This year Arte al Sole is offering more fun than ever for the entire family with many more options for enjoying activities in Lucca for kids and also for parents while the kids are busy exploring the art and culture of the city with us each day until 3:00.
These unique cultural activities for kids in Tuscany bring to life the layers of the development of art and architecture in the region in a hands-on way for the students. They are also given opportunities to experience Lucca’s legendary cuisine, witness the living history of the origins of gelato, and see some behind-the-scenes action preparing for the San Paolino palio, learning all about what goes on to produce the festivities of the tournament: the drumming, the costumes, the flags, the crossbows and the target.
The kid-friendly beaches of Camaiore and Pietrasanta are a fun family outing for the afternoon and early evening, or a visit to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, only about a 25 minute drive, and in the evenings, it is much less crowded.
Meanwhile, parents have the very unique option of enjoying a Lucca Historical Walking Tour on Monday July 6 from 10 am-12pm to get an overview of the city with our local, born and raised “Lucchese" guide. This two-hour walking historical tour within Lucca’s medieval walls will provide an introduction to the city’s history, past and present economy, and includes visits to some of Lucca’s churches, Puccini’s birthplace, popular shopping streets and famous piazzas and landmarks.
Parents should not miss out on exploring the culinary delights of the olive farms and vineyards in the nearby Lucca hills, where family-run properties have been producing for centuries. This year we are thrilled to offer an exciting chauffered tour that includes a truffle tasting, wine tour+tasting and lunch in the famous
Tuscan region of Lucca and San Miniato. Our guide, a local living in Tuscany, will personally take parents to a family-run vineyard for a unique and local experience to explore and savor the cuisine, history and culture of one of the most famous food and wine regions in Italy. On the way to the winery the group will stop in the quaint town of San Miniato for a special truffle tasting. (The tour is from 9:30-3pm)
On Thursday, July 9, once great friendships are typically made among parents, too… parents have the option of a cooking class with a local chef. In this hands-on cooking class with Chef Paolo Monti, one of the region’s most well-known and loved culinary experts, parents will learn the basics of Tuscan cuisine in a casual and fun environment. After the class the group will enjoy the fruits of their labor over a lovely lunch with friends and vino! (The class is from 10am-2:30pm)
For more information on our Lucca summer program or any of our other locations, please visit our website or email us at info@artealsole.com. Ciao!