Flying the flag for Australia in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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.

www.latorreagriturismo.com

Email…info@latorreagriturismo.com

Telephone…0583 805297

Meet one of the delightful owners.

Art at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Hire a car in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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

The Eagle’s Nest

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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

A walk through Pieve di Monti di Villa

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Paolo is back

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Dramatic skies over Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

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.

La Balconata…a beautiful B & B in Granaiola

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Kevan and Maureen have created the most amazing farmhouse accommodation at La Balconata, their beautiful stone house in Granaiola. I saw the house before the renovation and what they have achieved is nothing short of miraculous.

From a crumbling stone building has emerged a delightfully rustic home in the best sense of the word. Furniture and cupboards have been lovingly created from old timber and found objects. Ancient tiles were retrieved, cleaned and laid by hand in great style. Curtains and soft furnishing have been created by Maureen and her beautiful sculptures are dotted throughout the rooms along with Kevan’s creative photography.

Here is the living room and reading rooms.

The bedrooms, 2 doubles and a twin.

The upstairs hallway.

The bathrooms…I love the colours and the little touches. Maureen made the bowls and soap dishes.

The kitchen. Kevan made all the cupboards and benches.

The museum wall in the kitchen.

Look at this amazing door that Kevan built.

The old floor tiles and the new ones Maureen made for the entrance.

Maureen’s sculptures…there are lots more in her own house, but that will be the subject of another post.

…and then there is the view and the garden.

…and the table set for lunch.

It would be difficult to find a more relaxing and peaceful way to spend time in our little part of Tuscany. Kevan and Maureen want their guests to feel at home and enjoy the beautiful space they have created.

Go to www.labalconata.com for more information.

A little rant

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

We have a couple of paper factories at Ponte a Serraglio. For the most part they go reasonably quietly about their business. I think there may be an occasional dump of waste into the river when nobody is watching, but the water seems clean.

What bothers me about one of them are the piles of recycled materials stacked up beside the river. They are plainly visible from the other side, and have been so in the 10 years I have been coming to Bagni di Lucca.

A few years ago a shed was built and I thought the piles were going to disappear in there…but no.

A hedge has been grown between the road and the storage area and the owner has a nice hedge in front of his house so that he doesn’t have to look at it.

He is clearly doing well as he is building an enormous extension to his house.

Perhaps he could spend a little on fixing the eyesore in his factory grounds.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Italy