About Us

Hello friends,

We’re Michael and Annalisa, a couple from Montreal, Canada. Both of us grew up with strong Italian roots, always knowing that one day we would find our way back to our motherland.

Our first adventure abroad took us to Shanghai — a decision made overnight. What followed were five wonderful years of discovering a new culture, forming lifelong friendships, and planting the seed of a deeper desire to explore the world. It was also where we rescued Dundun, who has been part of every chapter since.

Eventually, the pull to slow down and follow our dream became impossible to ignore. We traded big-city life for a small fishing village, and after several visits to Puglia, our hearts were completely captured by Mola di Bari — untouched, unassuming, and quietly extraordinary. In 2016, we bought our first home, with the simple wish of welcoming family and friends and sharing the magic of the place that had drawn us in.

The Monsignor’s Estate was born from that same spirit. It’s an invitation into our home and our way of life — to experience the small, meaningful moments that changed how we see the world and taught us to appreciate life at a gentler pace.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but here we are, nine years in — grateful, grounded, and happy to welcome you.