A Non-Profit Organization. A Commitment Beyond Words


At Esperienza, we strive to offer an antidote to conventional, often superficial tourism. Instead, we connect you to undiscovered places of beauty and culture, where you’ll meet kind, passionate locals, and join with other curious travelers. We see our mission as a labor of love:

We offer opportunities to be transformed by meaningful, memorable, people-centered travel experiences in rural Italy, which nourish both travelers and hosts.

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. By all measures, both programs were a resounding success, and provided a platform for continued growth.

Our Growing Impact

Most importantly, Esperienza is having a significant impact in rural Italy, bringing renewed optimism not only to Pennabilli, but also other villages, and indeed, the entire surrounding region.

  • 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.

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

Esperienza has also helped a number of independent chefs, farmers, artisans and small businesses in rural communities by patronizing their shops, farms and restaurants.

Gratitude from our First Hosts

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

Support for Pennabilli During The COVID-19 Crisis

See below for a letter of thanks from one of the organizations and click here to read a letter Esperienza received from the Mayor of Pennabilli, for helping to provide vital medical supplies and support for older residents who could not leave their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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

 

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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