November 7, 2025 – The search for the perfect barter is already in full swing as travelers prepare to explore Italy for free during Barter Week, the initiative created by Bed-and-Breakfast.it, Italy's leading travel platform. From November 17 to 23, hundreds of Italian B&Bs will welcome guests without using money — instead, travelers can offer goods, services, or skills in exchange for their stay.
Just weeks before the event begins, enthusiasm is already running high: over 600 properties have confirmed their participation across Italy, the website has surpassed 75,000 active users, and barter requests from curious and creative travelers continue to rise.
On the B&B Wish Lists, where hosts specify what they'd like to receive in exchange for accommodation, the most visited listings paint a picture of a resourceful and imaginative Italy. Among the top requests are traditional products like preserves, olive oil, and wine — but also music lessons, photo and video shoots, vacation swaps, and even handmade crafts or fashion accessories.
The most sought-after destinations range from Rome to the villages of Tuscany, from Lake Garda to the mountains of Trentino-Alto Adige, and through Piedmont and Veneto, confirming Barter Week as one of the most loved initiatives for travelers in search of an authentic, sustainable, and human-centered experience.
Behind every barter lies a story. Someone offers a talent, another offers time, another a kind gesture. And every year, among hills, villages, and art cities, genuine encounters are born — breathing new life into the very idea of travel.
In Martina Franca (Puglia), at Trullo22, an 18th-century trullo, the hosts are looking for an electrician for a small project and a home-staging expert to enhance the interiors — a barter that unites skill and beauty.
Nearby, at Masseria Murgia Albanese, surrounded by almond trees and dry-stone walls, they are seeking help with tree pruning, maintenance, or digital support for their website and SEO — where tradition meets innovation, as often happens during Barter Week.
In Umbria, at LaZita B&B in Castel dell'Aquila, artisans, photographers, and social media managers are invited to share their creativity or craftsmanship, while in Liguria, at B&B La Volpe in Moneglia, the wish list surprises with unusual exchanges: vintage Saint Seiya action figures or online German lessons in return for a stay — naturally, in person.
In the Tuscan countryside, guests at Podere La Casellina can stay by helping with the olive or wood harvest, while in Bergamo, B&B Ancient Stables — built within restored historic stables — welcomes guests who can contribute to improving the apartment with furniture, appliances, high-quality linens, or hospitality ideas.
And in Fidenza, in the heart of Emilia, B&B Commanderia opens its doors to gardeners and cat sitters for a barter built on care and mutual trust.
Barter Week is much more than an event: it's a philosophy that brings together circular economy, sustainability, and human relationships.
Each year, hundreds of B&Bs publish their Wish Lists on the platform, specifying what they'd like to receive in exchange for a free stay. Travelers, in turn, can propose what they can offer or enjoy sharing.
This simple idea has already inspired thousands of exchanges across Italy, turning a week in November into a celebration of shared hospitality — where value is measured not in money, but in time, passion, and reciprocity.
Simply visit www.settimanadelbaratto.it, choose your destination, and contact the participating B&Bs directly to propose your barter.
Some hosts post detailed wish lists; others welcome traveler proposals.
The most important thing to bring is curiosity, respect, and a spirit of exchange.
Giambattista Scivoletto; Clara Corallo
Email: press@bed-and-breakfast.it
Barter Week is an Italian-born initiative promoted by Bed-and-Breakfast.it to celebrate local hospitality and strengthen connections between travelers and hosts. It's a collaborative tourism model that each year involves hundreds of properties and thousands of people discovering the most authentic side of Italy.
