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.

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.

Lofty Lucchio

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Just in case you didn’t believe me when I told you Lucchio clings like a limpet to the side of a mountain, take a look at this view.

The photo was taken from the Popiglio side of Lucchio, on the road to Abetone. Lucchio looks great from any angle.

Mobbiano

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A short distance from Longoio is the tiny hamlet of Mobbiano. Just before the car park in Longoio is a road on the right heading up the hill. There is nowhere to park in Mobbiano unless you live there, so it is best to leave your car at the bottom of the hill and walk up.
I walked down from above Longoio past the little church that sits between the 2 villages.

The church wasn’t open, but I could peer inside.

This date is on the side of the building, along with a very cute angel.

A little further along the track Mobbiano comes into view.

Mobbiano is now a collection of houses. I don’t know whether there were ever shops or businesses here. Perhaps someone out there knows.

There are some lovely houses and it must be a peaceful place to live. All you can hear is birds. The gardens are lovely and the views are gorgeous. There are some seriously steep steps and tiny lanes between the levels of the village.

One of the houses, now derelict, must have belonged to the church. There is a cross on the old door. It needs a bit of work.

Take a walk through Mobbiano if you are in the area, especially now that spring is here.

The azalea festival at Borgo a Mozzano

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Every year, on a day in April, Borgo a Mozzano’s streets are filled with azaleas…a great time to visit this quaint nearby town. It wasn’t the best day with overcast skies and threatening rain, but I went anyway.

There were displays in the streets.

…lots of flowers for sale. Some of the rhododendrons will be living under the hazelnut trees at Casa Debbio.

Of course there was food for sale.

…and other things to buy.

The pool and surrounds in Borgo are looking great.

The pruned trees on the main street are springing to life.

On the way home I stopped on the Borgo side of the river for a different view of the Ponte della Maddelena. Even on an overcast day the bridge looks great.

A good reason to stop at the Devil’s Bridge

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

You don’t really need an excuse to stop and admire this gorgeous bridge, but there is another reason apart from the sheer beauty of it.

Catia from Giocondo has opened a wonderful shop where you can buy products from her agriturismo in Lugliano. It is opposite the bridge and there is parking beside the bridge.

Click here to see more about Catia…she is a very busy woman.

www.agriturismogiocondo.com

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.

Gombereto

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I walked to Gombereto down the path from San Gemignano. In just a few minutes the village comes into view.

The fruit trees look wonderful in blossom.

The path is lined with wild flowers and bees the size of my thumb were having a great time. They won’t sit still for a photo unfortunately.

The first building I came to on the path is the tiny church.

I went on further to the Piazza dei Caduti.

From there several tiny lanes lead off to different parts of the village.

Old tree trunks and barrels have been put to good use as planters.

Grape vines are sprouting.

There was a pigeon party happening on a rooftop.

…and a lone cat out for a walk.

There are some wonderful old doors in my favourite colour.

Here is the view of Gombereto from Longoio…another place to visit soon.

San Gemignano di Controne

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Bagni di Lucca’s San Gemignano is not to be confused with the town with many towers, San Gimignano. Our sleepy hamlet is part of La Controneria, the largest and most populated area of Bagni di Lucca. La Controneria includes Guzzano, Gombereto, Mobbiano, Longoio, San Gemignano, Pieve di Controne, Vetteglia and San Cassiano.

San Gemignano is 532 metres above sea level and 7.5 kilometres along a narrow, winding road from La Villa. I visited on an overcast spring day…come for a walk through the village.

The views are lovely, even on a dull day.

There is a small shop at the top of the town and a narrow lane heads down hill from there. Old stone houses line the street.

There is a track to Vetteglia.

…and a track down the other way to Gombereto.

A bit further along the main street is the church dedicated to S Gemignano Vescovo who is said to have saved the Emperor of Constantinople’s daughter from the devil.

The bell tower dates from the late 1800s. The church dates from 1581, but was rebuilt last century after an earthquake. It wasn’t open the day I was there…another visit is required.

Spring is showing its pretty face in the gardens and along the sides of the roads and tracks. There are wildflowers everywhere and some fruit trees are in blossom.