Ponte a Serraglio has lost its lovely fruit and vegetable shop. Piera and her husband have run the shop since 2018 and it has been a great addition to the piazza. I liked to see Piera’s happy face and I loved watching her children playing before they went to school. I will miss them.
They have begun a new venture in Dieciemo and I wish them the best.
We have also lost Giampaolo and Maria Laura Calissi who have sold the Bridge Hotel after decades in Ponte a Serraglio. The well dressed Giampaolo has always been a friendly face in the piazza. They have certainly earned their retirement. I hope they enjoy wonderful times with their family.
It is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. I look forward to meeting the new owners and wish them every success.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
I randomly met the new owners of The Bridge Hotel back in September…he helped me with my translation and is a very nice man. I look forward to seeing what they do with the hotel!
Giampaolo was a lovely man. I stayed at the hotel when I was buying my apartment in Ponte a Serraglio. He was a charming host. I hope they are happy in their new lives. It will be interesting to see what the new people do.
Oh I’m sure they are going to be missed by the town. Hopefully the new businesses will be as successful as the two that left.
It is a pity to see them go. Giampaolo is 93 and will enjoy his retirement I am sure.
Life will be a bit easier for Piera and her husband running one business instead of 2.
Ho soggiornato all’Hotel Bridge dal 12 al 18 agosto 24. Era la prima volta che visitavo la casa natale del mio bisnonno dopo 50 anni. Mi sono subito innamorata di Bagni di Lucca e un po’ anche dell’Hotel Bridge. Purtroppo non parlo italiano e non ho potuto parlare con Giampaolo. Solo attraverso suo figlio siamo riusciti a parlare in inglese. Il signor Calissi aveva 93 anni e meritava di andare in pensione. È e rimarrà sicuramente una leggenda a Ponte a Serraglio, quest’uomo elegante e cortese.
I agree, Giampaolo was a gentleman. I stayed at the Bridge Hotel when I was buying my apartment in Ponte a Serraglio 20 years ago. He has always been kind, courteous and friendly.