The annual art competition will take place this Sunday 13th July in the grounds of the Villa Fiori at Ponte a Serraglio.
The day will begin at 8.00am. Lunch will be at 12.30 with delicious produce from the area. There will be games and painting for children and the competition will be judged at 6.00pm.
It is always a great day. Here are some photos from past years.
Don’t miss Colori e Saperi..head off to Villa Fiori to watch the artists at work and have some summer fun in Ponte a Serraglio.
The Motogiro Italia (vintage motorbike race) came through Bagni di Lucca on Friday. The original Motogiro began in 1914, with 56 riders, only 18 of whom finished the race. It has changed many times over the years and there have been lots of years when the race didn’t go ahead for several reasons.
It is now distance rally, with time trials over several days and competitors are escorted by Polizia over the 1,000 miles (1,637 kilometres)
There were several Australians in the race, including a couple of regular visitors to Ponte a Serraglio, so lots of Australian flags were raised in their honour.
It was great fun to see the old bikes come through Ponte a Serraglio.
…and even more fun to see our friends arrive…and depart.
The race ended a bit later in the day at Montecatini Terme. I’m sure the riders would have been very happy to get off their bikes for the last time.
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.
Email…info@latorreagriturismo.com
Telephone…0583 805297
Meet one of the delightful owners.
Sunday morning saw a colourful collection of archers in the lovely grounds of Villa Ada in La Villa. The annual crossbow competition took place under the trees. The possibility of showers kept a few people away, but the competitors carried on regardless.
Once the first round of competition was finished the cannon sounded and everyone was off to lunch.
Later in the afternoon the fun began again in the grounds of Villa Web.
It is worth taking a walk around the area even when it is not full of wonderfully dressed characters.
From Via Evangelina Whipple go through the gates leading to the swimming pool. The road is shaded by beautiful old trees.
There are some stone steps beside the road that need exploring…next time.
Summer is almost with us and soon the Bagni di Lucca Art Festival will begin. Saturday evening saw an exhibition at La Rondine Gallery…just a taste of things to come.
It’s great to see people come out and join in the fun.
Take a look at Bagni di Lucca Art Festival for the programme.
If you are only staying a few days in one of the villages of Bagni di Lucca it is possible to manage with public transport, but if you want to do a bit of sightseeing in the area, and I highly recommend this, you might like to hire a car.
There is a small garage in Fornoli that has a couple of cars and a 9 seater for hire. Go to Carrozzeria Tognelli Umberto, in Via Papa Giovanni XXIII.
Telephone… 0583 86234
Email…tognellicar@live.it
Orrido di Botri is a rocky gorge with steep walls, dug by the cold waters of the Rio Pelago torrent in the Apennines. Some of the walls are as high as 200 metres and it is one of the few natural canyons in Italy. It is open to walkers in summer. You need to be accompanied by a guide and to wear protective clothing and a helmet as the walk is a bit dangerous in parts.
I haven’t been, but I have been to the restaurant at the entrance to the Orrido di Botri. We were there on a cool, slightly damp spring evening and the area is lovely. I can imagine that it would be even better on a hot summer day.
There are outdoor tables near the little rocky stream that runs beside the restaurant.
Because it was a cool evening we sat inside.
The food was delicious and very reasonably priced.
The restaurant is very close to the entrance to Orrido di Botri, which clearly needs a visit.
There are also picnic grounds nearby and if you are really lucky you might see the local goats coming down from their foraging areas in the mountains.
…or cheese being made in the little farmhouse beside the entrance.
Whenever you go I’m sure you will enjoy it. The restaurant has wood fired ovens for pizza…a good reason to return on a sunny day.
The only way into the area right now is via Montefegatesi as the road on the other side of the valley is being repaired, hopefully before summer.
Il Nido dell’Aquila, Localita Ponte a Gaio, 11
http://www.ilnidodell-aquila.com
Telephone…0583 800022
Email…info@ilnidodell-aquila.com
Spring is the perfect time to wander through the lovely villages that make up Bagni di Lucca. Pieve di Monte di Villa is 476 metres above sea level and it offers great views over the surrounding mountains and valleys. Take the road from Ponte a Serraglio, through Granaiola and on to Pieve di Monte di Villa.
Pieve di Monti di Villa has about 100 hundred residents who obviously take great pride in their village. The houses and gardens are beautifully kept, making a walk through the tiny, winding lanes a delight…come for a walk with me, starting at the bar at the top of the town.
The views from the top are spectacular.
The little streets meander through the village. Some of them are quite steep.
The church of San Giovanni Battista was built in the 12th century, rebuilt in 1446 and remodelled between 1760 and 1766.
If you come to Bagni di Lucca, take the time to wander through the mountain villages…each one has something different to offer.
It is no secret that Paolo is one of my favourite Bagni di Luccans. We were all saddened and worried when we learned of his recent accident.
I can happily report that he is back at work and on the mend. His back brace will stay on a bit longer, and he looks a bit battered and bruised, but he should make a full recovery.
Drop in to Catene Cafe in Fornoli and wish him well…and have a coffee or one of his delicious gelati.
Welcome back Paolo.
At sunset the other day we had a strange weather happening. A howling wind burst through the valley for about 10 minutes. It didn’t bring much rain, but the sky was amazing and it briefly turned the village a strange yellow colour.
This is the view from my balcony.
Here is the sky from the other side of the river.
Spring this year has been much better than last year when it seemed the rain would never stop. It is still cool in the mornings and evenings but the days are glorious…come on over.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 