Charlotte Reather and her family saved money by booking a Tuscan holiday park at Hu Norcenni Girasole instead of a trip to Center Parcs.
Reather travelled with her husband Ed and their two daughters, 11-year-old Tallulah and nine-year-old Matilda. The family sought a destination offering culture, outdoor adventure, and facilities comparable to a British holiday park.
Located in the Tuscan hills 30 minutes from Florence, Hu Norcenni Girasole is a Eurocamp campsite and holiday park set in the Chianti wine region. Reather selected the location after finding it listed among Eurocamp's cheapest options.
Prices for a seven-night stay during May half-term started at £289 for a tent or £380 for a Classic holiday home. By comparison, a four-night break for a family of four at Center Parcs in the UK started at £1,499 over the same period.
Comparing Costs With British Holiday Parks
The family arrived at Florence Airport, collected a hire car, and drove to the park. Reather noted that initial concerns about wristbands, queueing, and mediocre buffets vanished after sampling the resort's handmade pizzas.
The group stayed in a two-bedroom Premium holiday home that sleeps up to six people. The accommodation featured an outdoor deck, a covered alfresco dining area, a gas barbecue, and a small kitchen surrounded by cypress trees and rolling green hills.
To stock up on food, the family visited a Co-op supermarket in nearby Figline Valdarno. The store offered regional Italian produce, including locally made buffalo mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and focaccia.
A price comparison for peak summer travel shows that a week in a Comfort holiday home sleeping four at Hu Norcenni Girasole in July or August 2027 starts at £864 through Eurocamp. Return British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Florence for four people cost £584 via Booking.com, while a week of car rental through Locauto costs £333, bringing the total trip cost to £1,781.
In contrast, a seven-night stay in a woodland lodge sleeping four at the Center Parcs Whinfell Forest site in Cumbria next summer starts at £1,928. Booking the Italian holiday park yields an overall saving of £147 despite including flights and car hire.
Pools and On-Site Activities
Hu Norcenni Girasole features eight swimming pools and six waterslides, including a lagoon complex and a lap pool. Reather described drifting between the pools under clear skies as preferable to indoor swimming domes back in Britain.
The resort offers activities for children and adults. Tallulah participated in morning football sessions, while Matilda ordered from a sun lounger mocktail menu. Additional facilities include tennis courts, volleyball, mini golf, a gym, and a spa.
The park also provides optional activities such as treetop zip wires, horse riding, e-bike tours, cookery classes, and wine tastings. Guests can also visit nearby settlements, including Greve in Chianti and the medieval town of San Giovanni Valdarno.
Exploring Local Tuscan Towns and Florence
During the stay, the family took a train from Figline Valdarno to Florence for a day trip. The excursion included visits to the Boboli Gardens and historic landmarks such as the Duomo, Santa Croce, and Michelangelo's David.
For lunch in Florence, the family ate at Mercato Centrale. They ordered wild boar ragu and truffle ravioli at The Pasta by Famiglia Michelis stall inside the food hall.
Excursions to Nearby Estates and Vineyards
The family also used a shuttle service to visit La Palagina, a nearby vineyard and farm operated by the owners of Hu Norcenni Girasole. The estate provided a complimentary beekeeping and honey-tasting experience.
On another evening, the family dined at Tenuta Il Palagio, a Tuscan estate owned by musician Sting. Reather booked the venue for its setting and live music before discovering its celebrity ownership.
Reather concluded that while UK holiday parks offer convenience with no flights or rental cars required, the Tuscan resort delivered better value, warmer weather, regional cuisine, and scenic surroundings.
