Airbnb launches “A real vacation” An offline getaway in the Lecce countryside to rediscover the value of spending time together
A completely offline vacation for one week in a 17th-century residence in Salento. Airbnb is launching A Real Vacation, an initiative offered to one family and one group of friends of up to ten people willing to give up their smartphones and rediscover the value of spending time together, free from screens.
The experience will take place in a traditional farmhouse in the countryside of Lecce, equipped with every comfort and plenty of spaces dedicated to socializing, including board games, relaxation areas, a large living room with a fireplace, and a private swimming pool surrounded by nature. It will also be an opportunity to discover the local area and its flavors.
This project stems from the results of a study commissioned by Airbnb to understand whether Italians would be willing to give up all screens while on vacation. The results were positive: nearly one in two respondents would like to take a break by putting their phone aside in order to slow down and truly enjoy the moment. According to Luca Bernardelli, a psychologist and science communicator who studies the impact of AI, virtual reality, and hyperconnectivity on human well-being, this could represent a revolutionary gesture, a tangible act of self-care.
In an era dominated by online life and AI, true luxury lies in stepping away from the digital noise and embracing unique sensory experiences and authentic human connections. According to Airbnb’s research, nearly one in two Italians believes that a vacation can be an opportunity to discover new places and local traditions, while more than 60% of respondents feel that excessive smartphone use reduces the quality of the relationships with the people they travel with. Yet friends and family remain the ideal travel companions for Airbnb users: according to trends recorded by the platform, over the past six summer seasons more than 6 out of 10 bookings in Italy have involved shared stays.
For A Real Vacation, Airbnb is looking for a multigenerational family, an extended family, or a group of friends ready for an experience unlike any other. To apply, groups will be asked to share their story and explain why they would like to enjoy this opportunity to disconnect. The selected family will spend a screen-free week in Salento from August 23 to August 29, while the stay dedicated to friends will take place from September 1 to September 7.
