Memories from a Trip to Italy with Michael Angelo’s

Last month I was honored to be invited on a trip to Italy with Michael Angelo’s alongside last year’s sweepstakes winners, Mike and Martha. The experience exceeded every expectation. Beyond the food and scenery, what made the trip unforgettable was the company — a warm, fun group of people who made a first trip to Italy feel easy and joyful. When I think back, it still feels a little surreal that a blog I started in December 2009 led to this opportunity.

Traveling with new friends made the whole week richer. In the front of our group were Jason and Pixie, a wonderful couple who were married last year. Beside them were Mike and Martha, hilarious and genuinely kind people. I’m grateful to have spent time with Michael, Cheryl and Sara, whose hospitality made the trip possible, and to Cheryl’s friends Dirk and Melanie, who were delightful company. Curtis joined me on the trip, and his steady presence and good humor made the journey even more special.

We flew into Florence late on a Friday and spent five nights at Villa Daniella, a beautiful property built in the 1500s. Once a wealthy family’s summer home and later a monastery sanctuary, the villa has been lovingly restored and is now rented by Daniella and her family. The house felt like a comfortable flat with generous living spaces, and our bedroom was upstairs with two bathrooms — a welcome touch after long travel days.

On arrival we were treated to a spectacular welcome meal. Seafood-stuffed squash blossoms, truffled salamis, and the first pork I’d eaten in fifteen years by choice — every bite was exceptional. The flavors set the tone for the week, and we were eager to sample more of the regional cuisine.

One of the most meaningful parts of traveling is sharing new experiences with someone you love. Curtis can be selective about food, and I had avoided pork for years — yet on this trip we both surprised ourselves with our openness. Curtis tried squid and octopus, and I enjoyed pork dishes I hadn’t eaten in a long time. It was a reminder of how travel expands tastes and perspectives.

The villa’s gardens were meticulously restored to reflect their original 16th-century design. Wandering those paths felt like stepping back in time, surrounded by fragrant plants and carefully tended beds. The peaceful setting was the perfect counterpoint to our busy days of sightseeing and eating.

One evening Pixie assembled a gorgeous meat and cheese plate for our group, and Sara prepared a slow-cooked tomato sauce and meatballs that were unforgettable. She told us she started the sauce at 5 a.m. and let it simmer all day; she suggested topping pasta with a spoonful of ricotta and mixing it in — the result was simple and sublime.

Cheryl and Michael’s dog Indy was our canine companion at the villa and kept us company between excursions. It was comforting to have a friendly dog around while we missed our pets back home.

One day we visited the hilltop village of Montecarlo, wandering narrow streets lined with stone buildings, small shops and local producers. The roads were compact and sometimes a little nerve-wracking to navigate, but that’s part of the charm. Olive trees stretched across the countryside, and the views from terraces and restaurants were postcard-perfect.

At La Terrazza Pizzeria Ristoro we enjoyed a meal with a stunning view. I fell in love with a four-cheese gnocchi there and plan to recreate it at home. Pizza in Italy often arrived unsliced, and the super-thin crust was simply divine.

Back at the villa we made pasta from scratch with Sara using 00 flour, a much finer flour than the semolina and all-purpose blends I had used before. We also enjoyed Sara’s famous stuffed eggplant, a recipe she generously shared with me. Both dishes were a highlight and I’ll be bringing those flavors into my kitchen soon.

We also traveled up into the mountains to Colonnata, renowned for its lardo. The narrow, winding roads felt dramatic — some of us relied on motion-sickness remedies — but the destination was worth every turn. At a local restaurant, we tasted simple dishes made with deep care: lardo on crostini, delicate ravioli, spinach pappardelle, and a mushroom- and taleggio-stuffed crepe finished with shaved black truffles that remains one of my favorite bites from the trip.

We also visited the marble quarries where Michelangelo went hunting for marble, a site rich with history and breathtaking vistas. Seeing the veins and blocks of marble in the mountains was awe-inspiring and a tangible connection to centuries of craftsmanship.

This trip combined food, history, landscape and new friendships into a week I’ll always remember. Stay tuned for Part II of this recap, where I’ll share recipes inspired by the trip and more details about the places we visited.

Disclosure: Thanks to Michael Angelo’s for hosting this trip. I only collaborate with brands I trust and always share my honest opinions.