No more TikTok itineraries.
Real Italy, off the influencer trail. Small-group expeditions in Blera, an Etruscan hill town most guests have never heard of. Not a tour. Living the place, led by someone who's called it home since he was born.
Book the Nov 9 to 15 Italian Olive Experience Or build your own custom trip →Autumn in Italy: Olives and Wine
One real week in an Etruscan hill town most guests have never heard of. Six days of olive harvesting, Etruscan tombs, and hands-on cooking with the families whose town this actually is, timed to land you in Blera for the town's biggest weekend of the year, when every wine cellar throws open its doors. Capped at 8 guests.
Nikolai guides full-time in Rome, but Blera is different. He grew up here, literally in the ruins. He leads every departure himself, capped at 8 guests, because it's the community that raised him, not a script for a bus load.
His family's house sits in the village, rebuilt stone by stone by his father, and the Etruscan tombs that ring it were his actual childhood playground. He was leading relatives through them before he knew the word “guide.”
English runs the trip, but Nikolai also speaks Italian, French, Spanish, and Russian fluently, so if it's easier to ask a question or tell a story in another language, use it.
Read more about Nikolai →
A scavenger hunt starting in the medieval village, following clues down into 2,800-year-old rock-cut Etruscan tombs.
Hand-pick olives at a local grove, then visit the frantoio for oil pressed from the very olives you picked.
Free-flowing volcanic thermal baths in the Tuscia countryside — an afternoon to actually slow down.
Lunch at Terrarte, in the olive grove among the sculptures, then a hands-on pasta-making class with local nonne.
A guided hike to the Etruscan site of San Giovenale, then panonto: bread roasted over embers, drizzled with new-pressed oil.
Blera's biggest weekend of the year — every wine cellar in town throws open its doors.
Vicolo di Civitella 22/26, right in Blera's historic center — exposed wood-beam ceilings, terracotta floors, antique furniture, and real kitchens. This is where you'll actually sleep, not a hotel built for tourists.
Right in Blera's historic center — the sign at the door.
The original stone hearth, exposed beams overhead.
A real, traditional kitchen with its own wood-fired oven.
High wood-beamed ceilings and antique furniture throughout.
A stone stairway up from the independent street entrance.
Clean, modern, and comfortable, in keeping with the rest of the house.
Sleeps 6, with 2 bathrooms and its own kitchen. Independent entrance, WiFi, bike storage. Towels, linens, and eco-friendly soaps and detergents provided.
Sleeps 3, with 1 bathroom and a kitchen with a wood-fired oven. Independent entrance, WiFi, bike storage. Towels, linens, and eco-friendly soaps and detergents provided.
See all the photos & full details →
Per person, all-inclusive: accommodation, all meals, every activity above, and local transport. Capped at 8 guests.
Reserve Your Spot →You'll leave with more than a vacation: a place in the village, real skills, one small group.
See the highlights →Six days, morning to evening: olives, tombs, thermal baths, pasta, and the Cantine Festival.
View the full itinerary →€1,825 per person early bird, €2,125 full price, all-inclusive.
Reserve your spot →What's included, early booking discounts, packing, language, and more.
Before you book →Operated by: Nikolai Fissenko, Blera (VT), Italia
Contact: nikolai.fissenko1@gmail.com · +39 349 101 6416
Cancellation policy: Cancel 30+ days before your departure date for a full refund. Cancellations 15–29 days before departure receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 14 days of departure are non-refundable, as accommodation, transport, and local partners (farms, artisans, guides) are booked and paid on your behalf in advance.
Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances: If events beyond our control at or near Blera (natural disasters, war, government travel restrictions, or similar) make the trip impossible or unsafe, you're entitled to a full refund regardless of the timing above.
If we cancel: If Rasna cancels your trip for any reason within our control, you'll receive a full refund within 14 days, or the option to rebook a future departure.
Refunds: Approved refunds are issued to your original payment method within 5–10 business days.
Disputes: If something's wrong with your booking or payment, email us first at the address above. We respond within 48 hours and will make it right directly, before you need to contact your bank.
Transport & arrival: Flights aren't included, but airport pickup and all local transfers are (see What's Included). Most guests fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO); after booking you'll be asked for your flight details so we can plan pickups around when everyone actually lands.
Dietary needs: Let us know about any dietary needs or allergies in the notes field when you book, and we'll make sure every meal works for you.
Health, safety & liability: This trip includes hiking, horseback riding, foraging, farm work, and other physical activity that carries inherent risk. You're responsible for your own safety and judgment during activities and for following your guide's instructions; Rasna isn't liable for injury from the ordinary risk of an activity, only for injury caused by our own fault, as Italian and EU package-travel law requires. If you have a health condition that could be affected by these activities, check with your doctor before booking. Full details in our Liability Waiver & Assumption of Risk.
Program changes: We reserve the right to adjust the schedule or activities if circumstances require it (weather, a partner's availability, and similar). We're committed to delivering the full experience and will always communicate any changes in advance.
Code of conduct: This is a small, shared trip. Be respectful of your fellow guests, your hosts, and the communities we visit. Disruptive behavior toward others' experience isn't tolerated.