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.

“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!”

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

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

“I loved our Golden Week! Susan goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is having a good time and does her best to accommodate every need however necessary. The group size is ideal and having Fiorella as our guide was excellent. I hope to do another tour with Susan and would not hesitate to recommend these tours to friends.”

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

“Italians really know how to enjoy life. I would love to do this once a year!”

“Loved every minute.”

Susan is an amazing guide, and by the end of the week she is a good friend. I believe I would follow her anywhere. She sees to the needs of each person with care and makes sure that nothing is overlooked. She provides the best kind of unique travel experience. Sign me up for another!

“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!”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“My dearest Susan, My deepest appreciation for making our trip to Southern Italy a dream come true. Although I had been there some time ago, nothing compared with the wonderful time we had with you. Not only as our guide, but as a new dear friend, you made the entire trip an experience I will never forget. Each one of the girls became like sisters. Your beauty, charm, humor, and kindness was more than I ever expected. I haven’t stopped talking about our trip.”

“Perfection! You gave us what you promised and then some. I think the biggest compliment was that I didn’t want to leave”

“Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable trip. The tour far exceeded my expectations and that was primarily due to your thoughtful planning and meticulous execution. You took care of every detail and I just loved that you made sure everyone was always taken care of. The women on the trip were all lovely and, of course, that added to the positive experience.”

That week will always be one of the highlights of my life. It was special in so many ways–being in beautiful Italy again, sharing it with my daughters and friends and Susan making it so special. Susan’s warm hospitality and love and knowledge of Italy is what makes it special and memorable.
I hope I can join another Golden week with you again in the future.

“Susan exceeded my expectations! Would love to tour with her (and the ladies) again!”

A tremendous learning experience at each site. Guides were excellent.

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!

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 made this trip First Class! My adventure to Venice this year was a solo trip. I met all the women along with Susan the first night. It was like Susan had hand picked each one of us to enjoy this experience together. We all became friendly right away. Each day sharing a meal, walking together, shopping, getting to know each other had created a special bond. We cared for one another, we watched out for one another throughout the whole week. By how the week unfolded, it was apparent that Susan had gone to great lengths to ensure our comfort, safety, and entertainment. I had an opportunity to learn to row a gondola. After the rowing lesson, I got off the boat taxi near the hotel- there was Susan- waiting for me. She was there making sure I was safe and interested to know my experience. I think I read on Susan’s website that when you take a tour with her you will feel like you’re traveling with your best friend. That’s a true statement. Can’t wait to do it again.”

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

“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.”

“All in all, a super experience.”

“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 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.

“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.”

“I absolutely adored every enthralling, enlightening aspect of my Golden Week experience in Tuscany–a glorious time of female bonding and fun, as well as a feast of our senses absorbing it all!”

“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!”

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!

“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.”

“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…”

Susan’s enthusiasm and the genuine friendships and connections that she has with all of her tour guides, drivers, artisans, restaurant staff and hotel staff makes it so easy to relax and enjoy “la dolce vita”… her love of Italia is contagious.

“My week far surpassed my expectations. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to visit and will definitely go back. The group was wonderful. Susan was terrific and I had tears in my eyes saying goodbye to Fiorella. A truly wonderful experience for me.”

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.

“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.”

“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.”

“Susan Van Allen did a phenomenal job as our leader. The group of women was delightful.”

“What a wonderful trip. Susan made it all so enjoyable and fun – and always with the exclamation point to finish each day. Our group managed to mesh very well. It is always nice to let people go at their own pace.”

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!

Great group of women. Fun to get to know one another. Susan Van Allen knows how to lead a tour. I appreciated her work to keep us informed, engaged, moving, with plenty of time for relaxation. I’m sure each tour participant had different expectations regarding the overall experience, and Susan knew how to cater to each so everyone felt included.