Chef Gianluca Gorini welcomes Anna Bonavita (right) and Pamela Diamond (left), along with Karen Draayer and Art Berman, to his Michelin starred restaurant daGorini in San Piero in Bagno in Romagna. Photo: Pamela Diamond
As our Minnesota winter drags on, how about an escape to Italy—without leaving the house? Esperienza was founded by Edina resident Anna Bonavita to connect people who share an interest in Italy.
“Esperienza is all about bringing people together, travelers and locals, for a truly authentic and intimate experience of rural Italy,” Bonavita says. “Our mission is to create opportunities for genuine human connection, joy and creativity in this beautiful landscape.”
Esperienza offers entertaining and lively options to learn about Italy, its food, art, language and people. There is a mixture of online and live events as well as travel opportunities. Bonavita focuses on the region of Emilia–Romagna in northern Italy, featuring villages and rural areas that are not common tourist destinations.
Esperienza Virtuale engages chefs, artists, farmers and other area residents in monthly interactive online programs. There are visits to galleries, vineyards, restaurants, museums and even private kitchens and homes, presenting personal views of Italian life. Esperienza’s language classes welcome all levels. Small groups and fun activities encourage consistent progress in speaking and understanding Italian.
Esperienza’s special tours immerse travelers in cuisine, language and art. Itineraries include meals in chefs’ homes and time with artists in their studios.
With Bonavita’s comprehensive knowledge of Emilia–Romagna and Esperienza’s unique programs, your interest in Italy could soon become a passion.
Contributed by Laura Westlund, an arts writer and editor in the Twin Cities and an art hound for Minnesota Public Radio.
Esperienza
612.232.6951
Facebook: Esperienza Italia
Instagram: @esperienza_italia
