We're Tom and Devon, a husband-and-wife team who fell in love with Italy more than 15 years ago and never quite stopped exploring it.

What began as a love of travel eventually became something more personal as Tom started researching his Italian ancestry and family roots.

That journey led us to southern Italy, where we spent time tracing family connections in nearby Basilicata and learning more about the places our ancestors once called home.

But our curiosity didn't stop there.

As we explored the region, we found ourselves spending more time on the road, taking detours through towns we'd never heard of and following recommendations from locals whenever we could. Those drives eventually carried us east into neighboring Puglia, a region that at the time felt surprisingly undiscovered compared to many of Italy's more famous destinations.

The more we explored, the more intrigued we became.

Unlike other parts of Italy, there seemed to be fewer guidebooks, detailed itineraries and resources explaining how to experience the region beyond its most famous landmarks. Many of the best recommendations came from conversations, unexpected discoveries and wandering without a plan.

So we kept exploring.

Over the years, our travels took us throughout Italy. We wandered the streets of Rome, admired the art and architecture of Florence, watched the sunset over Cinque Terre, explored Venice's canals, experienced the energy of Naples, spent time along the Amalfi Coast, explored Tuscany's hill towns and discovered countless villages and hidden corners along the way.

Each place offered something memorable.

As our two children joined us on these adventures, Italy became more than a destination. It became part of our family's story.

And yet, despite all the places we had visited, we found ourselves returning to Puglia. In particular, we kept coming back to Martina Franca and the Valle d’Itria.

After one of our trips, we asked our kids a simple question:

"Of all the places we've visited in Italy, which one feels most like home?"

Without hesitation, both answered:

"Martina Franca."

There was no debate. No thinking it over. Just an immediate answer.

Tom and I looked at each other and smiled because it was exactly the answer we would have given ourselves.

Of all the places we'd experienced throughout Italy, Martina Franca was the one we kept returning to in our minds.

It had the beauty, history, food and culture we loved about Italy, but it also offered something harder to describe — a feeling of belonging.

The walkable historic center. The rhythm of daily life. Morning espresso at the café. Evenings in the piazza. Conversations with local shop owners. The sense of community that made the town feel lived-in rather than simply visited.

It wasn't just a place we enjoyed traveling to. It was the place we kept imagining ourselves returning.

That's when we realized our connection to Martina Franca had become something more than a favorite destination.

When we discovered two historic stone homes for sale within the town's historic center, we knew we had found something special.

We immediately fell in love with their character, history and connection to the town that had already captured our hearts.

Puglia Escapes was born from that journey.

Our homes have been thoughtfully restored to preserve their historic character while creating comfortable spaces for modern travelers. More importantly, they offer guests the opportunity to experience Martina Franca from within the historic center itself. You’ll be surrounded by the architecture, culture, food and local life that make this town so special.

Along the way, we also created Puglia Escapes as a resource for fellow travelers. When we first began exploring Puglia, we wished there had been more practical, trustworthy information available. Through our travel guides, local recommendations (and personal experiences) we hope to make planning a trip to this remarkable region a little easier for others.

Today, Puglia Escapes is our way of sharing the place that captured our family's heart.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to discover more of southern Italy, we hope your time here is filled with the same sense of discovery, connection and excitement that first brought us to Martina Franca and the Puglia region.

Love & Blessed Travels,

Tom + Devon