I am starting the New Year feeling excited and positive! At least alternate days of blue skies and golden sunshine help – something I really appreciate about living in Puglia. Our Galatina project, Palazzetto Toma, is coming on well and I am also about to launch a new initiative. I wrote last year that I wanted to start up a cultural association and these plans have evolved over the last few months and taken on a new form.

When I moved to Puglia my marriage had just ended and I moved here with my two younger children – a decision which may have been impulsive and was certainly scary, but one I have never regretted. I have been seeing an increasing number of posts on expats/want to be expats boards from women who want to do the same thing – usually older than I was but equally hopeful and excited, if somewhat apprehensive. It makes perfect sense to me – often these women have children who are now relatively independent and/or have spent most of their life so far tied up with work and family and want a new start, but also to do something which is just for them.

I was lucky in that I already spoke Italian, had my children for company, and had an established business which I could transfer and which kept me occupied. I had also lived in Rome as a child, so the culture shock wasn’t too bad. It still took a lot of adjustment though, and I could have certainly done with some support and a peer group – there were times when I felt very isolated.

Now I have lived here for twenty years and have an established social life but still find, as a single woman that I am often the only person not in a couple at social events as so many people move here with a partner. This doesn’t bother me at all, but I have also met a number of women who have moved here on their own and really enjoy socialising with them – it’s a completely different vibe

So the idea for Sorelle in Salento was born – a not for profit association for women (single and non), both Italian and expats which will organise cultural and social events (some open to partners as well) but also support and help women who are thinking of moving to Puglia, are in the process of doing so or who are already here. Really, we will be able to organise anything members want to do, as well as promoting female led businesses but, for example, plan to organise activities such as cooking, wine tasting, yoga, spas, art classes, talks, visits to buildings not normally open to the public and lots more, as well as running lots of events.  

I am excited to get started – in a way it feels like coming full circle – years ago, after the birth of my third child I ran a company organising breaks for new mothers, now, at a different stage in my life I will be helping other women who are probably (not necessarily) at a different life stage also. I also spent my first years in Puglia organising excursions and events, and it will be fun to do that again as well. It will also dovetail well with my other work – of course I can help members find, buy, and restore houses but also Palazzetto Toma will be ideal for women wanting to try living in Puglia and exploring the area before taking the leap. As it will be rented out when owners are not using it and will work well as three separate units with some communal spaces, it will also be a perfect solution for women travelling on their own.

We will be starting off our fundraising (to cover the costs of opening and registering the Association with an Apericena at the fabulous Nardò House on January 30th followed by other events. We will also be running residential breaks (from 2 to 7 nights) in January and February for women who are thinking of moving to Puglia. If you would like to be kept informed of developments or get involved in the association, receive further information about joining one of our short breaks or be invited to one of our events please fill in the form below or email personalpuglia@gmail.com