Discover the Power of Creative Travel Writing in Italy

“Penning travel experiences leads to deeper travel experiences,” says best-selling author Michelle Damiani. 

Believing in the power of writing to enrich travel, Ciao Andiamo teamed up with Michelle to create a small-group travel writing retreat last year in Liguria featuring guided writing sessions led by Michelle herself. And this October, we’ll be offering a new literary spin on last year’s trip – a book-club-style small-group tour with Michelle in Southern Italy.

Read: Five Ways Travel Journaling Makes Travel Better by Michelle Damiani

Travel Writing Tour: An Italy Writing Retreat with Michelle Damiani

Michelle has written extensively about her own travels in Italy and co-led our Insider Journey Through the Riviera small-group tour in October 2024. You can read all about her experience in Liguria with Ciao Andiamo on her website. On this tour, she not only taught, guided, and edited participants’ work, but also helped them discover the transformative nature of creative travel writing. Meanwhile, Ciao Andiamo managed all the logistics, ensuring a seamless experience for our guests.

Each day, travelers explored Liguria with Max, a Ciao Andiamo co-owner, expert guide, and local insider. With Max handling the details, guests could fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy.

Mornings began with a writing lesson over breakfast, setting the tone for the day’s exploration. The day’s experiences then inspired a travel journal entry. Each night, Michelle provided insightful edits, helping participants refine their writing through both the lens of their personal experiences and the fundamentals of great storytelling. 

Fortunately, Liguria provides no shortage of creative inspiration, from its winding streets and vibrant markets to its dramatic coastline and flavorful cuisine.

The tour made its way from Milan to Piedmont to sample the prized Vercelli rice and delve into the region’s rich history of rice production. You can learn more about Italy’s premier rice and find two of our favorite risotto recipes here. After, the group ventured to Liguria to explore the Italian Riviera. Their first stop in the coastal region was Genova, a city of contrasts and hidden treasures and the perfect setting for a lesson on engaging all five senses in writing. 

The tour took participants through Genova, Camogli, Recco, Sestri Levante, Cinque Terre, and glamorous Portofino, offering a well-balanced blend of structured activities and writing time. Highlights included a winery tour, a hands-on cooking class, and plenty of opportunities to absorb the magic of Italy at a writer’s pace.

Read more about Liguria and where to go on the beautiful Italian Riviera.

Even unexpected challenges, like major rain storms and flooding, became part of the adventure. Thanks to Max’s deep knowledge of the area, the group safely navigated a flooded Camogli, making their way through overflowing Ligurian rivers before arriving at a cozy hotel bar in Sestri Levante—safe, warm, and with a story to tell!

As Michelle notes in her blog post, “The challenging bits become content. I particularly loved knowing that with Max at the wheel, I had the freedom to turn in my seat at any time and spark a conversation about the power of words. Plus, experiencing a Ciao Andiamo tour firsthand gave me the confidence to recommend them wholeheartedly.”

We enjoyed our tour with Michelle so much that we’ve planned another – this time, with a literary twist! Instead of writing, this trip will dive into the trend of reading retreats. A trip to Southern Italy will bring the words on the page to life as we tour some of Italy’s most captivating locations. It’s a perfect opportunity to experience an immersive reading retreat in Europe and create a book-club-style community in the heart of Southern Italy.

Join us on our next literary tour, Southern Italy with Michelle Damiani, to see the world – and your reading – in a whole new way!