Medieval family fun in Italy

If you are looking for family break this spring and are considering visiting Italy then the area around Piacenza has lots to offer.

One of the top attractions for families to while away a day is Gropparello Castle, which gives both adults and children alike plenty to do.

Open from now until November, the castle is in the rolling hills of the Emilia Romagna region, south of Piacenza.

Dating back to 810AD, Gropparello Castle's features include tall turrets, a large moat, secret passageways and ancestral banqueting halls.

Its hill-top location also means holidaymakers can get great views of the surrounding countryside, in particular from the nearby "Gole di Vezzeno", a hillside gorge which can be crossed on a rope bridge.

The castle also runs a wide variety of activities from foodie events, to educational courses to events such as a battle recreations, with English-speaking guides.

In the spring, one of the castle's top events is a medieval market, due to take place on May 13th 2007, with a medieval-style wedding also planned for June 3rd.

In September the castle's grape festival will also give children a chance to take part in wine-making, with young visitors helping tread the grapes to make what the castle calls "Vino dei Bambini" or children's wine.

There is more to see in the castle's grounds, which features a fairy tale park (Parco delle Fiabe) with knights, pixies and fairies, which recount medieval tales.

For adults interested in local foods and wine the castle offers its own menu with traditional regional food.

Additionally, Gropparello Castle is often included on the itinerary of the Piacenza local wine tour - Strada dei vini e dei sapori piacentini.

As well as Piacenza, the castle is close to the Italian Lakes, Venice, Verona, Milan and Florence.

Tickets cost €11.50 for children and €14.50 for adults.

For more information on getting to the castle see www.castellodigropparello.it

Piacenza also has a number of medieval sights, from churches such as Santa Maria in Campagna, the Duomo di Piacenza and the basilica of Saint Antonio, which has an impressive octagonal tower.

However, its most famous medieval attraction is the Palazzo Comunale, (or Palazzo Gotico as it is also known), a fantastically preserved building dating back to 1281, which has a series of large arches and is built partly using pink marble.

For more information about Piacenza see www.comune.piacenza.it/english/index.htm

For listings of places to stay see www.sintranet.it/sitidemo/turismo/inglese/default.asp

Return flights to Milan in April are available £99 return with British Airways (ba.com).