Meet the heart of our culinary journeys in Emilia-Romagna, Susy Patrito.

Susy has dedicated more than three decades to the art of meaningful travel, immersing travelers in culture and community far beyond typical tourism.  Today, Susy guides Esperienza guests with a passion for the culinary and cultural treasures of Romagna, the power of meaningful connection, and a focus on care for travelers and the people and places they visit. 

In 2007, Susy became the founding director of Casa Artusi, a cultural center in Emilia-Romagna dedicated to Italian home cooking, and first met Anna, the founder of Esperienza. In 2022, Susy stepped away from that role, though she remains involved as a trusted advisor with the Artusi Foundation and the cooking school there that she helped shape. The move allowed her to lead Esperienza’s tours and to become an active bridge between Casa Artusi and Esperienza as the two nonprofits collaborate on various projects promoting the ideas of Pellegrino Artusi. 

Since then, Susy has been a guiding force for Esperienza, introducing guests into the heart of Romagna’s culinary gifts.

As the host of Esperienza’s culinary trips, her philosophy is simple: people come first. She believes travel should uplift communities, honor local rhythms, and create genuine connections. Whether she is introducing guests to a winemaker, helping them roll handmade pasta, or translating an impromptu conversation, Susy is driven by the idea that travel has the power to change lives—ours and the people we meet. 

She has gained many fans and an almost cult-like following among our guests. “Susy is the ultimate professional. There wasn’t a question she was asked that she couldn’t answer. There wasn’t a thing that someone needed that she didn’t accommodate,” Maryanne Ross told us after participating in an Esperienza culinary trip. Linda Bagby, another traveler, said, “Susy’s knowledge of the cultural and culinary anthropology of Italy and, more specifically, the Emilia Romagna region, is remarkable. I have done a lot of traveling in my time. The knowledge and attention Susy and Esperienza provide is beyond outstanding.”

Her work in travel began in 1991, when she joined an Italian tour organizer while completing her economics degree at the University of Torino. She worked as a guide until she moved to Casa Artusi. Those early experiences—guiding groups and solving problems with grace—sparked a devotion to authentic experiences. 

During 15 years at the helm of Casa Artusi, Susy was immersed in the culinary heritage of Emilia-Romagna, collaborating with producers, agricultural consortia, chefs, and scholars to protect and share the region’s treasures. Born in the Piedmont region of Italy and raised in a family where food was the love language, she brings both deep knowledge and heartfelt reverence to every story she tells.