A night at the casino

Posted on April 30, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

The casino in Ponte a Serraglio was full of people last night. It is great to see that beautiful building open and full of life. There was delicious food with games to follow.

Annalisa and her crew from Bar Italia did a wonderful job with feeding the crowd who came along to support a great cause and have a fun evening.

Where would we be without Virgilio on an evening like this? He had some help with the games.

Money raised from the event will go to making improvements in the Ponte a Serraglio area.

This is an excellent initiative, well done to all those involved. There will be another chance to attend on 20th May. Keep the date free.

Coming up

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Events coming up this month.

Villa Fiori park

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Fiori park is full of yellow flowers right now. I know they are weeds, but they do look pretty.

They will be gone when the grass is mowed.

The trees along the river are growing leaves. Soon they will be bright green.

Spring is here.

Coming up

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

Don’t forget Verdemura, the excellent garden show on the walls of Lucca. 31st March, 1st April and 2nd April. http://www.verdemura.it

Also in Lucca is the Sicilian Festival on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th April.

At the casino in Ponte a Serraglio on 15th April.

Casino tour

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

This weekend FAI (a bit like the National Trust) organised walking tours of the Casino and Bernabo Spa in Ponte a Serraglio. The tours were extremely well attended on Saturday and Sunday, bringing lots of new people to the area.

Our tour began at the casino. It is the first purpose built casino in Europe. Carlo Lodovico di Borbone commissioned Giuseppe Pardini to build it in 1837.

We then walked up the hill to the Bernabo Spa. It has been beautifully restored and offers a range of treatments along with a fabulous deep marble bath and natural steam rooms.

There is a great view of Ponte a Serraglio from the terrace in front of the spa.

From there we walked down the hill and stopped briefly in front of what was the English Club, which is now the home of a friend.

We walked back to the casino for an inside tour.

The entrance and sitting room.

This was once a ballroom.

This is the orchestra stage.

The beautiful ceiling.

Detail of some of the decoration.

Delightful Virgilio gave us some lessons in the types of games that were once played in the various casinos that were operating in the area.

Look out for any future walking tours with the FAI.

Spring walk

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

The annual spring walk will take place on Sunday 2nd April. It is always a fun event.

Coming up at the Casino

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

It is great to see the wonderful casino building in Ponte a Serraglio being put to use. Here is what is coming next week.

Back in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

I have returned to beautiful Bagni di Lucca after being away for almost 4 months. I love the winter here, especially the view from my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.

Time for a walk to see familiar things.

Spring will be here soon, I love that too.

It is good to be back in bella Bagni di Lucca.

Almost winter

Posted on December 9, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

I am currently in Brisbane, Australia and we have experienced our first seriously hot days. The temperature has been around 35 degrees coupled with high humidity, an all night storm with rain, strong wind and incredibly loud thunder.

I missed the gorgeous autumn in Bagni di Lucca so I looked at some of the photos I took in past autumns.