Florence

As more and more travelers flock to Italy, more and more big tour groups traipsing behind screaming-flag-waving guides appear…This is NOT what you want for your Italian vacation. It’s well worth paying the extra euros for a small group tour or a private guide to have an enriching experience of Italy’s world-beloved masterpieces and places.  You have lots of choices when it comes to guides, especially in the big cities. All licensed guides have gone through years of study and rigorous exams to earn their badges, but there’s a huge range of differences out there between great guides and the ones who are…well let’s be nice andRead More →

Of all the beautiful spots in the beautiful Cinque Terre, Vernazza is certainly the most beloved by photographers and painters…and book cover designers… It’s a dream to arrive to this village on the path from Corniglia… The view is crowned by the Belforte tower and Doria Castle, named after the powerful Doria family from Genoa. (BTW, as I’m always highlighting HERstory, the name Doria actually came from a 12th century Genoese noblewoman, Auria, who married a noble pilgrim who went off to fight the first crusades in Jerusalem. The name was originally, in Latin, de filius Auirae=Sons of Auria). If you arrive to Vernazza byRead More →

Florence = Heaven for so many reasons. There’s the masterpieces of architecture and art, amazing food and wine, welcoming natives, AND wonderful shopping. During our Golden Weeks, I’ve loved seeing the great joy women experience over filling their suitcases with gifts to bring home, and to keep for themselves for lasting memories… It’s so easy to come by fun leather finds in the market stalls of San Lorenzo, around Santa Croce, and the Mercato Nuovo (aka Straw Market, Mercato del Porcellino)… And lovely to stroll along Via Tornabuoni for designer brands in shops that were once Renaissance palaces… What’s marvelous is how history and traditionRead More →

Ladies! 2015 is Your Year to Experience La Dolce Vita with author Susan Van Allen! Custom designed and led by Susan, for women to enjoy the pleasures of the Bel Paese to the max! * Small Groups Maximum 14–Great for friends to share a special time together and solo travelers to meet and share the wonderful experience with fascinating women * Luxury Hotels Only unpack once, be taken care of by an expert staff in lovely surroundings * Exquisite Itineraries [col1][/col1] [col2][/col2] [col3] [/col3] [col1][/col1] [col2][/col2] [col3] [/col3] Blending art, culture, delicious food and wine, fabulous shopping, a cooking class, and a relaxing spa dayRead More →

  50 Places inRome, Florence, and VeniceEvery Woman Should Go   Discover the Best Places in Italy’s Big Three for Women… Art that glorifies feminine curves in Florence… Cooking Class with a Roman Mamma… Artisan lacemaking in Venice… And so many more beautiful and delicious pleasures! Savvy traveler girlfriend Susan Van Allen gives you everything you need to make your Italian vacation dreams come true! A Perfect Holiday Gift! Click here to read more. Available at your local bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.Read More →

 Coming in October…A New Book!   Following the critically acclaimed 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, Susan Van Allen adds new gems to her selection of the best spots for female travelers in Italy’s most popular cities, (Rome, Florence, and Venice), along with enticing Golden Day itineraries to make vacation dreams come true. Like a savvy traveler girlfriend whispering in your ear, she guides readers to masterpieces where women are glorified — from Rome’s Pieta to Florence’s Birth of Venus, best spots for wine tasting, chocolate, and gelato, artisan shopping experiences to meet leather craftsmen or glass blowers, and places for adventures — fromRead More →