Michelle Damiani
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Michelle Damiani
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aperol spritz, spello, umbria, italy
Michelle Damiani

writing with Italy at heart

Food and Drink

Michelle Damiani
  • Buy my books/
  • Blog/
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    • Spello
    • Visiting Umbria
    • Travel in Italy
    • Around the World
  • What I Love/
    • Books and Movies
    • Food and Drink
    • Gabe's Blog
    • Italian Cats and Hidden Madonnas
  • Coaching/
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Explore the best of Italian food and drink—classic recipes, regional specialties, and culinary travel stories from across Italy. Get even more tips and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for the Grapevine.


November 09, 2025

Pears poached in Wine: An ode to Autumn

November 09, 2025/ Michelle Damiani
Pears poached in Wine: An ode to Autumn

In Italy, fall isn’t just a transition — it’s a feast for all senses. To celebrate that abundance, I suggest this recipe for pears poached in red wine.

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November 09, 2025/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
recipe, food, italy, italian food
dessert, food, Italy, Piedmont, wine
February 07, 2024

Pistachio Yogurt Cake recipe

February 07, 2024/ Michelle Damiani
Pistachio Yogurt Cake recipe

A simple recipe for a swoon-worthy dessert.

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recipe
dessert
February 18, 2018

Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Sauce

February 18, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Sauce

Your recipe to make entertaining effortless and delicious.

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February 18, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
food, recipe
dessert
  • Buy my books/
  • Blog/
  • Travel/
    • Spello
    • Visiting Umbria
    • Travel in Italy
    • Around the World
  • What I Love/
    • Books and Movies
    • Food and Drink
    • Gabe's Blog
    • Italian Cats and Hidden Madonnas
  • Coaching/
  • About/

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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ONE SPOT LEFT ✨ Max and I are at it again! We’re taking a small group to Italy, this time Tuscany and Umbria. Max (co-owner of Ciao Andiamo, a fabulous boutique travel company) brings the Italy know-how like niche truffle hunting experiences an
As a shy and insecure child who moved every few years, I was lonely. A lot.

Stories became a way to feel connected. They opened doors into other lives when mine felt small and uncertain.

I’m 54 now. No longer shy, no longer insecure, and pret
One year ago, I became an Italian citizen. ❤️🤍💚
Flashback to gathering wild asparagus outside Spello 🌸 one of those flavors I miss!
Anyone else more than a little in love with Bologna? The city’s unofficial motto is “the red, the fat, and the learned”… what is your favorite aspect of Bologna?
Happy birthday to Rome! I love you for your old bits and your new bits. You make aging an inspiring thing.
What nobody tells you about Japan is even when you’re too early for cherry blossom, there are plum blossoms. Plus, Japanese gardens are glorious with no blossoms at all.
As a person who grooves on food and connection, the Omicho Market Tour and Cooking Class offered by In Kanazawa House was one of the most satisfying and delicious experiences I had in Japan. Our guides Naoko and Kazuko (tagged in stories) introduced
Remember yesterday when I mentioned the Japanese alpine town that taught me how fall in love with sake? That town is Takayama. Known for sake, Edo era architecture, and a kind of beef so excellent that my husband, after an entire meal of steak and su

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”

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

Featured speaker on panel discussing Romance for “Santa Lucia”

Featured speaker on panel discussing Romance for “Santa Lucia”