A Non-Profit Organization. A Commitment Beyond Words.


At Esperienza, we are committed to creating meaningful, memorable experiences in Italy, connecting you to undiscovered places of beauty and culture, where you will meet kind, passionate locals, along with other curious explorers. We offer an antidote to typical for-profit group tourism, focusing instead on unconventional, people-centered, transformative travel in rural Italy, mutually beneficial to all.

Our Story

Esperienza was founded in 2017 when Anna Bonavita read a New York Times article about the plight of many quintessential small towns and villages in Italy, suffering from devastating population loss due to changing times. With her own history and love of Italy, Anna decided to do something about it, beginning with the region she knew best. She had a vision of bringing visitors to Emilia Romagna. There, they’d take part in the local community, learn more about the language, culture and cuisine, and perhaps enjoy deeply immersive and transformative experiences. Since then, we have sharpened our focus on the true vision of Esperienza: to transform tourism into a positive force for rural Italy.

Through a coordinated effort with several towns in Emilia-Romagna, and with the help of a small team of passionate Italophiles, Anna has begun to fulfill her dream. In 2018, some fifty visitors took part in the first language and culinary immersion programs in Pennabilli. By all measures, both programs were a resounding success, and provided a platform for continued growth.

Our Growing Impact

Through our programs, Esperienza is having a significant impact in rural Italy, bringing renewed optimism to many small villages like Pennabilli, and the entire surrounding region of Romagna. In 2026, we are extending our support to those in rural northwest Sicily.

  • We are helping to bring vitality to museums, cultural institutions and artists through grants and direct support, preserving the rich heritage of rural places, and the people who keep them vibrant.

  • We are supporting biodiversity and preserving the natural environment by donating to foundations and by planting trees to assure our tours are carbon neutral.

Esperienza also supports independent chefs, farmers, artisans, small businesses, and more in rural communities by patronizing their shops, farms and restaurants.

Below is just a partial list of organizations and individuals to whom we have contributed.

Museums & Cultural Organizations:

Artists & Other Keepers of Culture:

Nature & Biodiversity:

SPECIAL PROJECTS

In addition to the contributions mentioned, below are stories of several special fundraising efforts undertaken by Esperienza

2024: a musical gift

In November of 2024, spurred on my a traveler’s request, our community contributed to the gift of a new violin for Adele, a talented young artist. And in keeping with the Esperienza mission, Adele and her parents found a talented, up-and-coming violin maker in the nearby town of Cesena who not only crafted the instrument for her, but also allowed her to borrow it while the funds were being raised so she could begin to experience its quality. Learn more here.

2023 FLOOD DONATIONS

In response to a historic flood event affecting the region of Romagna, Esperienza set up a fund to support the people of this beloved area. Thanks to the contributions of our generous followers, Esperienza sent financial support to a variety of organizations and individuals impacted by the damage, as they work to rebuild and restore their community. Read the story here for details.

2020: COVID-19 RESPONSE

As a response to the COVID-19 crisis, during April 2022, Esperienza and our community made donations to support two locally based organizations: D’là de’ Foss and Gruppo Comunale di Protezione Civile di Pennabili. Both are small nonprofit organizations based in Pennabilli that work with volunteers to deliver food, medicine, and essential supplies (masks, gloves, etc.) to villages in the region.

On Monday, April 13, Esperienza sent a total of $3,500 to the two organizations mentioned above. Click here to learn more about the impact of this donation. See below for a letter of appreciation from the mayor of Pennabilli and other parties involved in the relief effort.

Dear Friends,

We thank you very much for your transfer of € 1,566.00, just received in our bank account. Your help in such a critical emergency is very valuable. We are immediately going to use such precious money for medical needs, devices, and care for disadvantaged people of this area.

We know that covid-19 is spreading all over the world, even in your area. That's why your solidarity moves us a lot! Your closeness to our community makes you become special to us.

We hope to welcome you here again, and thank you in person, as soon as the emergency is over.

Take care,

Luigi Cappella
Tiziana Alessi
Associazione D'là de' Foss
Pennabilli

Gratitude from our First Hosts

A special message from the mayor of Pennabilli, Mauro Giannini:

Unable to travel? You can still support Esperienza!

If you would like to support our mission, but are not able to travel with us, we invite you to make a donation. Esperienza is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Click the button below to make an online contribution.

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