(31 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Susan Buchner

Mountainside, NJ
Luxury and Family Travel Specialist

After traveling across the globe for the past 30 years for fun with friends and family - and planning all of those trips - I am so excited to finally follow my passion for travel and plan amazing vacations for others.  I've never met a vacation th...
Learn more about me.

Expert: Incredible Italy! So much to love!

Colosseum at Dawn
Colosseum at Dawn

Italy remains a favorite place to visit for travelers and it isn't hard to see why.  From the beauty, majesty and historical sites in Rome to the fun filled waters off of the Amalfi Coast to the serene beauty of the lake district, Italy offers something for every type of traveler.  However, two of my favorite cities to visit in Italy are Florence and Venice, each offering a unique and captivating experience.


Florence, often referred to as the "Cradle of the Renaissance," is a living museum of art and history. Its enchanting streets are lined with awe-inspiring architecture, including the iconic Florence Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery, housing an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces. The city's intimate size allows for easy exploration by foot, and its charming piazzas and local markets offer a true taste of Italian life.


On the other hand, Venice presents a magical world of winding canals and ornate palaces. The absence of cars and the reliance on boats and gondolas create an otherworldly atmosphere. Exploring the labyrinthine alleys, crossing picturesque bridges, and cruising the Grand Canal provide a sense of timelessness. The Venetian architecture, exemplified by St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, is a testament to the city's former grandeur as a maritime power. The annual Carnival and the Venice Film Festival add to the city's allure. Both Florence and Venice encapsulate Italy's rich history and artistic legacy, making them not only favorite travel destinations but also places of inspiration and wonder.


Wherever you choose to visit in Italy, I can ensure you have the most exquisite and unique experience.  There are no "must do or must see" items on any given trip because Italy is a place you will return to time and time again.  

My Reviews

3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Best senior spring break trip!
Susan was extremely helpful in booking our hotel reservation at the SLS Beverly Hills. She understood exactly what we wanted out of the trip, and the location was perfect for accessing West Hollywood and the Beverly Hills business district, and it was only a short drive from the Santa Monica Pier. She suggested amazing restaurants in Malibu and throughout West Hollywood and aided us with booking those reservations, as well. Additionally, Susan was able to recommend fantastic, worth while hikes and sight seeing tours/activities. Overall, she was very accommodating and seemed well versed in what the greater LA area had to offer. Will definitely be working with her again soon!
By  Nicole   from  Miami, FL
Traveled to  Los Angeles ~ California ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Susan Buchner responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words. You and your friends were a pleasure to work with and I hope that you will consider me when planning your next adventure.

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Most relaxing beach vacation ever!
Susan was a pleasure to worth with from our first conversation. She is a consumate professional who understands value. We were traveling for the first time to the Caribbean and wanted a luxury resort, on a quiet beach but wanted to avoid an all inclusive. She recommended that we stay at Cap Juluca and we couldn't have been more delighted with her suggestion. I would recommend her to anyone planning a vacation without hesitation.
By  Anna A.  from  Westfield, New Jersey
Traveled to  Anguilla ~ Caribbean
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Susan Buchner responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was my pleasure to help you find the perfect spot to relax.

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Couples get away
I have taken many trips along with Susan and she has planned every detail perfectly. I have traveled as a girls trip and with couples.
By  Vickie   from  Mountainside, NJ
Traveled to  Key West ~ Florida ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Susan Buchner responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words! You know how much I love planning travel and obsess about the details! Can't wait for our next trip!!

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Italy Adventure
Susan was amazing from the start with setting expectations as to what things cost and her thoughts on quality of hotels and how much to do each day we were in Italy. The tours were amazing and really played to my 14 and 9 year old children who are very different.
By  Michelle  from  South Orange NJ
Traveled to  Italy | Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Susan Buchner responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words. It as an absolute pleasure helping your family plan and execute this amazing Italian adventure. Planning for a teen and a tween can be tricky and I am so pleased that everyone enjoyed the activities. I truly hope you will trust me to plan your next big adventure!!

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Spanish Adventure
Susan is the best! She certainly made our trip to Spain a memorable one. A relaxing beach stay in Marbella/Estepona then onto Salamanca (World Heritage Site) a walkable Spanish Renaissance city, with architecture and history galore. The University founded in 1254 is the first in Spain and one of the four oldest in the world. Our trip coincided with Semana Santa and we experienced many processions throughout our stay. An extraordinary experience! Our travel in and out of Madrid was seamless and the accommodations exceeded our expectations. It was a fabulous family holiday! Gracias Susan!
By  Stacey  from  Westfield, NJ
Traveled to  Spain | Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Susan Buchner responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words. I loved helping you plan this trip to Spain to visit your daughter studying abroad. Spain is one of my most favorite countries to visit so this was a lot of fun for me to put together as well. I look forward to planning your next Adventure!!

Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Italy

Travel Specialist:

  • Honeymoons
  • Women's Travel
  • Wine Country Vacations
  • Bespoke Travel
  • European Culture

Industry Affiliations:

© 2025 Travel Leaders Group