From alpine lakes to sun-drenched coastlines, this is where you’ll find stories from my travels across Italy—the hidden corners, the unexpected delights, the journeys that stay with you. Want new wanderlust in your inbox once a month? Sign up for The Grapevine.
If you love Italy, books, and conversations that linger long after the plates are cleared, I’d love for you to consider joining me on my next Book Club with a View, In Tuscany and Umbria, October of 2026
Read MoreThere is an art to starting from scratch. Let me show you.
Read MoreI had no idea how much teaching writing in Italy would deepen my love of both writing and Italy.
Read MoreGot a trip to Turin planned? Lucky you.
Read MoreAs part of the Local Guide Series, Olivia Windsor (known as Livguine to her fans) opens the door to Turin, a jewel-box city in Italy’s northern foothills.
Read MoreIt took me 30 years to return to Cinque Terre. Here’s what I discovered.
Read MoreUse this guide to fall in love with Cinque Terre.
Read MoreI’m so excited to share this recommendation with you.
Read MorePlanning a day trip to Florence for your next trip to Italy? Think again.
Read MoreIt’s easy to be swept away by the colors of Venice… but there’s more to captivate the eye.
Read MoreHow a beloved children’s book changed how I think about Venice. With loads of recommendations to help you enjoy even an off-season visit to La Serenissima.
Read MoreAn intimate guide for how to experience Matera’s Sassi beyond the postcards.
Read MoreOur visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read MoreHow Gallipoli takes the Italian concept of “mangia pesce” and turns it into a lifestyle and an art form.
Read MoreI bet you’ve never heard of Torre Chianca. Will you want to go there after reading this post? Let’s see….
Read MoreNew language, new rules—it can be hard to navigate Italian dining. But follow my easy instructions and you’ll have the time of your life.
Read MoreDiscover these destinations before the tourists do.
Read MorePart of the Local Guide Series — Discover Liguria with Marilyn Ricci.
Read MoreI love Italian details, especially light fixtures.
Read MoreWebsite 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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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”
