Exhilarated and grateful—that’s how we feel upon completing six exceptional fall tours in Italy. We’re excited about the experiences we’ve had and will soon share with other travelers. And we are grateful to all the people who made these tours a success, from the great people who entrusted us with their vacation days, to our dedicated guides and the Italians who gave us an authentic look at their lives. We enjoyed culinary and hiking adventures, immersive language learning, and our first-ever Sicily pilot trip. They all reflected the heart of Esperienza—authentic connection, discovery and joy in unexpected details.
Our delightful guide, Susy Patrito, has many friends in the world of food, including chefs.
Culinary Tours
Our culinary travelers explored the tastes and traditions of Romagna. Susy Patrito, our guide, has deep passion for the culinary treasures of Romagna and longtime friendships with food producers, from farmers to vintners to chefs. She is the former director of the famed Casa Artusi, a gastronomic cultural center dedicated to the legacy of Pellegrino Artusi, who is considered the father of modern Italian cuisine. Her knowledge shaped every moment, from creative collaborations with chefs and home cooks to unforgettable meals highlighting iconic regional ingredients.
As one guest shared, “If anyone is interested in the food, wine and culture of Italy, I cannot think of another way of exploring and savoring the real flavors of Italy. Esperienza gave us insights into the production, preparation and growth of all foods and wines. . . led by an expert of the Emilia-Romagna region who knew everyone and gave us insights that were extraordinary.”
Learning about various pasta forms is a delicious endeavor.
Living the Language
Language and culture—our Living the Language program intertwines the two, so learners return home with better Italian language skills and experiences of a lifetime. Rather than memorization and repetition in a classroom, Esperienza’s immersive learning gives guests opportunities to meet and speak with Italians including chefs and vintners, building fluency while experiencing the beauty of rural Romagna. This fall, participants practiced their Italian over aperitivi with locals and a visit to the home of a world-renowned photographer from Verucchio.
One past participant wrote, “The Esperienza Italian Language Learning immersion program was an outstanding experience. It exceeded my expectations in every way. The language classes were challenging but accessible. The activities were well organized, fun, and enriching!”
Engaging with locals and diving into cultural experiences enhances language learning.
The Way of Saint Francis
Known in Italy as the Cammino di San Francesco, this hiking trail through the Apennine Mountains remains relatively unknown outside Italy. This fall, Esperienza hikers discovered it under clear skies and cool days, landing in exceptional rural villages unvisited by most tourists. The cammino invited each to slow down, dig deep to face the challenge and, as a priest’s encouraged, to walk not only with their feet but also their hearts. The result was camaraderie, reflection and a deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment at the trail’s end.
“This was a trip like no other I have ever participated in. . . It is physically challenging, but the route is well-maintained and our guide ensured the pace was doable with reasonable comfort. There is simply no better way to soak in the beautiful scenery, meet local people from small villages and eat delicious food (with no guilt because of the hiking),” one participant wrote.
Along the way, hikers often see villages they left that morning in the distance.
Sicily Pilot
Our first Sicily journey was a breathtaking success, an exploration of stunning contrasts where land meets sea and mountain meets sky. Travelers experienced the island’s flavorful food and deep history, discovering a place shaped by many influences but defined by an unconquerable spirit.
As one guest of this pilot trip said, “Esperienza is masterful at providing intimate travel experiences to lesser known communities in Italy. Their trips exquisitely balance history, culture, beauty and cuisine with passion and loving care for the people and places they visit.”
Want to go?
We’re already planning for the seasons to come and the new memories waiting to be made. Explore our upcoming trips and find the Esperienza that speaks to you—whether it’s immersing yourself in a culinary, language, coastal Sicily or hiking adventure.
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