hot and full of minerals. Frances Mayes writes about this place in her second book “Bella Tuscany”.
In Umbria, beneath the Marmore falls (about 1 hour 30 mins) or at Serravalle, Norcia (about 1 hour) , there is an ideal place for rafting : the fabulous descent of rapids on a rubber dinghy. It is open to everyone, including children and people who do not know how to swim. www.raftingmarmore.com or www.raftingumbria.it
For the really keen water babies try your hand at Sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding and diving at Lake Trasimeno. Available all year round with English speaking instructors. www.scuolakitesurf.it