Sure, you might have considered renting an Airbnb in Italy for a few weeks as a much-needed getaway, but now Airbnb might actually pay you to live there like a local in Southern Italy for a whole three months. Partnering with Wonder Grottole, Airbnb is offering four lucky winners the chance to reside for three months in Grottole, a small mountain village known for its homemade pottery baked in grottos scattered throughout the hills. With only 300 residents and over 600 empty homes, this ancient village is now in danger of becoming a ghost town, prompting creative revitalization efforts like this one.
Photo: ermess/Shutterstock
Airbnb Will Pay for You to Live in This Small Italian Village for Three Months
The four winners will move to Grottole this summer and become immersed in the daily life of this traditional Italian community. This includes living in centuries-old homes; learning various skills from residents, including vegetable farming, honey harvesting, olive oil production, and pasta making; and acting as hosts for incoming visitors. Proceeds generated from these experiences will be reinvested into the village to bolster its economy and further encourage tourism.
A Grottole resident named Vincenzo, who will be one of the local instructors in the art of olive oil, said, “Visitors coming to Grottole will live in a quiet place with slow living. There’s no traffic, no chaos, no pollution, good food, and above all, welcoming people.”
To apply, visit the official Italian Sabbatical website and fill out the form. Applications will be accepted until February 17. 
H/T: Insider