I have been writing Bagni di Lucca and Beyond since 2009. I started writing it to help friends staying at our Italian apartment with their travels in the area and Italy in general.
Nobody was more surprised than I was that it gathered a following. The busy years were 2012 – 2017 when each blog post attracted thousands of views. That has dwindled over the years as people have become less interested in blogs. I rarely look at statistics these days, which is just as well. I looked recently to discover that each post gets a few hundred views at most and each time a write a post I lose a follower.
It would be disheartening, but I really only write for myself these days to record the places I have been, a diary where I can remind myself of interesting visits. I write about places I like and might like to return to, so I can find where I stayed and a good restaurant to revisit. It has also been interesting to document the growth of the garden at Casa Debbio. It is nice that there a still a few people following.
I am now back in lovely Italy for a few months. I have returned to rain and cool weather and I love it. The river is roaring past our apartment in Ponte a Serraglio and we have had heavy rain overnight. I love to stand at the window and watch the river and the mists rolling through the mountains.
I went up to our mountain house to find the garden full of daffodils, rosemary bushes covered in flowers and my peonies starting to appear. The signs of spring are very early this year. Everyone has been telling me how warm this winter has been.
Helibores are looking great.
Bees are buzzing around the rosemary flowers.
Some allysum is still flowering.
A few other things are still flowering.
The weeping cherry will soon be in bloom.
The red camellia bush is covered in flowers.
Daphne has the most beautiful fragrance.
Acanthus s thriving.
Artichokes are well on the way.
Most of my peonies have started to grow. Some are still little pink points poking out of the ground, some have leaves and one bush has small buds…much too early.
It is going to be fun to watch the garden come to life in the next few weeks and months. It is a great time to be in Italy.
Thank you to those who continue to follow my blog and a special thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Update…I have dropped 6 followers since I wrote this post…a record….interesting.
Excited for you too! The garden has been draining here this summer as I have been away a lot and it is so fecund.
By: Paddy on February 29, 2024
at 2:01 am
I am delighted to be out of the hot Brisbane summer! I will be back for our lovely winter. I hope your garden recovers
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:37 am
I am excited for you too! Garden has been fecund here this summer. Particularly draining because of the heat and lots of absences.
By: Paddy on February 29, 2024
at 2:03 am
Debra, I found your blog in 2018 when I was researching for a trip to Italy. I try to look at every new post when I receive the email. My favourites are when you document what is happening at Casa Debbie and Ponte a Serraglio, they look to be in a wonderful part of Italy which I haven’t visited yet. I hope to get there one day.
By: Stephen on February 29, 2024
at 2:14 am
Thank you for following! True to form, another follower dropped out when I posted this…too funny.
I hope you get to this beautiful part of Italy one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:39 am
I read every post you write, and thoroughly enjoy all of them ! I also enjoy your posts from Aus especially your photos. I hope you continue to write for us all to enjoy. Thank you !
By: Sue Cann on March 2, 2024
at 7:42 pm
Thank you! I have been inspired to continue with all the lovely comments I have received, despite losing 4 followers from this post…interesting.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:29 pm
We absolutely love reading your blog seeing all the fabulous places & history. Also love your information on places to stay or dine. Love seeing all the photos of your garden & how it is growing even though it makes us green with envy.
By: Camillus Davall on February 29, 2024
at 2:15 am
I look for your comments! Thank you for following. I wonder what will happen in the garden this year. It is much too early for the peonies to be so far advanced. I hope they will be OK.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:40 am
I love your flower photos …. The peonies I’m sure will be spectacular when they flower …. Cheers Viv
By: Viv Clifton-Jones on February 29, 2024
at 2:15 am
I love my peonies! I can’t wait to see them bloom this year. I do regular inspections to see which ones have appeared and talk to the slow ones. They eventually turn up.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:31 pm
i think it really does not matter if you lose followers. This is your diary, your art. I will keep on reading. thank you
By: Paul on February 29, 2024
at 2:16 am
I know it doesn’t matter and thank you for reading. I used to be quite competitive with myself, but now I don’t often look at the blog statistics, I write because I enjoy it.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:45 am
I have enjoyed the transformation of the mountain house garde. Great photography – keep writing for us!
By: Mpd on February 29, 2024
at 2:17 am
The growth of the garden has amazed me. When we bought the property it was covered with brambles so we started from scratch. Our lovely friend Alfredo cleared the brambles, a terrible job. We could not do without the help of Filippo to keep it looking wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:47 am
I have followed you for 12 yrs!!! Love these pics
By: Melonie Carideo on February 29, 2024
at 2:19 am
Thank you! The time has gone very quickly. We bought our apartment in Ponte a Serraglio in 2003 and the house in 2010. I love my time in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:49 am
Dear Debra, thank you for the many years that you have written your lovely & informative blog . One full of information of people & places with beautiful pictures to take us there. I have enjoyed all of your posts, look forward to new ones & I am among those who still reads multiple blogs & listen to podcasts.
Enjoy spring in Bagni di Lucca.
Mille grazie
Wilma Lange
By: Wilma Lange on February 29, 2024
at 2:19 am
Thank you for following! I think writing the blog encourages me to take more notice of the places I visit instead of just wandering through. I like finding interesting things to photograph.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:51 am
I appreciate the time you take to document your travels, and the beautiful photos. Thank you.
By: Sheila C Lyons on February 29, 2024
at 2:26 am
Thank you Sheila. I hope you are still enjoying your travels.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:51 am
Debra,
I have been following your blog ever since my wife Sandy and I were staying in Banos di Lucca and met you in the cafe there.
Your posts during the past 11 years have brought and continue to bring back great memories.
Cheers!
John Spevak
Los Banos, California
By: John Spevak on February 29, 2024
at 2:30 am
I look forward to each if your posts. Don’t be disheartened
By: Maree, Sydney Aus on February 29, 2024
at 2:40 am
Thank you. I will keep posting while I find interesting things to write about.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:32 pm
That is great to know. I like meeting people who follow my blog. I have met lots over the years, often at Bar Italia.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:52 am
I love your blog which Yvonne introduced me to maybe 5 or 6 years ago. I love following your garden being a fellow gardener in addition to loving Italy. I may never make it there again…please keep posting…it gives me great pleasure. I love your passion! Many thanks….
By: Jane on February 29, 2024
at 2:34 am
The garden at Casa Debbio is my first real attempt at a garden. It has been fun starting it from scratch. As I’m sure you know it is a game of trial and error and you have to wait a year sometimes to see if your trials work. It is excellent when they do, and disappointing when a goat stops by and eats something before you see results.
Thank you for following.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:55 am
Debra, I read every post and hugely enjoy your comments and beautiful photographs. I’ll probably miss you again this year unless you are intending to be back in September? Keep the blog going please! Mille grazie e auguri, Margaret Farren-Price
By: Margaret Farren-Price on February 29, 2024
at 2:38 am
I hope to be back in September this year and hope to catch up. Thank you for following. It is nice to see there are still some followers out there.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:56 am
Hi Deb been following you since you started in 2009 and still love reading all your posts. Loved the times we have caught up in Italy. I hope to be there again for Xmas. Will be staying with in-laws vicino Orvieto. Keep up the good work. X
By: Jan Fabretti on February 29, 2024
at 2:42 am
It was fun meeting you and you group here in Bagni di a Lucca. I love Orvieto…must go back soon. Thank you for commenting.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:58 am
I always enjoy reading your blogs Deb. Have been following since 2012 when we first met. I especially have enjoyed seeing your garden at Casa Debbio develop over the years, having been there when you were first planting it.
By: Wendy on February 29, 2024
at 3:04 am
You saw the garden right at the beginning when it wasn’t a garden. You need to come back and see it now! Thanks for commenting.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:58 am
I’m also rusted on Debra ……roll on please
By: Richard Tewes on February 29, 2024
at 3:50 am
Thank you Richard! I probably have a few more years in me yet.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 5:59 am
I have always enjoyed reading your log and seeing the places you have recommended threw the years. I was also happy to have met you last year in August while visiting with my wife and friends at Cafe Italia in Bagni.
By: Adrian on February 29, 2024
at 4:29 am
Thank you. I like meeting readers at Bar Italia. I am about to head there for my regular breakfast. There is always someone to chat to there. It is one of my favourite places in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:00 am
Always read your blog, follow with interest how things are going in the places we have visited. Also for future trips lots of pointers. Thank you Deb.
By: Kirsi Sade on February 29, 2024
at 4:29 am
Thank you for commenting. I try to find interesting things in the places I visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:01 am
Hi Deb , glorious photos of the garden . Daphne especially , a favourite from my childhood in Melbourne .
We had 6 wonderful weeks in Umbria and Tuscany and Sardinia last Oct /Nov . Thankyou so much for your advice when we were planning . A week in Cortona and Orvieto with day trips to other small towns was perfect . West coast of Sardinia , Alghero, Bosa and Oristano , magnificent coastal scenery .
Grazie mille Donna
By: Donna on February 29, 2024
at 5:22 am
The little Daphne looks a bit bedraggled but it smells divine. I love Orvieto and need another visit.
Thanks for the suggestions in Sardinia, one of the most beautiful places in Italy.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:54 am
I for one love your blogs Debra .. I have visited so many places from your experience in travel .. Thank you for your own going efforts to keep us in the loop.
Hope to return one day to Bagni di Lucca a hamlet and fairytale.
And yes I always love love the photos of the garden 🪴 🌺
Thank you Debra 🙏💖
By: Lorraine Wagner on February 29, 2024
at 5:40 am
Thank you for commenting! I love walking through the garden to see what has popped up. The work involved is worth it when beautiful things grow. I hope you get back one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:07 am
Thank you, Debra. We just love your stories and thoughts put into words for us…..t(not to mention the wonderful photos) thanks again, Sandra & Bruce, Sydney.
By: Sandra & Bruce on February 29, 2024
at 6:00 am
Thank you! I am very lucky to be able to travel to wonderful places. I like sharing them.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:08 am
I think I am one of the “oldies” around , but I will keep on reading and enjoying your blog for as long as you keep on writing it.
The blog has also helped me to meet you, which is a privilege.
Thank you, Debra.
By: Mulino Dominillo on February 29, 2024
at 6:21 am
I miss you in Bagni di Lucca. We also need to return to your wonderful part of the world.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 6:55 am
I would never have agreed to go to Helsinki during my last trip, if not for your blog. Imagine if I had missed it! X
By: Sandra Robbins on February 29, 2024
at 7:10 am
Helsinki is a fabulous city! I’m pleased I was responsible for your visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 8:14 am
Welcome back to Lucca! It was unseasonably warm the first two days after we arrived, but since then there’s been quite a bit of rain, which should make your garden happy! I love seeing the cheery bright daffodils. The center photo in the row of 3 photos is particularly interesting and beautiful. I hope we will have a chance to say hello this year. We will be here until early May.
By: Laura on February 29, 2024
at 7:51 am
Thank you! I am coming to Lucca today and again on Saturday.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 8:14 am
Hi Debra, so enjoyed reading this post! It brought back so many memories of the wonderful week we spent in your apartment at Bagni Di Lucca, and the fantastic overnight visit to your beautiful Casa Debbie. How amazing how much your gorgeous garden has developed!
Your blog is a joy to read… the photos, the memories, the descriptions of places visited, evoke such longings for return visits to your beautiful part of Italy 🇮🇹
As they say, keep on keeping on! Your enthusiasm continues to inspire xx
By: Pauline on February 29, 2024
at 8:28 am
Thank you! You would not recognise the garden now. It is huge. We have about 150 fruit trees as well as the gorgeous peonies, lavender, wisteria and much more.
I am waiting for the rain and wind to go away so I can get into the garden and get things happening in spring.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 4:25 pm
Love your blogs. The garden looks stunning. My favourite are the peonies. Hoping to be in Italy soon, in April for a few months.
Keep blogging!!
By: Isobel Stuart on February 29, 2024
at 9:03 am
Thank you. The peonies are my favourite. I hope all 120 reappear this spring.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2024
at 4:25 pm
Dear Debra,
I appreciate your Blog, your historical lessons, your beautiful photographs and all of the insight and muse your put into your blog. Although we have not been able to return since the pandamic, I dream of our next visit and you keep that dream Alive for which I am forever grateful! I frequently save your photographs to my “Art Inspiration” file with the idea of painting one day and your information of wonderful places to visit in Italy to my “Travel” file.
Thank you ever so much for sharing the richness of your experiences with all of us!
Belinda Simonini, San Diego CA
By: Belinda L Simonini on February 29, 2024
at 5:44 pm
Thank you for your lovely comments. I love my travels in Italy and elsewhere and like to share them. It is nice to know that my efforts are appreciated.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:12 am
Congratulations! You’ve been blogging a lot longer than I’ve been aware something called a blog existed. You always have such beautiful photos and interesting posts between Italy and Finland. I would think that you had such good, consistent content that your posts would naturally come up on a google search, but I suppose there are just too many sites packed with keywords without anything to back it up. I wish you all the best for your future blogosphere endeavors.
By: karenincalabria on February 29, 2024
at 9:00 pm
I really don’t mind that I don’t rate highly on Google or anywhere else. I love being able to travel to wonderful places and writing the blog encourages me to look for interesting things, rather than just wander through. It makes me more aware and I like that.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:14 am
I love your blog! Your photos are so beautiful, I love watching the change of seasons in your neighborhood and I know someday I will see it all in person! Molti grazie, Derin Gemignani
By: Derin Gemignani on February 29, 2024
at 10:45 pm
Thank you! I hope you visit our lovely part of Italy one day soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:14 am
I love reading your blog Debra, as do many many others, though writing for yourself is a very good reason to write as well.
My sister and I stayed at your apartment in Ponte a Serraglio back in pre covid days and we love seeing your moody wintry reminders of the views from the window as well as the photos of your beautiful Casa Debbio garden.
Thank you!
By: Jenny Robinson on March 1, 2024
at 4:31 am
I love watching the seasons here, especially as it does not happen in sun tropical Brisbane. Thank you for takin* the time to comment.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:16 am
I may not read all the blogs but i have saved them for future, thank you so much. Enjoy the Aussie ones too,
Renee from Noosa
By: Renee Aland on March 1, 2024
at 6:16 am
Thank you. It is nice to know my posts are appreciated.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:21 pm
I also noticed how many bloggers started to switch to Instagram around 2018/2019. I still prefer blogs though since they give me more freedom to write whatever I want, and in general I find other bloggers I connect with very nice people. I think those who really enjoy writing will still stick to their blogs.
By: Bama on March 1, 2024
at 6:52 am
There are many other options now, so I get it. I use Instagram and like that it is mostly positive, but a blog allows for much more.
Thank you for commenting.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:23 pm
Hi im always reading your blogs love your gardens and the trips in Italy and other places you visit. Just keep on blogging.
By: Christine Toy on March 1, 2024
at 7:26 am
I will keep blogging for a while I suppose…who knows?
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:57 pm
Happy Birthday have a great time in Italy 🇮🇹 💓🎉
By: Christine Toy on March 1, 2024
at 12:51 pm
Thank you!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:57 pm
I enjoy reading your blog, i have for some years now and due to you we have traveled in Italy. So thank you. Also I love the progress of your mountain garden.
By: Janet knight on March 1, 2024
at 2:18 pm
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy your travels.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 1, 2024
at 6:58 pm
I was SO pleased to see you heading back to Italy; knowing there would be fabulous posts of your garden, your travels and various things of interest that you’ve always shared. Saddened, however, to hear that your readership has lessened; that you may feel somewhat disheartened. I, for one, absolutely adore the kind of post you have here today; your return, the river under your apt and the superb photos of your garden at Casa Debbio; I hope you will gain a renewed belief that what you do is very much appreciated, valued and that, without it, a number of followers would be missing highlights that brighten their day, well-being and l’anima! You bring, far and wide, a world of beauty, interest and fascination. Thank you for the Joy you bring to my day.
C. Rowley
By: Catherine Rowley on March 2, 2024
at 9:53 pm
Thank you for your kind words. I like to share the places I visit and I love taking photos of my garden. I love walking around it and finding new (and old) gorgeous things.
This post caused me to lose 4 subscribers, a bit of a record!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 2, 2024
at 11:27 pm
I have been reading your posts since 2012 when I rented your apartment with a friend who has since passed away. Another two friends rented another apartment and we had a marvellous week. I always enjoy all your posts, places and your garden which is wonderful. Please keep posting. By the look of all the messages there are a lot of happy followers. (I live on the Gold Coast now. Used to be Bundaberg)
By: Dianne Leggo on March 4, 2024
at 6:35 am
Thank you for writing. It is encouraging that people are still reading my posts!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 4, 2024
at 7:53 am
Ciao Debra!
Welcome back and keep going with sharing your interesting travel experiences and posting beautiful pictures ❤️
By: Paolo on March 4, 2024
at 6:54 am
Grazie Paolo! Ci vediamo.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 4, 2024
at 7:53 am
Hi Debra, have I been removed from following your blog? I tried to get back on with WordPress but, as with all technical things these days, it’s not straightforward. Here goes another attempt.
Regards, Robyn in Brisbane (italia4ever)
By: Robyn on March 7, 2024
at 4:18 am
I don’t know how WordPress works! They change things for no apparent reason..
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2024
at 6:03 am
Looks like it might have worked. Not sure if I have to enter all my details each time, but here goes.
Anyway, your photos of the plants and flowers are really stunning, as are the photos of places in Italy. I hope to make a trip back next year. Last time was 2019 so looking forward to being there again. Regards, Robyn in Brisbane (italia4ever)
By: Robyn on March 7, 2024
at 4:33 am
I’m pleased you are back. I hope you are back in lovely Italy soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2024
at 6:04 am
Greetings Debra! Thank you for continuing this blog. I’ve been following you for years, originally because I have family in and have been to several times, Boveglio and Colognora (and now with the younger generations moving further afield, surrounding burbs. However, I quickly became a big fan of your skilled photography and occasional thoughtful or witty commentary! I will say that the company seems to have changed a bit for me the last year or so as I’ve had to re-establish my ‘subscription’ to your blog. Perhaps some of those seemingly dropping out have in fact been ‘dropped off’?? Enjoy Bagni as the weather warms and the fragrances pop!
By: Doug Petrroni on March 9, 2024
at 3:05 pm
Hi Doug, WordPress does seem to change with no reason or benefit. You could be correct about the dropping out. I just lost 6 followers on the post I wrote about Lucca. I can’t imagine why lovely Lucca could cause people to leave.
Anyway, I am trying to ignore the drop offs.
Thank you for your comments!
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2024
at 5:20 pm
Hello Debra from Victoria B.C. Canada.
I am a relative newbie to your blog starting about 3 years ago.
I have not missed any though I have only commented on one.
I love your Lucca travel logs because we have been to Lucca 5 times as my husbands’ mother was born there. The last time was in Oct 2022.
Your photos are so beautiful and seem to make your blogs just flow from start to finish.
I have never been to Finland or Australia and now I don’t need to as you have shared them with me.
Please ‘keep on blogging’ Debra and I will keep on ‘following ‘ you!
Annie Boldt
By: Anne Boldt on March 11, 2024
at 1:02 am
Thank you! Lucca is wonderful, how lovely that you have been able to visit 5 times. It was an Italian friend who suggested we buy a place in Lucca. We did find an apartment we liked in Lucca, but it was more than we wanted to pay at the time. We are happy in Bagni di Lucca and we can go to Lucca often.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 11, 2024
at 5:07 am