Riverside
LUNGARNO BEACH
Following
the example of Paris, London, Rome
and Berlin, Florence
opened its first beach and bathing area along the banks of the Arno.
Located just under the San Niccolò ramp, near Piazza Poggi, the so-called Lungarno Beach
is equipped with sand, walking paths, complementary lounge chairs and
umbrellas, a volleyball court, a bar, showers and three large cabanas to
provide shade in hotter-than-normal temperatures. Because the Arno River
is not fit for bathing, the cabanas feature vaporizers to give fast heat
relief. What better place to kick back and relax at your lunch break or for the
afternoon than here-immersed in the architectural and artistic jewels of
Renaissance Florence, deep in the heart of the city.
Find your chi along the Arno’s
banks by participating in one of the yoga classes available for both children
and adults. Lessons are held by yoga masters at ‘Yoga Firenze’. If that doesn’t
rock your boat, then drop by for a près dinner aperitif and delight in
the ‘PLAY!ART NOW_IN3CCI I love my toys’ retrospective, a combination of video,
dance and audio performances that offer a multi-sensorial experience.
Lungarno beach, open from 10am to 10pm until September 14. Includes a fenced playground for
children, and a walking path leading to Ponte alle Grazie. Free entrance.
Lakeside
BILANCINO LAKE IN THE MUGELLO
Although
it may seem like a natural lake at first sight, Bilancino is Tuscany’s
largest artificial lake. Located in the Mugello area, it is the main source of
fresh, clean water for the surrounding citys of Florence, Prato
and Pistoia.
It is home to the 25-hectre Gabbianello WWF Oasis, where flocks of mallards,
storks, cranes and pink flamingos live.
Bilancino Lake offers
many summer recreational and sporting activities. Discover little-known
mountain villas, refuges and retreats, former monasteries and local farms by
windsurfing, sailing, hiking or mountain biking in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
See www.bilancinolagoditoscana.it
Gruppo Escursionisti Barberinesi
via B. Corsini, Barberino di Mugello;
328/5475574 – www.geb.135.it
Team Bike Barberino
329/ 0040444 – www.teambikebarberino.it
Circolo Nautico Mugello
via Guido Rossa 9, Borgo S. Lorenzo;
055/8494051 – www.circolonauticomugello.it
Bagnomaria Beach
Loc. Moriano – Lago di Bilancino, Barberino
di Mugello; 339/6745032 – www.bagnomaria.com
Windsurf center Kia Orana Beach
Nebbiaia-est, S.Giovanni, Lago di Bilancino,
347/3541068, www.kiaorana.it – www.lagodibilancinosurf.it
Windsurf Club Lago di Bilancino
www.windsurfclublagobilancino.it
How to get there:
BY CAR
Take Highway A1 Milano-Roma-Napoli (Autostrada del Sole).
Exit at Barberino di Mugello. Beyond
the tollbooth turn right at the first crossing, then right at the roundabout. From
Florence, take the SS 65, passing Trespiano, Pian di San Bartolo, Pratolino,
Vaglia, Campomigliaio, Novoli, Cafaggiolo until you reach Lake Bilancino (km.
35).
BY BUS
From Firenze to Barberino di Mugello and from Prato to
Barberino di Mugello
AUTOLINEA SITA – www.sita-on-line.it
AUTOLINEA CAP – www.capautolinee.it
FLORENTIA BUS – www.florentiabus.it
BY TRAIN
San Piero a
Sieve – Faentina Railway Line – San Piero a Sieve Railway Station (km 12).
From San
Piero a Sieve Railway Station by bus (SITA, CAP and FLORENTIA BUS) to Barberino
di Mugello
FERROVIE ITALIANE – www.trenitalia.it
Renai Lake in Signa
Located
in the Signa area, just southwest of Florence, Renai Lake
offers an array of sporting activities to help sports and nature lovers keep
fit and relax alfresco. From beach volleyball to football fields, tennis courts
and cycle paths, the 24-hectre park complex features a lakeside beach, complete
with sand and lounge chairs, a swimming pool, bird and wildlife watching
facilities, an indoor restaurant, bar and pizzeria, a rock climbing wall and
skateboarding facilities. Restrooms, changing rooms with showers and an
infirmary are also offered. Participate or take classes in water sports like
kayaking, windsurfing, canoeing and sailing.
Parco dei Renai
Signa, 349/8852179, www.parcorenai.it
How to get there:
Take the Fi-Pi-Li regional motorway, exit at Lastra a Signa. Continue in the
direction of Signa. Once you have arrived in Signa, take via Roma until via Argine Strada. Turn right
at the first small bridge and continue until you reach the park entrance.
