The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there.
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In this icy cold weather, hot drinks and comfort foods are a must. Preparing and consuming them are good ways to spend time when we cannot venture outdoors.
Wed, 02/08/2012 - 06:10
The cold weather is affecting most of Italy and creating difficulties concerning energy supplies. Russia, the most important supplier, has been reducing the provision of gas up to 30% due to increasing demand in their area.
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 02:22
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes today this most interesting article:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 12:45
Whenever we are in Italy, we love to visit antique and vintage markets and fairs, looking for that special piece that we would love to have. Sometimes, we find it...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 02:47
One of my favourite activities in Italy is to visit those markets that sell antique and vintage items.
Tue, 01/31/2012 - 06:38
Some members may have noticed that I have been fairly quiet for the past month and a half. The reason for this was that we have been visiting our daughters who live in San Francisco (CA).
Fri, 01/20/2012 - 02:59
The new Italian government has been announced and it is obvious that we will have a fight between technocrats and politicians.
Wed, 11/16/2011 - 14:24
A lot has been written about the dangers of overheating Teflon coated cookware. Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous for our health. Personally, I have never liked that type of cookware and I do not buy it anymore.
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 06:24
In another thread, we were discussing Tuscan herbs and "funghi porcini". Tuscany is a paradise for herb lovers and many varieties, such as rosemary, sage and "nipitella" grow wild.
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 11:23
Comments posted
After the first year, we transferred our insurance policy to our bank as they were offering better value for money. Check with them.
Don't forget the lentils. They are an important part of the celebrations. From our old Forum.... http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/general-chat-about-italy/11274-best-wishes-new-year.html Enjoy!
Obviously, not everyone is affected by the current crisis!!!!
Jan, we have not used the train to go to Siena from Bagni, we have always gone by car. Anyway, I think that you would have to go from Fornoli to Lucca and catch a train to Siena from there. Check the timetable: www.trenitalia.com We generally go to San Gimignano as well and you need a car to do that.
Italy cannot maintain all of its artistic and archaelogical treasures. Something will need to be done very soon or many of them may be lost.
It is good to know particularly for those looking for property in the area.
Further to my previous post, this is a sample of the figurines that my lovely neighbours have been making since 1900. One of their sets has been selected for the Museum in Bethlehem. http://www.artebarsanti.it/en/presepio-60-cm/
I have to agree with you, Flip, as in Naples the presepi are a true art form rather than a craft. The ones at Bagni are very beautiful, but they are plaster figurines made by using moulds, although they are hand painted one by one. In Spain, we have a magnificent XVIII Century presepio from Naples brought to the Madrid Royal Palace by King Charles III who was also King of Naples. It is considered a masterpiece and it is on display around Christmas. http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/Palacio/Real/acoge/belen/napolitano/135/figuras/elpepucul/20021204elpepucul_1/Tes
It now makes sense, Anne, as Bologna was under Papal control for quite a few centuries.
It usually takes us between 1 and a half and 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there from Lucca. Parking is a bit of a problem, so it may take you some 15 minutes to park the car. Definitely, for us it is a day trip and a very enjoyable one.