Italian B&Bs are letting travellers stay for free
This week marks La Settimana del Baratto, or Barter Week, an exciting initiative that lets tourists in Italy stay free at one of the country’s beautiful bed and breakfasts.
There’s just one catch. You have to work for it!
Running from 14 – 20 November, Barter Week lets travellers exchange goods and services for an all-expenses paid stay at an Italian B&B. To take part, guests simply list what they have to offer (anything from marmalade to piano lessons), browse a wish list of potential B&Bs, then get into contact and negotiate the terms of the stay.
Barter Week was officially launched in 2009 and has since become hugely popular. Last year’s Barter Week saw accommodation providers inundated with over 10,000 requests.
While these arrangements are most popular in Barter Week, it’s interesting to note that many B&Bs in Italy are willing to enter barter agreements all year round.
For a comprehensive list, click here.
What’s your take on Barter Week? Could you see yourself staying at an Italian B&B in exchange for goods or services, and if so what would you offer?
Image credit: Facebook / Conde Nast Traveller
Related links:
Italian ghost town home to just one man
10 things Italian seniors do better than everyone
Discovering the real Italy on a tour through Puglia