Almost 180 years ago, travel was a rare privilege for the very few. Then something changed, and the idea of “tourism” was born. For the first time in human history, travel became something accessible to many. For its founder, Thomas Cook, the inspiration for tourism was not only to bring people closer to the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world, but also to bring them closer to each other, to increase kindness in the world and goodwill among humanity.
For many of us, beauty and Italy are synonymous. This is one reason Esperienza was created in 2017 as a nonprofit organization, with a mission to celebrate and preserve Italian culture — in all its beauty — by bringing people together in the heart of Italy. This is our Why.
Now, after nearly a decade of learning, evolving and experimenting, Esperienza has grown based on an idea of tourism that comes from its origins: the genuine experience of another culture can change your state of mind.
The radical difference happens within a simple shift of perception when you are sitting next to a local and somehow – through a welcoming smile, a shared appreciation of beauty, the gift of music – you feel connected and inspired in spite of the language barrier. It is truly encouraging how much wisdom and joy can be conveyed with just a few words (or none at all), a delicious meal and an indigenous wine all in an intimate, relaxing, “off the beaten track” place in rural Italy.
All of this means that we are not merely a travel company focused on Italy. Rather, we use travel as a door to slowing down, connecting with others, and savoring the beauty around us. Ultimately this can lead to reconnecting with oneself, making discovery, transformation and regeneration possible, not only on a personal but also on a collective level. In this way, Esperienza's ultimate goal is nothing less than recovering the heart-to-heart connection between travelers and hosts.
Our travelers become more than mere visitors admiring picturesque scenery and historic monuments, and our hosts more than polite acquaintances. Instead, they both become quiet ambassadors of human connection. Thus, our mission goes far beyond helping small towns, to transforming the travel experience to one of authentic beauty, wonder and an unexpectedly deep sense of meaning. It's an experience that is meant, above all, to be fully lived.
So without further ado I wish you exactly this: that your path of travel will lead you to a moment, a place, a person able to pull you out of perpetual worries and preoccupations and to remind you that beauty – in the form of a sense of purpose beyond yourself, friendship, love, or simply the pure joy of connecting to another human, even briefly - this is why we're here.
P.S. A note to our future travelers
We’ll put it to you straight: it depends on you. If you’re just looking for a stop to tick off a list, then Esperienza is probably not for you. But if you are a curious traveler—the kind who doesn’t just want to say “I’ve been there,” but wants to say “I felt like part of the place,” then come and join us, and discover the surprising world available to you when you travel with an ancient purpose. Andiamo!