But softly, what's that light coming through that window over there? This Airbnb competition is to win a stay at Juliet’s House in Verona, Italy. In this lame Shakespearean metaphor, the sun sets at the end of Valentine's Day, which this year falls on a Friday. This is romance in X-Games mode.
Starting Tuesday, January 21, couples can enter an Airbnb competition to spend Valentine's Day at Italy's historic Casa di Giulietta. If you're suddenly worried you'll pass out when you tell your high school English class that "Romeo and Juliet" is a true story, don't worry. This classic play is indeed a work of fiction, and Juliet is just a character from Shakespeare's 16th-century imagination. However, there is a home in Verona, Italy, the hometown of the character Juliet, that surprisingly matches Shakespeare's description in his iconic Romeo and Juliet balcony scene. The residence came to be known as "Casa di Giulietta," inspiring fans and romantics to consider the building a shrine to love stories. In fact, the home, which now operates as a museum inspired by the tragedy, has never had an overnight guest since the 1930s to the present day, according to an emailed press release from Airbnb.
If staying at Juliet’s house sounds like the romantic Valentine’s Day that Shakespeare dreamed up, here’s how you can get in
- First, you need to set up an Airbnb account and make sure you are logged in.
- You'll then need to use your creative skills to write a letter to Juliet and her secretary (aka Juliet's Club) explaining why you two star-crossed lovers would be the perfect guests for this romantic date.
You must submit your letter by Sunday, February 2 at 11:59 pm ET. Iambic pentameter is not required, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt.
Just as Casa di Giulietta has become a historic site nicknamed by fans, people have been writing to Giulietta into the 21st century to tell their love stories. The Juliet Club helps maintain letters that people can email to the Juliet Club or even be dropped off at the red mailbox in front of Juliet's house in Verona. So Writing a Letter to Juliet isn't just some weird Shakespearean fantasy that Airbnb has come up with; It's part of a long-standing tradition for Romeo and Juliet fans around the world.
“Juliet’s House is the most important museum in the city of Verona, attracting millions of visitors every year,” Verona Mayor Federico Sboarina said in an emailed press release. “Partnering with Airbnb to bring Shakespeare’s widely known myth Romeo and Juliet to life like never before. We are excited to celebrate our cultural heritage, share previously protected traditions and bring international visibility to the city of Verona ”
Airbnb teamed up with an Italian architect to transform the 13th-century Casa di Giulietta into a modern romance. An overnight stay at Juliet's House includes a candlelight dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Perbellin. You will sleep on the "Letto di Giulietta", the original bed used in the 1960s classic film " Romeo and Juliet ". A personal butler will also be at your service during your stay, in case Michelin-star meals and sleeping on a movie set aren't enough.
You can request a Valentine’s Day stay at Juliet’s house on Airbnb. As they said in Shakespeare's time: good luck to you.
