“Makes me want to pack my bag and follow Susan Van Allen's alluring suggestions…she reveals an intimacy with Italy and a honed sense of adventure. Andiamo! —Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun

Like a fun-loving, savvy traveler girlfriend whispering in your ear, Susan Van Allen takes readers on a femme-friendly tour through the pleasures of Italy in 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go. The book culls the overwhelming amount of information that's out there when it comes to Italian travel, guiding readers to create their own Italian dream vacation, wherever their mood may lead them.

Van Allen, an Italian-American who has been traveling to Italy since 1976, brings humor, passion, and practical details to this uniquely anecdotal guidebook. 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go highlights the country's feminine soul — the fact that here Venus, Vixen Goddess of Love and Beauty, reigns side-by-side with the Madonna, The Pure Mother of Compassion.

Readers are led to a range of Italy's sensual delights — whether its wandering through a museum to admire sculptures where womanly curves are glorified, discovering the palace where Audrey Hepburn lived in Roman Holiday, gardens where courtesans once frolicked, spas for pampering, beaches for relaxing, wine bars or jazz clubs. There are suggestions for cooking classes taught by revered grandmas, shopping for Italy's prized ceramics, skiing in the Dolomites, or setting up an easel to paint a Tuscan landscape. Entries come with restaurant and hotel recommendations to create “Golden Days,” those moments when sights and tastes harmonize so a traveler can simply bask in the glow of Italy.

About the Author

Susan Van Allen's love for Italy stems from her maternal grandparents, who emigrated from Southern Italy. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up on the Jersey shore amidst wonderful food and drama. When she first stepped off the train into Roma Termini in 1976, she got hooked on Italian travel. Since then she's explored the country up and down the boot — visiting relatives, immersing herself in the country's masterpieces and culture, taking language and cooking classes, and going on boating, biking, and hiking adventures. She's written about Italian travel for over twenty-five media outlets, including National Public Radio, Town & Country, Student Traveler, Tastes of Italia, Chicago Daily Herald, several Travelers' Tales anthologies (including The Best Travel Writing 2009), and CNN.com. She has a following for her monthly Letters From Italy column on the Divine Caroline website. Van Allen also writes for television, and was on staff of the Emmy winning sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. When she's not in Italy, she is based in Los Angeles. Visit www.susanvanallen.com and www.placesforwomen.com.

About Travelers' Tales

Founded in 1993, Travelers' Tales publishes the best travel writing from world-famous authors and emerging writers, with the goal to inspire and enlighten readers through true stories by travelers who have explored the depths of their experiences. The award-winning series includes: country and regional guides; books that explore the themes of women's travel, spirituality, food, humor, and adventure; travel advice books; single-author travel narratives; and Travelers' Tales Classics, a series which introduces out-of-print favorites of travel literature to a new audience.

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