Live Like Romeo and Juliet this Valentine’s Day on Airbnb
- For the first time ever, Juliet’s House in Verona, Italy will welcome a modern day Romeo and Juliet to stay on Valentine’s Day.
- The house fabled to belong to the Shakespearian heroine features the iconic balcony associated with Juliet’s ‘wherefore art thou Romeo’ declaration of love.
- One couple will stay for one night, enjoy a feast cooked by a two Michelin Stars chef and read love letters written to Juliet.
In time for Valentine’s Day, Airbnb has today announced that one lovestruck couple will be the first to spend the night 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 14th 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: one couple 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 14th 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. 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
Federico Sboarina, Mayor of Verona Municipality
Highlights from the Stay include
- A Romeo and Juliet inspired exploration of Verona, the city of love.
- Private tour of the most romantic home in the history of literature.
- Reading and replying to some of Juliet’s most recent love letters.
- Exclusive access to Michelin star chef Giancarlo Perbellini while he prepares the romantic feast.
- Candlelit dinner for two prepared by Giancarlo in Juliet’s sumptuous dining room.
- A night in Juliet’s traditional bedroom transformed for the evening into a romantic boudoir
How to enter
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 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. Rules apply.
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. 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.
Giacomo Trovato, General Manager for Italy at Airbnb
Although the Stay can only be given to one winner and their partner, four exclusive Valentine’s Experiences will be 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.
About Juliet’s House – a symbol of enduring love
The most recognizable love story of all time is set in the Italian city of Verona. Although Shakespeare didn’t specify the exact whereabouts of his heroine’s home, Casa Giulietta, in the town’s center has long been a place of romantic pilgrimage. The 14th century townhouse shares many similarities with the building described in Romeo and Juliet including a connection with the Cappelleti and Montecchi families – both names are strikingly similar to Shakespeare’s feuding Montagues and Capulets. Today, the home operates as a museum and it has become an international symbol of enduring love.
About Juliet’s Bed
Juliet’s bed was created by master Renzo Mongiardino and used in the scenography of the movie “Romeo and Juliet” by Franco Zeffirelli. The bed is owned by Imperiale Services and it is exhibited at Casa di Giulietta Museum. www.lettodigiulietta.it