The Best Summer Trip Ideas with Kids! If you’re traveling to Italy with kids, this niche travel idea will excite your kids!
The medieval town of Arezzo is located in Tuscany's heart, where Saracen jousting (Giostra di Saracino) is held twice every summer. This festival is one of Tuscany's oldest traditions, attracting visitors worldwide for centuries.
The whole city dresses in medieval costumes during the festival, and knights from town quarters compete for the golden spear! (You may leave it to the kids to study the background and history, competition rules, etc., allowing them to enjoy the process and develop their research abilities and skills.)
Since the Middle Ages, jousting tournaments have been how Arezzo celebrates special events. The spectacles are popular and repeated on special occasions. The tradition of jousting has come and gone over the centuries, and it has been held twice a year since 1931 (except during World War II).
** Dates: The Arezzo Jousting Festival takes place on the third (or fourth) Saturday of June and the first Sunday of September (please check the official website for specific dates each year). There is a week of warm-up activities before the festival, such as oaths, sortition, drills, historical reenactments, medieval feasts, artisan markets, and more. If you are not available to visit Arezzo on the day of the festival, you can also go a week before the festival to experience the joy and excitement of the pre-festival.
**Highlights of Festivals:
- Jousting: Watch as knights charge on horseback, aiming to hit wooden targets with their spears. Accuracy, speed, and passion create a thrilling spectacle.
- Parades and Pageants: immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere with dazzling parades.
- Historical Reenactments: Experience the sights and sounds of medieval life through reenactments, artisan markets, and exhibitions.
Mission Tips:
- How to get there: Arezzo is easily accessible by train from major cities such as Florence and Rome. If you are driving, several parking areas are available on the city's outskirts.
- Accommodation: Try to book accommodation in advance during the festival. You can also consider staying in a nearby Tuscan agriturismo, which includes beds and breakfast. Some agriturismos offer exciting events, such as pizza or pasta cooking classes.
- In addition to the spectacle, explore cultural treasures such as Arezzo's historic Piazza Grande, the Cathedral of San Francesco, museums, well-preserved medieval architecture, and precious art galleries.
- Food: Indulge in Tuscan cuisine at local bistros and restaurants, and don’t forget to pair it with a glass of Chianti!
- Souvenirs: handmade ceramics, leather goods, locally produced olive oil and wine, and more.
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