We had a lazy morning at Casa Rossa. Missing Josh’s home-cooked scrambled eggs, we cooked our own breakfast this morning (with the provisions we’d purchased at the Pietrasanta Coop). Then the kids went out and got dirty on the farm! They played with the dogs and fed the horses. Before we knew it, it was noon. It was another gorgeous, sunny day and we decided to take the kids to the thermal baths at Bagni di Lucca. Josh and I so enjoyed Bagno Vignoni a few weeks ago; we hoped it would be a repeat.
Bagni di Lucca is about a half an hour north of Lucca, so about a 50-minute drive. This time, the kids all had entertainment and we didn’t have any problems in the car. Heading north from Lucca, we began to drive alongside a river. Suddenly, we spotted an amazing looking, ancient, bridge so we stopped for a photo. Turns out it is the Ponte di Maddalena and was built in the 14th century as part of the Via Francigena for the pilgrims making their way to Rome.
By the time we arrived in the sleepy village, it was time for lunch. The central square (it was more like a parking lot with a fountain in the center) featured a place called Circolo de Forrestiere. It looked fancy. I looked inside and it was indeed a very elegant looking place. Outside, in the back, the restaurant had a terrace overlooking the river and the hills on the other side. Not only was it incredibly picturesque, but they were offering an 11euro menu of four courses plus an apertivo. Well, this was just dandy. And, the kids loved getting their own champagne flute filled with strawberry juice (ours had prosecco mixed in with the strawberry juice). It couldn’t have been a nicer venue for a pretty good meal.
After lunch, we took a walk down below on a path that ran alongside the river. Avery was ready to get in but I showed him how strong the current was by throwing a flower into the water and watching it get whisked away. Once we’d walked, we were ready for our bath. Unfortunately, when we found the Terme, we discovered a) that they are only open in the mornings, and b) they are indoors.
The kids were disappointed, but we headed back to Casa Rossa where they lost no time before playing in the stream, and playing with the ponies again. In fact, these invented farm activities seem to occupy all three of them for upwards of two hours. Josh and I really liked this place. We walked around with Cesare and looked at one of the larger apartments in hopes of perhaps returning here in the summer. It was a beautiful two bedroom with a huge living room and kitchen area plus a sleeping loft with two more beds. But this apartment, along with the other one that would be most suitable for us for a longer stay, is already rented. It’s too bad because we like the idea that there would be a few other families, also with kids, here too. CasaRossa has a nice courtyard filled with trees and tables where families bring their food to dine outdoors in the summer. Our kids really enjoy the farm, and in the summer there would be the swimming pool too. Josh really wants to return to this area because since we’ve arrived, we have seen nothing but cyclists with their multi-colored kits lining the roads. He is sad that he is not out there with them.
We ate dinner in our kitchen tonight. The kids watched Scooby Doo. It was a low-key evening as we prepared for our departure tomorrow.
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