Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
And Airbnb have come up with the perfect way to celebrate, as they are offering one lovestruck couple the chance to stay overnight in the historic home of Shakespeare’s Juliet in Verona, Italy.
Casa di Giulietta has inspired generations with its iconic balcony that reflects Shakespeare’s description in Romeo & Juliet. And now one winner and their partner will be given unprecedented access to the 13th century building, to step back in time and relive the powerful words of Shakespeare.
Working with an Italian architect, Airbnb has transformed the centuries-old building into a sumptuous stay fit for a modern day Romeo and Juliet.
The winners will be waited on by a personal butler and treated to a romantic candlelit dinner prepared by two Michelin star chef Giancarlo Perbellini in a glittering dining room filled with crystals, candles and flowers.
And after a busy day of feasting, exploring and reading Juliet’s love letters, they will retire for the night to Juliet’s medieval-themed bedroom which features “Letto di Giulietta”, the original bed used in Zeffirelli’s classic 1960s movie ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
The 13th century townhouse is a celebrated landmark and museum in the center of Verona and thanks to Airbnb and Verona’s Municipality, the building will be turned into a home for the first time since the 1930s.
“Juliet’s House is the most important museum in the City of Verona, attracting millions of visitors every year,” Federico Sboarina, Mayor of Verona Municipality, said. “Partnering with Airbnb brings the widely known Shakespearian myth of Romeo and Juliet to life in a way never before offered. We are excited to promote our cultural heritage, share traditions that were previously safeguarded, and bring international visibility to the City of Verona.”
“Every day countless new connections are made across the world by people travelling on Airbnb – creating new friendships and sometimes new love. Since 2008, an estimated one million guests have hosted their weddings on Airbnb,” Giacomo Trovato, General Manager for Italy at Airbnb, added. “This Stay will give one couple the unique chance to celebrate their love in what is possibly the most romantic home in the history of literature.”
Now, here’s what you have to do if you want to be in with a chance to win the stay.
Thousands of letters arrive at Casa di Giulietta from all over the world each year. The decades-old tradition has earned the Italian city the nickname ‘the city of love’ and has kept the NGO, Juliet’s Club, busy writing individual replies from its team of volunteers known as Juliet’s secretaries.
To stay in Juliet’s house, eligible applicants must pen a letter to Juliet, sharing their own poignant love story and explaining why they and their partner would be perfect guests.
Entries can be submitted at airbnb.com/juliet until 11:59pm EST on 2nd February 2020.
And while only one winner and their partner can stay, there will be four exclusive Valentine’s Experiences listed on Airbnb with bookable dates in February: Michelin Starred Special Dinner, Juliet’s Secretary for a Day,Romantic Photoshoot and Romantic Food & Wine Walk.
