Category Archives: People

A wonderful gift for Bagni di Lucca

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Two delightful newcomers to Bagni di Lucca have given a wonderful gift to the community. David Gebhart and Frederick Rayner, the new owners of Villa Elena have donated a grand piano, which will now be housed in the casino, where everyone will have the chance to see and hear it.

The mayor was at the casino to accept the gift on behalf of the community.

There is a lovely story attached to the piano. David’s grandmother, Lula Ethel Aubrey, wanted David to learn to play the piano, so she paid for lessons for him from the age of 5 to 16.

She also knew he would like a piano of his own, so she paid a large deposit for a grand piano for him 40 years ago. Soon after making the down payment she passed away and David had to continue. He did so within 2 years.

David and Frederick had planned to keep their Dallas apartment and the piano was to be left there. A change of mind meant the apartment was sold, and, as they already had a piano in the new house, something had to be done with David’s piano.

They generously decided to donate it to their new community and the casino was chosen as the best place for it to be, where it could be enjoyed by everyone.

David and Frederick have also contributed to the community with the amazing restoration of Villa Elena, one of Bagni di Lucca’s grand houses. I’m sure it looks better now than it ever did. The work has taken a couple of years, providing work for many local trades people and local suppliers. They are a welcome addition to Bagni di Lucca.

Thank you David and Frederick.

 

Circolo dei Forestieri closes

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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.

The first Bagni di Lucca games

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Someone in Bagni di Lucca had a great idea to bring together the people of the villages that make up the town. Then an amazing group of people pulled it all together to create a wonderfully successful event for everyone to enjoy..


Four teams were organised to compete in a friendly and fun way against each other in a series of games over a few weeks…rafting, tug of war, trivia, padel ball and much more.

This is just one week’s events.

The four teams were created…Trota (Trout) with Benabbio, Lugliano, Val di Lima and Controneria. Granchio (Crab) with Ponte a Serraglio, Granaiola and Montefegatese. Vipera (Viper) with Villa, Corsena and Paretaio. Elk (Dell’Alce) with Fornoli and Fegana.

Here are some photos from the games. I was only here for the final event in Bagni di Lucca  Villa. All other photos I have scavenged from Facebook.

And the winner was…

Actually the winner was Bagni di Lucca and the people who live in this beautiful town. There was something for everyone and as you can see from the happy faces of the audiences, fun was had by all. What a great way to bring the community together and encourage pride in the town.

Congratulations to the Comune and all of the people who made this happen, the amazing organisers, the participants and the audiences who cheered them on. I would expect it will become a much loved annual event.

Magic at Villa Aurora

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Ristorante Villa Aurora, in Fabbriche di Casabasciana, is a much loved restaurant in Bagni di Lucca. The delightful owner and chef, Ferdinando, has been cooking up a storm for years.

Regular customer and friend, Richard Macrory, Professor of Environmental Law in the UK, and amateur magician, is going to put on a magic show in honour of Ferdinando to thank him for his friendship and all of the delicious meals he has eaten there over many years.

The event will take place on Monday 8th of September at 9.00pm. Come for dinner and enjoy a free magic and illusion show with Richard and his assistants, Christian Boscarino and Monica Paolinelli.

It promises be a fun and delicious evening and a chance to thank Ferdinando for his work.

Please call Ristorante Villa Aurora for more information and to book a table. There is limited seating so book early.

Phone (39) 0583 85600

Bagni di Lucca gin

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Two young local men have developed a very special gin. Leonardo Vitali and Federico Monterastelli, while sitting at a restaurant in Casoli, decided to conceive and design their own gin.

They didn’t know much about making gin so they studied, researched and took a master distiller course and started experimenting. After testing more than 50 herbs spices to flavour the gin they chose 11, including lemon balm, peppermint, angelica, rose, acacia and licorice for 2 types of gin.

They chose the name Realia for its meaning, authentic things. Every aspect of the production has been thought out carefully by the 2 young men, leaving nothing to chance.

It is possible to taste Realia gin at Bar Roma, La Cantabruna and Tenuta La Fratta farmhouse. Bottles can be purchased at Nonsolovino wine shop in Bagni di Lucca Villa.

It is excellent to see young people doing innovative things in Bagni di Lucca! I wish them success for the future.

Bar Italia reopens

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We have missed Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio for the last 12 days. Annalisa reopened the bar in spectacular style with a party. Friends came from near and far.

There was music and lots of food and wine.

Our lovely baristas were back on deck.

The cabinets were full of delights…as usual.

The counter was covered in flowers.

I had a quick look at the new area.

I have chosen my seat for breakfast every morning.

I love the new area!

The new Tabacchi setup looks good.

I think my favourite young customer has set the mood for the revamped Bar Italia.

The party went well into the night and fun was had by all.

Congratulations Annalisa and crew. The expanded Bar Italia is a great success and I look forward to many breakfasts, lunches and aperitivo.

Bar Italia is expanding

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We are very lucky in Ponte a Serraglio to have Bar Italia. It is open from early in the morning until late at night every day of the year. I go every morning for coffee when I am in Ponte a Serraglio, a perfect start to the day.

Recently, owner and barista extraordinaire, Annalisa, took over the Tabacchi beside the bar. The space is being renovated and will reopen soon as an extension of Bar Italia. All Tabacchi services and some new ones will return with the opening on 5th April.

Bar Italia will close from 24th March until 5th April in order to complete the final renovation work. I will certainly miss my morning coffee and aperitivo at Bar Italia!

Loss in Ponte a Serraglio

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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.

Bridge flowers

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I have been planting the flowers on the bridge in Ponte a Serraglio for many years. I love to see the bridge looking colourful and cheerful.

Keeping the flowers alive over the summer when I am back in Australia has been an ongoing problem. This year there has been a change. My lovely neighbours, Roberto and Donna have put a tap close to the bridge making it easier to water the flowers. Previously I had to carry watering cans from my apartment.

And this summer the flowers have someone to water and take care of them. A huge thank you to Peter Miller! The flowers are thriving and looking great.

Here he is in action.

I hope Peter will be around again next summer.

Here is a fabulous photo taken by Charmaine Birkett Botha of the flowers and the gorgeous view from the bridge.