Amazing Lucca

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Debra Kolkka

It is always great to hear about young Italians starting a business. It can be very difficult to get a new enterprise up and running in Italy.

I was delighted to meet Federica, who, along with her husband, has set up an adventure tour business in Lucca called Amazing Lucca.

As I walked with Federica she told me of their love and passion for the area and their desire to introduce people to a side of Italy they might not otherwise enjoy. With a minimum of 2 people and no more than 12, they will guide you through Renaissance villas, medieval churches, stunning countryside, vineyards and glorious mountains.

On foot, or on a mountain bike you can discover secret places off the beaten track with people who know the area. Meet locals and taste the produce of this incredible land. Trudge or ride up rugged mountains and find hidden streams, enjoy enchanted forests and breathtaking landscapes. Federica and Alessandro will guide to to spectacular places.

Alessandro is the mountain bike guide and Federica is the nature and walking guide. Even if you live in the area this would be fun, but what a great way to introduce your visiting friends to the area.

The tours are graded from easy to demanding, meaning there is something to suit everyone.

Take a look at their excellent website. It is in Italian and English.

http://www.amazing-Lucca.com

Via Del Campaccio, Lucca.

info@amazing-lucca.com

Federica…(39) 338 7901829

Alessandro…(39) 340 2798654

Book launch, Buying and Restoring in Tuscany

Posted on September 3, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

David Collins has written part 2 of Buying and Restoring in Tuscany, an excellent guide for those looking to buy in this gorgeous part of the world.

There will be a book launch on September 8th in Lucca at Lucca Libri, Viale Regina Margherita 113. (Near the train station) It will begin at 5pm with an aperitivo. Come along to meet the author and hear all about the book.

Here is what to expect from the new book…

The second volume of this poular guide provides the reader with priceless information about searching for, and buying and restoring a property in Tuscany. It is packed with valuable tips and precious advice difficult to find elsewhere and is based on practical day-to-day experience of the author.

David shows us how to conduct a negotiation the “Italian way” or to quickly recognise a dwelling in disguise. The role and responsibility of the Italian notary is unveiled for the Anglo-Saxon world. We learn about the essential steps in managing a restoration project whilst revealing several tips.

He explains how earthquakes can affect older properties and unravels the complex laws in a simple and plain way for everyone to understand. The section on swimming pools makes you want to immediately go for a refreshing dip. The chapter on arches is both fascinating and insightful or the way he throws a sense of humour on malfunctioning septic tanks and suggestions for fixes.

David “the philosopher” reflects on why people move to Tuscany in the first place and how some end up living a full and wholesome life whilst others live in a bubble. Many essential taxation matters are revealed and the book wraps up with a very useful checklist of questions that everyone must have when viewing a property.

David has managed to provide us with a wealth of information deriving from his unsurpassed experience of working and living in Tuscany. This book is an absolute must before you depart on the Italian journey!

For those not able to attend the launch the book is available on Amazon.

http://www.ourtoscana.com

Flowers and art in Lucca

Posted on April 24, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The annual flower display in conjunction with the celebration for Saint Zita is on in Lucca right now.

As well as the display in front of the San Frediano church, the anfiteatro is full of gorgeous plants available for sale. It is a lovely time to be in the piazza.

The flowers will be in the anfiteatro until Friday this week.

Sculptures by artist Jimenez Deredia are being installed in various locations around Lucca. We found some beside the San Michele church and Piazza San Martino.

The art pieces will be on display until 10th September…plenty of time to find them.

Verdemura, Lucca garden event

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Verdemura, the annual garden show started today on the wall of Lucca. It is in a new spot near Porta San Donato and Porta Santa Anna.

There were not quite as many plants as last year. I think this cold spring has held back plant growth. There is still plenty to see and buy and it was a glorious day…perfect for some time on the wall.

Of course there is also food…cheese, salumi and a happy face.

Verdemura continues tomorrow and Sunday. Entry is €6.

2 Garden events

Posted on March 31, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Next week in Lucca the annual Verdemura will be held. It begins Friday 7th April and continues on Saturday and Sunday. It is in a new location this year, near Porta San Donato on the stunning wall of Lucca rather than Porta Santa Maria.

This is a great place to find fabulous things for your garden.

The following weekend will be the Azalea Festival at Borgo a Mozzano. The town will be decorated and there will be excellent plants for sale and much more.

With a bit of luck some glorious spring weather will accompany these 2 wonderful events.

Don’t forget Verde Mura

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Debra Kolkka

Friday 31st March is the first day of the Verde Mura, the wonderful garden event held every year on the wall of Lucca.

Here is a reminder of what to expect.

Friday 31st March…12.00 – 19.00

Saturday 1st April…9.30 – 19.00

Sunday 2nd April…9.30 – 19.00

Entry fee €6 for 1 day

€10 for 2 days

€15 for 3 days.

There is a reduced price of €3 for those over 65 and for children.

Anyone fancy a burger?

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Debra Kolkka

We all love Italian food, but sometimes it is good to eat something else. Who doesn’t love a good hamburger? Eataly has opened a “Hamburgheria” in Via Fillungo in Lucca, and the hamburgers are great. You can have your burger cooked to your liking, rare, medium or well done, the bun is good and it is all well presented. (The chips could be better)

As you would expect from Eataly the cafe is very stylish.

They also have pastries and desserts…to be tried on another visit.

This is well worth a trip to Lucca.

Eataly…91A Via Fillungo, Lucca. It is in a courtyard off Via Fillungo, so you might need to look carefully to find it.

Garden show

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

It wasn’t great weather for the first day of Verde Mura, the garden show on the wall of Lucca, but it didn’t stop the crowds.

We went in search of peonies and hydrangeas for our mountain house, but it also fun to wander to see all the gorgeous plants on offer.

There are other things to see and buy too, not all garden related.

It wouldn’t be an exhibition without food.

Verdemura is on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd of April as well. Don’t miss it if you are in the area. http://www.verdemura.it

We found peonies, georgeous hydrangeas, aquilegias, daphne, and some acanthus…which will all be planted today.

Antique market in Lucca

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

If you are looking for antiques, or interesting old things for your home, garden or wardrobe head off to Lucca on the third weekend of each month for the Antique Market.

The vendors are spread over the streets surrounding Piazza San Giusto, Piazza Antelminelli, San Giovanni and more. There are around 230 vendors in the second oldest market in Italy you can find all kinds of treasures.

Quite a few great things have found their way to my house from the Antique Market.

Take our wine bus to Fattoria del Teso

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Last year we had Sunday lunch at the very beautiful Fattoria del Teso, a vineyard and winery near Monte Carlo. Here is a photographic reminder of the day. See the full post here.

The clever people from Fattoria del Teso have organised a bus to pick you up in Lucca, take you to the winery for lunch and a vineyard tour and bring you back to Lucca.

The bus will leave ( a minimum of 8 people required) every Wednesday from Piazza Santa Maria at 1.00pm, arrive at Fattoria del Teso at 1.30pm, leave for Lucca at 3.30pm and arrive in Lucca at 4.00pm. The bus will be available until October.

The cost is 45 euro per person. To reserve a place, please phone (39) 0583 462620 or (39) 340 7806967. email: winebuslucca@gmail.com

There is time to take public transport from Bagni di Lucca to meet the bus. If you go early you could take a walking tour of Lucca with Paola Moschini (moschinipaola@yahoo.com) Transport can be arranged from Bagni di Lucca if necessary.

Fattoria del Teso is a great place to visit and their wines are excellent…take the bus…you will love it and you won’t have to drive.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Lucca