March 06, 2022

Medieval People Were Wacky

March 06, 2022/ Gabe Damiani

Gabe’s final essay, focused on his admiration of medieval people’s customs and culture.

September 03, 2021

Learning a Language

September 03, 2021/ Gabe Damiani

Gabe’s report of how he learned Italian. Twice.

April 12, 2021

A door in Venice

April 12, 2021/ Gabe Damiani

What Gabe found behind an unassuming door in Venice.

January 21, 2021

The Rising Tides of Venice

January 21, 2021/ Gabe Damiani

Gabe’s worldschooling project during our week in Venice.

July 02, 2019

Lithuani-what?

July 02, 2019/ Gabe Damiani

Gabe writes about discovering a love for Lithuania.

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.

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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

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”

Gabe's Blog

Michelle Damiani

looking for off the beaten path italy?

Italian Hidden Gems Starter Kit

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