Sep 8, 2026 · 34 min · 9 segments
Susan Van Allen grew up on the Jersey Shore with the food and drama of an Italian American household. Her maternal grandparents emigrated from southern Italy, and that inheritance became the compass…
Susan Van AllenGuest
Claudia ComettaHost
[gentle music] Why Italians Live Well isn't just a show about food and la dolce vita.
It's a look at how an entire culture built a longer, richer, more connected way of living.
I'm your host with deep Italian roots, Claudia Cometta, and each week I sit down with the people who know Italy best, writers, chefs, doctors, and locals, to find out what we can actually borrow from it.
Her maternal grandparents were immigrants from Southern Italy, and she grew up on the Jersey Shore amidst great food and drama.
She has been traveling back to her homeland for 50 years, immersing herself in its beauty, culture, and deliciousness up and down the boot.
Her award-winning travel stories have appeared in major publications, including National Geographic Traveler, BBC Travel, and AFAR.
And she's written four books about Italian travel, including 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go.
She also designs and leads Golden Weeks in Italy for women only tours, which gives travelers a unique insider's experience of the Bel Paese with a femme-friendly focus.
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