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.
Gala Placidia's activity
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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:
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 ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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
My advice would be to get proper insulation and double-glazed PVC windows. This does make a big difference in your heating costs and it also helps in summer. We have a 200+ year old stone watermill on the river and our heating costs are very reasonable and the house is warm in less than an hour, even if it has not been inhabited for a few months. We got connected to mains gas, worthwhile if you have it available in your area and we also have a new boiler which provides hot water and heating through radiators. We had a double circuit installed, so we can switch on and off the downstairs apartment which is never used. Best wishes regarding your renovation.
Well, I must confess that I have not seen those shops that you mention. So they must be quite hidden away. I will check the situation in April....when I will be there.
These people may also help:
Thanks for the link. It confirms what I heard last year. Anyway, I would not like to see McDonald's in the historic centre....
Oh! I forgot to mention in my previous post that I heard that the Lucca Council does not allow the presence of foreign restaurants or Chinese bazaars within Lucca's historic centre. I think that it is a good idea in order to preserve its character. Could this be labeled as "discrimination"? I don't think so. I see it rather as an effort to maintain traditions. Lucca's historic centre is too precious. I don't know what happens in other cities.Â
I must confess that I tend to taste exotic cuisines either in situ or in San Francisco, where I go quite frequently. I am afraid that there is not a big choice of those cuisines in Lucca, the majority serve traditional Tuscan fare and my favourites would be "La Buca di Sant' Antonio" or the "Antico Café di Simo" for less formal food. Both have a terrific atmosphere as well. Nevertheless, I found this short list of "exotic" restaurants in Lucca: Ristorante Cinese La Grande Muraglia - Via del Moro 8 Ristorante Hong Kong - Via S. Marco 217 Oishii Di Hu Huamei - Via Pesciatina 509 - San Vito Ristorante Woksushi - Via Citta Gemelle
Congratulations to you both. You are obviously enjoying life and that is the most important thing.
Prosecco for me, thanks.
A beautiful piece of writing and an enlightening one too.
Perhaps ½ûÂþÌìÌà women are going to start their own "revolution": Berlusconi has forgotten that if you are a public figure your life is no longer private. His "indiscretions" are notorious, he has lost all sense of propriety and dignity.