Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

My guest today is Debra Fast; her story is the stuff of dreams. When Debra graduated from Music School, she embraced the opportunity to play Violin with a string quartet on Cruise ships where she met the Italian pianist, Sandro Ivo Bartoli, whom she married, and started a new life in Italy. Debra speaks about her dedication to music, and in particular, her professional career as a solo violinist. She tells a mesmerising story; I particularly found her Suono Solo project, with its links to the 18th century Lucchese composer, Geminiani, fascinating. Debra is a very talented and creative musician and her enthusiasm and encouragement extends beyond her own career to that of others, for example, you will hear about her research into female musicians from her birth country, Canada.

**Debra Fast will be performing in "Lucca Classica" on the 24th of April 2025, at 3.pm at the Museo Nazionale di Villa Guinigi, Lucca.**

Connect with Debra

YouTube Channel: Debra Fast, Violinist https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNx_eSIve99gUKQH9In6lKg

Facebook: Debra Fast, violinist: https://www.facebook.com/debrafast.violinist/

LinkedIn: Debra Fast, violinist 🎻: www.linkedin.com/in/debrafastviolinist

Instagram: Debra Fast, violinist: Debra Leanne Fast (@debrafastviolin)

Website: https://debrafast.portfoliobox.net/About

Debra’s Recommendations

Trattoria da Nonna Clara… Via Santa Croce, 71

Trattoria da Giulio… Via delle Conce, 45

Pasticceria Bar Silvia… Via Argine Vecchio, 135 Vecchiano

Bar Restaurant Miro Vino (di Saviozzi Marco)… Via di Bandecca, 4 Vecchiano

Gelateria Andrea… Via G di Vittorio, 58, Pontasserchio

Do the tourist thing… just wander and get lost in Centro Storico

Visit the many Villa’s and Gardens in and around Lucca

The Anfiteatro… a circular piazza with shops, bars and restaurants

The Via Fillungo… the main shopping street

Montecarlo… a small village with a castle

Vino and Violino… see Debra’s YouTube channel

Ponte del Diavolo… the Devil’s Bridge, Borgo a Mozzano

Favourite Italian Word/Phrase

Come un fungo nell’umido…. Like a mushroom in the damp (meaning somebody is very comfortable in their surroundings)

Conosco il mio pollo….. I know my chicken (meaning you know somebody so well)

Ci penso io… I’ll take care of it

About the Host

Andrea has travelled the length and breadth of Italy. Having fallen in love with Lucca, she now spends a few months there each year. I self-fund this podcast, so donations are much appreciated via the Ko-Fi supporter webpage

ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

My guest today is Nicole Cloutier. I first met Nicole at the Friends of the English Book Shop, Book Club meeting which is held each month at the International Cooking School in Centro Storico, one of Lucca’s many Clubs and Societies.

Nicole is originally from New York, very career focused, having established a freelance digital marketing consultancy for small businesses… and the mother of two adorable small children… so how did she end up in Lucca?

Well, Nicole actually met her partner, Guido, in Brooklyn and their relationship blossomed. After they had their second child they decided to uproot their family and move to Guido’s native country, Italy. A deciding factor in choosing Lucca was the excellent Bilingual schools.

In this episode, Nicole discusses her experience of moving from the States to Italy, and the array of opportunities for her children, not least as they are now more fluent in Italian than their Mama!

If you are thinking of moving to Lucca, or spending an extended period in Lucca with a young family, this episode is especially insightful…

Connect with Nicole

Website: www.nicolecloutierdigital.com

E:mail: nicole@nicolecloutierdigital.com

Nicole’s Recommendations

Trattoria Gigi… Piazza del Carmine, 7

Da Ciacco… Piazza Napoleone,10

Da Umberto… Piazza Napoleone, 24

Pasticceria Meucci… Via Vittorio Veneto, 12

Osteria del Bastian Contrario… Via San Paolino, 90

Osteria Da Rosolo… Corte Campana, 3

Gelateria Veneta… Via Vittorio Veneto, 74

Walk or cycle the Walls

Climb the Guinigi Tower

Basilica di San Frediano

Cycle around Centro Storico and explore

Maria Pacini Fazzi Editore… Local history book shop and publisher… Via Sant'Andrea, 12

Etta’s English book shop… Chiasso Barletti, 16

Watch a film at Astra Cinema… Piazza del Giglio, 7

Dinner at Buca di San Antonio… Via della Cervia, 3

Favourite Italian Word/Phrase

Bene… buono… bello/a… good

Mosto fiato…. Breathtaking

Fazzoletto… tissue/handkerchief

Arcobeleno… rainbow

About the Host

Andrea has travelled the length and breadth of Italy. Having fallen in love with Lucca, she now spends a few months there each year.

Subscribe, Follow, Review, Donate

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes. You could also hit the SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW button now so that each new episode will appear, as if by magic, in your podcast library. And, if you’ve a little time to spare, please do leave a REVIEW.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

My guest today is Diana Stidl. Diana is of German origin and lived in the States for many years before making Lucca her permanent home. Listeners to this podcast will know that there is always something happening in Lucca, and you can guarantee, if it’s worth attending, Diana will be there, and, as a consequence, you are always guaranteed an interesting conversation when you are in her company. So, I was delighted when Diana agreed to be interviewed…

Diana’s Recommendations

Trattoria Gigi… Piazzo del Carmine, 7

Nonna Clara… Via Santa Croce, 71

H&G Lounge… Via San Giorgio, 36

Restaurant Mecanate… Via del Fosso, 94

Gelateria Momo… Via della Fratta, 11

Gelateria Piero… Via Roma, 25

Pasticceria Stella… Traversa II Via Pisana, 50 Sant’Anna

Pasticceria Tiffany... Via Gaetano Luporini, 1054

Bar Fuori Controllo… Via Santa Croce, 94

Inside the Walls

Walk the Walls

Anfiteatro… just off Via Fillungo

Climb the Guinigi Tower… Via Guinigi, 29

Palazzo Pfanner… Via degli Asili, 33

Palazzo Mandi… Via Galli Tassi, 43

Take in an evening concert

A guided tour… resident tour guide Paola Moschini see S1 Ep2

Outside the Walls

Villa Reale… Via Fraga Alta, 2, Marlia

Nottolini Viaduct… Via Tempietto, 388

Tour of the Carrera Marble caves

Lotus Lake… Massarosa

Pietrasanta

Viareggio

Favourite Italian Word/Phrase

Meravigliosa… wonderful

In boco al lupo… good luck… respond with ‘crepe’… to seal the luck!

Connect with Diana

Email: dianainbellaitalia@gmail.com

Keep updated with events in Lucca

https://www.luccawhatson.com/

Subscribe, Follow, Review, Donate

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes. You could also hit the SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW button now so that each new episode will appear, as if by magic, in your podcast library. And, if you’ve a little time to spare, please do leave a REVIEW.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Grapevine Magazine

Discount Code: GVLIFE10

Website: www.luccagrapevine.com

Click Subscriptions > Grapevine on-line… complete the online form

Our Italian Journey

Website: https://ouritalianjourney.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

My guest today is Dana Roberts. Dana is a qualified Bio Medical Engineer, one of only a handful of female test engineers who has worked on the Stealth Bomber… so Top Gun on Steroids… and she lives in Lucca! At the time of recording, which was September 2023, we had only known each other a few months, now, she is one of my very special friends in Lucca, and a huge inspiration to me…

Dana's Recommendations

Trattoria Gigi… Piazza del Carmine, 7

Osteria La Dritta…Piazza S.Francesco, 33

Pasticceria Momus… Piazza Santa Maria, 23

Gelateria Momo… Via della Fratta, 11

Book a Tour Guide… to see the highlights of Centro Storico, Lucca (see S1 Ep2 with Tour Guide Paola Moschini)

The Walls… walk or cycle… and explore the tunnels under the Walls

Visit Lucca’s 5 Towers: Guinigi; Delle Ore; San Martino; San Frediano; San Giovanni

Nottolini Viaduct… Via Tempietto, 388

Hike the hills around Lucca

Collodi… known for its link to Carlo Lorenzini, who used the pen name Carlo Collodi and wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio

Carrara Marble Quarry… a UNESCO heritage site and where Michaelanglo extracted the marble for his statue of David

Favourite Italian Word/Phrase

Allora… Well/now… a filler word

In bocca al lupo… good luck … respond with… crepe… to seal the luck!

Donate

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Grapevine Magazine

Discount Code: GVLIFE10

Website: www.luccagrapevine.com

Click Subscriptions > Grapevine on-line… complete the online form

Our Italian Journey

Website: https://ouritalianjourney.com

Audio book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Italian-Journey-Living-Adventure/dp/B0CNHY4MHQ/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

My guest today is Steve Hayward. I first met Steve when I did my first ever Parkrun on the walls of Lucca and we’ve been friends ever since. Steve is a retired Merchant Navy Captain, after spending 50 years at sea. As you would expect, Steve is well travelled, having spent many years living and working in a variety of ports, including Italy and China. Originally from Middlesex, in the UK, he has settled with his Italian wife in the wider Province of Lucca, in Piano di Conca, which, not surprisingly is closer to the sea. Enjoy the show…

Grapevine Magazine

Discount Code: GVLIFE10

Website: www.luccagrapevine.com

Click Subscriptions > Grapevine on-line… complete the online form

Our Italian Journey

Website: https://ouritalianjourney.com

Audio book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Italian-Journey-Living-Adventure/dp/B0CNHY4MHQ/

Steve’s Recommendations

Mura di Lucca Parkrun… join on Facebook… register at https://www.parkrun.it/register/

La Casina, Via Marco Polo, 4 it’s away from the passeggiatta and popular with locals - mainly fish restaurant

Arginvecchio, Via Arginvecchio Nord, 932 in Capezzano Pianore - mainly meat restaurant

Il Centro Storico, Via Cesare Battisti, Camaiore - recently reopened and more of a trattoria

Pasticceria Gherardi, Via Montramito, 23 (at the the roundabout for Lucca, Piano di Conca and Viareggio)

Pasticceria Puccinelli, Via Fratelli Cervi, 6 Viareggio based but also branches on Via Montramito and Piano di Mommio

Abbey of San Galgano, around 25 miles from Sienna, is a ruined Abbey (unfortunately by an Englishman). In the adjoining chapel (Rotondo) is where there is a sword embedded in the stone

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to Life in Lucca with Andrea…

I’m delighted to announce that my guest today is Theresa Fiore Bragg… Theresa is an octogenarian and leads a full and adventurous life… she is passionate about her Wedding & Event Production Company in California, where, along with her daughters and grandchildren they have created a 10 acre Tuscan Venue, La Grande Estates. Theresa also spends a few months each year in Lucca, where she has firmly established herself as a valued member of the Lucca community… indeed she is considered an honorary citizen in Lucca… and this is evident whenever you walk out in Centro Storico with Mama T, as she is fondly known. Locals, shopkeepers and even the Mayor stop to say Ciao… and if she sees a wedding taking place, in one of the many churches in Lucca, Mama Mia… she cannot stop herself from running over and taking a photo…. Interestingly, Theresa has Italian heritage and her late husband was an Olympic Gold Medalist. Suffice to say, her back story is fascinating, and integral to her life in Lucca.

Grapevine Magazine

Discount Code: GVLIFE10

Website: www.luccagrapevine.com

Click Subscriptions > Grapevine on-line… complete the online form

Our Italian Journey

Website: https://ouritalianjourney.com

Audio book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Italian-Journey-Living-Adventure/dp/B0CNHY4MHQ/

Connect with Theresa and/or La Grande Weddings

M: +1 925 435 6702

E: info@lagrandeweddings.com

W: https://www.lagrandeweddings.com

I: theresa.bragg

I: lagrandeweddings

FB: Theresa Fiore Bragg

FB: La Grande Wedding & Event Center

Theresa’s Recommendations

Ristorante Lucca in Tavola; Via S. Paolino, 130

Osteria Da Pasquale; Via del Moro, 8

Caffè Puccini; Via Fillungo, 218

Gelateria Momo; Via della Fratta, 23

3 main churches: San Frediano; San Michele; Duomo di San Martino

The Anfiteatro… cafes, bars and shops

The Tunnels… explore the tunnels of the Walls

Opera… so many musical events all year round

Outside the Walls

Andrea Bocelli… book tickets at the Teatro del Silenzio, Lajatico

Visit the city of Florence

Visit the town of San Gimignano

Explore the coastal villages of the Cinque Terra

Book a tour of one of the many Wineries

Favourite Italian Word/Phrase

Va bene… ok/all right

Allora… also/well (filler word for a natural pause)

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao and Welcome to the Series 3 Trailer for Life in Lucca with Andrea!

It gives me great pleasure to reveal that Series 3 will be launched during the first week of April. And… I’m sure that you’ll be delighted to know that I’ve interviewed some really interesting guests for Series 3, it’s an absolute joy listening back to the interviews during the editing process. After all the years I’ve spent in Lucca there is always something new to learn about this beautiful and welcoming city, so a big thank you to my guests for their time, and generosity.

And… I’m also delighted to tell you that the Life in Lucca with Andrea podcast has recently burst through 7000 downloads across 56 countries, it’s mind blowing.

So, whilst you are waiting for the launch of Series 3, you could listen to, or even re-visit Series 1 and 2 of Life in Lucca with Andrea, and whilst you’re there, why not hit the subscribe or follow button on your usual podcast app so that each new episode will appear, as if by magic, in your podcast library. And, if you’ve a little time to spare, please do leave a review.

It always gives me a buzz when listeners contact me, I really enjoy reading your emails and it’s been wonderful meeting some of you in Lucca and making new friends.

You can also follow me on Instagram at andreas_life_in_lucca as during the months that I’m in Lucca, I post photos of my adventures and the people I meet for you to enjoy.

I self-fund this podcast, and so I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have made donations through the Ko-Fi donation webpage. For anybody that doesn’t know about the Ko-Fi donation webpage, it’s so very easy to use, and your donations no matter how big or small, really help me keep the podcast alive. You can donate by going to the Ko-Fi website where you can link to my page which is

ko-fi/lifeinlucca.

Thanks so much for listening and your continued support. You’ll find lots of information in the Episode notes, also, you can e-mail me at lifeinlucca@hotmail.com and we can perhaps arrange to meet up for a coffee chat or a walk on the walls.

A presto!

Donate: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

E-mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Notes

Grapevine Magazine

Discount Code (10% off annual subscription): GVLIFE10

Website: www.luccagrapevine.com

Click Subscriptions > Grapevine on-line… complete the online form

Our Italian Journey

Website: https://ouritalianjourney.com

Audible book: Our Italian Journey (to be released on Amazon Audible mid November 2023)

Connect with Giulia at Melting Pot Lucca

Website: www.meltingpotlucca.it

Email: info@meltingpotlucca.it

Phone: +39 388 9318676

Address: Via San Marco, 21 Lucca 55100 (5 minutes outside the walls just off Borgo Giannotti)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meltingpotlucca

Instagram: @meltingpotlucca

Giulia’s Recommendations - Food and drink

Trattoria Da Giulio in Pelleria, Via delle Conce, 45 Lucca

Cucina dello Scompiglio, (Guamo) Via di Vorno, 67/B 55012 Capannori

Bar Osteria Lo Stellario, Piazza San Francesco, 46 Lucca… for an aperitivo

La Bontà (Gelateria) Via Castruccio Castracani, 269, Lucca (5 minutes outside Porta Elisa)… especially the yogurt

Giulia’s Recommendations - Things to see and do

Walk the Walls of Lucca

Climb the Guinigi Tower (inside the walls)

Climb the Bell Tower (inside the walls)

Visit the Orto Botanico gardens (inside the walls)

Visit the Garfagnana… Barga… Castelnuovo

Visit Altopascio… a section of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route

Favourite Italian word/phrase

Magari… I wish/I hope so

Vabbè… whatever (short form of ‘va bene’ (alright/ok) accompanied by a ‘shrug’ of the shoulders!

About the Host

Andrea has travelled the length and breadth of Italy. Having fallen in love with Lucca, she now spends a few months there each year.

Subscribe, Follow, Review, Donate

I self-fund this podcast, so if you enjoy listening, I would be ever so grateful if you could visit the Ko-Fi supporter webpage ko-fi/lifeinlucca and DONATE the equivalent of a gelato or two, as this helps me to produce further episodes. You could also hit the SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW button now so that each new episode will appear, as if by magic, in your podcast library. And, if you’ve a little time to spare, please do leave a REVIEW.

Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea

E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.