We stay for a week in the Botticelli apartment at Tenuta Torre Rossa Farm & Apartments just outside Florence, and immediately feel at home. The apartment is warm, peaceful, and spacious — exactly what we need with our two little ones: a toddler of two and a baby of just two months. One of the things we love most is the private garden, where our baby can nap in the fresh air while we enjoy long breakfasts under the trees. It’s the kind of calm luxury that feels rare when travelling with very young children.
The entrance of the owner’s farm building
Our toddler has the time of her life. The daughter of the owner comes to play every now and then, which is such a sweet and unexpected bonus. Watching them play together in the garden is one of those simple holiday moments that stay with you. It’s a moment of fun while we take a moment to rest — a true gift when travelling with small kids.
The Botticelli apartment has everything we need: a well-equipped kitchen, lovely living spaces. With a baby, one room extra would have been handy, for naps and winding down. The interiors have clearly changed since our original stay — everything looks even more beautiful now, with soft colours and a stylish mix of old and new. The shared pool is still stunning, but back in March/April, it’s quite cool — too cold for our baby. We wonder if it’s heated now? That would make a spring visit even more perfect for families with little ones.
From Torre Rossa, it’s an easy drive into Florence, where we even visit a museum with our baby and toddler in tow. The calm spring season makes it manageable — staff are welcoming, and there’s space to explore without crowds. The surrounding hills offer lovely short drives and nature walks, and we imagine that families with older kids could spend hours exploring the countryside, visiting farms, or enjoying local markets.
Florence is, of course, the birthplace of the Renaissance — and you feel that artistic legacy everywhere. Just walking the streets, you realise you’re in the city where Michelangelo sculpted David, where Botticelli (yes, the name of our apartment!) painted The Birth of Venus, and where the powerful Medici family once ruled and funded some of the world’s greatest art. It’s also fun to know that the very first piano was invented right here in Florence — a cool fact for any music-loving kids.
A short drive away, the famous leaning tower of Pisa adds a playful touch to any day trip — kids love hearing that the builders just kept going even after the tower started tilting. And if you're travelling with story-loving children, don’t miss that the beloved tale of Pinocchio was written by a Tuscan author. There’s even a Pinocchio Park in Collodi, not far from Florence.
We notice from recent photos that there’s now a gym, a playground and a room with a table tennis table — those weren’t there during our stay, but they look like great additions. It feels like the kind of place that grows with your family — relaxing for parents, and full of potential for older kids to explore. We’d love to know if there are even more new family-friendly activities now, like cooking classes, hikes or food tastings.
Torre Rossa is one of those beautiful places that offers comfort, privacy, and lots of freedom — and somehow makes travelling with a baby and a toddler feel easy. We’d go back in a heartbeat.
WOW
# the peaceful private garden, perfect for newborn naps and toddler play.
# the timeless Tuscan setting, with Florence just around the corner.
# the layers of art, stories, and history that make Tuscany magical for all ages.
