I thought the trip was fabulous! Susan’s planning and attention to detail were incredible. Her desire to help each of us feel welcome, included, and safe was evident in everything she did.
I also appreciated the choice of places and activities that would appeal to women, including opportunities to shop. Each of the restaurants was excellent and the choice of menu for our meals together was varied and delicious.

While I really enjoyed all the sites and the fabulous guides that you hired, what I valued most was my times at meals and walking and talking with all the wonderful women whose company I so enjoyed.
The plate that I painted has a place of honor in my home as it reminds me of all the fun we had. And I love wearing the gloves and the jewelry that I purchased. Thank you so much for taking me shopping! I loved the trip.

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.

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

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

“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.”

The entire trip was a total delight! Well organized, so many different adventures, people were wonderful!

“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.”

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.

It was a wonderful trip!

This trip was unlike any trip I’ve ever been on. From the booklet that Susan sent prior to the trip to our daily text messages, everything was organized and well-planned — plus Susan kept us informed every step of the way. Even when the weather upended our plans, Susan pivoted and provided wonderful alternatives. Being able to stay in one hotel — and what a wonderful hotel it was! — provided us with a familiar home base from which to set out on our daily adventures.

But the best was spending a week in the company of a group of compatible women — we came from different backgrounds and perspectives but we blended into a group of women who enjoyed each others’ company. Plus, it was a perfect number of travelers — not too many and not too few. Thank you, Susan, for creating this experience and for such great memories! I hope I can join you on another trip in the future!

“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’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!!!

“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!”

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

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 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 Van Allen is amazing, she went above and beyond to make this trip extraordinary.”

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.

“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.”

“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…”

Loved every minute!

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

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

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!

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

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!

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

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.

“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!”

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.

“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.”

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 infuses her tours with enthusiasm, engagement and enchantment! She is exceptional in her knowledge of the areas we visited and ensured we felt both part of a group yet individually independent. We had the trip of a lifetime last year, (Florence 2016), and this year was even better!!!! Hard to believe our first experience could be topped, but since it was—already saving up for the next trip with Susan!!!!”

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