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The four-star Hotel Terme di Saturnia is built around this sulphur spring, whose warm waters and mineral-rich mud are held to aid the skin and respiratory system. A fitness centre is attached to the hotel, and there are also opportunities for riding. (see Saturnia)

After Saturnia’s sulphur-laden hot spring bursts out of the ground it rushes over a long slope of open-air whirlpools, a rough staircase of waterfalls and small azure pools. There, you can lie back in the warm, bubbly waters and relax. (see Saturnia)

An extra bed costs at most 35% more; cots and baby cribs even less.

Siena may have grown to small city size, but it retains a homey, hill-town atmosphere. Its travertine-accented brick palaces, stone towers and fabulously decorated churches are strung along three high ridges at the south end of the Chianti hills. (see Siena’s Duomo)

Ridotto tickets are for students and under 18s. Admission may be free under age 6, 12 or even 18 (especially for EU citizens).

Sorano is an ancient Etruscan hill town literally slipping off its rocky outcrop. The restored 13th-century Aldobrandeschi fortress (expanded by the Orisini in 1552), is now partly medieval museum and partly hotel (see Banking and Communications). The 18th-century Massa Leopoldino fortress is also open to visitors.

This modest hamlet was once an Etruscan city, Roman Municipium , and birthplace of 11th-century Aldobrandeschi Pope Gregory “Hildebrand” VII, who reigned for 60 years. On the main square are a medieval Palazzo Pretorio and Santa Maria church, which contains 15th-century frescoes and a rare 9th-century altar canopy. The Duomo on the edge of town preserves carvings from the Dark Ages. The surrounding hills and valley are littered with signposted Etruscan tombs, altars and vie cave (see The Southern Coast and Maremma); the best is the Tomba Ildebranda.

Florence’s religious heart: Giotto’s lithe belltower, the Baptistry’s Gates of Paradise and Byzantine mosaics, and the Duomo museum’s Michelangelo and Donatello sculptures – all lorded over by Brunelleschi’s dome, a miracle of Renaissance engineering and architecture.

With the “Offerta Famiglie” for groups of two adults and one child under 12, the child travels free, although extra services, such as sleeping cars, cost the regular price.

It saves money, makes for a fun outing, lets the children eat what they want, and gives them a break from all those restaurants where they have to be on their best behaviour.