Italian in Abruzzo, Summer 2026

A small mountain village. A historic family palazzo that for generations has been a home, a wine cellar, and a gathering place. No formal classrooms, no school desks: just authentic Italian life, the slow rhythms of the hidden countryside, and the true flavors of the land.

The Experience: How it works

You arrive on Sunday evening, and we kick things off with a welcome wine tasting and a casual chat to get to know each other.

  • Monday to Friday: 2 hours of Italian lessons in the morning, focusing on conversation and practical, real-world use. The rest of the day is yours: wander the narrow cobblestone alleys, hike up the Gran Sasso mountains, or simply relax with a book on the palazzo’s loggia.
  • Cooking & Dining: One evening, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a local cooking masterclass and share a big dinner together.
  • Saturday: You can pack up at your own pace or stay an extra night—it’s already included in the price.

Lessons take place in tiny groups (just 2 to 3 participants). Outside the palazzo walls, the village and the locals do the rest.

What’s included in the residential price: 6 nights accommodation (single or double room) • 10 hours of Italian lessons • Welcome wine tasting • 1 cooking class with dinner included • Full access to the palazzo’s kitchen, library, and courtyard • Local excursion planning support.

The Setting: Ofena (L’Aquila)

Ofena is an ancient village tucked between the peaks of the Gran Sasso and the Tirino river, famous for centuries for its wine, olive oil, and almonds. You won’t be staying in a hotel or a sterile language center, but in a living historic palazzo, complete with open courtyards, loggias, and an old cellar-museum.

From here, iconic spots like Rocca Calascio and Santo Stefano di Sessanio are just around the corner. Plus, in 2026 L’Aquila is the Italian Capital of Culture—only a 45-minute drive away, hosting a summer packed with exhibitions, concerts, and special events.

Standard Weeks (Ofena)

September 28–October 2 | Italian & Olive Harvest

Rates: €650 single room / €550 double room / €240 “Local Learner” (course only)

June 1–5 | All Levels

June 15–19 | All Levels

June 29–July 3 | All Levels

July 13–17 | All Levels

July 20–24 | All Levels

July 27–31 | All Levels

August 22–26 | Survival Italian (Absolute Beginners)

September 7–11 | Italian & Wine Harvest

Special Weeks & Weekends

  • June 24–30 | Wine & Jazz WeekItalian lessons + 3 concerts at the “A Love Supreme” festival in Capestrano + wine tastings.
    • Rates: €660 single / €560 double (A1-A2 Level confirmed, only 3 spots left!)
  • July 25–26 / August 8–9 / September 5–6 | Meditative Writing Retreats
    • Rates: €300 single / €250 double
  • September 24–28 | Wine Terminology Workshop (For professionals)
    • Rates: €750 NGTV members / €820 non-members

Coast Courses (Lessons only)

June 8–12 (Silvi) • July 6–10 (Tortoreto – 3 spots left) • July 27–31 (Tortoreto) • August 3–7 (Tortoreto)

For those staying by the beach or living locally (No accommodation): €240

Photo courtesy of Nicola Capriati

Focus: Wine & Jazz Week (June 24–30)

In 2026, the Capestrano jazz festival A Love Supreme celebrates the centenary of John Coltrane’s birth. This special week pairs morning Italian lessons with three evenings of world-class live music inside a breathtaking Romanesque church—located in a village most tourists will never find on a map.

Sunday, June 28: Claudio Filippini (piano) – Filippismo

Friday, June 26: Dimitri Grechi Espinoza (sax), Aziz Senol Filiz (ney), Guido Zorn (double bass) – Loving Supreme

Saturday, June 27: Tania Giannouli (piano) – Solo free improvisation inspired by Coltrane

Practical Details in Short

  • Accommodation: Inside the historic palazzo itself or in nearby village houses. The communal kitchen and historic spaces are always open to you.
  • Levels: Open to everyone (unless specified). We’ll have a quick, informal chat when you arrive to check your level.
  • Companions: Traveling with someone who doesn’t want to take the course? They can share your room for €30–35 per night.
  • Flexibility: If a specific date catches your eye but you’re the first to sign up, drop us a line anyway! We open up new courses as soon as we reach 2–3 participants.

Contact & Bookings

Madrelingua

✉️ info@madrelingua.com

📞 +39 375 526 2038 (IT)

📞 +31 647 254 144 (NL)