A little about me
I travelled all the way from Melbourne, Australia to start a new chapter in Italy – and you can too!
ONE month after my 40th birthday, I packed up my things, put my PR and Marketing agency on hold, and followed my Italian roots to Italy to begin a new chapter in Lecce, in the area of Salento, Puglia. It’s right down in the heel of the boot, nestled between the Ionian and Adriatic seas, if you’re wondering!
Getting here wasn’t easy — the path to Italian citizenship was long, confusing and at times overwhelming. But the process also taught me so much about resilience, patience and what it truly means to go for something you want and finally, finally achieve it.
To Italy and Back was born from that journey; a way to help others make the move, experience the culture first-hand and create a life they love here in Italy.
Today, with the help of my lawyer and friend Valentina (who was responsible for getting me here!), I help English speakers start their Italian story, and I also encourage Italians to share theirs with the world.
Whether I’m helping English speakers make their European dream a reality or supporting Italians with language and marketing their businesses, I approach every project with warmth, clarity and creativity.
If you’re thinking about a life in Italy, now’s the time!
Stef xx
Why did I choose Salento?
(a place I’d never heard of)
When I first dreamed of moving to Italy, I imagined Florence. Or Rome. Or literally any city I’d seen in a movie.
Salento in the wider region of Puglia, southern Italywasn’t even on my radar.
Then I met Valentina, the lawyer who ended up changing my life and she suggested I give Lecce in Salento a try. “It’s beautiful, welcoming… and the consulates and councils down here are far less overwhelmed,” she said.
So I trusted her. And I’m so glad I did.
When I arrived (in the heel of the boot), Lecce felt like stepping into a fairytale I didn’t realise I’d been looking for: warm golden stone, turquoise water, slow afternoons, friendly faces and a sense of belonging. The people here are generous, curious, joyful — they talk to you, remember your name and make you feel part of something.
Very quickly, I realised what Valentina meant:
Salento isn’t just a beautiful place to visit, it’s a wonderful place to live.
It’s why I help people move here to Salento in southern Italy, because I know exactly what it feels like to discover this part of Italy for the first time… and to fall in love with it completely.
While many clients choose Salento, others follow a different path and move to other areas throughout Italy. We support both with the same level of care and clarity.
Check out this guide on how to move to Salento from abroad!