If you are reading this it means you really care. Thank you!
Esperienza was not born overnight. Rather, it is the result of years of seeking an honest and enriching alternative way of experiencing Italy. It began as a search for an antidote to overtourism, a phenomenon destroying so many places in Italy, such as Venice, as documented in this 2012 film. (See also the recent film The Siege of Paradise on the struggles of locals in Cinque Terre.)
So, in 2017, Esperienza was conceived with the noble goal of bringing new energy to beautiful, culturally rich villages in Romagna that were suffering from population loss. Our mission aimed to bring economic vitality to these treasured yet fragile places. We hoped that, like the butterfly effect, a small shift—, drawing even a fraction of the visitors away from Italy’s well-known and over-trodden destinations—might ripple outward into something bigger.
Beyond this tangible benefit, it became clear very early that the genuine experiences of meeting and interacting with local artisans, chefs, farmers, and townspeople offered something mutually beneficial. Locals feel validated, communities are supported, and travelers experience wonder and inspiration. By spending extended time with local residents, we have come to realize how many dreams we share.
There is so much we can do for each other, and so many ways to make a difference: supporting an artisan who keeps an ancient tradition alive, spending money at small family-owned businesses, donating to cultural organizations that preserve and bring attention to rural treasures.
Esperienza was designed with a clear intent to make a positive difference. And yet, we often describe it as a work in progress, and indeed, it is a living, breathing organism. After all, the root of our name is not only “experience” but also “experiment. We are always evolving, with the goal of benefitting not only more locals in the small communities we work with but also the visitors themselves.
Today, Esperienza has been enthusiastically grown by volunteer professionals (most of them inspired by their travels with us). We are powered by baby boomers who are happy to give of themselves, committed to human joy, and inspired by the traditions of hospitality, conviviality and solidarity in rural Italy.
Yet you may still ask: what concretely makes Esperienza a non-profit? Our commitment goes beyond words:
We give back to rural Italy as much as possible. (See list of donations here.)
We rely heavily on high-quality volunteers in the United States to keep our costs low, so we can give even more.
We employ paid professionals — teachers, guides, and others — in Italy, as well as a few volunteer collaborators, providing valuable economic resources to people in the communities we visit.
Finally, Esperienza has provided financial and organizational support for four artist residencies and one exhibit, building a cultural bridge between Emilia-Romagna and Minnesota.
At Esperienza, we will continue our commitment to creating meaningful, memorable experiences in Italy, connecting you to undiscovered places of beauty and culture, where you will meet kind, passionate locals alongside other curious explorers. And together we will make a difference.