Bar Italia reopens

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

We have missed Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio for the last 12 days. Annalisa reopened the bar in spectacular style with a party. Friends came from near and far.

There was music and lots of food and wine.

Our lovely baristas were back on deck.

The cabinets were full of delights…as usual.

The counter was covered in flowers.

I had a quick look at the new area.

I have chosen my seat for breakfast every morning.

I love the new area!

The new Tabacchi setup looks good.

I think my favourite young customer has set the mood for the revamped Bar Italia.

The party went well into the night and fun was had by all.

Congratulations Annalisa and crew. The expanded Bar Italia is a great success and I look forward to many breakfasts, lunches and aperitivo.

An evening of jazz

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

The jazz evening in the restaurant at La Ninfa hotel in Ponte a Serraglio was a great success. The music was excellent and the food and wine delicious.

The event was well attended and there will surely be more in spring and summer. Well done everyone involved.

Bar Italia is expanding

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

We are very lucky in Ponte a Serraglio to have Bar Italia. It is open from early in the morning until late at night every day of the year. I go every morning for coffee when I am in Ponte a Serraglio, a perfect start to the day.

Recently, owner and barista extraordinaire, Annalisa, took over the Tabacchi beside the bar. The space is being renovated and will reopen soon as an extension of Bar Italia. All Tabacchi services and some new ones will return with the opening on 5th April.

Bar Italia will close from 24th March until 5th April in order to complete the final renovation work. I will certainly miss my morning coffee and aperitivo at Bar Italia!

Plans for Villa Fiori

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

There was a meeting at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio on Tuesday to introduce the plans for Villa Fiori, which has recently been purchased by Sean Connelly, a Chartered Consulting Engineer who specialises in the design and build of Commercial and Residential Wellness and leisure facilities for resort hotels, clubs and super-prime residential properties. I think Villa Fiori is in good hands.

I was not at the casino on Tuesday but a friend has sent one view of the plans for the venture.

It is expected that the permits should be completed in the next 3 months and the project finished in 4 years.

It seems a circular spa and restaurant will surround a thermal pool. Villa Fiori will be a hotel. I hope to get more information when I return to Ponte a Serraglio in a few weeks.

I think this will be excellent for Bagni di Lucca. There should be jobs for local tradespeople and accommodation will be needed for workers who are brought in. Once the project is finished there should be lots of jobs and local businesses will benefit from the extra people coming to Bagni di Lucca to enjoy the facilities.

I hope work begins while I am in Bagni di Lucca on my upcoming visit.

A new owner for Villa Fiori

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Debra Kolkka

It has been reported that Villa Fiori in Ponte a Serraglio has been sold. It seems an English man will revive this lovely old building and turn it into a hotel.

It will be excellent to see the building saved. It has been fading fast in the last couple of years, especially after a tree fell on the roof.

I hope the diver in the garden can be saved. I love her. It has been awful seeing her disintegrate.

I wish the new owner the best! I can’t wait to see Villa Fiori alive again,

Delicious food at La Ninfa

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Debra Kolkka

Simone, the young and passionate chef at La Ninfa is cooking up food the locals love. It is great to see the newly renovated hotel doing well. A local contact sent me some photos. I look forward to trying it when I return to Ponte a Serraglio in early 2025.

Call or email the hotel for more information…

Phone..+39 0583 1390033

Email…info@laninfahotel.com

Website…https://www.laninfahotelristorante.com

Loss in Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Debra Kolkka

Ponte a Serraglio has lost its lovely fruit and vegetable shop. Piera and her husband have run the shop since 2018 and it has been a great addition to the piazza. I liked to see Piera’s happy face and I loved watching her children playing before they went to school. I will miss them.

They have begun a new venture in Dieciemo and I wish them the best.

We have also lost Giampaolo and Maria Laura Calissi who have sold the Bridge Hotel after decades in Ponte a Serraglio. The well dressed Giampaolo has always been a friendly face in the piazza. They have certainly earned their retirement. I hope they enjoy wonderful times with their family.

It is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. I look forward to meeting the new owners and wish them every success.

Preloved

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Debra Kolkka

Ponte a Serraglio has an excellent preloved homewares shop run by Auser. I am constantly surprised by the range and quality of the items on offer. The hand crocheted table cloth in the first photo is now mine.