‘Barter Week’ returns for its 10th edition from November 19-25: visitors can get a free stay at participating bed and breakfasts in Italy in exchange for specific goods and services requested by the B&B, such as social media help, a music lesson or performance, help with picking olives, etc.
If you’re interested in participating, visit the event’s website for a list of participating B&Bs throughout Italy, divided by region and province. Each place’s profile includes photos and description, as well as a ‘wish list,’ a list of goods or services they are looking for in exchange for hospitality. On the home page, you will also find the list of services and products that the B&Bs request and select directly from there if you prefer to pick by what you can offer.
Once you’ve selected the B&B where you’d like to stay, contact the hosts using the appropriate form (free sign up is requested first), and start bargaining to reach an agreement that will satisfy both parties involved.
The choices are numerous: there are those in search of traditional food and wine products from various Italian regions, such as preserves, jams, olive oil, wine and cheese, to be enjoyed in the evening in the company of guests. Others are looking for artists who can sing, play a theatrical piece, read from a poem or book for guests of the B&B; others ask for lessons, from piano to the English language, horseback riding, or even tango. Maintenance repairs are also requested.
Barter Week began in 2009; it was founded by the Italian B&B bookings site bed-and-breakfast.it. The event has even expanded internationally, and there are now about 450 B&Bs in more than 60 countries which signed up for the program.
Find more info on the Barter Week’s website.
