A night at the casino

Posted on April 30, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

The casino in Ponte a Serraglio was full of people last night. It is great to see that beautiful building open and full of life. There was delicious food with games to follow.

Annalisa and her crew from Bar Italia did a wonderful job with feeding the crowd who came along to support a great cause and have a fun evening.

Where would we be without Virgilio on an evening like this? He had some help with the games.

Money raised from the event will go to making improvements in the Ponte a Serraglio area.

This is an excellent initiative, well done to all those involved. There will be another chance to attend on 20th May. Keep the date free.

Festival of flowers for Saint Zita

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Every year at this time Lucca celebrates the life of one of its patron saints, Saint Zita, who has her own space in San Frediano church.

The Anfiteatro is filled with flower displays and options to buy.

The piazza in fruit of San Frediano also has flower displays.

We thought it fitting to have coffee at Caffe Saint Zita.

The festival last for a couple more days, until 27th April. It is a colourful time in lovely Lucca.

Il Mulino Vecchio in Fabbriche di Valico

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

There is an excellent restaurant in the small village of Fabbriche di Vallico, about 30 minutes from Bagni di Lucca. The food is good, local fare served by cheerful people…what more could you want?

The village is beside a small, but fast flowing river. We parked in the central car park and wandered through the village

The restaurant takes its name from the still operating flour mill, which is beside the restaurant building.

The mill dates from 1726. It still uses flowing water from the torrent to drive the machinery to make flour from chick peas, chestnuts, farro and wheat. The water flows under the mill.

We were given a tour of the mill before making our purchases. Grains are ground in different rooms.

On the ground floor is the shop where you can buy the flour.

After selecting our flour we walked next door to the restaurant. It was a cool day so we sat inside. There is an open area which would be lovely in summer.

The food is typical of the area. We enjoyed our delicious lunch and mill tour.

Fabricche di Vallico is a pretty drive from Bagni di Lucca, well worth a visit.

Coming up

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Events coming up this month.

Villa Fiori park

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Fiori park is full of yellow flowers right now. I know they are weeds, but they do look pretty.

They will be gone when the grass is mowed.

The trees along the river are growing leaves. Soon they will be bright green.

Spring is here.

Coming up

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Don’t forget Verdemura, the excellent garden show on the walls of Lucca. 31st March, 1st April and 2nd April. http://www.verdemura.it

Also in Lucca is the Sicilian Festival on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th April.

At the casino in Ponte a Serraglio on 15th April.

Casino tour

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

This weekend FAI (a bit like the National Trust) organised walking tours of the Casino and Bernabo Spa in Ponte a Serraglio. The tours were extremely well attended on Saturday and Sunday, bringing lots of new people to the area.

Our tour began at the casino. It is the first purpose built casino in Europe. Carlo Lodovico di Borbone commissioned Giuseppe Pardini to build it in 1837.

We then walked up the hill to the Bernabo Spa. It has been beautifully restored and offers a range of treatments along with a fabulous deep marble bath and natural steam rooms.