"We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us"

Welcome to Episode #110

Italy beckons... Today Nadia and I talk travel moments and her soulful Tuscany Cooking Retreat in Tuscany this year, see links below to book yourself something special in Italy this coming November-December….

Tuscan Escape with Nadia Fragnito

Hortulanus Villa in Tuscany

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"Does the ever- evolving desire for beauty at home derive from a super sense of conviviality?" - Frances Mayes, A Place in the World

Welcome to Episode #109:

Some of the most delicious parts of this journey over the many years of loving Italy is the way it slowly became a part of my every day life. At home I see the art, the ceramics, the candle holders, the table ware, the cookbooks, the coffee table and Italian design books and my favourite coffee mugs that I enjoy using daily (let’s not forget the true force in my life - the 10 cup Bialetti Moka Pot) and everything else I have collected along the way have played a beautiful role on this Italian journey.

There is magic in the every day domestic and mundane details of our lives and the joy we feel when we see these beautiful momentos from the travels and the inspiration we have felt to acquire such an object.

Today’s share is a revel in how Italy has been just as important at home for me as it is as a place in the world.

Enjoy listening,

Michelle x

Find all Shownotes at michellejohnston.life

Buy my new book: In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure

Book Link for MichelleJohnston.life

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

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"It's about the treasure beneath our feet, it's about the land..." - Bailey Alexander

Welcome to Episode #108:

Bailey Alexander lived in the region of Piemonte Italy in the small village of Loazzolo for seven years with her husband Francis. Over time the place, the land, the people, the traditions, the lifestyle, and the wonderful campilismo began to shape her life in new and creative ways.

After many years circumnavigating the globe, this time living in Piemonte searching for the “authentic life” ignited a curiosity that led Bailey to go on a journey of sorts, a personal pilgrimage to understand more. Bailey had so many questions and soon this curiosity became a collection of stories that evolved into her second book - ‘Personal Legends of Piemonte’.

Bailey and I discuss the many life lessons and the beautiful meandering journey of this time in her life to later come out the other side with a book that shares these intimate and magical stories of twelve Piemontese. This is a grand conversation and one that illuminates the many cycles in life, the power of change and the resiliency we discover when we follow the call to live authentically and with grace.

Personal Legends of Piemonte by Bailey Alexander

Instagram: Bailey Alexander

Find all Shownotes at michellejohnston.life

Buy my new book: In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure

Book Link for my MichelleJohnston.life

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

Support the show