Casino tour

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

This weekend FAI (a bit like the National Trust) organised walking tours of the Casino and Bernabo Spa in Ponte a Serraglio. The tours were extremely well attended on Saturday and Sunday, bringing lots of new people to the area.

Our tour began at the casino. It is the first purpose built casino in Europe. Carlo Lodovico di Borbone commissioned Giuseppe Pardini to build it in 1837.

We then walked up the hill to the Bernabo Spa. It has been beautifully restored and offers a range of treatments along with a fabulous deep marble bath and natural steam rooms.

There is a great view of Ponte a Serraglio from the terrace in front of the spa.

From there we walked down the hill and stopped briefly in front of what was the English Club, which is now the home of a friend.

We walked back to the casino for an inside tour.

The entrance and sitting room.

This was once a ballroom.

This is the orchestra stage.

The beautiful ceiling.

Detail of some of the decoration.

Delightful Virgilio gave us some lessons in the types of games that were once played in the various casinos that were operating in the area.

Look out for any future walking tours with the FAI.

Coming up at the Casino

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

It is great to see the wonderful casino building in Ponte a Serraglio being put to use. Here is what is coming next week.

Back in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Debra Kolkka

I have returned to beautiful Bagni di Lucca after being away for almost 4 months. I love the winter here, especially the view from my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.

Time for a walk to see familiar things.

Spring will be here soon, I love that too.

It is good to be back in bella Bagni di Lucca.

Beautiful rain

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

While it might not be great for those who are here on holidays, the recent rain is very welcome after a dry, hot summer.

I like the misty morning and the sound of the rain at Ponte a Serraglio.

The rain is needed to fill dams, the springs that feed the rivers and the poor distressed plants. Let’s hope we get good rain over the next few months.

A guided walk

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

Ponte a Serraglio will be the star of Sunday’s guided walk. If you can’t make it today remember the date of the next one.

Anyone interested in joining the walk should go to Villa Fiori a bit before 10.00.

Pre-loved in Ponte

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

Ponte a Serraglio has an excellent pre-loved clothing shop. It is part of the Auser group.

There is a wonderful selection of clothing and accessories…a great addition to Ponte a Serraglio.

Sicilian delights at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

Piera, who owns and runs the excellent fruit and vegetable shop in Ponte a Serraglio, is from Sicily. She and her husband are now selling snap frozen Sicilian delights in the shop. They have arancini and pastries in different sizes.

There are sauces to go with them as well.

Of course they still sell a great range of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Drop in a say hello to lovely Piera.

A new chef at Albergo Corona

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

The restaurant at Algergo Corona is in a beautiful setting over looking over the Lima River. In spring and summer it is especiially delightful when there are tables outside on the terraces. With the weather beginning to warm up the outdoor dining should begin soon..

We were invited last night to meet the new chef, Stefano Gallo, and try the new menu. Stefano has lots of experience both in Italy and overseas. This is evident in the execution and presentation of the dishes we enjoyed.
We chose a five course degustation menu and asked the chef to select them for us. Every one was delicious…take a look. 1. red mullet with pappa al pomodoro. 2.seafood soup. 3. cacio e pepe (particularly delicious) 4. cappelletti (another favourite) 5. cod with endive. The cheesecake dessert was a delightful extra.

I look forward to trying more dishes on the menu soon. I’m sure they will be every bit as good as the ones we enjoyed.

Pansies on the bridge

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

I braved the freezing wind today to plant pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio. The bridge will be closed for a week from tomorrow so I wanted to get them in first.

The magnolia tree in the background will be in bloom soon.

I am expecting several plants to be stolen, it happens every year. Last week a miserable grub chopped off some lovely little daffodils and placed them carefully in the pot.

Anyway, I love to see flowers on the bridge…spring is on the way.