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 kinks to the website, Facebook and Instagram.
Website…https://www.villa-Fiori.com/
Facebook…https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578960026838
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
Someone in Bagni di Lucca had a great idea to bring together the people of the villages that make up the town. Then an amazing group of people pulled it all together to create a wonderfully successful event for everyone to enjoy..
Four teams were organised to compete in a friendly and fun way against each other in a series of games over a few weeks…rafting, tug of war, trivia, padel ball and much more.
This is just one week’s events.
The four teams were created…Trota (Trout) with Benabbio, Lugliano, Val di Lima and Controneria. Granchio (Crab) with Ponte a Serraglio, Granaiola and Montefegatese. Vipera (Viper) with Villa, Corsena and Paretaio. Elk (Dell’Alce) with Fornoli and Fegana.
Here are some photos from the games. I was only here for the final event in Bagni di Lucca Villa. All other photos I have scavenged from Facebook.
And the winner was…
Actually the winner was Bagni di Lucca and the people who live in this beautiful town. There was something for everyone and as you can see from the happy faces of the audiences, fun was had by all. What a great way to bring the community together and encourage pride in the town.
Congratulations to the Comune and all of the people who made this happen, the amazing organisers, the participants and the audiences who cheered them on. I would expect it will become a much loved annual event.
Ristorante Villa Aurora was the perfect setting last night for a delicious dinner and a fun magic show .
We all enjoyed Ferdinando’s well prepared food. I really need to come to Villa Aurora more often!
It was difficult to get good photos of magician Richard’s show, but it certainly was a lot of fun. His excellent helpers Christian and Monica did very well under Richard’s guidance. I think Christian might have a life on stage coming up, he is destined to be an entertainer. He is in the red shirt, waiting to be sawed in half….he managed to survive.
Thank you Richard for organising the evening and thank you Ferdinando for your hospitality and lovely local food.
Ristorante Villa Aurora…on the road towards Casabasciana
Phone…(39) 058385600
Ristorante Villa Aurora, in Fabbriche di Casabasciana, is a much loved restaurant in Bagni di Lucca. The delightful owner and chef, Ferdinando, has been cooking up a storm for years.
Regular customer and friend, Richard Macrory, Professor of Environmental Law in the UK, and amateur magician, is going to put on a magic show in honour of Ferdinando to thank him for his friendship and all of the delicious meals he has eaten there over many years.
The event will take place on Monday 8th of September at 9.00pm. Come for dinner and enjoy a free magic and illusion show with Richard and his assistants, Christian Boscarino and Monica Paolinelli.
It promises be a fun and delicious evening and a chance to thank Ferdinando for his work.
Please call Ristorante Villa Aurora for more information and to book a table. There is limited seating so book early.
Phone (39) 0583 85600
Bella Bagni di Lucca 