In the foothills of the Apuane Alps and close to the Cave Di Marmo ( Marble Caves) this beautiful lakeside village was well worth the trip.

The views are stunning and the villages totally unspoilt.

From Vagli Sopra you have eay access to the Garfanana trekking routes up the mountains either on foot or horseback.

I am definitely going back to walk the route to the top..

We stopped at a small bar in Vagli Sotto which is right on the lake and read about the local area over coffee and ice cream

The lake is man made in 1946 when the dam was built and flooded one of the villages. Every so often they drain the lake and it reveals the remains of the village which remains very much intact below the surface.

On the lake during the season there are activities available such as Canoe excursions, boat trips fishing or a lakeside swimming pool.

There are many churches including Sant Agostino where you can hear the monks singing praises, San Lorenzo at Vagli Sopra and San Regolo at Vagli Sotto

If you love lakes mountains peace and tranquility then you have to visit this area

We will be going back very soon.

The Strada del Vino is the Lucca wine region and has many fantastic villas with gardens open to the public, vinyards that do tasting and tours and of course bars,Osteria and restaurants to taste the local produce.

For me the views are stunning and I can sit for hours enjoying them.

The Villas on the Strada are very grand dating back over the centuries and have had residents including Napoleon’s sister.

Some of the villas and their gardens are open to the public during the season as are the Vinyards both a must for a visit.

No visit to the Strada del Vino would be the same without trying out some of the local produce and each time we go there we find somewhere different.

Today was no exception and we came across The Bar Osteria Da Giomo.

This bar/restaurant is open daily at 5pm except for Mondays and we were so glad it wasn’t Monday because the food and wine were fabulous and we had a table looking straight out over the landscape of the Lucca valley.

The owners were great and we made new friends and will definitely be going back very soon. Why don’t you join us?

The 20th March was officially the first day of Spring but the blossoms and the daffodils have been out in Bagni di Lucca for a couple of weeks now.

San Cassiano celebrates the Festa di Primavera (Spring Festival) with fabulous food being served to the village and any visitors plus a Bonfire tomorrow afternoon and evening 25th March.

With blue skies, sunshine, festivals with banquets, great wines and of course lighter evenings (don’t forget to put your clocks forward tonight) to enjoy it all what better time to visit Bagni di Lucca.

Spring is a great time to visit Bagni di Lucca the colours are fabulous and with blue skies and the sunshine who could want for more. Its a time to get into the hills above Bagni di Lucca and enjoy the stunning views of the valley below or the mountains in the distance still covered in snow.

There are many walks in the area to suit all levels from gentle strolls along the river to serious mountain climbing and everything in between.

Or if you prefer many of the hilltop villages are easily accessible by car where you can see Tuscan life as it really is with tree cutting for next winters fires, villagers preparing the land ready for planting and sowing, builders repairing or replacing rooftops in the traditional ways. The bars opening up for the workers lunches around 9 euros per head for 2 course lunch. coffee. water and wine great value and no wonder the workers have a long lunch break .

Make Tuscany your Spring destination and see for yourself.

Bagni di Lucca from the hills (photo courtesy of our good friend Barbara Kelly)

Walks for all (photo courtesy of Barbara Kelly)

The restaurant on this lake serves great lunches

Our good friend David came out to do some serious skiing this week after a number of visits to the indoor slopes in the UK.

Col from tuscanrooms went with David as guide and tutor.

They took the short drive on the SS12 to Val di Luce and were met on arrival by fantastic conditions blue skies sunshine and plenty of snow.

Of course the bars had to be checked out before returning to Bagni di Lucca.

Skiing in February under the Tuscan sun what better way to spend the day.

14th July 2012                  Norah Jones

15th July 2012                 Kasabian

19th July 2012                 Gossip

20th July 2012                 Franco Battiato

For tickets follow the link on our ‘links’ page to summer festival

(with help from Gino D’Acampo)

Shopping List 

300g floury potatoes such as King Edwards unpeeled

1 small egg lightly beaten

100g plain flour

100g salted butter

120g mixed wild mushrooms

1 tablespoon finely sliced sage leaves

2 tablespoons truffle flavoured olive oil

30g grated Parmesan cheese

salt and ground black pepper

What to do 

Put potatoes in large sausepan cover with cold water and bring to boil.. Cook for 25 to 30 mins until tender.Drain well and leave to cool slightly.

Peel the potatoes and press through a potato ricer into a large bowl. While the potatoes are still warm add 2 pinches of salt the egg and the flour. Lightly mix then turn out onto a floured surface. Knead lightly until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough ( Do not overwork or the little gnocchi will be tough)

Cut the dough in half and roll each piece into a long sausage shape about 1.5cm in diameter. Slice into 2 cm pieces.

Lay the pieces (topolini) on a lightly floured clean tea towel.

Bring a large sausepan of salted water to the boil. Drop in the topolini a few at a time , and cook for about 2 mins.They are ready as soon as they float to the surface.

Meanwhile melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, Once hot stir in the mushrooms and cook for 2 minuets before adding the sage. Season with salt pepper and remove from the heat.

Add the topolini to the frying pan and toss well.

Divide between 2 serving plates drizzle with the truffle oil and serve sprinkled with the Parmesan.

Great with a glass of Prosecco ( or two)

Happy Valentines Day from Tuscanrooms.

The village has a blanket of snow which is great fun for the local children who were out playing and building snowmen.

Also a great chance to get out and about with your camera and get a different view of this beautiful Tuscan landscape.

No gardening today then

Here are some concert dates for both The Winter Festival and Summer Festivals in Lucca this year

Winter Festival at The Theatre del Giglio Lucca

10th March 2012                 James Taylor

24th March 2012                Tower of Power

2nd April 2012                    Joe Sample and Randy Crawford

The Summer Festival in Napoleons Square Lucca

29th June 2012                  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

4th July 2012                     Blink-182

7th July 2012                    Laura Pausini

There will be more for the Lucca Festivals but not confirmed yet I will post them as soon as they are.

There is a rumour on one website that Norah Jones will be on 14th July but as I say this is not on the Official website yet………..

Also

58th Puccini Festival at Torre de Largo Open air performances on the side of the lake 20th July 2012 to 25th August 2012

including

Tosca

Madame Butterfly

La Traviata

La Boheme

So plenty of music going on to suit all tastes plan your stay at tuscanrooms Bagni di Lucca to fit in with your favourite.