Susan Van Allen's Italy

27/09/2024

A Golden finish to our day at the rooftop bar of Grand Universe Lucca with special guest, writer of Two Parts Italy blog, Joanne Bertram who shared her stories of living in Lucca with us ❤️.

27/09/2024

Cooking Class deliciously ends with crostini and tagliatelle con tartufi (freshly hunted!) and wine from the surrounding vineyards…La Vita e bella!

27/09/2024

Fun making tagliatelle.
Golden Week in Tuscany

25/09/2024

Golden Morning Truffle Hunting with Cristina (proudly showing her license) and dog Pina who we fell in love with as he ran through the forest digging up treasures!

25/09/2024

Golden Week in Tuscany, based in Lucca, was a beautiful adventure, with wonderful women. I am always amazed at the bonding that begins from the first toast—setting the tone for joyful days ahead…
Grazie to all who said YES to join in, for our fabulous Palazzo Dipinto home base in Lucca and Ristorante All’Olivo for a delicious Welcome to Tuscany dinner

03/09/2024

Beautiful days with on Swiss Trains and Italian Lake District adventure.
❤️being as Travel Expert and the amazing group who joined in, experiencing wonders from the Alps to Lake Como.


Photos—
—Alp Grum stop of Bernina Express
—Muottas Muragl viewpoint, Graubunden, Switzerland
—Farewell Dinner in Lake Como
—Evening on the Lake
—Enjoying the view from Villa del Balbaniello, Lake Como

30/08/2024

Dreams Come True in Southern Italy!
Join me and Wonderful Women in October for Deluxe Golden Week in Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast.
Highlights include
*5-star hotel seaview rooms with balconies in Sorrento
*Cooking class with family in their Sorrento villa
*Spa Day on island of Ischia
*Extraordinary day in Capri
*Private guided tour of Pompeii
And More!
Details: www.susanvanallen.com

28/08/2024

Grateful for gorgeous days with National Geographic Expeditions Swiss Trains and Italian Lake District as Travel Expert along with a great group of adventurers.

24/08/2024

Madonna celebrated her 66th birthday in Italy and with her family visited the Palazzo Colonna in Rome—a Place Every Woman Should Go, where Golden Week women also enjoyed a fabulous private tour!

22/08/2024

21/08/2024

WONDERFUL WOMAN WEDNESDAY—Iolanda Marcocci, of Tuscan Women Cook is now in heaven making pici. News of her passing brought back rich memories of meeting her in 2003 and being amazed, watching her command of the kitchen—rolling pici masterfully and chopping up vegetables for ribolitta with her knife she called “mi amore”. I’m grateful for visits to her kitchen in Montefollonico over the years—meeting her dear husband, daughter and beloved granddaughter Celeste. I left her my business card and she called me in LA years ago—so glad I saved the message so I can still hear her saying in her gravelly voice—“Ti ricordo sempre, ti abbraccio, con tutto il cuore…ciao Iolanda”…❤️🙏prayers and blessings to her family and friends.

20/08/2024

Join me in Spring 2025 for Golden Week in the Italian Lakes — 1 SPOT LEFT!
A Joyful, Rejuvenating Adventure when gardens burst into bloom!

Highlights—
*7-nights in 5-star historic Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees
*Cooking class to learn secrets of risotto
*Private boat tour on Lake Como
*Discover Mystical Lake Orta
*Day in Milan with visit to The Last Supper
Fabulous food, wine, and Friendship all along the way…
www.susanvanallen.com
For details
DM me for more info😊🇮🇹

16/08/2024

Buon Ferragosto! August 15 is the official holiday date, that began in the days of the Roman Empire with Goddess Diana in the center of the celebrations, evolving to a Roman Catholic tradition of celebrating the BVM’s Assumption into heaven.
It brings back Jersey Shore childhood memories for me, when my mother told me “Today all the waters are blessed!”
Read More on my Golden Days in Italy blog.
https://www.susanvanallen.com/buon-ferragosto-3/

14/08/2024

WONDERFUL WOMEN WEDNESDAY - the Forever Inspiring Writer Frances Mayes has a new book I can’t wait to dive into!
And I’ve been fortunate to meet her at book events in the past—always lovely experiences to hear her read and mingle with her fabulous fans.
Buy the book and check out her tour schedule to meet her in person.

10/08/2024

In Heaven at Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe with Angel = Founder Elaine Petrocelli and daughter Kathy Petrocelli—
Returning to Travel Writers & Photographers Conference here where EVERYTHING began for me decades ago! Grazie to Don George + extraordinary faculty & attendees—I am filled up with gratitude and inspiration!

07/08/2024

Finally!!!

The Story of the Lost Child.The final season of premieres September 9 on Max.ABOUT HBOHBO is home to the shows and films that everyone is ...

07/08/2024

WONDERFUL WOMAN WEDNESDAY—I was thrilled last May to finally meet Jacqueline Alio in person in Palermo. She is a scholar of Sicilian history, focusing on Sicilian women, and has written many great books on the topic.
AND she chose an ideal spot in Palermo’s historic center for our caffe — Casa Stagnitta, a roastery & caffe, family run since 1928. Go for caffe, granita and brioche, and delicious gelato.
More on Jacqueline Alio http://www.jacquelinealio.com/

06/08/2024

TRAVEL TIP TUESDAY - When in Verona, Italy, eat at Ristorante Greppia - Verona. And order the not photogenic but so delicious Risotto con Amarone e Zucca (pumpkin). It arrives and you think I couldn’t possibly eat the whole plate…and then…total contentment ensues, with a totally empty plate.
Wonderful service, excellent local wines, and to-die-for breadpudding-like dolce made with pandoro. Andiamo!

(Pics from Golden Days in the Veneto 2024—join me next time!)

05/08/2024

Monday Memory - summer evening on Lake Como with Swiss Trains and the Italian Lake District Expedition.
Soft sunset light, lush gardens, alps in the distance…

05/08/2024

Sunday Summer Dinner - fabulous zucchini at Hollywood Farmers Market- Cahuenga Corridor Street Market +
Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy inspired Spaghetti alla Nerano, a delizio dish from Campania.
Grazie La Cucina Italiana USA for recipe -- https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/italian-dishes/how-to-make-spaghetti-alla-nerano

01/08/2024

TBT - a spring 2024 highlght = a day in — with its famous Palladio designed bridge, ceramic artisans, pretty market, and grappa tasting.
La Vita e Bella.

29/07/2024

Attention Wonderful Women - Glorious sunsets, healing thermal waters, and deliciousness awaits you in Ischia this October!
ONE ROOM left! Join me!

28/07/2024

Great News from Cinque Terre!! The Via dell’Amore — a dreamy easy path connecting Riomaggiore to Manarola reopens to the public August 9 — after being closed since 2012.
Beautiful views await you!
AND a day in Cinque Terre is included in May 2025’s Premium Golden Week in the Italian Riviera and Florence.
1 space still available — Join in for the Extraordinary Adventure!

27/07/2024

Happy News! Rome’s Appian Way has been added to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites.
It’s one of my favorite spots for a sunset stroll or bikeride—ending with dinner at Hostaria Antica Roma where Paolo serves up delicious dishes inspired by Ancient Roman traditions.
I’ll be back soon!