Bagni di Lucca and Beyond is now more than 10 years old. I write the blog to share my travel experiences, mostly in Italy where I spend 6 months of the year. The other 6 months are spent in Brisbane, Australia. I enjoy having a home in both places.
The past 2 years have been a bit different. Because of Covid I have been stuck in Italy since February 2020. This has not been a trial and I have made the most of my time here. You can read about the lockdowns in Italy in the category ‘Lockdown in Italy’. It will soon be time for me to return to Australia and as much as I love Italy I am looking forward to doing Australian things for a while.
If you look through the archives there are lots of stories about places I have visited. I have travelled all over Italy and if you type the name of an area or city in the ‘Search’ box the chances are there will be a post about it.
As well as my travels I have documented the building of Casa Debbio, the beautiful stone house we built in Vergemoli in the Tuscan mountains not far from our apartment in Bagni di Lucca. The house is available for rent in the warmer months.
The house is well established and our beautiful garden gets bigger and better every year. This year we have added some dry stone walls, created by the wonderful Ugo from Vergemoli and our treasured Filippo without whom we would be lost.
If you look in the Casa Debbio category you will find the posts I have written about the house and garden. I discovered I could grow peonies and now have 120 plants that produce gorgeous flowers every spring as well as lavender, rosemary, wisteria, roses and dozens of fruit trees.
In my past life I worked in the fashion industry for 20 years in design, production and retail. Click here to see something of my fashion past. I still like to sew and when in Brisbane I produce garments in natural fibres and sell them at the shop of a friend. I like to keep busy.
If you have any questions please contact me on – debrakolkka@gmail.com
Well, Debra….long time no see. I haven’t been
to Bagni di Lucca for a couple of years. Tina told me about your blog….very clever and interesting.
You look great!
Joan Marceau
Salem, NH .. now recently moved to Florida to be
warm.
By: Joan Castrucci Marceau on February 22, 2010
at 9:57 pm
Thanks Joan for your comments. When are you coming back to Bagni di Lucca?
Debra
By: Anonymous on February 23, 2010
at 6:37 am
Hey Debra, my husband’s name is Jim too:)
Nice blog!
Is that an Hermes scarf you are wearing?:)
Mirella
By: mirellamccracken on March 10, 2010
at 1:27 pm
Hello Ladies – so glad to have found you! My husband and I are leaving our long-time home in San Francisco, CA and moving to Benabbio, just above Bagni di Lucca in May! Would love to meet up with you when you are in town.
We’re excited and terrified. Now, I have to get back to reading your blog.
Cheers!
Teri
By: Teri on April 14, 2010
at 11:35 pm
Ciao Teri,
I’m pleased you found us! We will be here until mid May. Look for our apartment on the bridge or perhaps we can meet at the bar. Email me before you come. debrakolkka@gmail.com
By: bagnidilucca on April 15, 2010
at 5:51 am
dear terri, i saw your email on this blog. my husband an di ar just finishing building ahouse above the trme, ready in may. he is not retired yet (doctor in winnpeg, canada) but we are planning slowly to spend time there. i will be 2 weeks in early may at the terne hotel until the house is liveable. i love bernabbio, hope we can meet up, also a bit terrified. cherry goldstein
By: cherry goldstein on March 27, 2011
at 11:54 am
ciao: just wanted to say hi and hope you are enjoying bagni di lucca. i am getting my papers together and have a concrete appt. with the italian consulate in san francisco to try to apply for my dual citizenship. may join you there someday.
George M.
By: george miori on April 15, 2010
at 10:26 pm
Hi Deb,
Just spent a few minutes on your blog, dreaming of our upcoming stay in Bagni Di Lucca… Can’t wait! We are receiving text messages from our friend Renee (who will stay at Liz’s) who is equally excited!
I hope you’re well, pinch Paul for us…
Marc & Trevor
PS: We are on our way to Barcelona for 5 days the coming week-end! London is great of course but being so close to everything is priceless! xx
By: Marc-Andre Richard on April 25, 2010
at 8:04 pm
G’day Deb and Jim,
How fabulous this blog is. The pictures are so beautiful, just reaffirms my yearning to visit Italy again. Just had our daughters wedding. Absolutely fabulous. Now putting pennies away for Italy/Europe trip.
Enjoy and lovely to catch up with you again.
Kindest
Christine & Bernie
By: Christine Allport on May 11, 2010
at 12:52 pm
Thank you for your kind comments. The blog is a fun way of talking about all the places we love to be.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2010
at 4:42 am
complimenti per il lavoro di giardinaggio eseguito sul ponte …..e visto che sabato te ne vai basterà guardare i fiori per ricordarsi della tuo pensiero per bagni di lucca.ciao carla
By: carla cecilia on May 12, 2010
at 8:20 am
Ho voluto vedere i fiori sul ponte. Torno in Settembre.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2010
at 11:39 am
YOUR FLOWERS ARE DOING FINE. mARCO HAD PUT THE POTS ON THE LAMP POST BUT THEY WERE PROMPTLU ROBBED. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO FIND NEWS ABOUT ME? i CAN’T FIND MYSELF ANYMORE
By: tina birri on June 16, 2010
at 9:25 am
debra and liz; i love your site. it really gives me inspiration and i can dream that this is what i will be doing one of these days. living in italy at least 6 months out of the year. you give me hope. thanks. george. miori.
By: george miori on July 8, 2010
at 4:51 pm
When we visited in May we stayed in Rapallo for a week and went by boat to Portofino and returned by bus. It is a beautiful spot.
I could not get over how small it was. When I lived in England in the 1960s, I had a friend of itallian herritage. He used to rave about the place and I can understand why. If you think of Cleveland Point and how Raby Bay was developed, or the changes to the Gold Coast in, say the last ten years, how can a place like Portofino remain “undeveloped” and unspoiled for so long. They must have some fantastic herritage laws.
Have you seen http://www.rickeveringham.com.au or his gallery in Paddington 4064?
By: Colin on July 11, 2010
at 3:37 am
Hi Colin,
Portofino is amazing. It is one of our favourite places to visit. It certainly is wonderful that these beautiful towns have retained their character.
I know Rick Everingham. They have a house not far from ours in Italy. I love his work.
Thanks for your comments.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on July 11, 2010
at 7:10 am
Great to see you and Jim and hear your stories about the village. It beats renting something off the internet sight-unseen! We get the wealth of all your experience. We can’t wait to get there now!
Thanks for all your maps and explanatory material.
Am going to go back to the Italian books and try to retrieve what I once learned.
Have signed up to the blog.
Ciao x
Ann
By: Ann Paxton-Hall on July 11, 2010
at 11:29 am
ps Debra: please write those tips about what to pack!
Ann
By: Ann Paxton-Hall on July 11, 2010
at 11:32 am
Hello..
Curiosity peaked when I saw the name Bagni di Lucca ! I have a house in Vico Pancellorum about a 10 minute drive from Bagni off SS12 going towards Abetone. I was just there for 2 months and going back in October. I’ve been going there since I was a teenager.
By: Ida on July 29, 2010
at 9:45 pm
Hi Ida,
I have been to Vico Pancellorum to the restaurant that opens in the summer. It was great. I will be in Bagni di Lucca in October. Perhaps we can meet at the Bar Italia for a coffee.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on July 29, 2010
at 10:19 pm
Hi Deb,
I know the restaurant extremely well as they are family. They are actually open all year except they close on mondays and tuesdays starting in November. I would love to meet up with you as it seems I am always down there. Coffee,pizza ,lunch? Be fun. You are from Australia if I read the blog correctly? We have one Australian in Vico and I believe Leda at the internet place in Bagni is also from Australia. I look forward to meeting you! If you want you can email me on the address on record here.
Ida
By: Ida on July 30, 2010
at 5:58 pm
Hi Deb, lovely to run into the other day at Peter Alexanders, really enjoyed your blog. Have spent many years travelling to Italy, absolutely love it.
Now I have a three-year-old son, I spend most of my time chasing after him.
Hope to catch up again when you are in Brisbane next.
Best wishes
Laura.
By: Laura McDonald on August 3, 2010
at 9:39 am
Thanks for visiting my blog, D and/or L, and yours is pretty damn good too! Sounds like you have a life like ours – half in Oz and half in Europe.
We love Italy, but get there too seldom from Amsterdam. Anyway, I’ve subscribed to your blog now, so will look forward to reading more of your adventures. Cheers, Richard
By: Richard Tulloch on August 27, 2010
at 9:04 pm
I’ve signed up to yours as well. I love to read about other people’s adventures.
Debra
By: bagnidilucca on August 27, 2010
at 9:14 pm
Hi Deb, you left a comment on my tenweeksinitaly blog. So I checked yours out. We (my big sis and I) will be in San Giovani Valdarno for two weeks (12-25 Sept) studying Italian. Then off to Abruzzi and beyond. I noticed your post on Spoleto and although we were thinking if visiting Assisi on way from Tuscany to Abruzzi, you may have swayed me. Will be glad to leave Adelaide’s wet winter! Ciao for now.
By: Mary Louise Tucker on September 3, 2010
at 9:13 pm
Assisi is spectacular! The only reason I haven’t done a post on it is because I haven’t been able to find all my photos. It is bigger than Spoleto with more to see. The church is incredible – one of the lovliest in Italy. The town itself is beautiful and very well kept. Go to Assisi! Have a great time. I am leaving for Italy tomorrow.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on September 3, 2010
at 9:27 pm
Hi Debra & Liz … You have what I want! A blog … I have tried to set one up myself (with the help of Woman & Home magazine Sept 2010) but I have not been very successful. I set it up on blogger.com and called it ‘Italian Interlude’ (too corny??). It is supposed to document my travels (in the UK and Italy). My friend Anita and I meet once a month in a different city in the UK and explore art galleries, cathedrals, National Trust properties … most importantly, we ALWAYS eat at Italiano restaurants. She lives in Rhyl (Wales) and I live in Wolverhampton so we meet via train. We gain so much pleasure from our outings and begin planning the next one within days of the last one. BUT … I am having difficulty with my blog. I have set it up on blogger.com but cant seem to get it onto goog! How can people access it? Perhaps you could give me some tips. Chris
By: Elliebrook on September 5, 2010
at 2:11 pm
I find the wordpress blog quite easy to navigate. Liz’s son set us up in the beginning and we have taken it from there. Perhaps you need to get someone to sit with you for a while. The more stories you write, the more reason there is for people to find you. Ours started off quite slowly bu is building momententum. I don’t know if I can help from here and I don’t really know your system.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on September 6, 2010
at 1:41 am
Debra, how wonderful to finally find your blog! You don’t put the link in your comments, so I’ve only just found you through Roz’s page. Look forward to scrolling through your archives, it all looks wonderful! 🙂
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on September 8, 2010
at 8:48 am
By: bagnidilucca on September 8, 2010
at 9:55 am
I’m glad you found me. I hope you like our blog.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on September 9, 2010
at 7:01 am
Hi Deb I just found your blog via a link from Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. I visited Lucca a coupla years ago when my husband (Jim!!) and I had a long-service leave holiday of 6 weeks in Italy and 7 in France. We loved it (I know Lucca is nearby Bagni di Lucca). How lucky you are to spend so much time in such a beautiful place. My blog link is attached if you wanted to trawl through our 13 week experience! I will be reading yours with pleasure!! I had write also since I am a Deb and married to a Jim!! And I see there was another comment the same. What a co-incidence!! Back to reading…. Deb.
By: Deb on November 16, 2010
at 1:36 am
Hi Deb,
I’m glad you like the blog – I will certainly take a look at yours. We love Lucca, it is one of my favourite places in Italy. I feel very fortunate to be able to spend so much time there.
Deb
By: bagnidilucca on November 16, 2010
at 2:10 am
Hi again Deb. To save you trawling though my immense blog here is the direct link to my day in Lucca in case you are interested: http://thirtyminutes.typepad.com/thirty_minutes/2008/05/20-may-lucca.html. I certainly do envy you!! Sigh!! Best wishes, Deb
By: Deb on November 16, 2010
at 8:53 am
Thanks for that. I did look through your blog today. We have been to some of the same places. Isn’t Italy fabulous? I have signed up to your blog.
By: bagnidilucca on November 16, 2010
at 9:12 am
What a gorgeous blog you have! Thanks for visiting me! I found you by googling Bagni di Lucca blog and thought there can only be one and then I saw Celia up above, so figured it must be you! I haven’t been to Italy for years, we don’t travel so much these days so it is wonderful to see all your lovely photos.
best wishes, Joanna
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on November 19, 2010
at 12:25 am
Thank you for signing up. My friend Jan, who comments on yours, loves your blog and encouraged me to look. I love it.
Debra
By: bagnidilucca on November 19, 2010
at 12:44 pm
hi deb thinking about youthe other day when i found my old address book. My maiden name was presland and we were at miami high together. it was good to see you in the sunday mail – wondered what you had been up to. next time you are in brissie email me and we could catch up if you want chris
By: chris toy on November 28, 2010
at 12:08 am
Nice meeting you guys! Debra, I always tell my husband that I have a desire to go live in Italy for a year, practice my italian, live in the countryside, work in a bakery or patisserie or trattoria… let our future children learn Italian and we enjoy the beautiful scenes of Italy. Hope it will happen one day. I find what you’re doing, living in Italy for few months and write about your journey is quite nice and worthy. Ciao
By: Fragolina on December 14, 2010
at 10:19 am
Thank you for your comments. I hope you keep reading.
By: bagnidilucca on December 14, 2010
at 11:09 am
I’ve just discovered this wonderful blog; so my reply is rather late. My advice to you, Fragolina, is don’t hope it will happen; make it happen.
Friends thought we were crazy when we travelled to Italy to buy a second home and even crazier when we bought a dilapidated old farm cottage in a mountain village. Now they love to spend holidays with us in our lovingly restored and renovated second home in a quaint village above Bagni di Lucca and we love sharing our dream with them.
Ciao,
Cher
By: CherfromSydney on January 26, 2012
at 8:39 pm
Which village are you in? I will be back there in about a week for 4 months will you be around?
By: Debra Kolkka on January 26, 2012
at 9:54 pm
Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and detailed information you present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
By: solar power systems on December 23, 2010
at 12:03 am
I’m glad you like it. I will be back in Italy soon with reports from our lovely little village and beyond.
By: bagnidilucca on December 23, 2010
at 12:51 am
any advice on festivals or things to doin March? we are coming to our little apratment in Crasciana March 18-24th.
By: Melonie Carideo on December 27, 2010
at 8:00 pm
I don’t really know – but I can do some searching for you when I arrive in February. The magnolias flower in Lucca in March, when Via Garibaldi looks incredible for a couple of weeks. It is usually mid March, so you should be there for that. The antique market in Lucca is on the third weekend of the month. I will be in Ponte a Serraglio then, perhaps I will see you at Bar Italia. I will be writing from the village from early Feb, so hopefully I will have found some extra things.
By: bagnidilucca on December 27, 2010
at 8:59 pm
I don’t know what you would like more detail about. I am happy to answer any questions on the village.
By: bagnidilucca on January 11, 2011
at 2:46 am
Hi Debra and Liz, thanks for dropping a line in my mere-blog 🙂
and Nice to know you…
I like traveling too, and taking picture in the same time, although my blog is in indonesian language, I believe that Picture is universal language, and I hope I can share many things to many people out there… OK, let me start walking around in your blog 😀
By: Prima on February 11, 2011
at 5:16 am
Hi Prima,
I can’t read your language, but I love your photos.
By: bagnidilucca on February 11, 2011
at 1:29 pm
Hi Liz love the pictures of Paolo miss him in the bar
Back out to Riolo March 12th will you still be there Lin
By: Ron lin mason on February 19, 2011
at 5:09 am
Hi Lin,
I, Debra, will be be in Ponte a Serraglio until mid May. We should meet in the Bar Italia sometime.
By: bagnidilucca on February 19, 2011
at 11:29 am
Hi!! I just found out your blog…I love it! it’s nice to see Italy from someone else eyes, …. Bagni di Lucca seems a very nice place, I live just half hour away but I have never been there!!…I have to fix this!!…
So I’ll keep on follow your blog…
Buon lavoro!
Roberta
By: roberta on February 23, 2011
at 6:03 pm
Hi Debra and Liz! It’s fantastic to see two girls from Australia talking about Italy and Italian life. I live pretty near your headquarters in Bagni di Lucca (Prato: have you ever heard about it?). It would be great to meet you: we’re so close!!! 🙂
By: Rita on March 22, 2011
at 3:55 pm
Hi Rita, I have been to Prato, the old part of town anyway. I usually get the train from Lucca and get off at Porta Serraglia. I love Prato. I would love to meet up with you. Debra
By: bagnidilucca on March 22, 2011
at 3:59 pm
It would be great! Are you already in Italy? I’ve just had a look at your latest post and it seems so. Anyway, I’m going to follow your posts, so I can see what happens in th Lucca area… 😛
By: Rita on March 22, 2011
at 4:26 pm
I am in Italy until mid May. I am going to Spain for a couple of weeks soon, but apart from that I will be around. I write about the other places I travel to as well as Lucca and Bagni di Lucca. Thank you for signing up. I hope you continue to enjoy the blog. I would be happy to come to Prato one day soon.
By: bagnidilucca on March 22, 2011
at 4:35 pm
I love your blog and your photos are wonderful, may I ask what camera you are using?
By: kathy on April 2, 2011
at 1:55 pm
Thank you, it is a Canon G11. I love it.
By: bagnidilucca on April 3, 2011
at 5:03 pm
I just spent a week in Bagni Di Lucca, as always, it was wonderful.. Had a great time visiting with Farah and Vicky, Collete and Paul. Even went horse back riding thanks to the girls…Had fun at Bar Italia at the disco party. Can’t wait to come back, probablu June..
By: kathy on April 18, 2011
at 5:05 pm
I’m sorry I missed you.
By: bagnidilucca on April 18, 2011
at 6:37 pm
Hi Deb, in case you were wondering who Kathy is she is my wonderful girl friend. She loves Bagni di Lucca almost as much as I do. Say Ciao to eneryone. MIke
By: Mike Prosperi on April 20, 2011
at 2:30 am
I’ll do that. I hope you come back soon.
By: bagnidilucca on April 20, 2011
at 6:10 am
Hi Debra, I have just been introduced to your blog via lisa@notesfromafrica – who tells me you were instrumental in helping me identify my “nigella damascena” flower. I’d like to say “Thank You” to both you and your friend Jan.
You have a lovely blog site and Bagni di Lucca looks like an idyllic setting to spend part of the year! Quite charming! I have been to the more tourist traps of Florence, Venice & Rome.. but never for long enough to explore the surrounding countryside and the quieter towns and villages. I’m tuning in from now on! Thanks again, Lu
By: Lu on April 22, 2011
at 9:36 am
Hi Lu,
I’m glad you like the blog, and I will pass on your thanks to Jan for naming the flower. Bagni di Lucca is a delightful village and close to lovely Lucca.
By: bagnidilucca on April 22, 2011
at 3:41 pm
Hi Deb, greetings from a former Queenslander (Paradise Waters – Gold Coast). I have heard lots of nice things about you and I would love to meet you before you leave. I go quite often with my husband and our old dog to both Bar Italia or Il Monaco, but I haven’t seen you around. Is there any special time when you usually go there? Please let me know. Best regards,
Maria
By: Mulino Dominillo on April 30, 2011
at 6:38 am
I am always at Il Monaco or Bar Italia in the mornings around 9.00am. Why don’t you ring my doorbell on the Ponte.It has my name on it. I would love to meet you.
By: bagnidilucca on April 30, 2011
at 7:35 am
Great to meet you, Deb and see that we have so many common friends and acquaintances. We will stay in touch.
Maria
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 1, 2011
at 6:14 am
I look forward to catching up soon.
By: bagnidilucca on May 1, 2011
at 6:30 am
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I love your site and I see that you have such a passion for travel as I do! Thank you for the tips on Caffè Greco and Crispini Gelateria!
By: margieinitaly on May 2, 2011
at 9:39 pm
I love Italy and travelling to new places. I made a typo – it is San Crispino gelati. There is a post about it called On a quest in Rome. Thanks for signing up.
By: bagnidilucca on May 3, 2011
at 5:22 am
Wow! What lucky ladies! I can’t wait to hear all about your many adventures in Italia! I have lots of reading up to do before I go in the fall!
By: ashleypaige4 on June 18, 2011
at 10:55 pm
Thank you for stopping by my blog a few days ago! Now that I’m three weeks in to my experiment to live in Italy for the summer, I am totally inspired by the purchasing/building of a house!
Am now a follower…
By: Julie on June 29, 2011
at 1:32 pm
How lovely for you to spend a whole summer in Italy. I usually go in winter, spring and autumn as I am not a fan of hot weather, but it would be great to be by a beach in Italy in summer. Have a great time. I look forward to reading all about it.
By: bagnidilucca on June 29, 2011
at 9:28 pm
Hi Debra & Liz, what a beautiful blog! I am so glad to meet with you, I was in Italy a few years ago, I lived for a while in Milano. Italy is one of the amazing cities in the world. You made a wonderful blog with your impressive photographs. Thank you for you both and also thank you for visiting my blog too. By the way I have my Italy days blog too in wordpress. Blessing and Happiness, with my love, nia
By: niasunset on July 8, 2011
at 8:57 am
Thanks for your comments. Lucky you, living in Milan. I love this city. I will look for your Italy photos.
By: bagnidilucca on July 8, 2011
at 9:10 am
Hi Debra,
Just arrived in Bagni, no problems and the place is great, settling in for a quiet week after a busy time France, Austria and Northern Italy.
Regards
Chris
By: Chris and Judy Hampton on July 23, 2011
at 7:35 pm
Lisa from Notes from Africa pointed me in your direction. I spent a wonderful summer holiday just outside of Bagni di Lucca a few years back so its been great catching up on all your photos. I live a very different life now so probably won’t be able to travel anymore, however if there is one place I would love to return to it is Tuscany. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
By: Slowvelder on July 28, 2011
at 5:44 pm
We love our time in Bagni di Lucca. We are very lucky to able to go there so often. I hope you enjoy following the blog. I will be back there in October and there will be lots to report.
By: bagnidilucca on July 28, 2011
at 9:53 pm
Dear Debra and Liz
Congratulations and many thanks for building and updating this blog about Bagni di Lucca. My house is in Granaiola, and your blog is very useful to describe to my international friends the beuty you are promoting. I’m a son of this place with more than 4 generations leaving in this area. If you are in Bagni during August, I would be very pleased to contact you here. best regards
Sergio
By: Sergio on July 31, 2011
at 6:23 pm
Thank you for your comments. I love sharing Bagni di Lucca with the world. I will not be in Ponte a Serraglio until October this year. I hope we will meet one day.
By: bagnidilucca on July 31, 2011
at 9:15 pm
You have a beautiful blog here. I have never been to your region in Italy, but now it’s on my do to list. Thanks for checking out my posts and commenting. Happy Travels.
By: Jennifer Avventura on August 2, 2011
at 11:54 am
Same to you. I have signed up for your blog. I’m keen to hear more about Sardegna.
By: bagnidilucca on August 2, 2011
at 12:02 pm
two cute and pretty ladies 😉
By: Fiona.q on August 31, 2011
at 11:53 am
Ciao Debra & Liz,
I’ve awarded you The Liebster Award. Just cause I love this blog so much. Click on the following link to learn more. http://wp.me/p1cAAw-nV
By: Jennifer Avventura on September 22, 2011
at 11:43 am
Thank you for that. I may not have time to do anythin just now. I head off for Italy very soon and I have a bit of visiting to do.
By: bagnidilucca on September 22, 2011
at 12:08 pm
Hello! My husband Agostino and I are staying in our home in Lammari for several weeks (we live in California). I am absolutely passionate about horses, horses, horses!!! I have been searching the internet and found your site and blog and was so excited. Since we are so close to you, is it possible to tke a short visit to see the area, visit with you and the horses, take a few photos??
By: Gayle Wilbert-Paoletti on September 27, 2011
at 9:24 am
I am on my way to Bagni di Lucca now. I am in Hong Kong and will arrive in the village 8th October. Please look at Rosi’s link on the blog. The horses are hers, but she is also away. If you look for the link to Villa Talenti or Epona Toscana you will find more information.
By: bagnidilucca on September 27, 2011
at 9:46 am
Bravissima! And wow! this is the first duet blog I’ve came across.
By: rommel on November 23, 2011
at 5:16 am
Thank you for signing up and your kind comments.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 23, 2011
at 6:31 am
I’ve awarded you ladies with The Reader Appreciation Award.
http://laavventura.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/the-reader-appreciation-award/
Thank you!
By: Jennifer Avventura on November 26, 2011
at 8:09 am
Thank you for this. It has been pleasure following your blog. I will put something together over the next few days.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2011
at 4:26 pm
What a wonderful site! I spent time in Lucca and Barga in the 1970’s (ah, tha long ago?) and love the countryside. This brings back so many memories, all of them wonderful. I look forward to future posts!
By: composerinthegarden on November 26, 2011
at 6:23 pm
Thank you for commenting and signing up. There are quite a few posts on lovely Lucca, but I haven’t done anything on Barga yet. I love Barga, both old and new. I leave soon to go back to Australia, but I will head to Barga when I return early next year. The view from the church on top of the town is great.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 26, 2011
at 6:38 pm
Your posts and pics are fabulous….and your passion for your second home country is palpable so I’ve passed on the “Versatile Blogger” award to you with pleasure (http://gayleen5.wordpress.com/2011/12/03/saturday-december-3rd/). I look forward to reading more about Bagni di Lucca.
By: Languedoc Lady on December 5, 2011
at 12:05 pm
Thank you for passing on the award. There is lots more to come on BdL and there is already a lot in the Bagni di Lucca and Ponte a Serraglio categories.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 5, 2011
at 7:25 pm
Hi Debra,
Me (Dean) and my wife (Ali) are thinking about moving to Italy when I retire in 6 years. I’m American and Ali’s is English we met when I was in the Air Force. I would like to visit Bagni di Lucca in 2012, maybe October. Any recommendations on how to plan and where to stay would be great.
By: Dean Clarkson on December 20, 2011
at 10:02 pm
Hi Dean,
I tried to send you an email as it would be difficult to give much information here. The email didn’t go through. You could try emailing me at debrakolkka@gmail.com
By: Debra Kolkka on December 20, 2011
at 10:40 pm
What a very, very beautiful blog. Simply gorgeous!
By: Jack Brewis on December 23, 2011
at 8:41 pm
Thank you very much!
By: Debra Kolkka on December 23, 2011
at 8:46 pm
I just got my WordPress report and was pleased to see you are some of my most frequent commenters. Thanks for being an example–you are lovely blog writers about a similar topic, you are always gracious in every way to everyone, and take time to read and comment on others’ blogs. Thanks again. I plan to continue to learn more from you this coming year!
By: Damommachef on January 1, 2012
at 5:40 pm
Have a great blogging year!
By: Debra Kolkka on January 1, 2012
at 9:42 pm
Hi! Nice to meet people who comes to Italy! I’m from brescia, and it gives me a strange and a good sensation to read blogs of foreign people who loves my contry…
By: lupus.sine.fabula on January 4, 2012
at 5:06 pm
I love Italy. Buying a house in Bagni di Lucca is the best thing we have ever done.It has opened up another world for us. I will be back in Italy soon – can’t wait. I have been through Brescia, but I haven’t stopped there.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 4, 2012
at 9:37 pm
Hi Debra. It’s lovely hearing from you. I love your blog.
We’re in Cembroni, a hamlet of San Cassiano di Controne.
Unfortunately we won’t be there until the end of July this year; we usually go in May. It would be great to meet you some time.
By: CherfromSydney on January 26, 2012
at 10:15 pm
I may be back in September. I am going to go to as many of the small villages around BdL to photograpy them for the blog. I will also be starting a blog just on Bagni di Lucca to pull together all the great stuff we have there. This blog started out that way, but it has grown and changed a bit.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 26, 2012
at 10:21 pm
Hope to see you in September.
By: CherfromSydney on January 27, 2012
at 3:03 am
Hello Deb and Liz,
I am pleased to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Please check out post http://conniededona.com/
Have a great day!
By: conniededona on January 27, 2012
at 12:19 am
Thank you very much for the nomination. I will check it out.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 27, 2012
at 12:37 am
Hi Debra,
Less than 2 weeks and counting. I love the new look of your blog! See you soon. Toni
By: orvietoorbust on January 28, 2012
at 3:49 am
I had some help to tweak a few things.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 28, 2012
at 5:36 am
Just wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award! Check it out here!
http://fortheloveofwanderlust.wordpress.com/2012/02/15/love-equals-travel/
By: ashleypaige4 on February 15, 2012
at 11:46 am
Thank you very much for that. I will try to pass it on.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 15, 2012
at 11:48 am
You’re it! Have fun….
http://thirdeyemom.com/2012/02/22/thirdeyemom-has-been-tagged/
yet another game!
By: thirdeyemom on February 22, 2012
at 8:24 pm
Wow you two have a nice blog going here. I read couple of your posts about the flight sock and Prague. I also browsed couple others and view your gallery, nice pictures by the way. There is a lot of useful information here. How long have you two been traveling and blogging? I have a travel blog that tells the stories of my travels and I post tips I learned along the way and some I find on the web. My site is http://www.roycesworld.com. I would like to share some of your tips if that is okay. I just wrote a post on Prague also, well just one of the days I was there. Check it out and let me know what you think.
By: Royce'sWorld on February 29, 2012
at 1:02 pm
I have been travelling since 1972. The blog is about 2 and a half years old. Your post on Prague looks good. Keep on travelling and having fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 29, 2012
at 8:19 pm
Hi Debra and Liz, I featured your blog. I hope you don’t mind.
By: rommel on March 22, 2012
at 10:51 pm
Why would I mind??? I think that is great, thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 23, 2012
at 5:52 am
Hi! I really enjoy your blog and I’ve nominated you for the Genuine Blogger Award and the Sunshine Award! Here’s the link: http://megtraveling.com/2012/04/01/the-sunshine-and-genuine-blogger-awards/
By: megtraveling on April 1, 2012
at 9:04 pm
Thsnk you for that!
By: Debra Kolkka on April 2, 2012
at 6:07 am
Hi Debra! Nominated you all for the Versatile Blogger Award http://mallhaciel.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/surprising-versatile-blogger-award/
By: mallhaciel on April 7, 2012
at 2:16 pm
I look forward every day to the posts from both blogs. Searched here for whether you’d ever posted on Serre di Rapalano and couldn’t find anything – hope one day I get to see the lovely job you’d do on photographing it. Thanks for the daily tastes of Tuscany.
By: yogaleigh on April 8, 2012
at 7:40 am
I have not heard of this place, but when I googled it I discovered that we were very close to it just the other day. We have friends staying with us and we took them for a drive through Chianti. From Siena we always drive through Asciano because the views over the Tuscan countywide from that road are amazing. There is a post called “Drive through a postcard to Asciano” which shows photos of the area. I will definitely look for Serre di Rapalano on our next trip to the area.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2012
at 7:55 am
Oh I was trying to think of Asciano when I wrote the comment (too lazy to go look it up). Had a lovely rabbit cacciatore dinner there but the guide we were using (who at the time lived in Serre di Rapalano which was why we wound up staying in an apartment there) drove us and picked us up so I didn’t catch the name of the restaurant; nor did we see much of the town… Your pictures make me sorry about that.
By: yogaleigh on April 8, 2012
at 11:27 am
I’ve nominated you for a Beautiful Blogger award. Check out http://www.bluegrassnotes.wordpress.com to see details.
By: yogaleigh on April 22, 2012
at 6:55 am
Thank you very much for that.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 22, 2012
at 8:30 pm
I have driven through Bagni di lucca un paio di volte motoring up from southern Tuscany in the old Landy on my way back through France to UK. You’re in a wonderful spot..We’re in hot springs territory too – but then who isn’t (Saturnia one side, Sorano the other)…Blogging from Cannes this year if you’re interested in film talk..
http://swimanog.wordpress.com
By: swimanog on April 22, 2012
at 3:44 pm
I want to go to Saturnia, it looks really interesting.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 22, 2012
at 8:34 pm
Debra, Worth the trip south for you if you have time. Saturnia is special, the river for free and then if you want to pay you can have a great time in the main spring pool at 37 degrees..The effect the sulphur hot springs is special on the mind and body, but reading up on le terme where you are it is perhaps even better for you. You have put together a fine site. Best, Swimanog
By: swimanog on April 23, 2012
at 8:26 am
I will get to Saturnia, but possibly not on this trip. We are now at the pointy end of finishing the house we are building and we only have 3 weeks left before we have to go back to Australia. I have seen photos and it looks amazing.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 23, 2012
at 7:48 pm
Saturnia is amazing – like another planet! We went in the river last year. Words cannot do it justice. Sitting in a rocky nest on a slope where the river rushes down from a higher level, clinging precariously to the rocks as the warm, sulphurous torrent rages around you – way better than any massage I’ve ever had. The whole atmosphere was stunning!
It was hard to find; the locals kept sending us in the wrong direction – not sure whether it was their little secret or whether we were poor navigators.
We went there during a short trip to Pitigliano – another amazing place!
Good luck with your last three weeks, Debra – always a laborious rush.
By: cherylofcembroni on April 23, 2012
at 10:27 pm
I really want to go to Saturnia….it will happen!
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2012
at 8:26 pm
[…] me to introduce you to Debra from Bagni di Lucca, Italy via Brisbane, […]
By: How Two Travel Bloggers Met | Bagni di Lucca to Trinita « My Sardinian Life | La Mia Vita Sarda on April 24, 2012
at 12:07 pm
OAK wishes to be the 1001th follower.
By: oakworld on April 25, 2012
at 6:51 am
[…] Bagna Di Lucca and Beyond- I am totally jealous of every photo and experience she writes of. […]
By: Kreativ Blogger Award « The Legal Tart on April 25, 2012
at 12:10 pm
Debra — Congratulazioni to you and Liz for being Freshly Pressed! Nice to see the faces behind the blog! And I have SO got to visit your town someday! 🙂
By: Eagle-Eyed Editor on July 3, 2012
at 2:30 pm
Thank you for stopping by my blog and liking a recent post. Your blog is lovely and congratulations on your success.
By: coastalcrone on July 15, 2012
at 12:25 am
I just love your blog and hope to one day visit and explore Bagni di Lucca so I’ve nominated you for a blog award of your choice (feel free to choose 1 or all 3), please check out my post: http://twoblackdoggies.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/a-very-belated-thank-you/
By: twoblackdoggies on July 28, 2012
at 12:27 am
I hope you do visit Bagni di Lucca one day, and hopefully I will be there to show you around. Thank you very much for the nomination. I will take a look.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 28, 2012
at 11:31 am
oh i just LOVE ITALY!!! and have always wanted to go to Lucca!
By: thecircleofit on September 25, 2012
at 6:20 pm
Lucca is one of my favourite towns in all of Italy. I am so glad we live nearby.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2012
at 6:41 am
Debra–So great to find your blog and thanks, too, for reading my recent post “Growing a Business” on my blog nuovastoria. I’d love to talk to you about your life in Italy. Are you here now?
By: nuovastoria on November 15, 2012
at 1:33 pm
Such a beautiful place. I love Italians cause I feel they r regal & humble at heart. You both r great and doing excellent work.
Thanks for visiting my blog, be in touch with my blog
By: ajaytao2010 on December 2, 2012
at 10:30 pm
Thank you for visiting and for your kind comments.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 3, 2012
at 12:06 pm
thank you
By: ajaytao2010 on December 4, 2012
at 1:32 am
Hi,
Not sure if you’ve been nominated before or not, but I love your blog and so I nominated you for a Liebster Award! As an aspiring traveller and writer and photographer your blog helps keep me inspired. Keep up the great work! Learn more about the award and accept the nomination here: http://befasterblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/liebster-award/
All the best,
Ben
By: befaster on December 14, 2012
at 7:24 am
Thank you for you lovely comments and the nomination.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 14, 2012
at 10:00 am
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – congratulations!
http://dianegallagherphotos.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/the-versatile-blog-award-what-a-wonderful-surprise/
I love your blog and you definitely deserve this award!
Happy New Year!
Diane
By: Diane C on January 9, 2013
at 6:15 pm
Thank you very much for the award. I will check it out on your blog.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 9, 2013
at 9:30 pm
Hello. I need help! We are due to stay at a friends house in Vico in May, which corresponds with our 10th wedding anniversary. I would like to arrange a surprise for my Wife…..can you help???
By: ian Hollingsworth on January 13, 2013
at 1:15 am
Hi Ian, what type of surprise are you thinking about? There is a very nice restaurant in Vico called Buca di Baldabo where you could arrang e something. There are a couple of posts on both blogs about Vico and the restaurant. I will be back in Bagni di Lucca in about 2 weeks, perhaps I can help from there.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 13, 2013
at 1:34 am
We’ll be over looking the Church in Vico…..I assume this is Catholic?
By: Ian Hollingsworth on January 15, 2013
at 8:47 pm
There are 2 churches in Vico that I know of, both Catholic.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 16, 2013
at 12:34 pm
What a beautiful blog! Cheers from Firenze!
By: animalizard on February 13, 2013
at 7:21 pm
Thank you. I was in Florence last week and took lots of photos of the gorgoeus spring windows.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 13, 2013
at 7:27 pm
Thank you for visiting our blog.
You’ve got great pictures! We love Italy! We visited Florence a year ago as we stayed at a friend’s house in Modena.
Have a nice Easter Holidays!
By: friendlypics on March 28, 2013
at 7:12 am
There is a lot to love in Italy. We haven’t spent much time in Modena…we must go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 28, 2013
at 8:26 am
You look so happy! I love your blog.
By: Framboesa das Fadas on April 23, 2013
at 8:48 pm
Thank you. I am very lucky to be able to spend so much time in Italy each year.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 24, 2013
at 8:25 am
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own site now 😉
By: Free YouTube Downloader on April 24, 2013
at 8:19 am
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post plus the rest of the website is really good.
By: Edmonton luxury homes on May 8, 2013
at 11:46 am
[…] wish I had travel experiences as Sylvia, or spent as much time in Tuscany as Debra. The thought of writing a fictional book as Carrie, Rose, TBM, John Howell, Maddie, and H.E. Ellis […]
By: On Tributes | A Frank Angle on August 28, 2013
at 1:33 am
I am really enjoying exploring through the blog Deb!! Dreaming of Bagni di Lucca! xxx
By: Madeleine Murdoch on September 30, 2013
at 1:44 am
I hope you find some useful information about lovely Bagni di Lucca
By: Debra Kolkka on October 1, 2013
at 3:57 am
hi does anyone know of a reliable taxi service and or a taxi shuttle to the pisa airport that could transport 6 plus luggage from bagni di lucca?
also how far is the drive to the cinque terre area.
By: Anonymous on October 9, 2013
at 9:41 am
The drive to Cinque Terre from Bagni di Lucca is about 2 hours 30 minutes. Try calling Ridolfi for a small bus or taxi. 0583 895230 or 329 4508001 or email info@ridolfigiuseppe.it
By: Debra Kolkka on October 9, 2013
at 2:13 pm
Hi Debra and Liz,
Such an amazing place, yours.
Pretty nice photos and notes.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Regards,
Sreejith.
By: Sreejith Nair on November 1, 2013
at 7:58 am
Thank you. Your part of the world is very beautiful too. I would love to visit Kerala.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 1, 2013
at 3:48 pm
Oh dear now I’m jealous, the two places where I’d love to live – Brisbane and Bagna di Lucca! Still, Portugal’s not bad either.
By: aliciasunday on December 10, 2013
at 11:12 am
I am yet to visit Portugal…one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2013
at 11:33 am
For unintentionally forgetting you at my holiday gathering.
By: aFrankAngle on December 22, 2013
at 11:57 am
Nice blog …I am American with an Italian mother who was born in the Fruili Venezia Guilia area. I was able to spend a lot of time in my pre-married life there and finally was able to return the last 2 years for the summer! LOVE IT! I feel so Italian that when I am not there I ache! Viva Italia!!!!!
By: yourspotfortravel on January 20, 2014
at 10:47 pm
I love the time I spend in Italy, fortunately several months every year.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 21, 2014
at 3:21 pm
thank you for following my blog! happy that you like it 🙂 what an interesting blog you have ! for sure will be back here 🙂
By: VisitSiena on February 2, 2014
at 10:50 am
I have just found you through my blog friend Kathy who lives in Cuenca Ecuador. What a fantastic blog.
I was so touched to see that Liz was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, just like me. I lived half of my life in Sri Lanka and the other half in Canberra and Sydney. When I married I moved to San Francisco. I travel with my family regularly and would love to just move to Italy when my kids are in college. We’re hoping for another trip there soon. On my last holiday, I went to Florence and took a train to Lucca, where my family and I walked endlessly, just loving the simplicity of life. I left my heart in Florence I think.. We found Rome fascinating and crowded, but loved walking around and went to Athens just so we could visit the Parthenon and satisfy our love of Greek mythology.
I am now following you!
By: meditatingmummy on March 8, 2014
at 5:46 pm
Great to hear from you! I love Florence too. I am heading to Italy from Helsinki today. I will be in Bagni di Lucca until the end of June. There will be lots of trips to Lucca and Florence. Thank you for following.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 10, 2014
at 4:45 am
I enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the Sunshine Award as described on my awards page:
http://marthapfeil.com/awards/.
By: marthapfeil on April 8, 2014
at 8:18 pm
Wow, two ladies from Brisbane Australia, living in Bagni di Lucca. A friend and I stayed in Lucca two years ago and are longing to go back and have planned for next May to stay there 12 days. How far is Bagni di Lucca from Lucca or is it a suburb?
By: Dina on April 16, 2014
at 5:34 am
We don’t live full time in Bagni di Lucca, we travel between the 2 places, perfect really. Bagni di Lucca is a collection of villages 30 minutes drive from Lucca. We love it here. Our apartments are in Ponte a Serraglio, one of the villages on the Lima River. I will be back in Brisbane in July if you want to get together to talk about lovely Lucca and Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 16, 2014
at 5:25 pm
Hello, my wife and another couple are visiting your area in mid-June. We are staying in Petrognano. Got any great tips or suggestions?
By: Barry Johnson on May 19, 2014
at 2:49 pm
If you are coming to our area take a look at Bella Bagni di Lucca, my other blog. There is lots of information about the area. There is a link on Bagni di Lucca and Beyond.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 21, 2014
at 4:32 am
Hello ladies, lovely blog. I am a Yoga Teacher bringing 15 of my students to Lucca in September 2015. I am hoping to purchase a souvenir (memento) for each of them in Lucca and wondering if you could recommend anything.. lightweight (they are all travelling from Australia). Our last two retreats in Phuket (Thailand) I have given them a “temple bell” to hang in their garden on their return to Australia, something along the same lines would be fantastic… I am wracking my brains for something tasteful, lightweight and not too expensive. On another note, I wish your house had a few more bedrooms in it.. it looks gorgeous. I have rented Il Borghino for a week (just out of Lucca). Hope to hear back from you, Kindest regards, Jo (Melbourne)
By: Jo White on October 22, 2014
at 2:20 am
Lucca does leather very well. There are some very cute leather key rings or other small items, perhaps they would be suitable. Le Sorelle,(The sisters) shop in Piazza Anfiteatro has lovely things as well. I wish my house was suitable for you too.
You will love Lucca I am sure.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 24, 2014
at 9:08 pm
Thanks Debra, will check out Le Sorelle next September, I have been to Lucca and know how wonderful it is, cannot wait to share it with my students. Kindest regards, Jo
By: Jo White on October 29, 2014
at 12:59 am
The photo on the header is really beautiful. I love nature, so seeing that much green makes my heart sing. I have lived in Austria for a few years but have never been to Italy – maybe I should start with Bagni di Lucca? 🙂
By: Zambian Lady on December 26, 2014
at 2:14 pm
Ciao! I’m so glad to have found your blog. Having lived in Australia, now Helsinki & studying Italian I think we have a lot in common. ☺️ All the best, Mel
By: Mel_inHelsinki on December 28, 2014
at 3:31 pm
This is a beautiful site. I love the topics and layout. Thanks for sharing your travels.
By: Michael on January 14, 2015
at 6:33 pm
Thank you, I love to travel and share my experiences.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 14, 2015
at 9:43 pm
Hi Debra, it looks like my husband is ready to move sooner rather than later to Bagni di Lucca. He’s sending me and my son to Italy in June to find a place to rent! I am so excited and will be reading your blog daily to set the mood! 🙂
By: becktours on March 4, 2015
at 10:10 pm
Debora, the photos you took in Verona are absolutely breath taking.
Such a Stunning City..
I will most definitely be going back.
Thank you for these beautiful pictures and keep up the good work..
P.
By: Paola M. on April 7, 2015
at 3:11 pm
Thanks for the Like, Debra!
By: An Englishwoman in Italy on May 1, 2015
at 6:08 pm
Sounds like you’re both living the dream. My Mum’s family comes from Brisbane and Toowoomba regions. I’m from Sydney. Visited Florence many years ago but would love to get back to Italy.
By: roweeee on July 18, 2015
at 4:53 am
Hi Deb,
Found you you in a roundabout way as you do on WordPress. Am having a quick scoot around your blog and will come to look at more. I love Italy, lived in Milano for 15 months when we were first married. Would dearly love to go back to Italy and especially explore more of Tuscany. I have a list of places I want visit there, Lucca being one of them. Have only visited Florence ( one of my favourite cities in the world) and Sienna.
I’m married to a Sicilian and would like to get back to Sicily one day too.
My recent trips overseas have been trekking Nepal which I confess to be addicted to. My blog is about this.
Anyway I love the look of your blog and will be coming back for more. I say that I’m Australian but that Italian is my “cultura addottata”, a Toscano friend here in Melbourne calls me a “wannabe Italian”.
Louise Terranova
(my Italian is a bit rusty so my spelling is probably wrong)
Which months of the year do you live in Bagni di Lucca ?
By: Louise Terranova on April 9, 2016
at 11:16 pm
Hello Debra, Bernie and I were thinking about you and Jim on the weekend. Please have an Italian wine and cheese for us. We have so many things to share , so will contact you in about a month to see if you are free for a coffee or dinner. Cheers Christine and Bernie Allport.
By: Christine Allport on April 11, 2016
at 1:02 am
Hi there, we are in Italy until the end of June, but would love to catch up sometime after that. We are off to Sicily in a couple of days, which should be fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 11, 2016
at 5:01 am
Dear Deb & Liz,
My name is Ron Prosperi (my middle name is Sebastiano after my great-grandfather, who is buried in the Riolo cemetery in the hills above Bagni di Lucca). My father was born in Riolo….in the house currently owned and rehabbed by my cousin, Mike Prosperi. I believe that either of you has met Mike; he is in Riolo at this time.
I am writing to you to express my sincerest admiration for your website. Your insights and descriptions are like a lifeblood to me. Of course, I envy you for your marvelous stories, but I love you for making it all so personal. Unfortunately, I am nearing 80 years of age, which has put a huge damper on my travel. I was blessed to spend the last 30+ years of my career in international travel.
During those years, I experienced 43 countries and many superb cruise ships, but I always looked forward to slipping in some stays in Bagni di Lucca.
I will always miss my many “cousins,” who lived in Bagni and Riolo — they’re all gone now. During my first visit to Riolo, I actually saw a certificate in the venerable old San Nicolo Church in Riolo – it had my birth registered; no doubt something my father had instigated.
My dad was a genuine character. He loved the United States, but the mention of Bagni di Lucca never failed to bring tears to his eyes. The Prosperis from Bagni di Lucca were prolific. At our family holiday gatherings here in St. Louis, we had nearly 80 participants in a one bedroom house.
To all of you, who subscribe to this marvelous website, please realize that you are reading a most unusual newsletter, which captures the spirit of that lovely region so beautifully. I cannot recommend ANY commercial travel book about this area, which even approaches this website for an inside look.
Sorry for being so loquacious; I suppose it goes along with the age thing.
Bless you ladies,
Ron Prosperi
By: Ron Prosperi on May 3, 2016
at 3:21 am
I’m back in Bagni – staying in Pen’s apartment. Each time I visit the more I want to stay 😀🍷
By: Phyl Stroud on July 25, 2016
at 2:27 pm
Deb & Liz
My wife and I are heading to Lucca on Feb 10 for 6 weeks. We are looking forward to visiting some of the too many places there is to visit around Lucca. Love the blog and will be spending lots of time reading it.
The Carnevale in Viareggio looks great and is on the to do list.
We also keep a blog when we go on vacation.
http://www.andreandwendy.blogspot.ca/
Just as you, it is to keep our friends in touch of what we are doing but also love to revisit our traveling adventures once in a while.
Perhaps our paths will cross while we are in Italy if you are not in Australia, will most likely going to Bagni di Lucca for a day trip.
Thanks for sharing your experiences in Italy with us.
Cheers
Andre
By: Andre LeBlanc on September 30, 2016
at 3:35 pm
Hi Debra, great to find another Italy lover here! I am a Dutch expat, living south of Milan since 2008. The Oltrepo Pavese wine region, ever heard of it? I am about to publish the English translation of my book with funny stories about my life in Italy. Would you be interested in a prelaunch e-version? A sneak preview is available at http://italiaanse-toestanden.duepadroni.it/index-UK.html
Ciao, a presto,
Stef
By: stef7sa on October 11, 2016
at 4:06 pm
Hi ladies, my whole family are visiting Pellaggio in two weeks time. We will have a 7 month old, 2 yr old and 3yr old with us. Can you recommend any activities or places to visit with little ones? Also any family friendly restaurants?
Thank you
Natalie
By: Natalie on May 24, 2017
at 7:50 pm
Hoping I can join your blog Deb. I just love your stories.
Colleen
By: Colleen Sullivan on June 23, 2020
at 8:05 am
[…] Bagni di Lucca and Beyond – this Blog by Debra is now more than 10 years old. She writes about travel experiences, mostly in Italy. She is lucky enough to live 6 months a year in Italy, and the other 6 in sunny Brisbane, Australia. […]
By: Blogs about Italy - Travel Blogs and living in Italy as an Expat on November 29, 2021
at 3:04 pm
Hey Debra! I’m a Finn who lived in Brisbane as a kid and then moved to Finland with her family. There was a little Finnish community, maybe we could even have met, had we stayed 🙂 Small world!
By: The Snow Melts Somewhere on June 11, 2023
at 6:46 pm
Hi Debra, I’m trying to get back onto your blog but having trouble with word press. So, this is just a test. Kind regards, Robyn in Brisbane
By: Robyn on March 7, 2024
at 4:06 am