What if a single postcard could change the course of your life?

In this episode of the House of Peregrine podcast, Mickelle speaks with Eva Noelle Fassbender, founder of The Sardinian, about her extraordinary journey from Berlin to Italy, a path shaped by heritage, intuition, and unexpected love.

Eva didn’t set out to move to Italy. What began as a quiet curiosity about her grandfather turned into a bold journey through Naples, a spontaneous doorbell ring in Latina, and a full-circle family reunion decades in the making. Along the way, she discovered more than her roots - she found a way of life that mirrored the freedom and richness she was always seeking.

Today, Eva lives in Cagliari, Sardinia, where she supports others in creating meaningful experiences whether they’re planning a soulful Sardinian holiday or making the leap to live full-time in Italy. With elegance and honesty, she shares how life abroad can be both a personal renaissance and a new kind of wealth measured in time, connection, and presence.

 A Postcard from the Past Eva traces her grandfather’s legacy in southern Italy with only a vintage poem and a photograph - leading to an emotional family reconnection.

 The Courage to Knock She shares what it was like to knock on a stranger’s door, not knowing if they were family or if they even wanted to see her.

❤️ Love and Sardinia An unexpected meeting with a Sardinian man in Colombia sparks a romance and guides her to the island she now calls home.

 Choosing Place, Not Just People Eva emphasizes the importance of falling in love with the place, not just the person, when moving abroad—and how Sardinia captured her heart.

💡 Retire Rich in Freedom Her viral article explored how to design a life centered around time and intention, not just money—especially in places like Sardinia that support slower, deeper living.

Becoming a First Touchpoint Now, Eva acts as a connector and guide for those dreaming of a move to Italy - offering trusted resources and heartfelt orientation to help others take their own leap.

Sardinia might not be on everyone’s map—but for those craving beauty, belonging, and a different pace of life, it just might be the answer.

Ready to Explore Italy?

You can connect with Eva on LinkedIn and explore her curated travel and relocation resources at The Sardinian, including her article Retire Rich in Freedom —a beautiful reframe of what it means to live well.

✨ Wherever you are on your journey, we hope this conversation inspires you to follow your own quiet knowing—and maybe even answer the call of a postcard.

Feeling inspired? Share this episode with someone you know navigating life between cultures - and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Every story shared is a thread that weaves us closer together.