Life in Lucca with Andrea - S2 #4 with Kari Marchen Andersen

S2 #4 with Kari Marchen Andersen

02/23/23 • 53 min

My guest this week is Kari Marchen Anderson. I met Kari during one of my trips to Lucca in 2021. As happens in Lucca, chance meetings are the start of great friendships. Kari is from Copenhagen and speaks both Danish and English, fluently, and she is married to Bill, an American. They recently became ‘empty nesters’, and rather than downsize and remain in Copenhagen, they decided to relocate to Lucca, and in the process gained their residency, which proved to be a relatively smooth transition. Kari’s story is really informative, so I was delighted when she agreed to be interviewed for the podcast.

Kari's Recommendations

Gelateria Veneta, especially the seasonal flavours, Via V Veneto, 74

Pasticceria - haven’t come across a bad one

Ristorante La Mecenate, Via del Fosso, 94

Osteria da Pasqualino Gubitosa, Via del Moro, 8

Volto Santo (Holy Countenance), large scale crucifix, oldest wooden statue in the west, shows the true face of Christ. Inside the Duomo di San Martino, Piazza Antelminelli

Rent a bike, cycle the city to see all the Towers

Da Felice, for a slice of pizza, Via Buia, 12

Villa Mansi, renaissance furnishings, Via delle Selvette, 259

Domus Romana, Roman Museum, Via Cesare Battisti, 15

Anfiteatro, Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro

Caffe Santa Zita, for an aperitif and the mosaics of the Church, Piazza San Frediano 4

Hike along the Aqueduct of Nottolini to have sight of the source of the springs, Via Tempietto, 388

Botanical Gardens, Rampa San Regalo

Villa Pfanner, Via degli Asili, 33

Catch the train to the coastal town of Viareggio

Villa Reale, Via Fraga Alta 2

Favourite Italian word/phrase

Apericena - a snack that accompanies an early evening aperitif

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: [email protected]

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

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

Kari's Recommendations

Gelateria Veneta, especially the seasonal flavours, Via V Veneto, 74

Pasticceria - haven’t come across a bad one

Ristorante La Mecenate, Via del Fosso, 94

Osteria da Pasqualino Gubitosa, Via del Moro, 8

Volto Santo (Holy Countenance), large scale crucifix, oldest wooden statue in the west, shows the true face of Christ. Inside the Duomo di San Martino, Piazza Antelminelli

Rent a bike, cycle the city to see all the Towers

Da Felice, for a slice of pizza, Via Buia, 12

Villa Mansi, renaissance furnishings, Via delle Selvette, 259

Domus Romana, Roman Museum, Via Cesare Battisti, 15

Anfiteatro, Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro

Caffe Santa Zita, for an aperitif and the mosaics of the Church, Piazza San Frediano 4

Hike along the Aqueduct of Nottolini to have sight of the source of the springs, Via Tempietto, 388

Botanical Gardens, Rampa San Regalo

Villa Pfanner, Via degli Asili, 33

Catch the train to the coastal town of Viareggio

Villa Reale, Via Fraga Alta 2

Favourite Italian word/phrase

Apericena - a snack that accompanies an early evening aperitif

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

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

E-mail: [email protected]

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

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

Previous Episode

S2 #3 with Andrea Paganelli

My guest today is Andrea Paganelli, the name probably gives away that Andrea is a native Italian. Andrea and his family own their own private driving company, Tuscan Drivers. He has a fleet of vehicles that do tours, day trips and airport runs, and this is how I first met Andrea. He collected me at Pisa airport from my flight, late at night. I was on my own, and although I had previously visited Lucca, I had no idea where my apartment was. In that position, you need punctuality, reassurance and a friendly welcome and that is exactly what I got, in spades; needless to say, Andrea and his family have become firm friends of mine in Lucca. Not only does this episode explore the intricacies of driving and parking in Lucca, it also gives an insight into Italian family life. I interviewed Andrea back in July 2021 when the pandemic travel restrictions had been relaxed.

Andrea’s Recommendations

The Walls of Lucca - for relaxing, running, and family time

Explore the Villas of Lucca - inside and outside the Walls

Book a tour with Tuscan Drivers - see Connect with Andrea, below

Experience a winery or olive oil production and tasting

The Beach

The Garfagnana

Explore the many Tunnels under the Walls of Lucca

The Dolomite mountains - cooler than the beach in the summer, and good for skiing in the winter

Favourite Italian word/phrase

Babbo - Dad (typical to Tuscany)

Least favourite Italian word

Marca da bollo - revenue stamp

Connect with Andrea

Ph: +1 (404) 865 1733

E: [email protected]

W: tuscandrivers.com

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

Instagram: https://instagram,com/tuscandrivers?igshid=YmMTA2M2Y=

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

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

E-mail: [email protected]

Instagram: andreas_life_in_lucca

Twitter: @mountains46

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

Next Episode

S2 #5 with Saraya Motley

My guest today is Saraya Motley. Saraya spent her early years in Rome, before returning to the States to complete her higher education. Now an independent Luxury Travel Agent, she works remotely from the commune of Capannori, in the hills of Lucca, which she has made her permanent home. I was struck how passionate Saraya is to ensure that her clients have the ultimate travel experience, so she is the ideal person to make recommendations for you to experience in and around Lucca.

Connect with this Episode’s supporter - Melting Pot Lucca, Language School

Website: www.meltingpotlucca.it

E-mail: [email protected]

Instagram: @meltingpotlucca

Facebook: meltingpotlucca

Exclusive 10% Discount Code for new bookings: quote LIFE10 (expires 31 July 2023)

Saraya’s Recommendations

Ristorante SurReale, Via dell’Anfiteatro, 37 Lucca

Osteria da Pasqualino Gubitosa, Via del Moro, 8 Lucca

Osteria Da Giomo, Via di Mezzo, 3 Valgiano Capannori

Osteria da mi pa’, Via della Chiesa di Gragnano, 65 Capannori

Osteria Candalla, Via di Candalla, 264 Camaiore