Don’t miss Carnevale in Fornoli on 14th February.
Carnevale Fornoli
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Category Archives: Things to see and do
Then and now…Bagno alla Villa
There is a small piazza above La Villa, the commercial centre of Bagni di Lucca. Bagno alla Villa has one of the many spas that used to be a popular place to “take the waters”.
The spa is still there but is not operating.
The building has been restored and there is even a pool in the nearby property, Villa Ada.
Work has been done to restore several of the baths in Bagni di Lucca. Soon they will fall into disrepair again. It is a puzzle to me why the administration is not doing more to encourage someone to operate the spas and help bring people and employment to the area.
…any takers?
Bagni di Lucca in 2015
It has been an eventful year in Bagni di Lucca. It is interesting to look back.
Click the highlighted words to see the original post.
There was a tornado early in the year which caused lots of damage. Our lovely park in La Villa was devastated, with wonderful old trees wrecked by the wind.
Many houses suffered with damaged roofs and other property damage. I hope we don’t see a weather event like that again.
Late winter is the time to plant pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.
You can see some green appearing around Lucchio in early spring.
Gorgeous yellow forsythia appears to brighten up the cool days.
Then wisteria shows its lovely lilac face.
The beautiful house where the Barrett Brownings stayed in La Villa was lovingly restored.
Circolo dei Forestieri reopened and began serving delicious food…lucky us.
Soon on it was time to replace the pansies with geraniums. This year I had help in the form of Paul and Sheila.
In May there was much excitement, and some new roads, when the Giro d’Italia came through Bagni di Lucca.
Not long after the magnificent Mille Miglia graced our streets.
May was also the perfect time for a lunch at Rifugio Fiori in Pieve di Monte di Villa, followed by a walk down to Ponte a Serraglio along the forest walk.
…and a stroll through Monti di Villa.
There was an art gallery showing.
…and a religious procession.
The annual crossbow competition took place in June.
Followed by Art in the Park at Villa Fiori.
A a swim in the cool waters of the Lima River is the thing to do on a hot summer day.
For those wanting a bit of adventure the exciting Canyon Park opened.
Ponte a Serraglio looks pretty in the summer sun.
Trattoria Borghesi reopened its doors to the delight of the locals and visitors alike.
Giuliana opened her new shop in Fornoli.
Pinocchio visited La Villa with some fun for children.
I discovered the monument to the soldiers shot by Nazis in WWII in the cemetery at Ponte a Serraglio.
Autumn began to appear with mists swirling through the mountains.
Paul Davies shared his beautiful photos of San Cassiano in autumn with us.
…and 3 local photographers, including David Bonaventuri shared the Presepe Vivente in Monti di Villa.
The year has flown by…there is always something wonderful to see and do in Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to much more in 2016.
Don’t miss this
On Sunday there will be a great market in Fornoli, at Piazza Aldi Moro, starting at 11.00am.
Don’t miss it!
Presepe Vivente
The Presepe Vivente, or Living Nativity was held this year in Monti di Villa. The whole village is involved and the residents all take their parts. Everyone dresses up and takes on a role from times past.
3 local photographers were on hand to record the wonderful event…a working peace of art and heritage.
David Bonaventuri is from Montefegstesi. Here are his terrific photos. I particularly love his portraits of the fabulous faces.
Paul Anthony Davies lives in San Cassiano and is clearly passionate about his subject.
Valerio Ceccarelli captured the spirit and the culmination of the event, complete with donkey, 3 wise men, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
Thank you to all 3 photographers for allowing us to share the event.
For more photos of the Presepe Vivente see Bagni di Lucca and Beyond.
A very useful book
David Collins has lived and worked in Tuscany for over 20 years. He has accumulated vast experience in design and project management. Combining this professional experience with his love of Tuscany and passion for old properties, David has successfully helped over 400 non-Italians to buy and restore throughout this region.
Now David has put some of his knowledge into a book.
He covers many of the things new comers want and need to know about acquiring a property in Italy.
I wish the book had been around when we came 12 years ago, knowing absolutely nothing about what was ahead of us.
To purchase Buying & Restoring in Tuscany email: editor@luccagrapevine.com
David’s website is www.ourtoscana.com
To buy the e-book click http://amzn.com/B0165TJWLM
Coming events
There are a few excellent events coming up in and around Bagni di Lucca.
I hope they will all be well attended.
Chestnuts in Benabbio
I hope everyone will head up to Benabbio to enjoy some necci…chestnut pancakes.
Let’s hope for a fine, sunny 8th November.
Yoga Retreat Day
Joann Connington, renowned yoga teacher, in conjunction with Tuscany Arts and Healing, is conducting a Yoga Retreat Day on Saturday 24th October, at I Romiti, in Fabriche di Vallico.
The autumn fires will be lit and a delicious autumn themed lunch will be served.
The Yoga Retreat Day will be conducted in English and offer a gentle flow of postures with consistent attention to the breath.
The emphasis in the morning will be on more dynamic postures that provide a strong foundation for the day. In the afternoon the focus will be on restful and restorative poses that will relax the body and still the mind. The day will finish with a short meditation.
The cost for the day is €75, inclusive of yoga instruction, props, lunch, and all refreshments.
For more information please look at http://www.tuscanyartsandhealing.com
or email tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com
Chestnut festival postponed
Because of the heavy rain in the area the Ponte a Serraglio Chestnut Festival due to be held this Sunday,18th October, will be postponed until the following Sunday, 25th October.
