Susan

My love for Italy stems from my maternal grandparents, who emigrated from Southern Italy. I was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up on the Jersey shore amidst wonderful food and drama. When I first stepped off the train into Roma Termini in 1976, I got hooked on Italian travel. Since then I have explored the country up and down the boot--visiting relatives, immersing myself in the country's masterpieces and culture, taking language and cooking classes, and going on boating, biking, and hiking adventures. I've written about Italian travel for many media outlets, including National Public Radio, Town & Country, Student Traveler, Tastes of Italia, Chicago Daily Herald, several Travelers Tales anthologies (including Best Travel Writing 2009), and CNN.com. I also write for television, and was on staff of the Emmy winning sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. When I'm not in Italy, I am is based in Los Angeles, where I live with my husband and make scrumptious lasagnas.