Il Pozzo

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Bagni di Lucca is on the edge of the Garfagnana. The area lies between the Apennine and Apuan Alps in the upper valley of the Serchio river. It is almost entirely mountainous and heavily wooded.

It is also dotted with pretty villages, which will take years to discover. I recently visited Pieve Fosciana. It is tiny, with a cluster of houses around the church of St John Battista, one of the most ancient in Garfagnana.

Come for a little walk through Pieve Fosciana…

There are lots of narrow cobble stone laneways and pretty gardens, the usual interesting doorways and building decorations.

I was impressed with this house in particular. The residents have gone to some trouble with the facade.

The main reason for my visit to Pieve Fosciana was to try restaurant Il Pozzo. I have heard it is one of the best in Garfagnana.

They have an indoor dining area and a very big terrace. I was the first there for lunch, but it soon filled up, mostly with local workers. You know a restaurant is good when the locals arrive in number.

The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients served in a traditional way, with a slightly modern twist.

I ordered the pasta with lobster.

Followed by guinea fowl with truffles…they were both excellent.

The service was very friendly and I could see that most of the other patrons were regulars. They also do a workmans’ lunch for a set price…I will try that next time.

If you can drag yourself away from the very good restaurants in Bagni di Lucca, try Il Pozzo, I’m sure you will like it.

The park in La Villa

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The lovely park in La Villa was devastated earlier this year when a tornado ripped through it, tearing up several of the old trees. Some were hundreds of years old.

The mess has been cleaned up, but it looks a bit bare.

I have heard there have been fund raising efforts to collect money to help rehabilitate the park. I look forward to seeing the results. It will be great to see some new trees planted.

Click here, here and here to see the park after the tornado.

Chestnuts in Benabbio

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I hope everyone will head up to Benabbio to enjoy some necci…chestnut pancakes.

Let’s hope for a fine, sunny 8th November.

Lovely Limano

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Limano is 538 metres above sea level and offers gorgeous views over the Lima valley and the surrounding mountains.

The centre of the town is Piazza Gave, with its 16th century fountain.

Five narrow cobblestone streets radiate from the piazza. Come for a walk…

I was in Limano in very early summer and there were flowers everywhere.

Take the time to walk through lovely Limano.

Lucchio, then and now

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Do you think Lucchio has changed much over the years?

Colourful Casoli

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Casoli sits 586 metres above sea level on the edge of a steep cliff over the Lima River. It is 13 kilometres from La Villa, the centre of Bagni di Lucca. Take the Brennero towards Abetone and cross the lovely Ponte Maggio and follow the narrow, winding road to the village.

There is a car park at the entrance to Casoli, in front of the bar/cafe, which wasn’t open on the day I was there.

Not far away is a lovely little church, and beside it the mule track to the next village.

The old washing area is still there, but no longer used.

Come for a walk through Casoli.

There are a couple of gorgeous B&Bs in the village.

I absolutely love the climbing roses at the entrance of this beautiful accommodation.

The views from Casoli are spectacular.

Every one of Bagni di Lucca’s villages has something special to offer…don’t miss Casoli. I hope to find the restaurant open on my next visit. I have heard good reports.

Green Granaiola

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

In late spring Granaiola looked gorgeously green.

Grape vines were growing well.

Gardens were flourishing.

The renovator’s delight I photographed a while ago is still there.

The surrounding mountains and villages shone in the sun.

Ponte a Serraglio lies in the valley below.

In the distance you can see Pieve di Monti di Villa, Monte di Villa and Riolo.

Pieve di Monti di Villa.

Monti di Villa.

Riolo.

If you look really carefully through the trees you can see Bugnano, the abandoned village.

Biribisso is a great restaurant in Granaiola…must go back soon.

…gorgeous Graniaola.

The best view in Montefegatesi?

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I went to a lovely party in Montefegatesi just before I left for Australia. Montefegatesi is one of my favourite villages, and we walked almost to the top to the house of our friend.

The house is perched on the side of a hill overlooking the gorgeous valley below.

…a pool with a view.

The sun goes down over our mountains.

Montefegatesi is a wonderful mountain village…a great place to watch the sun set.

Lunch and a spring walk from Rifugio Fiori

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

A while ago guest poster Belinda took us on a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Pieve di Monti di Villa to lunch at Rifugio Fiori.

I’m not much interested in walking up steep hills, so I decided to do it in reverse. Three of us got a lift up to Pieve di Monti di Villa to the lunch spot. It was a gorgeous day, so we happily sat outside.

…just as well, it was crowded inside.

We ordered the mixed grill…very good….and the torta della Nonna.

We were advised to take the gentle track down to Ponte a Serraglio. We headed off up the road a bit and took the road down to the church. It is always good to walk through Pieve di Monti di Villa.

Beside the church we found the track towards Ponte a Serraglio.

It was a bit overgrown, but not too bad.

In many places there was a rock path lined with wild flowers and gorgeous spring flowering trees.

We passed some old gates. There must have been a sizeable house here once.

We also passed some dry stone walls, no doubt part of the same property.

We walked under a gorgeous oak tree.

We passed a stream and a little waterfall.

Some of the time we walked on the road because the path was too overgrown, but that was good too.

Soon we came to the crossroad where the road goes to Riolo.

We passed the overgrown church.

We wandered down past the old chairlift. I would love to see this operating.

Lots of people were enjoying themselves at Villagio Globale.

Just before we reached the river we passed a wall of wildflowers.

Finally we arrived at Ponte. If you want to do the uphill walk, look for this sign opposite the walking bridge.

If you are looking for a great walk, this could be the one for you. You walk under the cover of the forest most of the way, so it is not too hot. The downhill walk is easy and the views are gorgeous.

Click here to see the winter walk.

Almost spring in Lucchio

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is a bit late coming this year and this has not been helped by the icy blast of wind blowing from the Alps.

But the trees are beginning to turn green…you can see a tinge of green on the trees framing lovely Lucchio.

Wild flowers are appearing and potted plants and fruit blossoms are springing to life.

There is always a friendly cat looking for a sunny spot in the mountain villages.

There is still snow on the higher mountains, making for some spectacular views.

The little bar in the piazza near the car park is thriving. After the death of the previous owner there was a danger the bar would close, but fortunately new people have taken over and are doing a great job…meet Franco.

As well as bar snacks and delicious sweets, there are great meals being served on weekends by Franco and his family. In summer the bar will be open more often and tables will spill out onto the terrace.

There are some excellent bargains in Lucchio for anyone looking for a house to buy.

It would be a great way to have a base in Italy without having to spend a lot of money. The village becomes quite lively in the summer months when ex Lucchio residents return to open their houses and enjoy gorgeous views and fresh mountain air.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: mountain villages in Tuscany