A beautiful new place to stay…Casa Tolomei

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Debra Kolkka

Casa Tolomei is the beautiful house where Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning stayed when they visited Bagni di Lucca.

It was recently bought by Laura and Andy and they have worked hard to bring the building back to life. Their renovation is remarkable.

In 2016 they finished the upper floor and had B&B rooms available to rent. This year there is a self catering option which includes a suite with 2 bedrooms and bathroom plus the stunning frescoed living room and adjacent kitchen.

For summer the whole upper floor will be available. The rental options will be 2 independent self-catering apartments or the whole floor for larger groups…8 – 12 people.

The lovely garden has an above ground pool, with plans for an inground pool this year.

Italian lessons will also be available at Casa Tolomei.

Casa Tolomei is in Via Umberto I, La Villa. For enquiries and bookings email Laura at …poggilaura@gmail.

casaTolomei.com

Then and now…Hotel Corona

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

HOtel Corona is on the SS 12 del Brennero at the entrance to Ponte a Serraglio. Here it is in 1900.

…and 1902.

…and today…the fence has gone.

The hotel is still operating and we would love to see the restaurant reopen.

La Torre

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

La Torre features in the background of many of my photos of Bagni di Lucca. It looks wonderful perched on a hill overlooking Ponte a Serraglio.

La Torre is an agriturismo. It has rooms and apartments where you can stay and a lovely restaurant for everyone.

We had a great time on a warm summer evening at one of the outdoor tables. There is also a cosy place for cold winter nights.

The food was excellent and the service is very friendly.

La Torre is above Fornoli.

www.latorreagriturismo.com

Email…info@latorreagriturismo.com

Telephone…0583 805297

Meet one of the delightful owners.

La Balconata…a beautiful B & B in Granaiola

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Kevan and Maureen have created the most amazing farmhouse accommodation at La Balconata, their beautiful stone house in Granaiola. I saw the house before the renovation and what they have achieved is nothing short of miraculous.

From a crumbling stone building has emerged a delightfully rustic home in the best sense of the word. Furniture and cupboards have been lovingly created from old timber and found objects. Ancient tiles were retrieved, cleaned and laid by hand in great style. Curtains and soft furnishing have been created by Maureen and her beautiful sculptures are dotted throughout the rooms along with Kevan’s creative photography.

Here is the living room and reading rooms.

The bedrooms, 2 doubles and a twin.

The upstairs hallway.

The bathrooms…I love the colours and the little touches. Maureen made the bowls and soap dishes.

The kitchen. Kevan made all the cupboards and benches.

The museum wall in the kitchen.

Look at this amazing door that Kevan built.

The old floor tiles and the new ones Maureen made for the entrance.

Maureen’s sculptures…there are lots more in her own house, but that will be the subject of another post.

…and then there is the view and the garden.

…and the table set for lunch.

It would be difficult to find a more relaxing and peaceful way to spend time in our little part of Tuscany. Kevan and Maureen want their guests to feel at home and enjoy the beautiful space they have created.

Go to www.labalconata.com for more information.

Meet Roberto and Giuliana from the Corona

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Roberto and his lovely assistant Giuliana.

The Corona Hotel in Ponte a Serraglio has a great position beside the river with views across the Lima River. If you are there when the weather is warm, the outdoor terrace is open for meals. They get some very good reviews on Trip Advisor, where the terrace is often mentioned, as well as the friendly service……and the food.

I have had some delicious meals at the restaurant Corona.

The hotel has been recently renovated. Look for Roberto or Giuliana in the inviting reception area.

There are some interesting frescoes dating from the 1800s in one of the waiting rooms.

The rooms are well equipped and some have lovely views over the river.

You can see the spring I wrote about in the previous post. It would be a quick trip across the walking bridge to sample some of Bagni di Lucca’s famous water.

There is a sister hotel in La Villa (1kilometre up river) called the Park Regina, where there is a pool, also available for the Corona visitors.

Giuliana’s little Fiat Bambino matches the hotel perfectly, don’t you think?

Say hello to Roberto and Juliana if you visit.

www.coronaregina.it

Meet Gianni and Daniela from Il Moro

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Gianni and Daniela have created a beautiful agriturismo in the hills above Ponte a Serraglio. It is accessible by car via the road to Colle, or is a delightful walk through chestnut forest from the village.

The views from here are divine.

It is late spring and the olives and figs are appearing on the trees.

The roses are looking gorgeous.

As well as running the agriturismo Gianni has a hobby. He likes to build roads and houses. He has 2 projects on the go. The first one we went to is a beautiful house he has built from scratch on a level terrace above his own house.

He has done an amazing job. It is not finished yet, but it is going to be magnificent.

As well as the main house, there is a smaller building, where Gianni keeps bees and processes the honey.

The bees are still working busily on the acacia honey, Gianni showed us what will be happening soon.

I hope I am still around when the honey is ready.

The next project involved a drive on a road that Gianni is still working on to a gorgeous stone house he is renovating above La Villa. I want this house!!!!!

There is the main house and a smaller building beside it which could become a work shed or an extra bedroom for guests.

The main house will eventually have 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge kitchen, living room and a cellar at the back with a little cave for keeping cheese and other delights.

The smaller building sits above an old cistern.

Gianni has renovated the building beautifully, keeping the traditional style where possible.

I love the stone, tiles and the wonderful ceilings. Somebody is going to get a wonderful place to live.

Gianni doesn’t have a website, but if you want some more information you can email him at ….agriturismoilmoro3@alice.it

Pian di Fiume, an agriturismo in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

The Agriturismo Pian di Fiume takes its name from the medieval hamlet which has been lovingly restored and brought back to life. Guests now stay in the old houses that made up the tiny village.

Pian di Fiume is 2 kilometres from La Villa, the commercial centre of Bagni di Lucca. Take the road towards Abetone and look for the bridge on the left side of the road.

The agriturismo sits lazily beside the Lima River. At the river level there is a flat plain where the animals are kept. There are chickens, turkeys, horses, sheep, goats and a herd of cinta senese pigs, the semi wild pigs that feed on acorns and chestnuts. They also keep bees and the honey they produce is for sale.