homestay in italia a Foggia in Puglia
Homestay with Elma in
Foggia in Puglia
Homestay in Foggia in northern Puglia with Elma. This fertile corner of northern Puglia—often called the “granary of Italy”—is renowned for its wheat, olive oil, and tomatoes. Foggia itself lies inland, about 30–40 minutes from the Adriatic coast, surrounded by medieval villages and expansive national parks. Far from the usual tourist routes, it offers an authentic environment where English is rarely spoken, giving you countless chances to practice Italian.
With Elma, you will also enjoy a true family experience: her practical and natural method turns every lesson into an engaging, tailor-made adventure. The weather is pleasant in this region from April until October and your lessons will take place outdoors among olive and fruit trees; otherwise, you’ll study in the cozy dependance. With Elma as your host you can slip naturally into the rhythms of southern life, share in family traditions, and experience the warmth of Pugliese hospitality—perfect for travelers who prefer to blend in rather than stand out.
Make a Reservation / Inquire About Dates & Prices
For details on pricing and availability, please contact Melissa directly. If you’ve submitted a homestay request form and haven’t received a prompt reply, send Melissa a message to ensure your submission was received.
Why Foggia? Because it’s in Puglia—where the “beautiful season” begins as early as April and stretches all the way to October! Nestled in the heart of the Tavoliere plain, Foggia is surrounded by landscapes and experiences that captivate every traveler. Just an hour away lies the breathtaking Gargano Peninsula, with its dramatic sea stacks, shimmering coastline, and endless olive groves.
For those drawn to spirituality, the area is steeped in devotion: San Giovanni Rotondo, beloved by Padre Pio, and Monte Sant’Angelo, a historic stop for pilgrims traveling between Rome and Jerusalem—and even visited by Saint Francis—are both within easy reach.
Lovers of history will be delighted by the many castles of Frederick II scattered across the countryside, from Lucera to Manfredonia to Torremaggiore.
And right in the city itself, Foggia shines with cultural and artistic treasures: once a seat of Frederick II, it grew in importance during the Middle Ages and boasts a striking Romanesque cathedral. As the endpoint of ancient transhumance routes, the city also developed into a lively trade fair hub and today serves as an important road, rail, and air transport center.
Meet Elma and her family!
Elma’s story is rich and varied: after completing her studies in Cultural Heritage (between Bari and Florence) and gaining international experiences—six months in Turkey as an Erasmus student and a year in Peru as a missionary—she worked for more than seven years as an Italian teacher in an educational community that welcomed unaccompanied foreign minors.
Her desire to build a family (today she is the adoptive mother of a six-year-old boy and foster mother of a 19-year-old girl) led her to change paths, choosing a slower-paced job better suited to family rhythms. Returning to her roots, Elma is now a teacher of art history.
Elma loves nature and simplicity: her home is in the countryside, surrounded by olive and fruit trees, just a few kilometers from the city. It’s a place where you can enjoy fresh produce from the garden and wake to the crowing of a rooster. Her house is equipped with solar panels, and in winter she loves to cook on the wood-burning stove. Here, you’ll have your own private dependance.
A curious and pragmatic woman, Elma is firmly convinced that true learning happens through experiences filled with emotion and discovery. That’s why she transforms every lesson into something authentic and engaging, using a practical, natural method that adapts to each individual. When the weather is pleasant, lessons take place outdoors among the olive and fruit trees!
Where will students stay during a homestay with Elma in Puglia?
During your stay in Foggia, you’ll be accommodated in the dependance located within Elma’s countryside property. The dependance is a welcoming private space complete with a large living room, bedroom, and bathroom—designed to give you comfort, privacy, and a true sense of home.
This arrangement offers the best of both worlds: the independence of having your own place, while still being close enough to share in the warmth of daily life with Elma and her family. You’ll be free to retreat to your private quarters whenever you like, but you’ll also be invited to join in the rhythm of the household—whether it’s sharing stories over a leisurely lunch, helping prepare a home-cooked Pugliese dinner, or enjoying long evenings outdoors under the olive trees.
Meals are a highlight here: most lunches and dinners will be held in Elma’s home, often in the open air, where the scents of the garden and the laughter of conversation create unforgettable memories.
The house itself is conveniently located and easy to reach by public transport, whether you arrive from the train station or the airport. Once here, you’ll discover that the countryside retreat is both peaceful and well connected—a perfect base for your homestay adventure in Puglia.
The dependance
What to Expect from Elma’s Homestay Language Course
What to Expect from Elma’s Language Course:
Lessons take place at Elma’s countryside home, just a few kilometers from town—a welcoming retreat surrounded by olive trees and orchards, where roosters and birds provide the soundtrack to your conversations.
Alongside lessons, Elma offers personalized experiences planned with you before arrival, making each stay unique. You might stroll through her garden and visit a teaching farm, sip coffee and taste pastries in the historic center, shop for local products at the lively neighborhood market, join a cooking class for fresh pasta or taralli, walk by the sea near Manfred’s castle, or explore a nearby medieval fortress.
Each evening ends with a sunset toast of local wine and taralli, plus a review of the grammar and expressions you practiced that day. Learning becomes natural and immersive—woven into daily life, flavors, and discoveries.
Programs adapt to your interests:
Culinary: Dinners or aperitivi at Elma’s home, sometimes with a local chef and live music, celebrating Pugliese traditions.
Nature: Excursions through the Gargano with Elma’s husband Enzo, capturing its cliffs, sea stacks, and ancient forests.
Spiritual: Visits to San Giovanni Rotondo or Monte Sant’Angelo, both steeped in faith and history.
Booking Your Homestay with Elma: Elma offers readers of the Matta Blog a special rate for her Homestay experience in Treviglio
