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Michael Kovnick
Author @TravelCDV

Michael Kovnick


Co-Founder of Culture Discovery Vacations. I am a native American from Los Angeles that has been living with one foot in Italy and the other in the US for more than 30 years. I usually write about oddities I see in Italian culture from an American perspective, and the humor I find in it. However, after decades of living in both countries, I often see the reverse as well. That is, where the Italians got it right, and we can certainy learn from them!

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Culture & Lifestyle
Culture & Lifestyle

Unveiling the World of Luxury Experiential Travel


Luxury experiential travel focuses on providing unique and immersive experiences for travelers, allowing them to engage with local cultures and environments in a more meaningful way (National Geographic). And so… it’s time to...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • March 26, 2025
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Luxury Travel
Luxury Travel

Why Small-Group Travel is the Ultimate Luxury Experience


What is “Luxury of Experience” in Small-Group Travel? Luxury of experience is a travel approach that prioritizes authentic connections, unhurried time, and exclusive access through personal relationships rather than...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • March 12, 2025
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 13: “Two Guys and a TuTu”


As with every post in this series, if you are jumping in here, it is like jumping into the middle of a movie. Please start with Part 1, or this will make absolutely no sense. It’s been a while since I posted an article...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 21, 2023
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 12: “Bury The Mice In The Ground… Slowly.”


12th part in a series of the story of an American moving to small town Italy in the 1980's, learning the culture and finding a lifetime love.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • August 5, 2020
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 11: “Winter is Coming”


If you are just jumping in here, please start with Part 1. It is January 1985 now, and the weather has been in the mid 70’s in L.A. Now I know many people reading this think OMG! Mid 70’s in January, but I am an L.A....

  • Michael Kovnick
  • July 17, 2020
  • 16
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 10: “Paola Meets The Megalopolis”


In Part 10 of the My Life in City series, we are back in Los Angeles. But this time, it is Paola's first time in the United States, and me showing her MY world.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • June 30, 2020
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 9: “An Italian Love Story”


If you are just jumping in here, please start with Part 1, otherwise, this will just make no sense at all! I mean, seriously… You can’t just jump into part 9 of a series, right? September 19, 1984 I’m...

  • Michael Kovnick
  • April 27, 2020
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 8: “A Tale of Two Italys”


Part 8 in my story that chronicles my 37 year journey, living with one foot in the US and the other in Italy.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • October 20, 2019
  • 5
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 7: “The Roof is On Fire”


Part 7 in my story, chronicling my 37 journey of living with one foot in the United States and the other in Italy. This chapter covers a dark period in my fife, when I had just returned from my first trip to Italy in 1983.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • August 23, 2019
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Personal
Personal

My Life in Italy, Part 6: “Amalfi, Rome & A Two Horse Town Called Soriano”


Part 6 in my story that chronicles my 36 year journey, living with one foot in the US and the other in Italy.

  • Michael Kovnick
  • August 19, 2019
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Culture Discovery Vacations
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