I'm also looking forward to seeing the progress on the footbridge across the Lima, linking the gardens and car park of the Villa Fiori next door with Ponte a Serraglio. During our last visit, we saw that the structure now spans the width of the river, and it looked like it was nearly complete. I'll put up some pictures after our next visit.
Sunday 26 April 2009
Primavera
Although spring has finally arrived in London, we're really looking forward to returning to the villa next weekend, as I hear that la primavera has arrived will full force in Italia.
I'm also looking forward to seeing the progress on the footbridge across the Lima, linking the gardens and car park of the Villa Fiori next door with Ponte a Serraglio. During our last visit, we saw that the structure now spans the width of the river, and it looked like it was nearly complete. I'll put up some pictures after our next visit.
I'm also looking forward to seeing the progress on the footbridge across the Lima, linking the gardens and car park of the Villa Fiori next door with Ponte a Serraglio. During our last visit, we saw that the structure now spans the width of the river, and it looked like it was nearly complete. I'll put up some pictures after our next visit.
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Earthquake
We are very thankful that we did not feel any effects from Monday's devestating earthquake in Abruzzo. The destruction and loss of life are terrible and our thoughts are with all of the victims.
If you want to contribute to the rescue efforts, the National Italian American Foundation has started an Abruzzo Relief Fund and the Croce Rossa Italia is also very active in providing relief and assistance to the victims.
If you want to contribute to the rescue efforts, the National Italian American Foundation has started an Abruzzo Relief Fund and the Croce Rossa Italia is also very active in providing relief and assistance to the victims.
Thursday 2 April 2009
Headed Back
We're headed back to the villa for an extended stay for the first time since mid-February. I'm looking forward to some Spring sunshine, although when I checked the weather yesterday, it had been raining for days and expected to rain all week. Hopefully it will be all "rained out" by this weekend and we can enjoy some good weather. Fingers crossed.
Friday 27 February 2009
Italian Art
While wasting time on the internet last weekend, I came across a site that turns photos into drawings. I thought I'd see what the villa would look like as a drawing. Here's the result in two different styles.
Mi piace molto!
Mi piace molto!
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Visiting in Mid-Winter
We spent a long weekend in Bagni di Lucca recently, and although it's still very much winter, I think I detected some faint signs of Spring around the corner. The nights were still cold (sometimes close to 0 C), but the bright, sunny days warmed up to 10 C, providing a refreshing change from grey, cold and damp London.
Fewer tourists also means it's easier to get around. Of course, Florence is always crowded, but in February it seems almost deserted compared with the heaving masses clogging the streets during the height of summer.
All-in-all, a great time to relax, stroll through the towns and cities and eat great food. Can't wait to get back!
Fewer tourists also means it's easier to get around. Of course, Florence is always crowded, but in February it seems almost deserted compared with the heaving masses clogging the streets during the height of summer.
All-in-all, a great time to relax, stroll through the towns and cities and eat great food. Can't wait to get back!
Friday 9 January 2009
Renting the Villa
Now you can enjoy the charms of Bagni di Lucca and Tuscany and rent the villa for your holiday or short break.
We had trouble deciding whether or not to offer the villa as a holiday let (I'm not terribly fond of the idea of strangers living in our house), but in the end we decided that renting provides a good way to offset some of the costs, especially as the house would otherwise remain empty most of the time.
Of course, we worry about damage and wear and tear, particularly as we have just renovated the house and bought new furniture. However, I've noticed in my experience as a renter of houses that they are normally in pretty good condition, so I've concluded that most holiday renters take pretty good care of the property.
Of course, I have no concerns about any of this blog's readers renting the villa, as I'm sure that you would take the utmost care of the property.
So, if you fancy a stay at the villa, you can find the listing here on Holiday-Rentals in the UK, and here on HomeAway in the USA. There's also a link to the listing on the sidebar of this blog.
We hope you will get the chance to visit Bagni di Lucca. Bienvenuto!
We had trouble deciding whether or not to offer the villa as a holiday let (I'm not terribly fond of the idea of strangers living in our house), but in the end we decided that renting provides a good way to offset some of the costs, especially as the house would otherwise remain empty most of the time.
Of course, we worry about damage and wear and tear, particularly as we have just renovated the house and bought new furniture. However, I've noticed in my experience as a renter of houses that they are normally in pretty good condition, so I've concluded that most holiday renters take pretty good care of the property.
Of course, I have no concerns about any of this blog's readers renting the villa, as I'm sure that you would take the utmost care of the property.
So, if you fancy a stay at the villa, you can find the listing here on Holiday-Rentals in the UK, and here on HomeAway in the USA. There's also a link to the listing on the sidebar of this blog.
We hope you will get the chance to visit Bagni di Lucca. Bienvenuto!
Tuesday 6 January 2009
Happy New Year
We spent New Year's weekend in Bagni di Lucca and enjoyed a relaxing stay. The roof has been repaired - three tiles were cracked when the TV satellite was installed and that was enough, with all the heavy rains in December, to cause the leak. As expected, there was no real damage, and we'll just need a lick of paint to the bedroom wall to remove the water stain.
After the deluge in December, fortunately it rained only one day. The temperature, however, was colder than normal, hovering around freezing and only rising to about 5 or 6 Celsius during the day. Despite the temperature, the area remains beautiful and charming even in winter, and quieter, with few tourists.
We took a drive to the nearby ski resort of Abetone, and while snow in Bagni di Lucca is rare, plenty had fallen and accumulated just a few miles up the mountain - several feet in fact! The resort was packed with skiers, so it must be a popular spot.
Much of the small amount of remaining work in the house has been completed, and only some landscaping and clean-up left to complete in the driveway and garage area. We're already planning our next visit and I'm especially looking forward to the warm spring and summer weather, which can't come soon enough!
After the deluge in December, fortunately it rained only one day. The temperature, however, was colder than normal, hovering around freezing and only rising to about 5 or 6 Celsius during the day. Despite the temperature, the area remains beautiful and charming even in winter, and quieter, with few tourists.
We took a drive to the nearby ski resort of Abetone, and while snow in Bagni di Lucca is rare, plenty had fallen and accumulated just a few miles up the mountain - several feet in fact! The resort was packed with skiers, so it must be a popular spot.
Much of the small amount of remaining work in the house has been completed, and only some landscaping and clean-up left to complete in the driveway and garage area. We're already planning our next visit and I'm especially looking forward to the warm spring and summer weather, which can't come soon enough!
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