Life in Lucca with Andrea Andrea Waterhouse

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

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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.

Life in Lucca with Andrea - Series 3 starts the first week of April 2024 - Subscribe Now!
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

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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.

My guest today is Norma Jean Bishop. Some of you will know Norma Jean as the editor of the long established cultural magazine, Grapevine, which is THE GO-TO publication for anybody visiting, or living in and around Lucca. What you may not know however is that Norma Jean has Italian heritage, studied in Florence, and after living in Paris for a spell, moved with her family to the Province of Lucca to make it a permanent base nearly 30 years ago. As a consequence, she has many interesting stories and experiences to share and makes a fascinating guest. I particularly enjoyed recording this episode which took place in the Grapevine office, as you can hear the authentic sounds of Lucca in the background. 
Connect with this Episode’s supporter - Melting Pot Lucca, Language School
Website: www.meltingpotlucca.it
E-mail: info@meltingpotlucca.it
Instagram: @meltingpotlucca
Facebook: meltingpotlucca
Exclusive 10% Discount Code LIFE10 (expires 31 July 2023)
Norma Jean’s Recommendations
The Walls, Lucca, inside view of the historical centre, and view out over the Provence of Lucca
Piazza Giglio; Piazza Michele, the Anfiteatro etc, sit and people watch
Take the train to the mountains or the coast… 
The Garfagnana… Castelnuovo; San Romano; Eremo di Calomini
Pescaglia, hilltop village
Trebbio, Carlo Galgani, the Blacksmith
Carraia, the smallest Opera House
Colognora, Chestnut museum
Trattoria da Nonna Clara, Via Santa Croce, 71 Lucca
Ristorante Buca di Sant’ Antonio, Via della Cervia, 3 Lucca
Pasticceria Dianda, Via Della Rosa, 9 Lucca
Gelateria and Chocolatier, Caniparoli, Via San Paolino, 44
Favourite Italian word/phrase
Dunque - well (filler word for a natural pause)
Allora - also/well (filler word for a natural pause)
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.

My guest today is Jean Bernard, Jean is a very joyful Frenchman, and not surprisingly, it seems that everybody in Lucca knows Jean. He is a specialist in linguistics, and very well-travelled; despite having experienced many places and cultures, like a growing number of well travelled people, he has chosen Lucca as his permanent home. He is quite the wine connoisseur, and loves an adventure. However, in 2021 he had an adventure that he hadn’t quite anticipated. On a return trip from Naples, whilst in the middle of nowhere, he had an accident on his scooter and consequently experienced the Italian health care system.
Jean's Recommendations
Ristorante Lucca in Tavola, Via S Paolino, 130 
Ristorante Cicci, Via dell’Anfiteatro, 89/95
Trattoria da Ubaldo, Via dell’Anfiteatro, 67
Ristorante SurReale, Via dell’Anfiteatro, 37
Cibus & Pizza, Via Elisa, 53
Ristorante Pizzeria Piccolo Mondo, Piazza dei Cocomeri, 5
Ristorante Giglio, Piazza del Giglio, 2
Trattoria Gigi, Piazza del Carmine, 7
Ristorante all’Olivo, Via Arancio, 38
Pizzeria Mara Meo, Piazza S Francesco, 17
Pizzeria Da Felice, Via Buia, 12
Pizzeria Alice, Via S Paolino, 22
Pasticceria Tiffany, Via Gaetano Luporini, 1054
Ristorante Dhea, Via Gaetano Luporini, 144
Pasticceria Stella, Traversal Il Via Pisana, 50
Bontà Yogurt e Gelato, Viale G Puccini, 187
Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata dei Servi, Piazza dei Servi - good for concerts with excellent acoustics
Basilica di San Frediano, Piazza S Frediano - view both inside and outside
Piazza Anfiteatro
Guinigi Tower, Via S Andrea, 41
Piazza S Michele
Viareggio - drive on the small roads to the beach and for the annual carnival
Bolgheri - good food and wine
Pietrasanta - lovely town
Castello - cycle for a cappuccino
Tassignano Airport - flying lesson or skydiving
Favourite Italian word/phrase
Tutto andra bene/everything will be ok
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


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