il bel centro

Allison Teweles
13:23 PM October 29, 2012

I love this blog! Having been to Italy and always wanted to live overseas, it offers a wonderful view into life overseas. I can eat fresh Italian food, learn the language, and travel...vicariously, of course. It's my daily Italian fix.

Susan Parmar
13:29 PM October 29, 2012

love this blog!

Iddh
13:30 PM October 29, 2012

A beautiful and evocative blog that just keeps me coming back from more. Lyrical writing, gorgeous photographs, and a terrific ability to evoke not only a sense of "place", but also a sense of self for the author and her family. Really exceptional.

Linda Goldstein
13:33 PM October 29, 2012

Michelle writes beautiful descriptions of all she is experiencing. Everything is so vivid: I smell the food, feel the emotions, and see the beauty as if I were physically there with her.

MJ
13:35 PM October 29, 2012

Every time I read this blog I feel like I've been to Italy! I also love trying out her recipes.

Colleen Simpson
14:20 PM October 29, 2012

"il bel centro" blog is so bright and witty. It is so interesting to follow Michelle and her family's immersion into the life of Spello for a year. By reading this blog one can become an armchair traveler and experience all of the joy, the discovery, the authentic life that can be experienced in a small town perched in Umbria. Michelle writes with such grace and style that I recommend this blog to anyone who has ever dreamed of living in Italy!! To be brave and passionate enough to live a dream is the greatest achievement in life. Bravissimo!

Brittney
14:50 PM October 29, 2012

I had just finished reading a great book and was on the hunt for a great read! That's how I came to fall in love with this blog! It's the highlight of my evening, putting my kids to sleep catching up with the latest in Italy! Not only is it a great story line, I'm getting some wonderful recipes!

Nell
15:17 PM October 29, 2012

This blog should come with a warning just to make clear that reading it will make you want to sell your house, pack up, and move to Italy. It gives the reader such a feel for daily life in the lovely town of Spello--how it sounds, how it tastes, and its distinctive rhythm. Beautifully done and I gleefully look forward to new installments to see what the Damianis will be up to next.

Janice McCrosky
15:22 PM October 29, 2012

Capturing the uniqueness of a foreign place, Michele's blog offers a cultural treat. Her vivid descriptions of food, activities and people make me feel like I am there and eagerly anticipating the next writing.

Alison
15:41 PM October 29, 2012

This excellent blog is so evocative of village life in Italy. It tackles expat issues with a beautiful narrative style and sensitivity to the local culture. A must read!

Doreen
16:15 PM October 29, 2012

Il bel centro is by far the best blog about a family living and loving italy. So many great anecdotes of how the kids are adjusting and a wonderful review of this great little town and surrounding areas.

Leslie Vincent
17:44 PM October 29, 2012

I look forward to reading this every morning. I feel like I know this family and they are good friends.

Tyler Rentz
18:31 PM October 29, 2012

interesting .....well written and a wonderful way to start my day....thank you so much for sharing your taste of italy

Katrina
18:34 PM October 29, 2012

The range of topics Michelle covers in her blog are wonderful. I learn something about the mysteries of parenting, the complexities of Italian food, and the challenges of travel every time I read her blog.

Paola Tacconi
19:12 PM October 29, 2012

This blog it's lovely: describe the details of living in a wonderful little center where people are gentle and simple. Spello it is described very very well. Compliments!

Atul Saran
20:37 PM October 29, 2012

Michelle captures the warmth and beauty of her family's experience with a combination of wit, charm and humor that warms the heart. If you can't spend a year living in Italy, maybe you can live vicariously through the magic she evokes with her writing...

Rosemary Gould
20:53 PM October 29, 2012

Love reading this blog. Michelle is so honest about all the ups and downs, and describes the luscious details beautifully. Spello sounds like a remarkably friendly, homey place.

Shari Short
21:32 PM October 29, 2012

This blog is full of exceptional writing about real feelings on everything from parenting to cooking to travel to occasional homesickness. It's fiercely genuine and engaging. I am in awe of how she captures the varied aspects of life adjustment and enjoyment in every entry. This blog is a find.

Jenny
00:23 AM October 30, 2012

A gorgeous combination of humor, education, and insight.

Marilyn Gillis
00:46 AM October 30, 2012

Il bel centro carries me away into a world of adventure and growth. I feel as though I'm right there with them, experiencing that charming village in Italy in the most wonderful way possible.

H Schutz
03:13 AM October 30, 2012

A completely credible and engaging account of an expat mom and her family.

Ruth Bujanda-Moore
03:37 AM October 30, 2012

It is said that scenery in writing is not so much to create a pictoral, visually enticing picture but more so to create a feeling of the place. Michelle not only makes the reader feel as if they too are experiencing Italy as a new albeit temporary home, but more importantly to evoke an appreciation that life in and of itself is temporary... her writing begs you to breathe deep, explore, live life, make mistakes, fumble around, practice gratitude, and never ever cease to wonder. And to love fiercely.

Allyson Shames
16:48 PM October 30, 2012

Absolutely engaging. I like to indulge in Michelle's blog with a glass of red wine and an hour to spare, as I get lost in it every time.

Annie
17:36 PM October 30, 2012

I love this blog! It reads like a delicious novel and with the heart of a truly wonderful family. Can't wait for the novel!!

Mary Hitt
18:27 PM November 10, 2012

I love this blog! It's the first one I turn to in my AM blog reading. The author has a great way with words, and an open, engaging style of writing that makes you feel like you are in the adventure with her. Having visited her Italian town, I love to picture the going-ons of her family. I highly recommend it!

Marie
00:25 AM November 28, 2012

Michelle, I love love love your blog...I can totally see it on the book shelf of Barnes & Nobles Bestsellers..why not? Shades of (while very different from) A Year In Provence).

Sophia
15:36 PM December 06, 2012

With its beautiful photographs, delicious recipes and evocative writing, Il Bel Centro is a treat for the senses. And I challenge anyone reading this blog not to fall in love with Michelle and her family, let alone Italy.

Jean
16:44 PM December 11, 2012

A beautifully written and honest blog. The stories of the struggles and triumphs the family has during their time in Italy - it's fabulous!

Forrest Furman
23:33 PM January 20, 2013

Michelle's love for her family sets her words aglow like sunlight on morning mist. It is lovely to behold.

Carol
12:31 PM October 29, 2017

Love this. would love to chat with Michelle with a few questions. Looking to do the same. Michelle, are you still around?