Tuscany’s most beautiful family-friendly Agriturismo: Al Gelso Bianco
Finding the perfect base for your family vacation to Tuscany isn’t easy. First there are all these terms to get used to like “Fattoria,” “Podere,” and “Agriturismo”, and then you want to cross-check all these beautiful options against your Google map- a tab that’s now just permanently open in your browser?
I have photographed families at many gorgeous farm stays across Tuscany but there is one I recommend above all the others.
Whether you're envisioning a tranquil stay hanging by the pool, or looking for a central location for a busy trip, this gem stands out for its family-friendly atmosphere and ideal location amidst the myriad options: Al Gelso Bianco.
Nestled in the heart of Chianti, Al Gelso Bianco offers an idyllic blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, and conveniently located between Florence and Siena, this agriturismo is the perfect base for exploring Tuscany. With amenities designed to cater to families, such as a pool, playground, and child-friendly activities, Al Gelso Bianco ensures a memorable stay for guests of all ages.
In this post, we’ll delve into the features that make Al Gelso Bianco the top choice for families, provide tips for navigating Tuscany with kids, and highlight must-see attractions in the region. From engaging cooking classes to exploring medieval villages, this comprehensive guide will help you plan a stress-free and unforgettable Tuscan adventure.
Al Gelso Bianco | © 2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits
What is the difference between an Agriturismo, a Fattoria and a Podere in Italy?
Before we get to far, I’d like to help clarify this for you because scrolling through any of the booking sites searching for family accommodation in Chianti, you will have seen all of these different terms used. For the purpose of your search, you can consider each of these words to mean the same thing- “farm” or since they’re listed on a site for accommodation, “farm stay”. Varying qualities are available to suit every preferred comfort level, but there isn’t a connection between the quality and services offered, and the name. Instead, the name may give you a hint as to where the property is located and, its historical use.
Podere is a term used almost exclusively in central Italy; Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche. It’s a property with a villa or farmhouse and cultivated land, but not necessarily livestock. Side note, in other parts of the country, you’ll find regionally specific terms like “Masseria” in the south (traditionally a fortified farm).
Fattoria on the other hand, is commonly used throughout all of Italy for a working farm, typically with livestock (or at least retaining the name from a time when that property did have animals). Both of these terms can be used for properties without accommodation as well but many property owners choose to keep the term in their business name when they transform one or multiple of the property’s buildings into accommodation to become a farm stay or “Agriturismo”.
An Agriturismo is a combination of the words “agriculture” and “tourism” and is exactly that- a business that was traditionally a farm but now also receives an income through tourism. That can be by offering horse riding, cheese farm tours, an on-site restaurant, accommodation- or a combination of services for tourists.
So what about Cascina, Casale and Borgo (Borghi)?
You can translate Casale to castle, Cascina to big country house and Borgo to “small village”. Today if you see accommodation with “Borgo” or “Borghi” in the name it is most likely that the entire village has been purchased and transformed into a resort.
The founder of Al Gelso Bianco with his grandson | © 2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits
What to look for when choosing accommodation in Tuscany
After creating a shortlist of options in your price bracket based on beautiful photographs and glowing reviews, you’ll no doubt find the list hasn’t reduced all that much! So how to choose and why do I consider Al Gelso to be the best?
Location
I still remember my first time driving through Tuscany and pointing to the first cypress lined drive way exclaiming “oh that’s that postcard villa!”. My husband quietly smiled and around the next corner I said “oh wait, maybe it’s this one”.. and a few corners later I understood his smile. The entire area is a postcard!
When you imagine Tuscany, you’re likely picturing those cypress lined rolling hills of Val d'Orcia, the wineries of Chianti or wonderful Florence! Tuscany also has wonderful coast line (Isola d’Elba is absolutely spectacular!), or if you’re looking for a lesser travelled base, the far south (Maremma) and far North (Garfagnana and Lunigiana) provide remote options for relaxing in nature.
Most likely you’ll want to be centrally based which is one of the big draw cards to my favourite agriturismo in Tuscany, Al Gelso Bianco. Surrounded by olives and wineries in the Chianti region, they are between Florence and Siena, not far from the medieval village of San Gimignano and the fortified Monteriggioni.
2. Features
Most agriturismo will offer a buffet breakfast in their dining room with eggs, local yoghurt, a range of cereals, homemade cakes and bread. Personally I love a good breakfast so that’s a big pro for me. Some will also offer other meals, or like Al Gelso, a special themed dinner once a week. I also like having a small kitchenette so that I can whip up a simple salumi board, salad or pasta for dinner, and prepare a picnic lunch.
Since most people are travelling in summer and despite the hills being cooler than our cities, it is often 30 degrees (86f) plus, I consider a pool an essential and when travelling with kids, a family-friendly environment that encourages kids to be kids.
The playground and a foosball table both under the shade of big trees at Al Gleso are perfect for having fun during some downtime. It’s really these little considerations that make for such a wonderful stay, and yet missed by so many neighbouring properties.
3. Services
Your vacation doesn’t need to be stressful. Booking an agritusimo that offers a range of services in-house or can share trusted recommendations with you is sure to enable your trip to run smoothly.
At Al Gelso they offer onsite (child friendly) cooking classes, truffle hunting (in season) and family photoshoots (that’s me!).
On top of these added services, they can also arrange for hire bikes to be delivered to, and picked up from the resort if anyone in your party is excited to ride the famous white gravel roads of Tuscany!
4. Room Options
Al Gelso is a family-owned agritourismo. They have a daughter themselves and often have their niece and nephew staying too. They know how hard it can be to find appropriate room layouts when travelling as a family or extended family so when they designed Al Gelso, they did so with this in mind.
They have a double room option- perfect for grandma or a couple travelling with you without kids, and a range of options between that and a three-bedroom apartment.
Child-friendly cooking class in Tuscany at Al Gelso Bianco | © 2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits
Is Tuscany even child-friendly?
I would argue that all of Italy is kid-friendly but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Most villages are on the top of a hill and most require you to part at the bottom and walk up the cobblestones and sometimes stairs, neither of which are stroller-friendly. You can choose the villages to visit with that in mind, or simply allow for extra time for the little legs (and perhaps yours too!).
Tuscany is a wine region, and if that’s why you’re visiting you should be aware that the wine tours are usually all about the process (not particularly interesting for most youngsters), followed by a wine tasting. I only know of one winery which caters specifically for kids and that is Ricasoli Winery at Brolio Castle. They have a wonderful scavenger hunt at Brolio Castle for kids (recommended ages 6-12) to collect stamps and receive a prize at the end. You can also request a picnic lunch among the vines!
By the way, if your family loves good child-focused scavenger hunts, there’s a great one in Florence too!
If you’re into golf and interested in spending a day at the coast, I was impressed to learn that Il Pelagone offer kids golf lessons.
Al Gelso Bianco pool | © 2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits
What to do in Chianti with kids?
Enjoy the relaxing vibe and enjoy the views from the pool of course! I also highly recommend an onsite cooking class while staying at Al Gelso. Exploring beyond the property with older kids you can cycle in the area, go for a wine tasting at Ricasoli, or immerse yourself in history in any of the incredible nearby towns. If you’re a foodie, you’ll find the best Fiorentina steak just down the road from Al Gelso Bianco at Ristomacelleria in Poggiobonsi (don’t bother going to the town for anything else). It’s a simple steakhouse in a service town owned by the neighbouring butcher. The steaks are huge so you can order one to share with your kids- just be mindful of small hands that they are served on a sizzle plate. About food- the world champion, Gelateria Dondoli in San Gimignano always has a huge queue. Little hint, the other gelateria in that square is less famous but the gelato is just as exceptional, so there’s no need to queue at Dondoli!
The view from Al Gelso Bianco | © 2024 Kirstie McConnell of Classico Portraits
Getting around Chianti with your family
The Tuscan countryside is beautiful thanks to it’s rolling hills, but it’s those same hills that mean winding roads and few public transport options. Your best bet for ultimate flexibility is to hire a car (and don’t worry, driving up here is nothing like the stories you’ve heard from Amalfi!). Alternatively, there are many private drivers in the area who will provide a safe a comfortable option.
Hi, I’m Kirstie
Photographer and Australian expat living her best gelato life
Love of my husband (but mostly of cheese) brought me to Italy in 2020. He was desperate to be back with his Italian family. And honestly, what Aussie girl could pass up the chance to move to the land of pizza and gelato?! (Seeing a food theme here?)
My decade of photography experience was inspired by a trip of a lifetime. My grandparents took me on a trip to Europe when I was a teen, then gifted me an album so I’d never forget it. That album quickly became a staple of family visits and storytime.
When I moved to Italy, I was surprised how rare that type of printed keepsake is for the locals. It’s quite literally a foreign concept - tourists won’t find that type of session here.
It inspired me to recreate an experience for others as deeply meaningful to them as my grandparent’s infamous vacation album has been to me.
Read more about my grandparent’s legendary vacation album! →
So that’s my mission with Classico Portraits: to provide the same timeless centrepieces for families like yours visiting Italy.
Are you coming to Italy with your family? Let’s customise a photoshoot experience to suit you and your personality!
Vacations gift us the rare space to spend quality time together.
Hold onto these moments through quality photographs on your walls.
