20 August 2026
Florence
If your little boy asks whether you can play in Florence as you are packing your bags, or your little girl wonders whether she will see Snow White on your trip to Florence, have no fear. You can answer, “Of course!”
It would be stretching the imagination to imagine seeing Snow White and the seven dwarfs actually walking along the River Arno, but in November Florence is hosting a special event for lovers of magic and fairy tales in film. AniMa is dedicated to dream builders, and is all about how the characters in animated fairy tales were created. If, on the other hand, your little companions prefer more solid constructions, built one brick at a time, a world of Lego is yours for playing together or collecting hard-to-find pieces. Staying at Palazzo Castri, with its excellent location, makes it the ideal place for planning a holiday in Florence not only for you but also for your children, so you can enjoy an unforgettable stay together.
I Love Lego
Remember the famous coloured bricks, the ones you tread on when you are barefoot or find in the most unexpected corners of your house? Millions and millions of children have spent hours and hours building, demolishing, inventing and following instructions while you were busy doing something else. Or were you even more involved than your children in building an almost perfect colourful world of bricks? I LOVE LEGO is being held at the Museo degli Innocenti in Piazza SS. Annunziata in Florence, just a short walk from Palazzo Castri 1874. You will be able to see reproduction of Florence’s most famous monuments and Lego versions of the most famous oil paintings in the history of art – from the Mona Lisa to Frida Kahlo. You can not only look at these creations, you can also have a go at making and unmaking models. There are plenty of workshops for families wanting to play and have fun together, as well as Lego enthusiasts who like to go back to being children. For information and bookings www.ilovelegofirenze.it. N.B. The world of Lego is only around until January 2022. Book now to make the most of our offers!
AniMA Animated Film Cartoon by Cartoon
Palazzo Medici Riccardi is hosting for the first time more than 500 original drawings from Disney’s masterpieces. This is a great way to find out about how famous Disney classics such as “Sleeping Beauty”, Snow White”, “Robin Hood”, “101 Dalmations”, “The Sword in the Stone” and “Anastasia” were created, but also the original TV “cartoons” by Hanna-Barbera, famous Japanese animations from the 1990s and many other animated productions up to the present day, such as “The Land before Time” and “An American Tail”.
Amarcord with Micky Mouse drawings from the 1930s and a cartoon on dinosaurs from as long ago as 1914. This is the link to the exhibition: http://www.palazzomediciriccardi.it/project/anima-la-magia-del-cinema-danimazione-da-biancaneve-a-goldrake/
It is not a static exhibition. You and your children will be able to see how cartoon characters come to life, and become “real”. The educational section illustrates the history of cartoons from drawings to computers and reveal the secrets of animation.
It will be an unforgettable holiday for your children, and for the child in you. The magic of animation and construction, and the discovery of the world that lies behind the world of their imagination, will be both stimulating and amazing. A holiday made up of playing and learning may reveal unexpected interests and passions in your children.
After so much playing… time for tea!
Let’s continue our Florentine afternoon with a puzzle. I challenge you and your children to one last game. Who remembers which Disney cartoon had a strange but fun tea party? I’ll give you a clue. The little girl was blonde, and sometimes she was big, sometimes she was small. The rabbit never had time, and the gentleman in the hat was a little bit mad! Well done! It was Alice in Wonderland. Do you remember what they used to say? “It’s always tea time!”. You will find a touch of that magic and pleasure at our Boutique Hotel, so make sure you book a place at the traditional appointment for guests at Palazzo Castri – afternoon tea with our hand-crafted cakes, desserts and pastries at the Florentia Cafè, every day from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Don’t be in a rush like the White Rabbit. Sit down and enjoy our à la carte selection. After all you are celebrating your family and being on holiday. Cheesecake with citrus sauce, Three cantuccini with Vin Santo, Dark chocolate tartlet with a white chocolate heart…
Let’s go back to being children and let’s do it properly, because here at Palazzo Castri you can, here even the sweet items are of excellent quality!
And waking up will also be sweet with our special breakfasts. The Sweet Counter with hand-crafted cakes and biscuits and croissants, the Wellness Table with yoghurt, milk, cereals and our natural fruit juices, or the American Counter, for a savoury breakfast with local salami and cheese, with gluten-free and vegan options available on request.
A playful and sweet November awaits you in Florence, for a fun-packed autumn!
