Upcoming events

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

It is almost time for the annual art competition in the park at Villa Fiori.

It is bound to be a great day on 12th July. The day kicks off at 8.00 for the participating artists and lunch will be at 12.30pm. Even if you are not an artist it is interesting to watch the artists at work.

As well, the main street in La Villa will be closed to traffic on the evening of Friday, 10th July. Ristorante del Sonno will have tables in the street for a fun evening.

There will only be a few pedestrian only evenings this summer, so make the most of it.

A Benabbio sunset

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

After a lovely evening with friends in Benabbio I was delighted to see a beautiful sunset. I walked from the top of Benabbio to the lower car park. It was quite late, 9.45pm, and I caught the last rays of sunlight disappearing below the mountains.

It is easy to see why people live in these gorgeous mountain villages. The views are incredible at any time of the day and in every season.

Market day in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

To help celebrate the beginning of summer there was a market in La Villa. Rosi was there with her camera to share the event with us.

A good crowd gathered to enjoy wandering through the many stalls.

There will be another market on 24th August.

On Saturday 27th June at 8.30pm there will be a procession in Pieve di Monti di Villa to celebrate their patron saint St. John the Baptist. There will be food and dancing to follow…thank you Francis from London to Longoio and Beyond for reminding us.

Arrows fly in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am now back home in Brisbane for a while. I was unable to attend the crossbow event on Sunday in Bagni di Lucca, but our friend Sheila was there and took some great photos for us.

The competion was held in the Contessa Casalini Park this year and the balestrieri dressed up in their best for a great day of crossbow. Here is some of the fun.

Francis from London to Longoio and Beyond has more on the day.

On our way home

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

We are now heading back home to Brisbane for a few months to enjoy our lovely winter.

It it is always difficult to leave Bagni di Lucca, especially now when it is looking so beautiful.

The Tiglio trees have their blossoms and walking under one is a delight, the smell is heavenly. Don’t park you car under one however, they leave a sticky mess.

Our petunias are looking great.

Tina’s roses are flourishing.

My window boxes are doing well.

Big white magnolias are everywhere.

The geraniums on the bridge are growing slowly.

There are early morning fishermen in the river.

I have a couple of helpers this year to keep me up to date on happenings in Bagni di Lucca and I have lots of photos to share with you while I am away.

If any of you are passing the flowers on the bridge or the hanging pots, stick your finger in the dirt and if it is dry grab a water bottle, fill it up (there is a tap beside Bar Italia, or the tap at Cova, near the walking bridge) and water the plants…they will love you for it.

Don’t miss this

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I love the archery completion held each year in Bagni di Lucca. The competitors dress in medieval costume and fire up their crossbows for a day of competition and fun. It is great to watch.

This year it will be held in Contessa Casalini Park in La Villa, Bagni di Lucca, instead of Villa Ada. I really liked it in the gorgeous grounds of Villa Ada, but it will be more accessible in the park in the centre of town.

Here are some photos from previous years.

I am sorry I won’t be here this year to see it, but you should all make sure you are there.

The pool is open for summer

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The beautiful public pool in La Villa is open for summer.

See here for a previous post about the pool, with more photos and information. The phone number for the pool is 0583 86254.

Art and religion at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

On Saturday evening La Rondine in Ponte a Serraglio introduced a new exhibition in the gallery. Photographer Richard Smukler is now showing his work.

Our illustrious mayor opened the proceedings and introduced the artist.

Lots of people attended to admire the work.

There was music.

Francis recited a poem.

Midway during the evening we enjoyed a procession along the street.

…and back again.

It was a great evening, the first of many for the summer season. There is always something happening at Ponte a Serraglio.

Great food at Cappuccetto Rosso

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Thanks to some friends we discovered a wonderful restaurant at nearby Piano Di Giovano called Cappuccetto Rosso.

The restaurant is stylish and pretty and the menu very interesting. The food is a little more expensive than most in the area, but it is excellent and well worth the extra money.

For antipasti we shared a plate of delicious prosciutto and a selection of very well chosen cheeses with tasty accompaniments.

We had already chosen dessert, so missed primi piatti, which are charmingly called Early Earth and Early Sea. Here are our scrumptious main courses. Soft lighting doesn’t always make for the best photos, a couple are a bit fuzzy.

For dolce we chose chocolate mousse with pear, and mint parfait with chocolate sauce…both excellent.

Cappuccetto Rosso means Red Riding Hood…we will be back often.

Via di Salita 4/6 (Behind Quadrifoglio)

Localita Piano di Gioviano (Borgo a Mozzano)

(39) 338 2426295

A walk in Monti di Villa

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is the perfect time to visit the villages of Bagni di Lucca. I had only been to Monti di Villa once, so I thought it was time to go back. This is Monti di Villa from Granaiola…right in the middle of the photo.

Come for a walk with me through Monti di Villa. There is a car park at the base of the village and an easy path up.

There are some pretty gardens to admire.

Spring flowers were in full bloom.

I loved the garden decorations.

The old doors always fascinate me.

There are some amazing views from Monti di Villa, even on a hazy day.

On a warm spring afternoon it is easy to fall asleep after lunch.

I walked along the ridge which is the highest part of Monti di Villa. From here you can look back across the village.

I met a friendly local who showed me a lovely green path.

She also pointed me in the direction of a lower path back to the car park. It was lined with wild flowers and covered by an oak canopy…what a gorgeous place to walk.

…and another place to admire the view.

Monti di Villa…one of the lovely villages that make up Bagni di Lucca.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Bagni di Lucca