Tuscany
in movement with children
In the southern part of Tuscany, in an area called Maremma, there’s a famous little town called Scansano. Nestled in the hills, this medieval town offers a splendid view of the Tyrrhenian sea which is about 25 km away. In a distance of only seven km, there is Ripacci, the place where our hotel Podere Novo is located. It’s a renovated barnyard with organic farming (sheep, cows, cheese dairy, jams) and cultural activities. In the amphitheatre, you can enjoy the previews of Italian stage directors, and in the dancing hall with wooden sprung floor you can participate in eurythmy, dance- or theatre workshops. Our group, mainly, will consist of familys with children and will have a pleasant stay relaxing in this wonderful place, playing (Californian) new games, hiking and walking in the surroundings, having a bath in the sea and dancing some traditional circle dance together. Also, we will go to see a lot of Etrurian culture in the near-by towns Pitigliano and Sovana and in the cave-tombs. Ancient meets modern: Not far away from these historical sites there is the designed park tarot garden of the modern artist Niki de St. Phalle with its colourful and unique sculptures which express love, life and passion. A full-day-trip including a short passage on a ship leads us to the picturesque island Isola del giglio. There we climb 500 metres up to the ancient fortress and after that relax in the crystal-clear water of the Mediterranean Sea. What about a honeydew-melon afterwards? Nowhere in Europe they are sweeter than here, in the area of the Mediterranean. Last but not least, another day is planned for a getaway to a national park in the landscape of Maremma where the beach of Alberese with its bizarrely formed pine trees is waiting
The following are available for guests to stay overnight:
In the main house:
below/on the ground floor: 2 large rooms laboratorio and bioenergia - see photos on http://www.poderenovo153.it/Servizi.html - with 3 or 4 beds, but can also be used as a double room, both with their own bathroom, which you can access via a bathroom covered walkway.
top/1. Floor:
2 smaller rooms that can be used as double or single rooms and share a large bathroom
"Above the stable"::
4 large double rooms, with bath/shower, simple, with lots of wood, comfortable, with a view of the meadow or the stable from above (no odor nuisance!)
8 tent pitches on terraces, with sanitary facilities: 2 showers, 2 washbasins, 2 toilets, 1 bathroom
On the premises, in the shade of a large oak tree, 50 meters from the main house, preferred for families or couples: Wooden wagon (large wooden gypsy wagon) with 1 small. Room with double futon, 1 small Lounge with table and chairs, 1 small. Bathroom with sink and toilet, 1 small. room with bunk beds (2 places); Shower at the sanitary facility of the tent pitches can be shared
Prices/day/person for bed and breakfast: look here !
The secluded location in the countryside with a wide view over the rolling hills of the Maremma, the rooms suitable for group activities, outside and inside, the contact with the natural work processes on a biodynamic farm with its own cheese dairy, a tame donkey that children can ride, the Mediterranean cuisine with many ingredients from our own production, many excursions and - last but not least - the proximity of the sea (45 - 60 minutes by car) promise relaxing, but also active and moving holidays, both for adults and children.
In the mornings, the children are looked after by Giorgio Zankl, state-certified gymnastics/dance teacher, and possibly another teacher, while the parents are free if the little ones don't need their help. Later in the day, young and old alike try games that get everyone moving: new games, swing cloth, ... After dinner there is dancing, in a circle, in groups, in pairs and alone: folk dances from southern and south-eastern Europe (Italy , Spain, Portugal, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and others)
Planned excursions:
to the beach of Alberese in the Maremma nature reserve, optionally with a guided hike in the nature reserve, see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parco_Naturale_della_Maremma
to the isola del giglio, with a boat trip of one hour and a half, to visit the picturesque castello at 500 meters altitude and the beach of Campese with wonderfully clear water and pebbles of golden reddish shimmer
into the tarot garden of the NIki de St. Phalle, which delights young and old alike with its magnificent forms and colours,
other excursions, e.g. to the picturesque Etruscan towns of Pitigliano, Sovana, Sorano or to the warm sulfur waterfall in Saturnia are possible in consultation with the group
All excursions are organized with private cars and the costs are divided among the passengers (5-10 €/person/excursion); Ferry to isola del giglio and entrance to the tarot garden is to be paid extra: Ferry there and back: adults about 25 €, children 4-11 years about 20 €; children under 4 years free; tarot garden: adults 16-65 years €14, over 65 years €9, children 7-16 years, students €7, children up to 7 years free
Course and tour guide in consultation with the group: 30 €/day/person;
Children's discount up to 10 years: 50% on everything