Last night we were invited to a fun evening at Villa Catureglio at Borgo a Mozzano, a few kilometres from Bagni di Lucca.
Before I left Australia for Italy earlier this year I met a group of Australians who like to travel. They have known each other for 30 years and visit fabulous places all over the world. This year they are staying at Villa Catureglio as part of an Italian visit.
Who can blame them for wanting to stay here?
As part of their stay they wanted to have an Italian cooking lesson, so I introduced them to my lovely friend Paola. I thought she would be a good fit for this fun group.
When we arrived the lesson was well underway.
The best part of a cooking lesson is that you get to eat the results.
Thank you Maree, Michael and friends for including us in your delightful evening. I hope the rest of your trip is excellent.
Looks fun and no doubt was good eating as well.
By: Dianne CANT on June 15, 2016
at 7:33 am
Yes, it was a great evening.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:29 pm
That would have been a super evening as Paola is such a fun lovely lady
By: Lyn on June 15, 2016
at 7:41 am
Paola is a treasure.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:29 pm
It all looks like something out of a film!
By: karenincalabria on June 15, 2016
at 7:44 am
Perhaps we could make one.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:29 pm
It looks like a lovely place, and what fun to enjoy good food and friends😀 I imagine Paola kept everyone laughing while they created a fabulous meal.
By: sheilasunshine on June 15, 2016
at 7:50 am
Paola knows how to make a cooking lesson fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:30 pm
Looks fantastic. I assume the vino was flowing as well?
By: kathyhill on June 15, 2016
at 7:55 am
Of course, siamo in Italia.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:30 pm
Nice 😉
By: pawelkonrad on June 15, 2016
at 8:15 am
Yes, it was fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:30 pm
What fun they must have even just planning their holidays. They seem to have their priorities in good order!
By: Jan on June 15, 2016
at 9:52 am
I think it is a great thing for a group of friends to do.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:31 pm
What a delightful post – you did well with your introductions by the look of it. c
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on June 15, 2016
at 10:30 am
I knew that these people would love Paola.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:31 pm
…and fun was had by all! Beautiful place, beautiful food, great friends. Yum.
By: The Daily Cure on June 15, 2016
at 2:10 pm
What more could you want?
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:32 pm
Assolutamente niente!
By: The Daily Cure on June 16, 2016
at 11:08 am
Debra is this a cooking school in Italy?
By: kalgoorliegirl on June 15, 2016
at 3:00 pm
Yes, the villa is in the next village from where we live in Bagni di Lucca. Paola went to the villa to do the cooking class.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:28 pm
Is there a link for the cooking school? Thanks. 🙂
By: kalgoorliegirl on June 15, 2016
at 7:03 pm
Villa Catureglio is not a cooking school, just accommodation. It is often used for wedding parties. They have website…Catureglio.com. Paola does cooking lessons in other people’s kitchens. I can send you her details if you like.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 8:08 pm
Thanks Debra for the information. I’m looking for cooking schools, so thought it might be one listed.. Appreciate your info. 🙂
By: kalgoorliegirl on June 15, 2016
at 8:19 pm
Looks like a great evening. Paola looks like a fun teacher. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on June 15, 2016
at 5:50 pm
Paola is great fun all the time.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 15, 2016
at 6:28 pm
How marvellous for long time friends to get together in this way! Think of all the memories stored up with experiences like cooking with Paola in an idyllic Italian setting. What other places have they visited as a group, I wonder? one thing’s for sure with this 50s something group – Dolce la Vita!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on June 15, 2016
at 10:56 pm
How fabulous…..great experience!
By: Kerry & Jim on June 16, 2016
at 1:51 am
Beautiful location and looks like a great experience with good food and wine too!
By: Tony on June 16, 2016
at 2:48 am
Cooking is an international language!
By: Mulino Dominillo on June 16, 2016
at 8:36 am
Can smell the food and hear the laughter (almost)
By: Mallee Stanley on June 16, 2016
at 3:00 pm
Dear Debra,
Thank you again for your most valuable information and for sharing your local knowledge. Paola is certainly a hidden GEM for anyone who is looking for a fun Italian cooking class in the Bagni di Lucca area. Easy Peasy Paola
Yes, it’s great to share so many wonderful experiences with old school friends especially as most of us have now reached 60!! Our adventures have included a farm in the Snowdonia region of Wales, an Agriturismo in central Tuscany, a villa on the shores of Lake Como, a castle near Galway in Ireland, the villa in the hills above Bagni di Lucca and a hilltop town in middle Tuscany.
Sounds opulent but when costs are shared for private bus hire, food, wine and accommodation, it becomes reasonably economical.
All you need is a bit of time spent researching on the net and a great group of life long friends
Thanks again Debra and Jim for sharing with us our Bagni di Lucca experience.
Maree and Michael
By: Anonymous on June 18, 2016
at 10:25 am
Wow! That’s Italian living, and not just Italian going. 😉
By: rommel on June 18, 2016
at 12:20 pm
It should be noted that Catureglio is the beautiful restored summer residence of the famous British architect Sir Michael Hopkins, designer among other things of Portcullis House used by UK MPs opposite the Houses of Parliament and the Welcome Trust building on Euston road. Every year he gives permission to the locals to celebrate Holy Mass in the chapel of the Villa which used to belong to the Mansi of profligate Lucida Mansi fame.
By: Francis on June 20, 2016
at 12:21 pm
Looks like a great evening. Paola looks like a fun teacher.:)
By: jenniferrecipes on August 21, 2016
at 5:29 pm
[…] via Easy Peasy Paola — Bagni di Lucca and Beyond […]
By: GOOD LUCK on February 5, 2017
at 7:18 am