Under The Puglian Sun
Curated Experiences
Long after the photographs have been shared and the suitcases unpacked, what remains is something quieter: the scent of centuries-old olive trees after the rain, conversations that linger over candlelit dinners, the warmth of people who welcome you not as a guest, but as family.
That quiet transformation is precisely what Sheri Iannaci, founder of Under the Puglian Sun, has devoted herself to creating.
Sheri believes the best travel experiences aren’t measured by how much you see, but by how deeply you experience a place. That’s why every detail of her Escapes is personally chosen, from thoughtfully chosen villas and historic masseria’s, to memorable dining experiences, storybook villages and meaningful encounters with the people who call Puglia home.
She shares the Puglia she has come to love, hoping her guests leave with a genuine connection to the region, its people, and one another.
Her philosophy is refreshingly simple: luxury isn’t measured by excess. It’s measured by how deeply a place makes you feel.
Rather than designing traditional luxury vacations, she curates deeply personal journeys that invite travelers to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience Italy through authenticity. Every villa, every meal, every village, and every encounter has been thoughtfully chosen, not simply because it is beautiful, but because it tells a story.
We sat down with Sheri to learn about the inspiration behind Under the Puglian Sun, the magic that drew her to southern Italy, and why Puglia continues to capture hearts long after visitors return home.
INLOVE: Every entrepreneur has a defining moment. What inspired you to create Under the Puglian Sun, and why did Puglia become the heart of your vision?
Sheri: People often ask me, “Why Puglia?” The answer is simple. The first time I visited, I fell in love with it.
I remember leaving and turning to my husband and saying, “I’m going to live here one day.”
It wasn’t just the beauty of the region. It was the people. They welcome you like family, invite you into their homes, introduce you to their traditions, and before you know it, strangers have become lifelong friends. There’s a genuine kindness here that I’ve never experienced anywhere else.
I didn’t come home thinking about starting a business. I came home thinking about how I could get back to Puglia. Over time, that feeling turned into Under the Puglian Sun.
I wanted to create more than a vacation. I wanted others to experience the Puglia I had fallen in love with, the incredible people, the slower pace of life, the unforgettable experiences, and the friendships that are made along the way. That’s what inspired Under the Puglian Sun, and it’s still what inspires me every time I return.
INLOVE: Before creating Under the Puglian Sun, what experiences shaped your understanding of hospitality and inspired you to turn your love for Puglia into a business?
Sheri: Throughout most of my career, I worked as a personal assistant and house manager for high-net-worth families, followed by serving as Senior Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of a global insurance leader. Those experiences allowed me to refine what has always come naturally to me: organization, thoughtful planning, anticipating needs, and understanding that the smallest details often have the greatest impact. They also taught me never to accept “that can’t be done.”
Those principles have guided me throughout my 30-plus-year career, and they became the foundation of Under the Puglian Sun.
After leaving my corporate career, I combined what I do best with what I love most. This business was never created for financial success,it was created out of a genuine passion for Puglia and a desire to share it with others. It also became my own reinvention. It has allowed me to slow down, spend more meaningful time with my family, create lasting memories, and build a life centered around the place that has captured my heart. To me, that is the greatest measure of success.
INLOVE: Puglia has become one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations while still preserving its authenticity. What makes this region so extraordinary?
Sheri: What I love most about Puglia is that it has stayed true to itself. While other parts of Italy have become more commercialized, Puglia has held onto its traditions, history, and slower pace of life.
Every town has its own story. You can spend the morning wandering through the UNESCO town of Alberobello with its iconic trulli, enjoy lunch overlooking the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, and end the day exploring one of the region’s beautiful whitewashed villages.
Puglia was once considered one of Italy’s poorer regions, and that history is still reflected in its cuisine. The food isn’t complicated, it celebrates fresh, local ingredients, handmade pasta, exceptional olive oil, local wines, and recipes that have been passed down for generations.
To me, that’s what makes Puglia extraordinary. It isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s authentic, deeply rooted in tradition, and invites you to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
INLOVE: Your retreats feel intentionally different from traditional luxury travel. How do you define luxury, and what can guests expect from the experience you curate?
Sheri: To me, luxury isn’t about extravagance or excess. It’s about quality, authenticity, and creating an experience where every detail has been thoughtfully considered.
My Escapes are intentionally upscale, but never overdone. I want my guests to experience the real Puglia through exceptional accommodations, incredible local food and wine, unique experiences, and the people who make this region so special.
I also believe luxury is feeling completely taken care of. My guests don’t have to worry about planning, reservations, or logistics. They can simply relax, be present, and enjoy every moment.
More than anything, I want my guests to leave feeling they experienced something they couldn’t have created on their own, an experience that stays with them long after they return home.
INLOVE: You personally curate every aspect of your retreats. Why is that level of involvement so important to you?
Sheri: Because every detail matters to me.
I personally plan and curate every part of each Escape, from the accommodations and experiences to the restaurants and the people my guests meet along the way. I want to create the kind of experience I would hope to have myself.
I don’t want my guests worrying about logistics or wondering what’s next. I want them to relax, be present, and enjoy every moment.
From the moment they arrive, I want them to feel genuinely welcomed and comfortable. That comes from years of building relationships with people I trust, who care about my guests as much as I do.
If my guests return home feeling rested, inspired, and with a genuine love for Puglia, then I’ve done exactly what I set out to do.
INLOVE: When guests return home after experiencing Under the Puglian Sun, what do you hope stays with them long after the journey ends?
Sheri: More than anything, I hope my guests leave understanding why I fell in love with Puglia.
Of course they’ll remember the beautiful places, the incredible food, and the unforgettable experiences. But what I really hope stays with them are the moments in between, the conversations around the dinner table, the laughter, the friendships they made, and the feeling of being welcomed into a place that feels genuine.
When I look back on my own time in Puglia, those are the memories that stay with me. That’s exactly what I hope to give every guest.
If they return home feeling refreshed, with wonderful memories, new friendships, and already thinking about when they can come back, then I know I’ve done my job.
An Invitation Beyond Travel
There is no shortage of beautiful destinations in the world. What makes Under the Puglian Sun different isn’t simply where Sheri takes her guests,it’s how she invites them to experience Puglia.
For Sheri, the true measure of a journey isn’t the number of places visited, but the memories created, the friendships formed, and the feeling guests carry home with them. It’s an approach that continues to resonate with travelers looking for something more meaningful than a traditional vacation.
Because sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t where you go, it’s how deeply a place stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
Because sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t where you go, it’s how deeply a place stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
For those who believe the most memorable journeys are measured not by checklists but by meaningful moments, Under the Puglian Sun offers an invitation to experience Italy differently. It is a chance to discover the soul of Puglia through authentic connections, timeless landscapes, extraordinary hospitality, and the quiet luxury of feeling completely at home in one of Italy’s most captivating regions.
Words by Elena Vasilevsky
