Italian in Abruzzo, Summer 2026
Language courses in a small mountain village, in a historic palazzo that has been home, wine cellar, and gathering place for generations.
Contents
Where
How the courses work
2026 Calendar
Wine & Jazz Week
Pricing
Teachers
Practical details
Contact & bookings
Where
Ofena, Province of L’Aquila
Ofena is a pre-Roman village between Gran Sasso and the Tirino river, known for centuries for its wine, olive oil, and almonds. The courses take place in a historic palazzo, part residence, part wine museum, where students have access to the courtyard, loggia, library, and cellar. This is not a hotel or a language centre. It is a working house with a history, and that is the point.
From Ofena it is easy to reach Rocca Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the Stiffe Caves, the Gran Sasso park, and the Adriatic coast. L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026, is just 45 minutes away, with a full program of exhibitions, concerts and events throughout the summer.
How the courses work
Each week runs Monday to Friday. Students arrive Sunday evening for a welcome wine tasting and informal introduction. Monday to Friday: lessons, cooking class, free time to explore. Saturday: free to leave or stay an extra night, included in the price. All levels, small groups from 2-3 participants. New dates can be added based on interest. Lessons are practical and conversation-based; outside class, the village does the rest.
- 6 nights accommodation (Sun-Sat)
- 2 hours of Italian lesson per day (Mon-Fri)
- Welcome wine tasting, Sunday evening
- 1 cooking class with shared meal
- Kitchen, library and courtyard access
- Help planning local excursions
The lessons are practical and conversation-based. Outside class, the village does the rest.
2026 Calendar
| Dates | Course | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Weeks – Ofena | ||
| 1–5 Jun | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 15–19 Jun | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 24–28 Jun Jazz&Wine | All Levels, Confirmed A1-A2 | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local still 3 places |
| 29 Jun–3 Jul | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 6–10 Jul | Confirmed A1-A2 Tortoreto | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 13–17 Jul | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 20–24 Jul | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 27–31 Jul | All Levels, Standard Week | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 22–26 Aug | Survival Italian for Beginners | €650 · €550 dbl · €240 local |
| 7–11 Sep | Italian + Wine Harvest | €650 · €550 dbl |
| 28 Sep–2 Oct | Italian + Olive Harvest | €650 · €550 dbl |
| Special Weeks | ||
| 24–30 Jun | Wine & Jazz Week: Italian lessons + 3 concerts + wine tasting + cooking class | €660 · €560 dbl |
| 25–26 Jul | Meditative Writing Retreat (weekend) | €300 · €250 dbl |
| 8–9 Aug | Meditative Writing Retreat (weekend) | €300 · €250 dbl |
| 5–6 Sep | Meditative Writing Retreat (weekend) | €300 · €250 dbl |
| 24–28 Sep | Wine Terminology Workshop (professional) | €750 NGTV · €820 non-members |
| t.b.a. | “La mente accanto” writing retreat | €600 · €500 dbl |
| Coastal / Local learner | ||
| 8–12 Jun | All Levels, Silvi (min. 3 participants) | €240 |
| 6–10 Jul | Confirmed A1-A2 Tortoreto (min. 3 participants) | €240 still 3 places |
| 27–31 Jul | All Levels, Tortoreto (min. 3 participants) | €240 |
| 3–7 Aug | All Levels, Tortoreto (min. 3 participants) | €240 |
Residential price includes 6 nights accommodation (Sun-Sat) + lessons + activities. “Local learner” = lessons only, no accommodation. All courses start from 3 participants; new dates can be arranged on request.
Special week – 24-30 June
Wine & Jazz Week
Coltrane centenary at Capestrano
Wine & Jazz Week – Festival programme
Course of italian False Beginners (A1-A2) confirmed, other levels on request
Photo courtesy of Nicola Capriati
In 2026 the jazz festival of Capestrano A Love Supreme (a labour of love organized by Nicola Capriati) celebrates the centenary of John Coltrane’s birth. The week combines Italian lessons each morning with the concerts in the evenings, plus a cooking class and a tasting in the wine museum in the palazzo. Three nights of live music in a Romanesque church, in a village most people will never find on a map.
Friday 26 June
Loving Supreme, reinterpretation of A Love Supreme
Dimitri Grechi Espinoza (sax), Aziz Senol Filiz (ney and bendir), Guido Zorn (double bass)
Saturday 27 June
Tania Giannouli (piano) – Solo, a free improvisation journey inspired by Coltrane
Sunday 28 June
Claudio Filippini (piano) – Filippismo. A Journey
Pricing at a glance
Residential
€650 single
€550 double
Course + 6 nights + activities
Local learner
€240
No accommodation
Companion
€30–35
per night · no course
Wine & Jazz
€660 single
€560 double
concerts + course + stay
Practical details
Arrival and departure. Students arrive Sunday evening; the week opens with a welcome wine tasting and an informal introduction. Monday to Friday: lessons, cooking class, free time. Saturday: free to leave or stay an extra night, already included in the price. Students who need to leave Friday can request a reduction.
Accommodation. In the historic palazzo where the school is based, or in residences nearby. Shared kitchen, loggia, courtyard, library.
Group size. From 2-3 participants. If a date interests you but you are the first to sign up, get in touch; we add dates when there is enough interest.
Level. All levels unless otherwise noted. Courses start with a short assessment.
Expats and residents. If you already live in Abruzzo, the local learner rate applies. Coastal locations in Silvi and Tortoreto are available for those based on the coast.Contact & bookings
Madrelingua
✆ +31 647 254 144