February 18, 2018

A Travel Book Club

February 18, 2018/ Michelle Damiani

What we've been reading for Travel Book Club, and how to join!

October 17, 2016

Movies set in Italy

October 17, 2016/ Michelle Damiani

Looking for a movie set in Italy? Look no further...

November 07, 2015

Top 5 Books to Understand Italy

November 07, 2015/ Michelle Damiani

Top 5 Books that offer a window into Italian culture, history, and spirit.

October 18, 2015

Top 5 Books of Ever

October 18, 2015/ Michelle Damiani

These are the books that lingered—forever books.

October 18, 2015

Top 5 Books about Food and/or Cooking

October 18, 2015/ Michelle Damiani

My favorite books about cooking, food, and cooking with food.

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.

Santa Lucia

By Michelle Damiani

Storybook Italian villages only look sleepy. Read the novel inspired by our year in Spello.

Il Bel Centro: A Year in the Beautiful Center

By Michelle Damiani

A year in Umbria transforms an American family. Read how it all began.

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Did you know meerkats hug? Neither did I. Flip through and see. #meerkats #animallove #animalfriends

I never figured out what this rice cakes were used for in #LuangPrabang. I didn’t see them on menus, and it’s not what I saw handed out to the monks. Do you know? Part of my 3 week series “Remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. . . . . . #nofilter #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

A very special part of a visit to #LuangPrabang is getting up early to watch the monks progress through the town, collecting rice from the townspeople. Humbling. Part of my 3 week series “Remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

The #KuangSiFalls are a stunning day trip from #LuangPrabang. Get there early so you have a little time with the falls to yourself. The water is rich with limestone, which makes the water a fairy-land color. Bonus if you are into it, fish will come and clean your feet for free. Day 20 of of my 3 week series “Remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

The wats, or temples, are one of the aspects of #LuangPrabang that make it so special. There are temple grounds on every street, and watching saffron-robed monk boys dash out for an ice cream is a sight to make you sit back and think, “Wow. This is Asia.” Day 19 of of my 3 week series “Remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

I could post a year of photos just of the markets in #LuangPrabang. Extraordinary quality and variety, served humbly on spotless burlap in front alongside a temple. Okay, so the larvae did give us pause (and watching a guy steal one and get yelled at by the larvae seller was amusing) and I did get a little queasy at the sight of live frogs impaled on sticks, ready for grilling, for the most part, I wish I had the time and language and kitchen to talk about every single things I saw with the sellers. Gorgeous. Day 18 of of my 3 week series “Remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 17 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Loved all the action on the Mekong River in #luangprabang. Though this bamboo bridge in the foreground took quite some mustering of courage to cross. Breaking boundaries, that’s what travel is all about, right? . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 16 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Welcome to #LuangPrabang! This is where we each, one by one, got the flu, so it’s nice that all three kids were so cheerful on this day! . . . . . #laos #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelLaos #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 15 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Not the most spectacular photo perhaps, and I had wanted to post one of the magnificent banyon trees festooned with incense, nonetheless, before we say goodbye to #Hanoi, I wanted to post this one that captures so much of what I found evocative. The easy connection, the markets in doorways, and the psychotic wires. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 14 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. One of our most intense taste discoveries in #Hanoi was egg coffee. We had it at least once, sometimes twice a day. It’s akin to a meringue or zabaglione perched atop Vietnamese #coffee. Sounds simple? Try replicating it at home and you’ll realize how much grace and ingenuity is in that inconspicuous cup. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #foodietravel #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 13 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Sometimes the best part of the vacation can be the vacation from the vacation, amiright? Here we escape the heat and intensity of #Hanoi with a jaunt to #HalongBay. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #travelblog #travelpics #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 12 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Markets in #Hanoi were a sudden riot of textures, scents, colors, and mysteries. And, luckily for me, rambutan everywhere. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #travelblog #travelpics #tourist #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 12 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Old town #Hanoi defies description. Dizzyingly tall buildings, trees arching over ancient streets, gracious yellow edifices, chickens holding court, and everywhere the sizzle and scent of delicious food. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #travelblog #travelpics #tourist #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 11 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Eating in Hanoi was a pleasure for my short-legged self. Here’s the family enjoying yet another spectacular meal (this one of pho ga, chicken noodle soup) on doll-size tables and chairs. Total price for 5 dinners including soft drinks and beers? About $10 USD. . . . . . #vietnam #NatGeoTravel #instatravel #travel #familytravel #travelasia #travelVietnam #instadaily #travelwriter #travelgram #tourism #instago #passportready #travelblogger #wanderlust #ilovetravel #writetotravel #instatravelling #travelblogger #instapassport #postcardsfromtheworld #traveldeeper #traveltheworld #igtravel #travelblog #travelpics #tourist #travelphoto #travelphotography #instago #ig_worldclub

Day 10 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Sidewalks aren’t for walking in #Hanoi. No, they are prime real estate for scooter parking, vegetable pickling, TV watching, and greens selling. Wish I could get these greens in the States.

Day 9 of of my 3 week series “remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day”. Quiet moments are rare in #Hanoi, they are worth noticing.

Day 8 of remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day for 3 weeks. Welcome to Hanoi!

Day 7 of remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia by posting a photo a day for 3 weeks. Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan, Thailand was a reprieve from the sea urchin and sea cucumber filled waters of our cove. Warm water, soft sand, jungle hills, and the promise of another exquisite Thai dinner when we returned to our bungalow.

Day 6 of my 3 week photo series remembering 3 weeks in SE Asia. After a day or snorkeling on Koh Phangan, both sea and sky seem deeper and ripe for exploration.

Day 5 of my 3 week photo series "Remembering my three weeks in SE Asia." One of the most stunning taste discoveries in Thailand was young coconut. Especially iced and sipped looking over waters that are beautiful, but, must be said, were sea cucumber infested.

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Michelle Damiani, Author

RT @TripFiction: #TalkingLocationWith... author @Ilbelcentro (Michelle Damiani) https://t.co/XsXFIPZ88L A day in the life of #Spello… https://t.co/OK7zTahjGv
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Michelle Damiani, Author

Tell me I'm not the only one to diet before a trip to Italy. Not because I want to look Italian-svelte (that gondol… https://t.co/T4VSe3gaON
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Books and Movies

Book lovers, here's your spot. Pull up a cozy chair, a glass of vin santo, and peruse these books. I hope you'll stumble upon a new favorite, I hope you'll share your own favorites!

I'm starting small, but have lists almost ready to go of favorite expat memoirs, favorite travel memoirs, favorite Italian cookbooks, and more. So check back often, or even better, sign up for my newsletter (on the right), and I'll let you know when there is new content here.