Tired of working in IT and staying the same in Australia, Paulo Cattanco decided to make a change. In 2015 he started a strict budget so he could save up enough money to buy his dream KTM1190 motorbike, a camera, and enough funds to support himself for a few years.

Then he gave up his job, packed his things, and set off on an adventure, travelling the world on his motorbike. Paulo,39, has spent the last four years biking through Australia. South America, North America, and Europe, riding up to 12 hours a day and spending his nights in his tent under the stars.

“Australia for me was my first experience riding long distance and I was mind-blown by the beauty of the old continent.” Paulo wrote on his travel journal, “Traveling through Latin America, I explored the rainforest and learned Spanish and Portuguese. Mexico has some of the best food I ever had and Peru is an interesting place where I can enjoy the unique local Indian culture, also called Inca civilization.”

Paulo has managed to keep his travels going by keeping his budget tight, so he hasn’t had to get a job for his travels. To keep costs low, he seldom looked for accommodation in hotels and went camping instead. Thankfully, the motorbike, which Paulo bought second hand in Australia, has not required any major repairs since he set off. The journey isn’t always easy, but Paulo has never looked back.

Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to his travels in Greece when he traveled around Europe, and Paulo has had to spend the last few months in Italy, his homeland. Once the world is back up and running, he plans to return to life on the road and explore Asia and Africa.

In recent years, towns across Italy have been racing to launch plans aimed at attracting new residents to revive the towns. From abandoned homes selling for a euro, to ready-to-occupy houses at low prices, there has been a tendency for competition.

The picturesque town of Presicce is the latest to enter the game with a very alluring offer. Officials say they will pay people up to 30,000 euros to buy an empty house and take up residency. Even better, the houses for sale as part of the deal are priced around 25,000 euros. The cash motivation is expected to breathe new life into the depopulating town, where newborns are fewer each year.

Presicce traces its history to the Middle Ages, booming during the Renaissance as a prosperous place known for its fine wine, cheeses and cattle trade. It gains a reputation as a “town of green gold” for green olive trees and olive oil. Its location is incredible, surrounded by the nature of the Salento area and close to beautiful beaches and clear waters of Santa Maria di Leuca. “There are many empty homes in the historical center built before 1991 which we would like to see alive again with new residents,” says local councilor Alfredo Palese. “It is a pity witnessing how our old districts full of history, wonderful architecture and art are slowly emptying.”

According to Palese, a 2019 merger (合并) with the nearby town Acquarica to create the larger town Presicce-Acquarica has provided them with extra money to ensure the project can continue for years to come. “After the merger as per Italian law, our wider territory will be blessed with more public funds, roughly 1,000,000 euros per year for several years forward, which we intend to invest to renew the old district,” says Palese.

The town hall has already launched other plans to attract more residents, including tax benefits to set up new business activities and baby bonuses for families with kids.