Dear Michael, You went way beyond our expectations as gracious hosts, amazing cook, tour guide (sooo knowledgeable), interpreter, and driver. And great conversations as well. We absolutely loved the Treasure hunts. OMG! The palazzo is crazy amazing with what you have done and what. you’re currently doing. WE covered a lot of ground in our short visit to Bettona and next time we’ll try to just relax more. Grazie for your patience and accommodation of our special needs. With Gratitude,
— Marlee & Dave, Sept 2025
Living in the Palazzo, Michael treated us like Royalty! His culinary talent has amazed us with delightful dishes. We enjoyed the medieval mystery of Bettona and the Umbrian countryside. Michael is a gracious host and innovative decorator. We so appreciated his knowledge of history and art and everything Italian.
— PJ, Robert, JoAn, and Angelique, June 2025
Dear Michael & Paul, Thank your for hosting us and our “Presbyterian” friends. We all had a wonderful time, even if our knowledge of Italian, architecture, and saints didn’t improve much over the week. Our day trip to the garden of Bomarzo was spectacular and a highlight of the trip. See you soon
— Jackie & Rick, Oct 2024
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for sharing your home, and for giving all of us an appreciation of Umbria and Italy. You are a people person and having you as our guide enhanced what wold have been a nice trip and made it a spectacular one. We will certainly share our experience with friend and family . . .
— Ilene & Steve, July 2024
Dear Michael & Paul, This is the perfect way to visit Umbria — relaxed, well fed, and with a great glass of wine in hand. We appreciate how generous you are with your time and knowledge. Not to mention your humor and patience with older folk. Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca is beautiful and we look forward to seeing the completion of the extension. back.
— Barb & Ed, Oct 2023
Michael & Paul, Thank you for an absolutely wonderful week in Umbria!! All the laughter, meals, recommendations, and reservations have been truly fun and appreciated. Thank you both for your hospitality and good humor.
— Kate & Steve, Sept 2023
Dear Michael & Paul, What an amazing introduction to Umbria and Bettona for me.There was no better place to spend our honeymoon than at Palazzo Fiumi-LaPlaca.
Your guidance on where to go, what to do, and where and how to park was so helpful and priceless. Michael’s cooking is amazing and the attention and hospitality so wonderful. IT’s beyond amazing what you have done to restore an preserve this special palazzo. We will be back.
— Ken & LuGene, April 2023
Dear Michael, Our fourth visit was even better than the others! We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here with you and the kids even though there were challenging moments with having two toddlers. Your were great with the last minute changes to accommodate their needs. The horseback riding was fabulous. Thank you so much for being the most gracious host. We will be back!
— the Gittleman clan, Sept 2022
Bettona at last! What a perfect place for a reset after the last two years of the pandemic. So special to be in the land of St Francis and to gaze across the valley to Assisi. Thank you for welcoming us as friends and for showing us some of the amazing art in Umbria. Basically for sharing your world with us — the gastronomic feasts in your wonderful kitchen and quality time with the puppies.
— Carolyn & Tim, May 2022
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for welcoming us into your home. What a fabulous week long celebration for Mary’s birthday and our 39th wedding anniversary. We’ve seen and learned so much. It was truly a pleasure getting to know you and your wonderful dogs. . . .
— Gram, June 2019
Dear Michael, There is quite literally nothing I would have changed about our Week Umbria! Starting with your spectacular home and your attention to detail and ending with the joy you took in showing our crew Umbria and it’s culture. We had a wonderful time and will return and make another event here. Grazie mille,
— Steve & Mirjana, Oct 2018
How do you put in a few words the special week we had in Umbria? Each day was another surprise, another beautigul church, another unique experince. Food, art, lanscapes, and ofcourse immersion in the Italian culture Thank you so much for your insights and sharing your obvious love of Italy. We shall return . . .
— Merle, Oct 2017
Michael, The comfort and the good taste of your palazzo, combined with your guiding us to a new town each day, have taken all the stress out of our time in Umbria.. And how can I not mention your cooking and your taking us to the best restaurants in Umbria? We will be back . . .
— Susan & Dick, Oct 2016
What a beautiful week in Umbria! Thank you Michael, for arranging such alovely week, combining elements from many of your other excursions in one — art, cuisine, cooking, churches, etc, etc. My first trip to Italy will be long remembered. Thank you for inspiring me . . .
— Robbie, Oct 2016
Michael, What a special time here in Bettona. Thank your for welcoming our family into your home, cooking an extraordinary feast on our first night — those zucchini blossoms will have us salivating — and continuing to tour us through this incredible valley. We adored our adventures . . .
— Sally, Chris, Pierce, Pam, and Al, Sept 2016
Michael, There are really no words that can describe how amazing the last few days have been. The views from Bettona, the food (especially the hot chocolate at Sandri that changed my life), and the palazzo were all wonderful memories I will have for the rest of my life. . .
Maggie Rose, June 2016
