Michelle Damiani
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Michelle Damiani
  • 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/
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Michelle Damiani

writing with Italy at heart

Visiting Umbria

Michelle Damiani
  • 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/

Step into Umbria, an undiscovered Italian region that reshaped my family and still shapes my writing. These reflections come from years of living among its olive groves, cobblestones, and fiercely kind neighbors—stories of belonging, blunders, beauty, and how a place can change you if you let it.


June 17, 2021

Scacciadiavoli Winery

June 17, 2021/ Michelle Damiani
Scacciadiavoli Winery

A primer on Sagrantino and why you should visit a winery on your next visit to Umbria.

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June 17, 2021/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
umbria, travel, italy, blog
wine, winery, umbria, travel, Montefalco
May 03, 2021

Norcia, after the Quake

May 03, 2021/ Michelle Damiani
Norcia, after the Quake

Norcia has changed since the earthquake of 2016. Is it still worth visiting?

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May 03, 2021/ Michelle Damiani/ 6 Comments
umbria, off the beaten path Italy, food and wine
umbria, Norcia, food and wine, italy travel tips, off the beaten path italy, italian hidden gems, italian small towns
March 23, 2021

How the history of glassmaking in an Umbrian village meets a personal dream

March 23, 2021/ Michelle Damiani
How the history of glassmaking in an Umbrian village meets a personal dream

In this installment of my “Local Guide Series”, Colleen introduces us to Piegaro and the delights that await visitors to her village.

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March 23, 2021/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
umbria, off the beaten path Italy
Local Guide, umbria, small town Italy, italian hidden gems, Italian expat life
April 15, 2018

Recommendations for Visiting Umbria

April 15, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Recommendations for Visiting Umbria

Resources for Umbria at large.

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April 15, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
umbria, off the beaten path Italy
umbria
April 14, 2018

Rasiglia, a hidden water-wonderland in Umbria

April 14, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Rasiglia, a hidden water-wonderland in Umbria

Rasiglia is an ancient village tucked away in the hills beyond Foligno. Thanks to its rich supply of water, it was once a mill town famous for its textiles. Rushing water and peaceful canals make Rasiglia seem like it is out of a dream.

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April 14, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ 2 Comments
umbria, off the beaten path Italy
umbria, Rasiglia, italy travel tips, italian small towns, authentic italy
April 13, 2018

Assisi, Umbria

April 13, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Assisi, Umbria

The birthplace of St. Francis.

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April 13, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
umbria, off the beaten path Italy, food and wine
italy, umbria, assisi
April 12, 2018

Foligno, Umbria

April 12, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Foligno, Umbria

An untouristed small city.

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April 12, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
travel, umbria
travel, umbria
March 28, 2018

Bevagna, Umbria

March 28, 2018/ Michelle Damiani
Bevagna, Umbria

A medieval town, not on a hill, renowned for its festival of medieval life.

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March 28, 2018/ Michelle Damiani/ Comment
travel, umbria, dining
travel, restaurant, umbria
  • 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. 

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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”