How to Use a Second Language to Make the Most of a Trip Abroad (Part II)

Enjoy the Fiestas in Spain

Spain is regarded by many as one of the most exciting countries in the world to spend time in and rightly so. If you have always been restricted to beach holidays in English speaking resorts then being able to speak the language could help you discover the other side of the country. For a start, there are magnificent fiestas and festivals all over the place. Whether you want to see people get chased by bulls, giant statues which get set on fire or everyone throwing tomatoes at each other you will find it here. Once they learn Spanish Birmingham party lovers can forget their worries for a while in some of these fiestas, where foreigners are warmly welcomed.

Discuss the Wines in France

I don’t know why, but I have always wanted to go to a small French vineyard and speak to the owner about grape varieties and harvesting times in his own language. I don’t even like grape juice but there seems something delightfully urbane and sophisticated about doing this. Of course, I would have to sip a few glasses of the stuff while we converse about it. Who knows, I might even get to like it and end up becoming an expert in wines. After their French lessons London wine lovers could take their passion to a new level by heading off and checking out some of the best vineyards in the world.