About the Host
You may be wondering why I’m hosting a podcast about Lucca. Well, after travelling the length and breadth of Italy, I have quite simply, fallen in love with Lucca. I now spend a few months here each year, and, much to my delight, I have been welcomed into the community that is Lucca as only the Lucchese people know how to do.
About the Podcast
During my podcast I will be joined by a variety of special guests from all walks of life, who share my passion for Lucca and everything Italian. Each episode, my guests will share unique stories and interesting experiences that have shaped their lives and indulged their passion for Lucca. Throughout the podcast, guests will be sharing how they discovered Lucca, along with interesting tips for those that live, visit, intend to visit, or are just curious about Lucca. So, if you want to learn about the hidden gems, quiet corners, delicious places to eat, or realise your dream of living like an Italian local, hit the subscribe button now, and each new episode will magically appear in your podcast library.
About Lucca
The Tuscan City of Lucca (Centro Storico), has a population of around 88k, and is encircled by medieval walls which are used as a social promenade. Interesting landmarks include; the Guinigi Tower, the Anfiteatro, and the Via Fillungo, which is the main shopping street. There are many beautiful Churches, including the Duomo of San Martino, San Michele, and San Frediano with its stunning mosaic. The Province of Lucca, consisting of just over 30 Communi (districts), has a population of around 380k, and this podcast will discuss the breathtaking delights of the City and the Communi beyond its Walls.
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 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.
Connect with me…
Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea
E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com
Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca
Twitter: @mountains46
Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca
Sponsorship
If you are looking to sponsor the show, please contact me on: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About the Host
You may be wondering why I’m hosting a podcast about Lucca. Well, after travelling the length and breadth of Italy, I have quite simply, fallen in love with Lucca. I now spend a few months here each year, and, much to my delight, I have been welcomed into the community that is Lucca as only the Lucchese people know how to do.
About the Podcast
During my podcast I will be joined by a variety of special guests from all walks of life, who share my passion for Lucca and everything Italian. Each episode, my guests will share unique stories and interesting experiences that have shaped their lives and indulged their passion for Lucca. Throughout the podcast, guests will be sharing how they discovered Lucca, along with interesting tips for those that live, visit, intend to visit, or are just curious about Lucca. So, if you want to learn about the hidden gems, quiet corners, delicious places to eat, or realise your dream of living like an Italian local, hit the subscribe button now, and each new episode will magically appear in your podcast library.
About Lucca
The Tuscan City of Lucca (Centro Storico), has a population of around 88k, and is encircled by medieval walls which are used as a social promenade. Interesting landmarks include; the Guinigi Tower, the Anfiteatro, and the Via Fillungo, which is the main shopping street. There are many beautiful Churches, including the Duomo of San Martino, San Michele, and San Frediano with its stunning mosaic. The Province of Lucca, consisting of just over 30 Communi (districts), has a population of around 380k, and this podcast will discuss the breathtaking delights of the City and the Communi beyond its Walls.
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 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.
Connect with me…
Website: https://shows.acast.com/lifeinlucawithandrea
E:mail: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com
Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca
Twitter: @mountains46
Ko-fi: ko-fi/lifeinlucca
Sponsorship
If you are looking to sponsor the show, please contact me on: lifeinlucca@hotmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.