Perfect Italian Weekend | Pizzelli Style

A Perfect weekend in Italy without the limitations of time, budget, or distance. Every week we ask interesting and inspirational Italians, or Italians at heart, to take us along for a perfect, local weekend. This week Maj-La and Claudio from ATP Atelier take us along to a perfect local weekend in Puglia!

We are Maj-La and Claudio, partners in life and in work. I (Maj-La) am the founder, Creative Director, and CEO of ATP Atelier. Claudio is the Artistic Director at ATP Atelier and was born and raised in Milan. My personal connection to Italy runs deep—I’ve spent every childhood summer with family here and have continued working closely with Italy throughout my career in fashion. Our home in Puglia has become a grounding escape for both of us, a place where creative thinking and slow living blend beautifully.

Saturday: Sea Dips, Slow Food & Craft

A perfect Saturday starts with a drive to Otranto, one of our favorite coastal towns. We love beginning the day with an early swim in the clear Adriatic waters—it’s the most energizing way to wake up.

Afterwards, we always make time for breakfast at Caffè Moresco. A cappuccino, freshly squeezed juice, and a pasticciotto—the region’s signature custard-filled pastry—have become our ritual. Sitting there, watching the sea and the rhythm of local life unfold, is a luxury we never take for granted.

By midday, we head to Taverna del Porto in Tricase Porto. It's one of our absolute favorite places—charming and low-key, with unforgettable seafood and views of the harbor. After lunch, we always stay a while. The water in Tricase is truly magical, and we never miss the chance to take a dip and bask in the sun by the old harbor.

Later in the afternoon, we often stop by Fondazione Le Costantine near Casamassella. This beautiful, quiet foundation preserves traditional weaving techniques and supports local artisanship. It’s a place that always leaves us feeling calm and inspired.

And if we’re staying closer to home, we often drive the short 7 minutes down to Porto Badisco. There’s a small, free rocky beach where we love to swim and sunbathe in peace. Afterwards, we’ll eat fresh mussels at Trattoria Taiate and round off the day with an aperitivo at Bar da Carlo. It's one of those perfectly unpretentious local rituals we’ve grown to cherish.

Sunday: Market Mornings & Seaside (or Garden) Evenings

If it’s the last Sunday of the month, we never miss the antique market in Lecce. Browsing through vintage treasures under the southern sun among Lecce’s magnificent Baroque facades is something we always look forward to.

The rest of Sunday is about letting go of time. We might take a spontaneous detour through a nearby village, or drive down the coast just to chase the light.

Depending on the mood—and the crowds—we either end the day at Bagno Archi in Santa Cesarea, where the mineral-rich water and dramatic rock formations offer a deeply soothing atmosphere, or we stay at home to enjoy the peace of our own garden and pool. On Sundays, when the beaches can get busy, the quiet of home feels like the greatest luxury of all.

When we do go to Bagno Archi, we often have dinner at their beachside restaurant before swimming out. Their pizza is hands-down the best (and biggest) around, and their spaghetti alle vongole is a classic we always come back to. After eating, we float out from the pier and spend the rest of the evening stretched out on their wooden pontoon, watching the sea and the sky slowly fade into one another.

Stay

Stay at the beautiful home of Maj-la and Claudio A Scandi-Styled Sanctuary

Tucked away on a quiet street in the small village of Uggiano la Chiesa—just ten minutes from the Adriatic coast—this beautifully restored home is the kind of place you want to keep a secret.

A peaceful retreat that feels at once deeply Italian and unmistakably Nordic—perfect for slow summer living, long meals with friends, and doing absolutely nothing in style.