Category Archives: Tuscany

A little goes a long way…

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Melonie

Joanna Nobile has a lovely Holiday rental and working farm (agriturismo) in Guzzano, right up from Bagni di Lucca, along with her husband and son. I will do a separate post on her lovely rental. Today I want to share … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Food, Guzzano, Italy, saffron, Things to do, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Yes it is leaning…

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Melonie

The torre that is, I have written about the Leaning Tower of Pisa before, but it is worth more than one visit. This belltower or “campanile”, was built in 1173 until 1372…and it has been leaning ever since. The tower … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, History, Holidays, Italy, Pisa, Things to do, traditions, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dario , here I come…

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Melonie

Finally a Day in Siena! After reading one of my favorite and hysterical books “Too Much Tuscan Sun”. The author and now famous tour guide of Siena, Dario Castagno has become a bucket list person to meet…not likely, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Florence, Food, History, Holidays, Italy, Siena, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Horses in the hills…

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Melonie

In November I went to the Ranch!! I worked with Fredrico and Laura again. I have posted about the ranch before but was so glad to return! It was a lovely day and I was ready to get to work! … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Holidays, Horse riding, Italy, Lucca, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Love Letters?

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Melonie

Paper out of wheat!? ” The Way of the Paper” or Traditional Paper Making, was the highlight and theme of a festival held in Villa Basilica in November. The Commune did an excellent job helping people park safely on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, History, Holidays, Italy, Lucca, Things to do, traditions, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

A private collection tour…

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Melonie

Every woman loves jewelry and I am no exception! What a great idea to bring home some lovely Italian joy as holiday gifts plus meet a beautiful artist? Meet Anna… Anna Lord and her husband of 30 yrs Signor Ascoli … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, History, Italy, Jewelry, Lucca, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

I’m “nuts”!

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Melonie

I have to stop! Eating chestnuts that is. My friend and tour guide extraordinar sent me a link to a festival being held while visiting. This festival honored the tradition of paper making, (separate blogpost) but promised to have food … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Food, History, Italy, Things to do, traditions, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

A quiet resting place…

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Melonie

Slow down!!! or you will miss it… Off the SS 12 in Bagni di Lucca is the English Cemetery. You have to pull over tot he side of the busy road and park as the entrance is directly on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, cemetary, Family, History, Italy, Lucca, Things to do, traditions, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The kindness of strangers…

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Melonie

Every trip to Tuscany I keep my eyes out for a random piece of iron for a blank area at my flat. One October, my friend and I made a valiant effort by stopping at several places I had read … Continue reading →

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And so it begins…

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Melonie

Italia nov 13 Well, I am officially out of the country! How do I know? A few things…clatter of spoons and cups and saucers in the many coffee bars, no one knows how to line up (or cue up as … Continue reading →

Posted in Florence, Food, Italy, traditions, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment