Tips for Newbie Families Traveling to Southeast Asia on a Budget

October 17, 2016/ Michelle Damiani

Thinking of exploring SE Asia as a family? Start here.

October 09, 2016

Go in Curious (the benefits of SE Asia)

October 09, 2016/ Michelle Damiani

How Asia keeps you curious, and therefore traveling more intentionally.

October 06, 2016

Relaxing in Southeast Asia

October 06, 2016/ Michelle Damiani

Asia is intense. Plan accordingly.

Michelle Damiani

Website for Michelle Damiani, author of Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center, the funny and heartfelt memoir of an American family living in Spello, as well as Santa Lucia, a page-turner set on the Umbria border.

Rumors. Romance. And more than a little espresso.

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I gotta say, after 3 days in Jerome Arizona, I have half a mind to set a new cozy mystery in a 19th century mining town. Old west vibes, a messy but fabulous medley of characters from foreign lands (Croatia, Ireland, Scotland, China, Belgium, and Ita

Kind of a profound experience to bring our three generations to a historic sight like the Tuzigoot pueblo.

“Making a Killing in Aramezzo” is off to my editor! What does an author do when a manuscript leaves her desk? First up, laundry. Then more laundry. I am seriously behind in laundry (and emails). And then I’ll have a meal that’

As the weather warms, I have a profoundly important question for you. Aperol, Campari, or limoncello spritz?

Do you believe that the same person made both of these renderings? A drawing of “swallows” (which my children call “squali”, Italian for sharks, for some reason the Italian word has stuck in our brains and we pull it out more

One of the beautiful things about visiting a place more than once is you can capturing it in new ways. Venice’s colors are so inspiring, it never would have occurred to me to photograph her in black and white, but on our last visit, I got more

Between Spello and Assisi lies Monte Subasio, a bald mountain composed of pink stone that gives both cities their characteristic hue. It’s a fascinating mountain, in that it seems like fifteen landscapes stitched together, Frankenstein style. T

As the weather warms, my thoughts turn towards the arrival of swallows in Italy. How I loved watching their morning show as I sipped my coffee. Fun that now, as spring arrives, the bulky socks come off and the swallow tattoos around my ankle also get

Umbrian artist Norberto was known for his tiny, hooded monks wandering vast landscapes. Each image is humble, timeless, and full of contemplative whimsy. Inspired by Norberto’s work, when my son was seven he created his own tribute, an attempt

Pen. Paper. Passport. ✍️ 🇮🇹 🍷 If you’ve ever wanted to write—but didn’t know where to start—this is your chance. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Southern Italy, where golden light, unforgettable meals, and timeless landsc

A trip to Italy is better with language basics! Here’s my recommended course to learn Italian and make your trip fantastico!

**Festival participant, speaking about “Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center”**

Featured speaker on panel discussing Romance for “Santa Lucia”