Here’ll you find trip reports from up and down the Boot, from Turin to Sicily, from Cinque Terre to Puglia. If you want new wanderlust stories delivered to your email inbox once a month, make sure you sign up for my newsletter, the Grapevine. As a special welcome gift, I’ll send you an e-copy of my bestselling novel, Santa Lucia. Imagine that! In a few keystrokes, you’ll be transported to the landscapes, the cities, and the beauty of Italy. No passport required.

April 20, 2024

COME WITH ME TO ITALY!

April 20, 2024/ Michelle Damiani

I can’t wait to experience la dolce vita…together!

June 24, 2021

This is Cinque Terre

June 24, 2021/ Michelle Damiani

It took me 30 years to return to Cinque Terre. Here’s what I discovered.

June 23, 2021

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

June 23, 2021/ Michelle Damiani

I’m so excited to share this recommendation with you.

July 10, 2019

Finding my Joy in Liguria

July 10, 2019/ Marilyn Ricci

Part of the Local Guide Series — Discover Liguria with Marilyn Ricci.

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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Then our last day dawned. After a final stunning breakfast with cheeses and meats and a chocolate-hazelnut spread that Max insists is better than Nutella—and could be, I would have liked three more pots to decide—we piled into the van for

I’m now in Brisbane, but have to tell you about Portofino.

On our first day in Sestri Levante, @max_brunelli of @ciaoandiamo pointed out how the cradle of the Ligurian Sea stretches to Portofino. Visiting Genova, Camogli, Recco, Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante.

Oh, this town now holds my heart. No wonder @max_brunelli of @ciaoandiamo made sure we passed a few days here.

Sherbet colored buildings, a welcoming beach (especially as the storm subsided and the water regained its blueness), and

The rain caused flooding and damage all over Italy (see yesterdays reel for dramatic visuals). Wave after wave of storms. We had to scrap our boat trip to the island convent because rivers had poured so much debris into the Mediterranean, the sea had

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

Featured speaker on panel discussing Romance for “Santa Lucia”

Travel in Italy

Michelle Damiani

Rumors. Romance. And more than a little espresso.

Follow me on Instagram!