Between Pisa and Florence, there is a small spa town in Tuscany called Montecatini Terme. Usually, when you think of Tuscany, wine, vineyards, spas, thermal baths, peace, and relaxation come to mind, all of which are considered more adult attractions. However, if you're planning a family vacation to the area, there are plenty of other activities that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both adults and children. A chance to bond with your family in one of the most beautiful places in the world is truly a privilege.

Parco di Pinocchio

Slightly northwest of Montecatini Terme lies the perfect place to take your kids, Parco di Pinocchio, or Pinocchio Park. Made in 1956, this incredibly lush theme park really makes you feel as if in a fairy tale. Make masks and puppets with your kids in the art workshops, listen to eloquent stories full of magic and mystery be told in the carriages of the fairies, or walk along the path of whispers. Your whole family is likely to be enthralled with the experience all day. An adult entrance ticket costs 11 Euros while a children's ticket costs 8 Euros. Pinocchio Park will provide you and your family a magical escape from reality in a gorgeous environment.

Collodi Butterfly House

Near Parco di Pinocchio is the Collodi Butterfly House. Made of crystal and stone, the butterfly house contains a humid, tropical garden with almost 1,000 butterflies from places all over the planet at different stages of development. There's even an audio-visual introduction to prepare you for the experience. Both kids and adults will be fascinated by the brilliant colors of the many butterflies and the lush plant life. An adult entrance ticket costs 13 Euros, and a ticket for children costs 10 Euros.

Montecatini Alto

Montecatini Alto is another point of interest for families, it is the old section of Montecatini Terme and has hundreds of years of history. You can take a step back into the past and see the ruins of a once spectacular castle that was destroyed over the years from battles. Half way up to Montecatini Alto is a beautiful place called Grotta Maona. It is the only cave in all of Italy with two hot springs leading into it. The grotto is well lit and has a path to walk down and the stunning mineral formations, stalactites, and stalagmites that have developed over thousands of years. The streams of water from the springs have carved out other formations including the so-called "petrified forest", "the nativity", "the waterfall", and "the colonnade".

Grocco Market

In the summer, you can visit the traditional Grocco Market with your kids. It offers a superb cultural experience and is the second most important market in all of Tuscany. Here you can see traditional Tuscan goods and foods being sold and advertised in an exuberant, sing song manner. It's worth a visit and is also a great place to buy souvenirs.