“Awesome, as always! (Venice 2018)
I’d go on vacation with Susan anytime. She really works hard to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time. The food, the shopping… wish I was still there.”

“Susan was just the best. She did a super job. I look forward to taking another trip with her.”

“I will recommend this trip to anyone and would love to join Susan again for a trip….it was great!”

“The BEST way to begin retirement was to be with Susan and two of my close friends from childhood in Italy!! Overall the trip was fabulous!! Susan is the BEST, so knowledgeable, so helpful, so gracious, and immediately a close friend!”

While some of the excursions were not perfect, for me, this was a trip of a lifetime. I truly enjoyed the women I met and hope that I have made some new, lifelong friends! (and future travel mates). Stresa and the hotel were absolutely magnificent! Susan is a gem!

“Love the personal service all along the way…Susan takes us all on a journey that brings every aspect of Italy to life!”

“Dear Susan, I can never thank you enough for that wonderful adventure we got to share with you. It is right at the top of my favorites…it was just so beautiful there you simply have to see it to believe it. This is the only time in my traveling life that I really wanted to stay. I think I should quit traveling now because I have seen the best with the best.”

“It doesn’t get any better than traveling with Susan Van Allen. Her choices and talents are so appreciated. She goes out of her way for each of the guests personal needs. I love traveling with her and feel very spoiled now to travel with anyone else.”

This has been my dream vacation. Susan Van Allen is the most thoughtful, caring and warm individual. She made all of us feel at home and was there to assist us in every way. I cannot praise her enough.

I’m still tingling from our amazing trip to southern Italy! I prayed it would be a wonderful experience and I got an amazing dream experience! The PLACE, the WONDERFUL WOMAN in our group, the perfect location of our hotel, my perfect travel companion–my niece Lori, all allowed for a spectacular and beautiful memory. Only Susan Van Allen could have made it all possible! She brought it all together for an Amazing Week! Thank you Susan!!!

Susan did an excellent job planning and executing the trip. Her extensive knowledge of the area and the people made this a memorable experience. Susan provided us with very knowledgeable local guides that enriched our experience. We also had plenty of time to do some exploring on our own. This was a great trip.”

“My Golden Week experience was wonderful…more than I had anticipated. Everything was so well planned, including all of my transportation arrangements. Susan helped to make our experience pleasurable as well as memorable. I would recommend this tour to anyone looking for a cultural experience while the enjoying the full flavor of Italy.”

Great trip led by Susan! The group of women were diverse and fun to be with. We had a lot of laughter!

One cannot imagine the beautiful time spent in Italy with the delightful, knowledgeable and warmhearted Susan Van Allen. It was a magical time and I am still reveling in the Italian culture and the beauty each day provided. There were moments that touched my heart, expectations of Italian days I could never have imagined and I would do it all over again. I feel blessed to have had such a rich experience with Susan and all the preparation she took to make it the best Italian journey ever!

Susan was a great tour director! She was very organized, took care of us, and was very interested in getting to know each of us.

Susan out did herself once again showing us Sicily and everything it has to offer. The hotels to restaurants made us feel as if we were goddesses!

“This has been an Experience of a Lifetime!!! Susan’s knowledge, her previous experience, and most especially the relationships that she has developed in Italy are priceless and invaluable to the overall exceptional experience!! I Highly Highly Recommend Golden Week!”

Loved every minute!

This was my fifth trip to Italy travelling independently and with other companies and by far the most memorable. Susan sets the bar high for other companies to come up to. It’s five-star all the way from accommodation to meals to outings with guides. Her joy and love of adventure are inspiring! Read her book!

“Fantastic! A great combination of busy and relaxing.”

“What a wonderful week. Susan’s attention to detail, expertise and genuine love for Italy was infectious and made the week so special. We made new friends and had amazing experiences.”

On a Golden Week with Susan, her love of Italy shines through in each activity. The guides she chooses are outstanding and their passion for Italy is contagious. The trips are worry free from the moment you land in this beautiful country until it is time to say goodbye to new friends. I highly recommend Golden Weeks in Italy.

“Susan Van Allen made my first trip to Europe a wonderful/awesome experience. She had everything planned out to the smallest of details. I didn’t have to think or worry about anything because everything was done for me. I can now say that I am spoiled for all future trips. I cannot wait to take another trip with her.”

This was a fabulous trip with a lovely group of women. The pace was perfect and the tours were amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing and would highly recommend any of the Golden Weeks with Susan – she thinks of everything and makes your week an awesome journey full of wonderful memories!

Susan Van Allen was fantastic! Loved every day on the tour! Thank you!!!

“The trip renewed my spirit on so many levels…Susan was a wonderful tour host.”

“Susan is an inspirational guide who creates an aura of beauty and joy in some of the most beautiful places in Italy! Truly fell in love with Florence—so much so that began to plan a return trip with Susan almost as soon as we returned. Highest of recommendations only!”

“After spending several days with Susan I came to realize her love for Italy is as deep as the Mediterranean, she is as warm as the sun that sets in Capri…”

“This trip was clearly designed by an artist–everything flowed along beautifully, a delicious transformational experience of La Dolce Vita!”

“My thanks to Susan Van Allen for making her book come to life!!! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this Golden Week. Susan’s heartfelt desire for everyone to enjoy their time was evident each and every day.”

“Loved every minute.”

“The Golden Week in Santa Margherita Ligure was terrific. Susan put an excellent trip together, filled with many interesting tours seasoned with a variety that everyone would enjoy. Her shopping, dining, and other recommendations were always to perfection. It was like we all become a family during our stay.”

“Amazing…All my passions were enlightened at each breathtaking step…I recommend it highly.”

I loved how Susan blocked coffee breaks into the day, as well as aperitivi! I think the pacing is good on these trips—a nice balance.

“Dear Susan, My compliments to you on our tour of Southern Italy. Your knowledge of Southern Italy, your gifts, meals, just you Susan, you planned it well. The tour was nothing short of spectacular!! You are the Jewel  of Southern Italy.”

Susan Van Allen’s warm, friendly and very personable manner was spread amongst each of us. Her unfailing enthusiasm and personal attention made my Golden Week in Venice unforgettable. I will always remember my magical trip to Venice.

“Dear Susan, Your zest for Italy and life and independence for women traveling, changed my life and led me onto more amazing travels and new friendships world wide!!”

Susan Van Allen is truly “One in a Million”!! Susan puts her all into designing the most creative itineraries with exceptional attention to every detail. She cares so much about her clients’ individual needs and makes every woman feel like an Italian Princess. Warm, Caring, Funny, Intelligent… a true expert on everything Italy. My Mother and I have taken two trips with her so far and cannot express how much we loved everything about them! I would recommend Susan to everyone who wants the best experience of Italy and to have those memories to cherish forever.

This was my first trip to Italy & I’m so glad it was with Susan Van Allen. It was so great to go to a different place each day. Whether we went by ferry or bus each trip was an unforgettable experience. I was sad when the trip was over, but our farewell dinner was absolutely delicious and a great ending to a wonderful tour. The trip was well organized, informative, and totally enjoyable.

This is an extraordinary tour. You feel like a privileged Venetian insider when you spend a Golden Week in Venice with Susan Van Allen, visiting both the must-see sights and the hidden treasures of this beautiful city. And Susan, an extraordinary guide, makes everyone feel relaxed, as she shares her love and deep knowledge of Italy with the group.

This was my first tour and I was a little worried. But this trip was soooooo good and I am going to book Sicily in 2024. Our group was amazing! Fun fun fun!

“Susan Van Allen is the BEST Travel Guide ever! Her expertise and knowledge was the key to everything! Susan takes you to places you would never find on your own! I would absolutely refer her to anyone! And I myself would travel with her again!”

I’ve been to Venice many times and wanted to experience it again on this trip with my sister. Susan created an exceptional itinerary that gave me a deeper, insiders’ experience of Venice — meeting her friends, including chefs, artisans, and a passionate local guide. The baroque hotel and private boat rides added to the beautiful fun.