The great cities and towns of Italy are high on most people’s list when a trip to Italy is planned. These places are popular because they are wonderful, full of museums, galleries, historical buildings and lots of things to see and do. The countryside with farm houses, villas and maybe even a castle or two is also part of the plan.
The Fallen Patriot in a tiny square in Ponte a Serraglio
Staying in cities in a centrally located hotel is a great idea, but to experience something even more Italian, the answer could be a village stay. If you wish you can be part of the village life and get to know some locals. Our little part of Bagni di Lucca is called Ponte a Serraglio and we think it makes for a perfect village stay. There is lots to see and do, or you can just sit on a balcony and watch the village in action. Click here to see Marco solving traffic problems.
Deb's pretty balcony
View from Liz's balcony
There is usually a beautiful old church to see.
Il campanile - bell tower of our church
The church in our village is not particularly old, but it is quite pretty and well cared for.
a pretty wall near the church
angels on the front of the church
The focus of the village will be the bar. Ponte a Serraglio has 2 bars, Bar Italia and Il Monaco. One of these will be open from early morning until late at night.
Bar Italia
Enjoying an Aperol before dinner
It is like an opera stage with players entering and taking their exits with an exchange of pleasantries. This show is yours for the price of a coffee to sit and enjoy. You can watch the barista making dozens of coffees so very fast, while chatting to all who come into the bar. You can practice your Italian, and pretend you are Italian for a while. The flow of people changes with the seasons. In winter it is just the locals, with the odd tourist who wanders in. In summer the tables are put outside in the sun and the piazza fills with people.
Il Monaco for morning coffee and afternoon gelati
Everything will open and close on an apparent whim. The church mentioned in your guidebook may be open without a soul in sight, the next day it could be closed!!!
There are 8,101 communes in Italy. Some are huge like Rome or Naples and others are sleepy mountain towns. Some of these are getting smaller as the young move to larger cities in search of work. Tourists and expats help to keep them alive.
Who can resist a view like this?
A lovely balcony
The Bar Italia and Il Monaco provide the stage for you to play on ( and have great coffee too) I liken it to an opera, you just sit yourself down at the bar, and every village however small has one, and watch the various players come onto the stage, play their part and then leave, just in time for the next one. It is the ultimate in people watching, e.g. the beautiful boy in the Giacosa.
When plannning your next Italian holiday, try to fit in a village stay, however small – it will be a holiday with a difference and the memories will be wonderful, and don’t forget to take time to smell the roses.
Lots of roses to be smelled ...
