Good news for Circolo dei Forestieri

Just as we were getting used to the idea that we had lost Circolo dei Forestieri comes the news that it will reopen with a new owner. The best news is that it is a Bagni di Lucca local.

Giuliano Grub’s family has owned the Ristorante da Marina in Casoli since 2008. Following his studies Giuliano spent 3 years honing his culinary skills in Switzerland. After that he worked for a year in northern Italy and 2 years in Grosseto.

He came back to Bagni di Lucca to work in the family restaurant in 2019 with great success. Then came the opportunity to take over Circolo dei Forrestieri, a wonderful new challenge.

Like the previous team at Circolo dei Forestieri, the new people will serve Pranzo di Lavoro, an open evening menu and pizza. The previous chef, Stephania Crisalli and her daughter Rita Barsellotti, with help in the kitchen and front of house. Giuliano’s mother, Marina Freddi will also be on hand.

Opening celebrations will be held on Saturday 7th February from 5.00pm until 7.00pm.

I am sure everyone who loved Circolo dei Forestieri will be as delighted as I am with this news. It has been an institution in Bagni di Lucca and a vital part of the community. I know everyone will join me in wishing Giuliano and his team the very best.

 

Magic and music for Valentine’s Day

On Saturday 14th February there will be music and magic at La Corte di Laura in Granaiola. The event will begin at 9.00pm.

Polly Haardon will be performing and Il Grande Marco will present his magic show.

 

It is bound to be a fun night, so call early to book a table…

0583 088818 or 329 6752634

Circolo dei Forestieri closes

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.

Villa Fiori update

We will all be able to follow the progress of Villa Fiori now that the developers have an official website, Facebook page and Instagram.

Here are a couple of artist impressions of the new Villa Fiori.

When this is finished it will be an amazing asset to Bagni di Lucca. I look forward to watching it grow.

Here are the links to the website, Facebook and Instagram.


Website
https://www.villa-Fiori.com/

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578960026838

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/villafiori.official/

Decorate for Christmas

The Municipality of Bagni di Lucca and Pro Loco have launched a competition…The most beautiful window in Santa’s Valley 2025.

Shop owners are invited to decorate their windows. Then take a photo and send it to  cultura@comunebagnidilucca.it by December 8, 2025.

Voting will take place exclusively online by “Liking” the photos.

The criteria for evaluation should be based on…

Coherence with the Christmas theme

Originality and creativity

Attention to lighting and details

Ability to create a festive atmosphere

The winner will be determined by the number of “Likes” registered by midnight on December 25, 2025.

The first three most voted shopfronts will win..

1st place…€100 local shopping voucher

2nd place…Christmas hamper €100

3rd place…€50 voucher

The winners will be awarded on 6th January 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Santa Claus Valley Lottery.


By participating, the contestants authorise the use of the photos for promotional purposes of the event. The organisation reserves the power to exclude exclude inappropriate or non-conforming images. In case of equal merit, a final draw may be made.

I think this is a great idea. Participants will help to make Bagni di Lucca look wonderful for the festive season. I hope there will be lots of fabulous Christmas windows.

Christmas arrives at Auser

Auser, the excellent shop for pre-loved items in Ponte a Serraglio has just been stocked with great things for Christmas.

There is also a new collection of household items to choose from.

You will find the shop in Ponte a Serraglio on the road towards Bagni di Lucca Villa, on the river side.

All proceeds from Auser go to charity.

The new opening hours for Auser are…

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 18.00

Beautiful Burlamacchi Villas

Bagni di Lucca is lucky to be home to the stunning Burlamacchi Villas. Owned by the historical Burlamacchi family, the beautiful villas are now managed by Francesca Burlamacchi. The original Villa has gradually been renovated and the property next door has been acquired and restored. The result is a magnificent property with two villas set in landscaped gardens, with a tranquil pool and fabulous views.

I visited recently with a friend and met charming Francesca Burlamacchi. What she has done with the villas is amazing. Her touch can be seen everywhere. Everything has been designed and chosen with love and great style.  Nothing has been left to chance, there is a delightful surprise at every turn.

The main house was being cleaned after an event so I could not see inside. Francesca took me instead to the latest addition next door. The gardens have been connected and the two  properties complement each other while each one has its own personality.
The house was known as Villa Bettini, then Casa Del Chiapa. The Burlamacchi family has renamed it Villa Shelly, in honour of Mary and Percy Shelley, who stayed in the house in the summer of 1818, shortly after the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. She is believed to have reworked the ending while sitting in a secluded area of the garden.

Mary Shelley’s garden retreat.

The rest of the garden is lovely too.

The interior of the house is gorgeous.

The view over the houses below.

One the way out I passed a crocodile who has been part of Burlamacchi Villas for a very long time.

Thank you Francesca and Paola for a delightful visit.

Burlamacchi Villas is available for holidays, weddings, corporate events, retreats. They also hold music events which the public is invited to attend.

Burlamacchi Villas…Via S Francesco, 6

Bagni di Lucca

Phone +39 3928903388

info@burlamacchivillas.it

http://burlamacchivillas.it

La Corte di Laura

La Corte di Laura is the restaurant in Granaiola that has taken the place of Biribisso. I went with friends a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed with the delightful service and the delicious food.

I wish I could show you more of the great food, but my friends and I all ordered the same things!

The first dish is the complimentary first taste.

Our first choice was a great success, a light pastry surrounding a wonderful chess filling with a drizzle of local honey.

This was followed by pork medallions and perfectly cooked new potatoes.

We were too full for dolce….next time.

La Corte di Laura is a great addition to the restaurant scene in Bagni di Lucca.

Treasures in Ponte a Serraglio

We need to be reminded regularly that we have a great shop in Ponte a Serraglio that sells excellent pre-loved items for your home. Anyone setting up home in Bagni di Lucca is bound to find lots of treasures.


I think you will agree that the shop is arranged very well. Congratulations to the team of people who keep this running. Best of all, the money from sales goes to help families in need.

Shop hours

Tuesday to Saturday….10.00am – 12.30pm…..5.00pm- 7.00pm

A Roman bath at Bernabo Spa

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