Hello my friends. 😍 In this post I’ll take you to the serene atmosphere of Tuscany. It was an unusually cold morning in Florence. The temperature was just 2 degrees Celsius and it had dropped even lower earlier that morning. My sister, her kids and I set out early. Our first stop was a place offering horseback riding lessons. Among the morning activities, my nephew and I had a riding lesson together. It was both fun and an energetic way to start the day.
After the riding lesson we enjoyed a delightful lunch outdoors. The nature of Florence, especially in winter, provides a sense of tranquility that is hard to describe. After lunch our next stop was an educational farm designed for children. The educational farm was a fantastic place that introduced kids to agriculture and animals. It offered an opportunity to learn how animals live, what they eat and how farm life operates in general. While the children had previously visited similar places with their schools, this was our first time experiencing it as a family. For my nephews, it was both educational and incredibly enjoyable.
Spending the day at the farm reminded me once again how different and fascinating rural life in Italy is. We chose a farm located about an hour away from Florence. Along the way we passed through a few charming towns like Monte Rioni. I even wrote a separate post about this town, but I haven’t shared it yet. The journey itself was entertaining for the kids. But when we arrived at the farm, they fell asleep, which slightly altered our plans. Still, we preferred them taking a short nap to being tired and cranky.
The landscape south of Florence was noticeably different from the city surroundings. Approaching the farm, nestled among gentle hills, we initially felt a bit disappointed to find it right off the main road. However, we soon discovered its unique charm.
The farm we visited was called Fattoria Pernici. It didn’t resemble a traditional farmhouse but rather consisted of a large open area and shelters for various animals. We were first greeted by Tuscan sheepdogs. The farm worker a friendly and passionate individual, began introducing us to the animals. We quickly learned that the stars of the farm were the alpacas. They were at the heart of many educational and fun activities for both children and tourists. Each alpaca had its own name and the staff humorously shared their personalities with us.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the animals at this farm was their identity confusion. For instance, a baby deer named Lulu had been rejected by its mother and raised by dogs, so it believed it was a dog.
Similarly a sheep named Silvia had grown up among deer and thought of herself as one. Each animal interacted with us in a delightful and memorable way.
During our visit, we also got to meet rabbits, guinea pigs and the other residents of the farm. One of the cutest animals was a tiny goat. The children had the opportunity to interact with the animals and learn about their lifestyles and habits.
This farm offers an unforgettable experience, not just for kids but for people of all ages. The natural behavior of the animals and their voluntary interaction with humans make this place unique. Spending time with rabbits, donkeys, alpacas and even emus gave us a chance to connect more deeply with nature.
Although the farm was far from the classic farmhouse image, it captivated us with its warmth and authenticity. Hearing each animal's story was like opening a window to their unique world. This visit was both entertaining and educational, adding to the memories of a wonderful day we spent as a family. If you ever find yourself in the area, I highly recommend stopping by.
Throughout our visit we encountered many delightful details that amazed and amused us. One of these was the affection and hospitality of the farm’s residents. We especially enjoyed meeting an emu that loved to give hugs. Its insistence might be a bit intimidating for some visitors, but for our family who grew up with dogs it was nothing unusual. The emu's playful and energetic demeanor brought lots of laughter.
We also saw a skunk in person for the first time. It was small, fluffy and quite adorable. Unfortunately, the skunk wasn’t very sociable, so we had to admire it from a distance. Behind a tree, we also spotted a cheerful wild boar or rather, a female wild boar wagging her tail. Encountering these animals, commonly seen in Tuscany’s forests, in their tame form here was both surprising and delightful.
Finally we met a charming wild boar named Nina. With her slender snout and lively demeanor, she made us smile. As we said goodbye to the farm’s residents, we experienced a heartfelt moment. Many of the animals here had been rescued from challenging circumstances and were cared for with love. The farm staff shared each animal’s story with great passion and the warmth of the place deeply touched us.
After the visit we chatted with the kids about their favorite animals. One of them said he loved a mischievous little guinea pig, while my youngest nephew enthusiastically shouted, Alpaca. On our way home we dreamed of our ideal farm filled with alpacas, guinea pigs and maybe even a wild boar.
During the drive, we reflected on how this visit impacted us. Seeing a place free of labels and categories, where everything was accepted as it is, left a lasting impression. It was both an educational and soothing experience.
Finally as we headed back, Siena’s historic silhouette reminded me that I’d soon return to cultural explorations. However, I hope this slice-of-life format has been enjoyable for you. Thank you for reading and taking the time to join me on this journey. Until our next adventure, see you soon.
