B&B Day, the early spring wildcard: in Italian B&Bs, March 8th is free. How it works. And where

A slow -paced weekend , setting out to discover small local communities, their traditions, typical cuisine and the art they preserve, following itineraries through nature or history.

B&B Day returns on March 8 , an unmissable event to experience among the thousands of participating establishments. The annual celebration of Italian bed and breakfasts, organized by the site, invites you to discover all the beauty of family hospitality and take advantage of a free stay. This is a great opportunity to discover the Belpaese , or a small section of it, explore charming villages, cities of art, seaside villages and lesser-known corners. In a farmhouse, among rolling hills and meadows as far as the eye can see, for a bucolic stay. In a villa near the sea, among wild coasts and Mediterranean pine forests. In a historic building, in a charming medieval village, where you can find timeless atmospheres. Even in a beautiful trullo, taking advantage of the warm Apulian welcome. Or even in a city of art, for an immersion in culture.

How it works

Participating is simple and advantageous: those who book a stay of at least two nights - including the night of March 8 - at one of the participating facilities on the site , will be able to enjoy a free overnight stay for the night of the 8th. But it is not just an opportunity to save money: it is an invitation to visit new places, to rediscover a more intimate and familiar Italian hospitality, made up of traditions, history and ties with the territory. It can also be the occasion for a women's weekend, given the date chosen by the site: leaving with friends or even alone, to experience a solo adventure. According to the portal, solo travel is a rapidly growing trend. B&B Day is, in short, a winning formula: post-pandemic, the initiative is constantly growing: in 2024 the site attracted 75,000 visitors, more than double compared to 2023, and this year the numbers promise to be even better.

The preferences

The most popular destinations - according to bookings on the site - are villages, spas and seaside resorts, confirming the desire for authentic, relaxing and regenerating experiences where you can unplug, perhaps immersed in nature: a trend that already emerged last year. But where to go? There are many destinations, depending on the type of holiday you prefer, from Val di Noto to Versilia , from Murge to Pollino , from Salento to Val d'Orcia , in the Dolomites or on the Costa Smeralda . There are several in Maremma , from Bibbona to Orbetello , between villas with a maritime flavour and farmhouses immersed in the Mediterranean scrub.

Among the most suggestive destinations in Italy, Lake Como cannot be missed, where you can experience a stay with the charm of times gone by, in typical villas or farmhouses, on the calm waters of the lake: passing through the villages overlooking the shores, between Italy and Switzerland , you can admire sumptuous villas, Liberty buildings , picturesque towns such as Cernobbio, Torno, from Menaggio to Laveno, from Varenna to Bellagio. Also rich in suggestion is the Costa dei Trabocchi , the stretch of coastline of the Middle Adriatic, between Ortona and Vasto, dotted with these wooden giants that emerge from the water, the trabocchi, where the B&Bs enclose the flavor of the sea.

From Lake Como to the Trulli

You can opt for a masseria or a typical trullo, from which to start to visit the Itria Valley , surrounded by a rural setting of great beauty, rich in historical gems, Romanesque and Baroque architecture. Galatina , with the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, one of the most important Gothic monuments in Puglia. Otranto , with its cathedral and the Aragonese castle, and Ostuni , the "White City" with its lime houses, a casbah of Arab memory, guarded by the ancient bastions, up to Martina Franca , with its buildings decorated with the typical "barocchetto".

There are many choices. To find out about all the participating facilities and book your stay, just visit the official website.