A night of music

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Last night at the lovely Teatro Accademico there was a delightful evening of music. Songs by Puccini, Verdi, Mascagni, Bizet, Rossini and others were performed by some very talented people.

The event was well attended.

The singers were…

Valentina Boi, a soprano with an exquisite voice.

Laura Brioli, mezzosoprano.

Angelo Fiore, tenor.

Franco Rossi, baritone, shown here delivering a rousing rendition of The Barber of Seville.

They were accompanied by Laura Pasqualetti on the piano.

It was a very enjoyable evening. If you missed it there will be another on 12th April. I will remind you at a later date.

Women at the casino

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The Celebration of Women event at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio has been well attended. The opening night was a lot of fun. There were speeches by the organisers and the mayor.

Barbara from Granaiola sang for us beautifully.

There are lots of paintings and photographs to see, but my favourite part of the exhibition is the one put together by Gemma Fazzi and her team. This year it focuses on the bedroom and they have done a great job collecting things from times gone by to show us how people would have decorated their bedrooms.

There are still 3 nights to go for the exhibition….don’t miss it.

For more on the celebrations please go to Francis’ blog. Click here.

Chiesina Alpini

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

At the park above Colle is a beautiful memorial to the Alpini, Italy’s mountain soldiers. They are light infantry troops specialising in mountain combat. They are known as Penne Nere (Black Feathers) thanks to the raven feather worn on their distinctive hats.

Unfortunately the little chapel was hit by a tree in the recent storm. Chris, who lives nearby, took the photo.

There is a prayer inside the chapel.

Let’s the chapel will be OK.

A win for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am happy to let you know that Bella Bagni di Lucca was awarded Runner Up for Best Single Art and Culture Post for the post called An old tradition in Bagni di Lucca.

The post is about Arte Barsanti, a small, family owned company that makes figurines. It has been in business for more than 100 years. I am delighted that the win will focus attention on this wonderful tradition.

I found out a couple of days ago, but the weather bomb (tornado) seemed a bit more important. This are getting back to normal. Some houses are still without power, but I hope this will soon be fixed. Many roofs will need to be repaired and the fallen trees will all need to be cleared. It will take some time.

The weather has been fine since the wind, which is good, we don’t need any rain just yet.

The village looked so calm the night after the wind, it seemed difficult to believe it happened at all.

In celebration of women

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Beginning on 8th March for 1 week there will be a Celebration of Women at the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio.The opening event will be at 5.00pm on the 8th.There will be music, art, craft and photography.

Something will be happening every day…something for everyone.

Here is a sneak peek inside the Casino. I hope you will all come along.

The Italy Magazine Blog Awards

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am delighted to tell you that Bella Bagni di Lucca has been shortlisted again this year for the Italy Magazine Blog Awards.

This is largely because lots of you took the time to nominate the blog, thank you very much.

Two blog posts have been shortlisted and now I would like to once again ask for your help. I would love it if you would vote for the posts. Bella Bagni di Lucca won a category last year and new readers came all year from Italy Magazine…more people who get to know about Bagni di Lucca.

An old tradition in Bagni di Lucca is shortlisted in the Best Single Art and Culture Single Post. Click here to vote for the post. Just click on the black area below the blog name.

Pinocchio Park is shortlisted in the Best Single Travel Post. Click here to vote for the post.

My other blog, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, has also been shortlisted for a post called Massacre at Sant’Anna di Stazzema. Click here to vote for the post.

I have already mentioned the blog awards on Bagni di Lucca and Beyond, so if you have already seen this and have voted, thank you very much.

Voting closes on 27th February and the winners will be announced on 3rd March. I will be sure to let you know what happens.

The Gorgeous Garzoni Garden

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

In the nearby village of Collodi is the Garzoni Garden and Butterfly House. The garden was originally begun around 1652 by the Garzoni family when they converted an old castle into an impressive Baroque style 4 story house with belvedere tower and roof statues.

At the entrance is a delightful series of photos of past guests.

The garden was originally in the Italian style. In the 18th century it was embellished with the addition of terraces, balustrades, mazes, waterfalls, fountains, grottoes and statuary. It was designed by Ottavio Diodati. The garden’s reputation spread all over Europe and influenced many others.

There are some marvellous decorations.

A lovely feature of the garden is the Butterfly House. It is a fairly recent addition. The estate was sold by the Garzoni family in the 1920s. It passed through several owners in sequence and its existence became precarious. Thanks to the current owner in collaboration with the Fondazione Carlo Collodi and the Sviluppo Turistico Collodi Ltd, it gained back its former glory, and the butterfly house was added.

I braved the awful heat and humidity and wiped the steam from my camera lens to take photos of the flowers, birds and butterflies.

I visited the garden on a sunny autumn day. Garzoni Garden is open all year, but the Butterfly House closes in winter.

It is a relatively easy drive from Bagni di Lucca. Take the road to Benabbio and keep going down the other side of the mountain towards Collodi. There is a big car park outside Pinocchio Park and the gardens are a short walk from there.

Ski at Abetone

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Our trusty reporter Belinda has been out and about again, this time skiing at Abetone.

I will hand you over to Belinda.

We decided to go skiing when we heard there had been a dump of snow at Abetone. The weather wasn’t the best but we headed off along the 40 kilometres of narrow and winding road up the mountain from Bagni di Lucca. Those who suffer from car sickness might like to take precautions.

Once you reach the Abetone main village car park you are about 1400 metres above sea level. At this parking spot you get yourself ready for the day.

Obligatory coffee shop…

Ski hire shop…

Ski school, if you are looking for lessons…

Information centre where you can get your ski pass for $26 per person for the entire day – quite a bargain really.

A tabacchi and bar…if needed.

Then pack the car with your equipment and drive a further 2 minites to park close to the main gondola lift that takes you up to Mt Gomita. It is much easier to park right next to the lift so you only have to walk up a few stairs.

Take the time to check the ski runs.

We arrived at the top to find pretty bad weather…everything had frostbite.

Despite the weather we managed some good runs.

…followed by a stop at a Rifugio for a much deserved Bombardino, a very special hot drink to be enjoyed on the slopes. It contains cream, zabaglione, brandy and coffee…highly recommended.

If you were looking for somewhere to stay, Hotel Regina looks quaint.

Thank you Belinda and friends for sharing you day of skiing at Abetone.

I have a tip to add to Belinda’s words. Don’t go to Abetone on weekends. It is very crowded and you probably won’t get anywhere near the carpark. On weekdays it is much better and you get the slopes pretty much to yourself.

The mule trail from Ponte a Serraglio to Granaiola

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The intrepid Belinda has been out walking the wintery hills. There are dozens of ancient mule trails between the villages. The one between Ponte a Serraglio and Granaiola has recently been cleaned up, so Belinda and some mates headed off to discover the trail on a sunny winter day.

The terrain is not as beautiful as it is in spring, but winter has its charms.

A very cute chapel appeared on the way.

The group enjoyed a very good lunch (pecorino with honey, macaroni with salmon and red wine) at the Rifugio Fiori, a litte further on from Granaiola at Pieve Di Monti di Villa.

They took the road back to Ponte a Serraglio, but there are several tracks down the mountain.

I will tackle this in spring and report further.

Pinocchio Park

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I guess you all know that The Adventures of Pinocchio was inspired by Carlo Lorenzini‘s time in Collodi, which is a short drive from Bagni di Lucca. It is where his mother was born and he spent some happy childhood years there. The book is written under the pseudonym Carlo Collodi, echoing his love for the village.

Collodi decided to make the most of the connection, and in 1956 Pinocchio Park opened to welcome visitors to the world of Pinocchio. I visited on a quiet autumn day and had the park almost to myself…come for a walk with me.

Collodi is a pretty village ( the old bit ) and needs to be discovered another day.

A giant Ponocchio welcomes you to Collodi.

At the entrance is a lovely sculpture of Ponicchio with Geppetto.

Before you enter the park there is a museum with Pinocchio related artefacts.

…and a collection of Pinocchio books from different decades and countries.

The park has seen better days and could do with a bit of a makeover, but it still has a certain charm.

I particularly liked the tiny houses filled with puppets and Pinocchio characters.

The walking path winds through the park and there is a delightful character at every turn.

Special mention goes to the fox and the cat.

The cat is packing a gun…and a bottle of coke.

There is a fairly impressive pirate ship, which must be full of children in busy times.

The whale is even more impressive.

On the way out the gift shop has a little workshop like Geppetto’s.

Pinocchio Park has had some less than kind reviews on various sites, but I followed a little boy around the paths and he was excitedly explaining to his mother each of the characters he came upon. He knew them all and had a tale to tell about each one (with special voices and much arm waving) .

If you go, read the book beforehand and take a child who has read the book. It will be fun.

A single adult ticket costs €11, but for €15 the ticket includes the nearby Giardino Garzoni, which will be the subject of another post.

pinocchio.it

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Category Archives: Things to see and do