THE ART OF “VALLEGGIARE”: The Slow Living Philosophy Created by Michela nelle Valli

In recent years, slow living has become one of the world's most talked-about lifestyle movements. From Scandinavia to Japan, different cultures have inspired new ways of thinking about time, wellbeing and our relationship with everyday life.

But in the Italian Alps, this philosophy has existed for centuries.

It simply never had a name.

After years spent exploring the valleys of South-West Piedmont, documenting their landscapes, traditions and communities, I realised these places shared something far greater than natural beauty. They offered a different way of living—one shaped by nature, local heritage and a slower rhythm that modern life has almost forgotten.

That realisation gave birth to The Art of Valleggiare.

A philosophy inspired by the Alpine valleys and the timeless lessons they continue to teach.

Who is Michela nelle Valli?

Before Glam House and Breathe Piedmont, there was Michela nelle Valli.

Created by Michela Giordano, the project began with a simple mission: to tell the story of a part of Italy that few people truly knew.

For years, Michela has travelled across South-West Piedmont, producing documentaries, photography and educational content dedicated to the region's history, culture, traditions and natural heritage. Through digital storytelling, she has built one of the largest communities focused on discovering the authentic identity of Piedmont beyond its most famous destinations.

Her work is not about recommending places to visit.

It is about helping people understand why those places matter.

Because every village, every valley and every landscape carries a story that deserves to be heard.

SCOPRI IL PROGETTO DI MICHELA NELLE VALLI E IMMERGITI NELLE VALLI PIEMONTESI

From Michela nelle Valli to Breathe Piedmont

As more people from around the world began discovering Michela's work, a new question appeared again and again.

"How can we experience this part of Italy ourselves?"

That question became the foundation of Breathe Piedmont.

Created as the international evolution of Michela nelle Valli, Breathe Piedmont introduces English-speaking audiences to the authentic soul of South-West Piedmont—from the Alps to the Mediterranean—through storytelling, cultural insight and personalised advisory.

Rather than offering traditional tourism, the project invites people to understand the region through its landscapes, communities, heritage and way of life.

Because before choosing a destination—or even a home—you first need to discover whether its rhythm feels like your own.

Discover Michela nelle Valli’s personalised advisory services.

ADVISORY FOCUS
Your question, our local insight.
A personalised written consultation for a specific question about the Cuneo area.

ADVISORY JOURNEY
Your journey, thoughtfully designed.
A tailor-made travel plan created around your interests, rhythm and way of experiencing the territory.

ADVISORY JOURNEY PLUS
More guidance, more personal.
Your personalised journey plan, plus a private call with Michela to refine every detail together.

ADVISORY LIVING
From visiting Piedmont to living here.
Personalised support for those considering moving, buying a second home or creating a new life in the Cuneo area.

Nature as a Teacher

The valleys have also shaped Michela's professional path in another way.

Alongside her work in communication and storytelling, she became a certified Forest Bathing instructor, specialising in mindfulness and breathing practices inspired by nature.

These experiences are now part of Breathe Piedmont through carefully designed walks, retreats and moments of reconnection, allowing visitors to experience the landscapes not simply as spectators, but as participants.

In the valleys, nature is not something to admire from a distance.

It becomes part of everyday life.

What Does Valleggiare Mean?

There is no English translation for Valleggiare.

It is a word coined by Michela after years spent listening to the lessons hidden within the Alpine valleys.

It is not hiking.

It is not travelling.

It is not simply living in the mountains.

Valleggiare is a philosophy.

The valleys teach us that life doesn't need to move faster to become richer. They remind us to notice what often goes unseen: the changing light across the mountains, the sound of water flowing through a village, the craftsmanship behind everyday objects, the warmth of genuine conversations, the beauty hidden in the smallest details.

They teach us that elegance is not something we own, but something we carry within us. It is found in simplicity, in authenticity, in the quiet confidence of places that have never needed excess to be extraordinary.

To Valleggiare means learning to appreciate little things before chasing bigger ones. It means allowing nature, local traditions and the rhythm of the seasons to shape the way we live. It means finding beauty not only in remarkable landscapes, but also in ordinary moments that most people hurry past.

Above all, Valleggiare is an invitation to wear the values of the valleys wherever life takes us—to choose presence over urgency, depth over distraction, and to carry with us a quieter, more intentional way of living, long after we have left the mountains.

Why It Matters

The Art of Valleggiare is more than a personal philosophy.

It is the thread that connects every project Michela has created.

It inspires the stories shared through Michela nelle Valli, the experiences offered by Breathe Piedmont, and the vision behind Glam House.

Because choosing a place to live is never just about buying a property.

It is about choosing the life that surrounds it.

The landscape you wake up to.

The people you meet.

The traditions you become part of.

The pace at which your days unfold.

Before finding the right home, you first need to find the right place.

And sometimes, that journey begins not with a map, but with a different way of looking at life.

That is the essence of The Art of Valleggiare.