Via di Norcenni 7, Figline e Incisa Valdarno, Italy | (251) 219-4428
Well-maintained wooded property covering over 55 acres
Within day-tripping distance of many top Tuscan sights
Compact yet comfy accommodations, most with kitchens
Some include AC, dishwashers, BBQs, or whirlpools
Hotel rooms, prospector tents, and campsites also available
Fun, family-friendly vibe plus children’s programming
A solid selection of restaurants, bars, and food shops
Aquatic areas for both frolicking kids and serious swimmers
On-site rope course, tennis courts, and amphitheater
Wellness Center for adults and bike rentals for all
Potentially crowded and noisy in peak periods
Some programming only available in summer
Most accommodation types lack design sense
Only those in Villa Norcenni come with TVs
Wi-Fi is free but patchy outside of public areas
Seasonal operation (just open mid-April to mid-October)
This park-like upper-middle-range option, located midway between Florence and Arezzo, is aimed squarely at young families. In terms of kid-friendly features, it has almost everything under the Tuscan sun, including a pair of cool aquatic complexes, multiple eateries, children’s programs, plus an amphitheater for entertainment. The lodgings, too, are family-oriented, with choices running the gamut from mobile homes, cabins, and apartments to hotel rooms and even prospectors tents—most of which have appreciated perks like kitchens and bunkbeds. The downside is that the digs are short on style, and the property as a whole is prone to crowding in peak season. If you’d prefer elegant accommodations that aren't overrun, consider Villa la Borghetta instead; it’s an upscale alternative that’s just a 10-minute drive away.
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Scene
A sprawling summertime playground for young families
Norcenni Girasole feels like a big summer camp for families—and we do mean big. Spread over 55-odd hillside acres, the lush wooded property is divided into an upper and lower section, with a pool complex anchoring each. These are linked by a little train that does the loop regularly, thereby making the site manageable. The peak season crowds are another story. At times they can clog the many recreational facilities and slow down service all around. Though good natured, they can also be noisy, even when they’ve stopped splashing in the pools or zipping around the soccer pitches. After hours, evening entertainment kicks in (think talent competitions, themed parties, evening shows in the open-air amphitheater, plus discos for adults and kids alike); and, if you’re not participating, the noise from competing venues can be off putting. Things quiet down considerably in spring and summer. The caveat then is that not all programs are operating at full steam.
Location
In the Chianti countryside, 40 minutes southeast of Florence
Draped across a Chianti hillside, Norcenni Girasole enjoys a scenic setting. Because there's so much to do on-site, many guests are content to spend their entire vacation within the confines of the club; however, if you can’t resist Tuscany’s classic temptations (and who can?), there are boundless opportunities off-site as well. After all, the resort is situated midway between Florence and Arezzo, offering access to both in under 50 minutes. Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa are also within a 75-minute drive. Guests more interested in shopping than culture can load up on luxe Italian labels at The Mall’s outlet stores, which are closer still.Lead by multilingual guides, add-on excursions to beloved destinations depart from the club most days, numbers permitting. Hillside horseback rides and cycle tours through the surrounding vineyards are also offered, while bike and scooter rentals are available for DIY types. If you’ve brought your own car, there is free parking on-site. If not, you can take advantage of a shuttle connecting the club to the train station in nearby Figline Valdarno, which serves the Florence–Rome rail line. Taxi transfers to the airport in Florence can be arranged as well.- Nine-minute drive to Figline Valdarnois Station
Rooms
Expect a wide range of compact accommodations, most with kitchens.
Working perhaps under the assumption that guests will spend little time inside, Norcenni Girasole doesn’t lavish attention on its lodgings. They mostly consist of ho-hum mobile homes featuring a small but serviceable kitchen outfitted with a four-burner stove-top, microwave, and full-size fridge, plus two bedrooms and, in some cases two shower-only bathrooms. Furnished decks double as the main living areas, but the units are typically so tightly clustered that these don’t afford much privacy. Depending on the model, there may be added bonuses (such as a dishwasher, BBQ or whirlpool); however, all include air-conditioning and linens—neither of which can be taken for granted in resorts of this kind. Multi-bedded cabins take things up a notch aesthetically, as do the accommodations in Villa Norcenni, an historic stone farmhouse containing both standard hotel rooms and holiday apartments. Although not all have AC, their cleaner lines and typical Tuscan touches (most notably beamed ceilings), help compensate. Rustic, kitchen-equipped prospector tents and shaded camping pitches are available, too.Because the club is geared to families, cribs and other kiddy gear can be reserved for in-room use; ditto for Nintendo or PS3 gaming systems. If you need a TV, though, you'll have to book into Villa Norcenni because it's the only unit with them. As for the free Wi-Fi, it’s spotty in units across the property.
Features
An enviable selection of pools leads the long list.
Waterpark-style facilities (including an Olympic-sized pool, a lagoon one with a lazy river, and a covered version for inclement days) are the biggest draws here, and the presence of waterslides and inflatable toys underscores the family-friendly atmosphere. Full-day programs for tots to teens also cater to the younger set, offering age-appropriate supervised activities. An Adventure Park with play zones and a specially-designed rope course offers further fun for kids. Adults, on the other hand, can retreat to the Wellness Center, which houses a bright but comparatively small fitness room plus a spa where a sauna, steam bath, salon and treatment rooms are available at extra charge. Tennis courts, sports fields, a mini-golf course and a games room provide more recreational opportunities for all ages.Norcenni Girasole also boasts an assortment of eateries, including a traditional Tuscan ristorante, a pizzeria and a gelateria with frozen treats made in-house. Guests who'd rather do their own cooking can buy supplies at two surprisingly well-stocked mini-marts. Additional on-site shops sell sundries, fun-in-the-sun essentials, and—this being Chianti—local wines. More wine is poured at weekly tastings on Villa Norcenni's terrace, and there’s a big bar with a vintage Italian look for some serious imbibing. A full slate of after-dark entertainment completes the picture.
