For week 2, we moved to northern Tuscany in the Garfagana region to Bagni di Lucca. This place used to be famous for its thermal spas, and was often visited by musicians and poets (Puccini, Shelley, Byron, Browning). Now they are dead and it’s our turn to visit.
We stayed in a really nice house with a small pool that we could cool off in, which was great since Italy was experiening a heat wave while we were there. The property was surrounded by lemon trees, olive trees and caper vines, which produce a very pretty flower!
We visited all the cute, small villages, including one called Lucchio Alto located at the top of a mountain. The houses have to build their rooms on top of each other because they hang from the cliff. Luckily, our host, Giuseppe took us up because he was picking up some cheese from a lady that makes it on the mountain. At one point, we had to stop the car to let about 20 goats run past.
At the top of that hill was the ruins of an ancient castle. It was really beautiful but it was also extremely hot and a long and steep hike. It was worth it for the views though!
The town we stayed in - Bagni di Lucca
Small pool at our house
Small pool with a great view
These flowers were all over the property. Turns out they are capers!
Our neighbor Tessa
Strawberry-eating turtle!
Very happy with some meat and cheese
Special goat's cheese and ricotta from the mountain
Borgo a Mozzano and the Devil's Bridge
Devil's Bridge
Small city of Lucchio Alto on side of mountain
Incredible view
At the top with Rocca di Lucchio ruins
View over the Bagni di Lucca
At the top of the mountain!
Fabbriche di Vergemoli
Grappa or coffee? Hmm.....