Fox Daniels: From Global Nomad to Puglia Local
A Life-Changing Move
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On the Unlock Puglia Instagram channel we regularly interview people from all over the world who have built a life in Puglia. Through this series of articles, we are going to share these fascinating stories.
For much of her life, Fox Daniels was in motion. Born in Belgium, she lived and worked across Hong Kong, Paris, the Philippines, and Malta, reinventing herself along the way — from fashion executive, to property developer, to professional artist. “Once you’re an expat, you’re always a bit of a nomad,” she laughs.
But then came Puglia. After two years of scouting - Sicily was beautiful but chaotic, Calabria didn’t tick her boxes - Daniels drove through the Valle d’Itria by chance. Where whitewashed towns sparkle under the southern sun and life moves with an irresistible rhythm. “The moment I stopped in Martina Franca, I knew”, she recalls. “This was home.”
Of course, Italy wasn’t without its challenges. Finding a trustworthy real estate agent took persistence: she still frowns at the memory of one who asked her to pay his commission before making an offer, and told her the price of the home she was looking into was now going to be 25% higher when she refused to cave in.
Like many foreigners, she faced the “double standard” — the inevitable price bump locals sometimes add, when they know you’re not from here. But Daniels takes it in her stride. "If locals park anywhere they want, I do the same," she explains. "You join the chaos instead of fighting it. That’s part of being a good guest.”
Today, her life in Puglia blends routine with discovery. Mornings often mean long hikes through nature. Afternoons might involve painting — now for joy, without gallery deadlines — or seeking out odd ingredients at the market, trading recipes with locals in lively debates. Evenings bring the rhythm of aperitivi, dinners with friends, or spontaneously attending a concert.
Most of all, Daniels treasures the luxury of slowing down. “Here you live two days in one — morning and evening, with the early afternoon reserved for rest. It changes how you experience life.”
As a woman who once thrived on continuous change, Puglia - she says - gave her a final chapter that feels both calm and rich with possibility. The warmth of neighbors, the joy of discovery, the luxury of slowing down. “Stay too long in one place, and you start dreaming of the next adventure. But here? I just want to stay.”