It is with regret that we have said farewell to the current owners of Circolo dei Forestieri in Bagni di Lucca.
We will all miss the smiling face of lovely Rita. She and her team have offered excellent, friendly service and lots of delicious food.
I will miss pasta fritta the most!
It simply was not possible to go to Circolo and not order pasta fritta. It is never as good anywhere else.
I wish Rita and her team the very best in the future. They have left big shoes to fill.
We will all be able to follow the progress of Villa Fiori now that the developers have an official website, Facebook page and Instagram.
Here are a couple of artist impressions of the new Villa Fiori.
When this is finished it will be an amazing asset to Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to watching it grow.
Here are the links to the website, Facebook and Instagram.
Website…https://www.villa-Fiori.com/
Facebook…https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578960026838
If yoy love chocolate you will want to go to Barga this weekend! I have been to this wonderful event in past years and I loved it! If you go have a hot chocolate for me.
The Barga in Chocolate event is on this year, 6th, 7th and 8th December. It is on each day from 10.00am until 7.00pm. You will find artisan chocolate shops along the streets and squares in the historical centre.
There will be entertainment as well…
Barga’s Befana meets children to receive their letters.
Live music
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Stalls with handcrafts and Christmas products
Chocolate workshops and activities for children
For more information please phone +39 331 3526137
Email…bargaincioccolato@gmail.com
There is lots going on in Bagni di Lucca for Christmas.
The Municipality of Bagni di Lucca and Pro Loco have launched a competition…The most beautiful window in Santa’s Valley 2025.
Shop owners are invited to decorate their windows. Then take a photo and send it to cultura@comunebagnidilucca.it by December 8, 2025.
Voting will take place exclusively online by “Liking” the photos.
The criteria for evaluation should be based on…
Coherence with the Christmas theme
Originality and creativity
Attention to lighting and details
Ability to create a festive atmosphere
The winner will be determined by the number of “Likes” registered by midnight on December 25, 2025.
The first three most voted shopfronts will win..
1st place…€100 local shopping voucher
2nd place…Christmas hamper €100
3rd place…€50 voucher
The winners will be awarded on 6th January 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Santa Claus Valley Lottery.
By participating, the contestants authorise the use of the photos for promotional purposes of the event. The organisation reserves the power to exclude exclude inappropriate or non-conforming images. In case of equal merit, a final draw may be made.
I think this is a great idea. Participants will help to make Bagni di Lucca look wonderful for the festive season. I hope there will be lots of fabulous Christmas windows.
Auser, the excellent shop for pre-loved items in Ponte a Serraglio has just been stocked with great things for Christmas.
There is also a new collection of household items to choose from.
You will find the shop in Ponte a Serraglio on the road towards Bagni di Lucca Villa, on the river side.
All proceeds from Auser go to charity.
The new opening hours for Auser are…
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 18.00
Bagni di Lucca is lucky to be home to the stunning Burlamacchi Villas. Owned by the historical Burlamacchi family, the beautiful villas are now managed by Francesca Burlamacchi. The original Villa has gradually been renovated and the property next door has been acquired and restored. The result is a magnificent property with two villas set in landscaped gardens, with a tranquil pool and fabulous views.
I visited recently with a friend and met charming Francesca Burlamacchi. What she has done with the villas is amazing. Her touch can be seen everywhere. Everything has been designed and chosen with love and great style. Nothing has been left to chance, there is a delightful surprise at every turn.
The main house was being cleaned after an event so I could not see inside. Francesca took me instead to the latest addition next door. The gardens have been connected and the two properties complement each other while each one has its own personality.
The house was known as Villa Bettini, then Casa Del Chiapa. The Burlamacchi family has renamed it Villa Shelly, in honour of Mary and Percy Shelley, who stayed in the house in the summer of 1818, shortly after the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. She is believed to have reworked the ending while sitting in a secluded area of the garden.
Mary Shelley’s garden retreat.
The rest of the garden is lovely too.
The interior of the house is gorgeous.
The view over the houses below.
One the way out I passed a crocodile who has been part of Burlamacchi Villas for a very long time.
Thank you Francesca and Paola for a delightful visit.
Burlamacchi Villas is available for holidays, weddings, corporate events, retreats. They also hold music events which the public is invited to attend.
Burlamacchi Villas…Via S Francesco, 6
Bagni di Lucca
Phone +39 3928903388
info@burlamacchivillas.it
La Corte di Laura is the restaurant in Granaiola that has taken the place of Biribisso. I went with friends a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed with the delightful service and the delicious food.
I wish I could show you more of the great food, but my friends and I all ordered the same things!
The first dish is the complimentary first taste.
Our first choice was a great success, a light pastry surrounding a wonderful chess filling with a drizzle of local honey.
This was followed by pork medallions and perfectly cooked new potatoes.
We were too full for dolce….next time.
La Corte di Laura is a great addition to the restaurant scene in Bagni di Lucca.
We need to be reminded regularly that we have a great shop in Ponte a Serraglio that sells excellent pre-loved items for your home. Anyone setting up home in Bagni di Lucca is bound to find lots of treasures.
I think you will agree that the shop is arranged very well. Congratulations to the team of people who keep this running. Best of all, the money from sales goes to help families in need.
Shop hours
Tuesday to Saturday….10.00am – 12.30pm…..5.00pm- 7.00pm
There is a small chocolate festival in Lucca this weekend. It opened today so I dropped by to see the chocolate delights on offer. The stands are in Piazza San Frediano, in front of the magnificent church.
For those of you who like chocolate…and who doesn’t?…head to Lucca this weekend.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 