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.
Bernabo Spa or Bagno Bernabo, in Ponte a Serraglio has a fabulous Roman bath, among other things. I tried other things on a previous visit, but thought it was time I tried the walk in bath.
The marble bath is filled with warm thermal spring water. Walk in and settle on the seating shelf, lie back and drift off into peaceful relaxation. It is the perfect antidote to a busy life.
I followed the deep water bath with a hot stone massage. It was wonderful and I floated off down the hill to my apartment and felt calm and relaxed for the rest of the day.
There are also smaller marble baths and lots of different treatments.
The spa has a long history. It was named after a Florentine man named Bernabo. He arrived in Bagni di Lucca in the first half of the 16th century and was healed from a serious skin ailment after bathing in the mud of the spa. Fast forward to 1810 when Napoleon’s sister Elisa Baciocchi built the current establishment. It looks much the same today as it did then. It was restored on 2006, brought back to life for lucky local residents and visitors to Bagni di Lucca.
http://www.termebagnobernabo.it
The Bagno Bernabo is open Monday to Sunday 9.00 – 18.00
Via Bagni Caldi 36, Ponte a Serraglio…It is a short, uphill walk from Bar Italia. There are a few parking spots if you have a car.
phone +39 331 171 9014 for information and appointments.
info@termebagnobernabo.it
Bagni di Lucca Villa put on a wonderful event on Sunday with Santa as the star of the day. The streets were filled with happy children involved in activities, workshops and a personal meeting with Santa at Villa Web.
Of course there was delicious food and, best of all, community spirit. Dozens of volunteers worked together to create a wonderful day of creativity and fun.
Thank you Priscilla Valentino for allowing me to share the photos. Well done to all those involved in an excellent Bagni di Lucca event.
The market is on today in Ponte a Serraglio. Only 3 stalls again. There is some good home grown produce.
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.
Don’t miss this tonight! Villa Web is a wonderful place to be in the evening.
Today is the annual street market in Ponte a Serraglio. There are only a few stands this year.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the summer solstice at 18.30 on Wednesday 21st June at Ristoro Castellaccia at Prato Fiorito. It will be possible to get a panino and drink. That will be followed by a walk to the top (not difficult, about 200 metres) to see the sunset.
Elia Barsellotti will welcome the night with a violin.
It is necessary to wear suitable footwear and to be prepared for cool weather. Please bring a torch.
Please call 0583 809945 to book your place before 14.00 on 21st June.
There is a new exhibition at the casino for the next week, until 12th March.
The artist, Giuseppe Cantatore, is from Puglia, but now lives in Viareggio. He is a very friendly chap and will happily talk about his art.
Drop in and say hello. Open 10.00 – 12.00 and 16.30 – 19.00.
Summer time is busy in Bagni di Lucca with lots of local events.
Morena Guarnaschelli will exhibit 15 of her art works at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio. The exhibition will begin on 5th August. Valerie Ceccarelli is organising the event.
There are lots of other things coming up. Montefegatesi has done a great job in organising events.
Crasciana has lots of events coming up.
Brandeglio is busy too.
A day for children is happening in San Cassiano.
It is great to see communities getting together to create summer fun.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 