Learn Italian in the Heart of Italy: A Journey Through Language, Culture, and Tradition in Abruzzo

Are you ready to experience Italy beyond the tourist crowds? Madrelingua’s Summer School in Ofena, a charming village in Abruzzo, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in both the Italian language and the vibrant local culture. Whether you’re an expat looking to improve your Italian or a curious traveler eager to dive deep into the authentic Italian lifestyle, our courses will provide you with an unforgettable learning experience.

Where

Hosted in our charming Palazzo in Ofena, in the province of L’Aquila, our residential courses offer a unique and immersive experience in Italian language, cookery, and wine geography.

Nestled between the majestic Gran Sasso National Park and the scenic Tirino River, Ofena is an idyllic location to study, unwind, and discover the heart of Italy. We offer residential courses where you’ll not only learn Italian but also participate in cultural activities, guided excursions, cooking lessons, and wine tastings. This is more than just a language course; it’s a celebration of the rich history and traditions of Abruzzo.

Check below for all practical details. For more information and bookings, contact us at:
📞 +39 375 5262038
📧 info@madrelingua.com

A Unique Experience Inspired by Transhumance

Our courses are inspired by the ancient tradition of transhumance—the seasonal migration of sheep between the mountains of Abruzzo and the plains of Puglia, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This tradition offers a fascinating lens through which you’ll learn about Abruzzo’s culture, history, and the rhythms of rural life. For more information I made here a list of Festivals and traditional events in the course of the year in Abruzzo to help you choose the period that best suits you.

For Residents of Abruzzo

If you already live in Abruzzo and want to refresh your Italian, we have a special intensive course running between August 22th and 26th, designed just for you! In these courses, you’ll get to know your neighbors better, immerse yourself in local customs, and get a deeper understanding of this beautiful region. We apply special rates for residents, please check it with us at 375 5262038.

📅 Summer Program 2025 – At a Glance

JUNE & JULY

🗓 June 30 – July 4
🇮🇹 Italian Language Course – All Levels (on request)
• Starting from 2 participants
• 5 days of classes, 5 nights accommodation, 1 cooking class with meal
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room)

🗓 July 18–20
🧘 Meditative Writing Retreat – Writing as Introspection
• Write in the language of your choice (IT, EN, NL, PL)
• Instruction in IT & EN, Support in IT, EN, NL, PL
• 3 days of classes, 3 nights accommodation, 2 meals per day
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room),
with Early Bird discount of €100 for bookings before July 1, 2025

🗓 July 25–27
✍️ La mente accanto – Writing Course with Three Italian Authors
• Classes in Italian – perfect for advanced learners
• Free to write in IT, EN, NL, ES
• 3 days of classes, 3 nights accommodation, 3 meals per day
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room),
with Early Bird discount of €100 for bookings before July 1, 2025

🎉 JULY & AUGUST – Festivals & Local Events
Abruzzo comes alive with spontaneous summer festivals full of music, food, and tradition. Your teacher will help you discover the most interesting local events.
(→ See also Historical Festivals & Traditions)

AUGUST

🗓 August 4–8
🇮🇹 Italian Language Course
• 09:00–11:00 — Level A2+
• 11:00–13:00 — Level B1
• 5 days of classes, 5 nights accommodation, 1 cooking class with meal
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room)

🗓 August 11–15
🇮🇹 Italian Language Course
• 09:00–11:00 — Level B1
• 11:00–13:00 — Level B1–B2
• 5 days of classes, 5 nights accommodation, 1 cooking class with meal
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room)

🕊 August 22–26 – Survival Course for Beginners + The Perdonanza Celestiniana
• On the last day of the course we’ll attend the opening of this centuries-old spiritual festival in L’Aquila (August 25–30), including the once-a-year opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica di Collemaggio
• Semi-intensive beginner course: 4 days with 3 hours of lessons per day + language immersion activities
• 4 days of classes, 4 nights accommodation, 1 cooking class with meal
→ €550 (single room) or €450 (shared double room)

SEPTEMBER

🍇 September 22–27 – Wine Harvest & Wine Culture
🇮🇹 Italian Language Course – All Levels
• Visit local vineyards during the harvest
• Learn to taste wine like a sommelier, guided by Barbara, your teacher and certified wine expert
• 5 days of classes, 5 nights accommodation, 1 vineyard tour with tasting
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room)

OCTOBER

🌿 September 29 – October 4 – Olive Harvest & Olive Oil Production
🇮🇹 Italian Language Course – All Levels
• Pick olives on the land, enjoy a picnic among the trees
• Visit a traditional frantoio (olive mill) and learn how extra virgin olive oil is made
• 5 days of classes, 5 nights accommodation, 1 olive oil excursion with picnic
→ €600 (single room) or €500 (shared double room)

Your Teachers:

At Madrelingua, we offer a team of experienced and passionate instructors who will guide you through every step of your learning journey:

  • Barbara: Founder of Madrelingua in Amsterdam and certified sommelier, Barbara will lead the food and wine activities, bringing her extensive experience in Italian cuisine and culture. As a native Italian speaker fluent in Dutch, English, and Polish, Barbara intimately knows the region and its traditions.
  • Fausto: A renowned artist who complements Italian lessons with guided landscape drawing walks. Visit his atelier and casa d’artista in Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi.
  • Cinzia: A former geologist at the University of Florence and Italian teacher in the Netherlands, Cinzia is passionate about Italian movies and literature. Her knowledge of Abruzzo’s mountains and canyons will deepen your understanding of the region’s geography and natural beauty.

For Travel Companions:

Not planning to take the course? No worries—your companions can join in the fun too! They can enjoy everything from scenic walks and art lessons to cultural excursions and local activities. Just let us know, and we’ll arrange a memorable experience for everyone.

Practical Details:

  • Course Duration: arrival the evening before the start of the course, 5 nights stay, 5 days of Italian lessons (2 hours daily) and 1 cultural activity or excursion.
  • Accommodation: 5 nights in a historic palazzo with shared kitchen, loggia and internal court and library access.
  • Companions: Those not taking courses but sharing a room with students pay a cost refund of €30/night (in double or triple rooms).
  • Pricing:
    • Single Student Package (course, accommodation, activities): €600
    • Two-Person Package (1 student + 1 companion): €750
    • Two Students Sharing a Room: €1000 (€500 per person)

Included:

  • 10 hours of Italian lessons
  • Accommodation in a historic palazzo
  • A cooking workshop or excursion with wine tasting and vineyard or olive grove tour

Optional Extras (non included in price):

  • Excursions to L’Aquila, Sulmona, and local festivals
  • Canoeing on the Tirino River
  • E-bike tours with guides
  • Hiking in the Gran Sasso National Park
  • Olive harvesting days with a picnic and olive press tour

Why Choose Ofena?

Ofena, a picturesque pre-Roman village, is the perfect place to learn Italian and experience the best of Abruzzo. The friendly locals are happy to help you with your Italian, whether you’re chatting in the square or enjoying an espresso at the bar. In its alleys, small squares, and surrounding countryside, you’ll discover traces of the region’s rich history.

Known as “the oven of Abruzzo” due to its warm and sunny microclimate, Ofena has been renowned for centuries in the province of L’Aquila for the exceptional quality of its wines, olive oil, and almonds. These cherished crops have shaped not only the local economy but also the landscape, with vineyards, silvery terraced olive groves, and almond trees creating a stunning harmony of nature and human activity. This agricultural tradition is closely intertwined with the ancient practice of transhumance of sheep and other cattle, a sustainable and ingenious way of managing the region’s challenging mountain and upland terrain. Together, these traditions reflect a profound balance between humanity and nature, showcasing the resilience and creativity of Abruzzo’s rural communities.

From here, it’s easy to explore famous destinations like Rocca Calascio, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, and the Stiffe Caves, as well as enjoy a day trip to the nearby Adriatic coast.

Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Abruzzo, where tradition and nature blend perfectly with the art of learning and sharing.

Book Your Experience Today

For more information and bookings, contact us at:
📞 +39 375 5262038
📧 info@madrelingua.com

We can’t wait to share the wonders of Abruzzo with you! 🌿