Learning German in Germany, Spanish in Spain, or Italian in Italy might be the best but it may also burn a good mark in your bank account. There are other options though if you want to learn some languages and do not have to budget stay for a month or so inside the formal classrooms.

You can go to these destinations and discover rich cultures, warm people, and some new words and phrases:

Kyrgyzstan

Not a lot of people have heard of Kyrgyzstan but those who have read about it or been there can be witness to the country’s beautiful culture and people. Getting there can also save you a lot of money if you want to learn Russian instead of studying the language in Russia.

Now you might ask why will you want to go to Kyrgyztan? Russian is among the official tongues of Kyrgyzstan and a big chunk of its population including the business community speaks the language. You will notice though that most of the people here will not have the full knowledge of the Russian language until they enter formal school. Learning Russian here will mean having to deal with easier entry requirements compared to its neighboring countries. The cost of living is also cheaper plus it is easier to go around Kyrgyzstan.

Going to the country will give you a chance to learn Russian one on one with a local. It will be a language immersion program. The hourly rate may range from %4 to $6 at the least in Bishkek which is its capital. You can get a student accommodation for about $400 a month. For three months, after doing some math, you will end up needing just around $2000 plus your daily expenses and meals.
Senegal

Senegal in West Africa is your next best option to Paris if you want to learn French. A number of countries in Africa speak the language because they were for some time occupied by the French. You will not have the Parisian cafes, and indeed Senegal will be more on the adventurous side, but learning French plus all the other valuable experiences you will have are worth it.

French is the official language of the country so immersion into the new language will not be an issue. Senegal is also in the northern portion of West Africa so you do not have to worry about war torn communities which mostly are in the south. It will be a lot more budget friendly also to go to Senegal than go somewhere in France.

Private lessons to learn French will cost you around $4 per hour. A private accomodation will range from $400 to $500 a month.

 

Guatemala

Learning Spanish for a fraction of the cost is one of the good reasons why you want to go to Guatemala. Barcelona is great but you will have a hole in your pocket after learning a few Spanish phrases if you go there. Backpackers love Guatemala and the place literally has a ton of schools which offer a week’s course or a stay for as long as you want learn Spanish course.

Going to Guatemala to learn Spanish is also way cheaper than going to Mexico. You will also learn by the book Spanish since most of the folks will learn the language once they enter school. You will learn the basics of Spanish and begin using it while immersed with the country’s beautiful culture.

The language program will cost you about $4 per hour for a one on one deal outside the Antigua and Guatemala City. You can get a place for as low as $20 per week.

Brazil

If you want to learn a language, going to Europe should not be your number one option. If you are on a budget, Brazil is a good alternative to Portugal in learning Portuguese. Aside from learning the language, Brazil can offer you beaches, wildlife, party, and Carnival!

Brazil has a large population with its major cities along its coasts. If you want to learn the language and save some money, you may want to stay out of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro while learning Portuguese. Other activities you can try will be exploring the Amazon and visit the Iguazu Falls.

Go to Teresopol is and you can get a good $9 an hour private Portuguese lesson. A simple accomodation can go for as low as $200 a month.

 

Tips when learning a new language

In case you will be going to one of the above places, we want to send you out with some practical tips in learning the new language:

Avoid places where there are a lot of tourists

The point of your learning a language getaway is immersion to a new culture and new words, phrases, expressions. Instead of the overpriced tourist traps, go to the local restaurants and use the food words you have learned. Compliment the locals, exchange jokes with them, be friend them and you will see that these conversations are a lot better than going through language books page per page.

Let your tummy talk

One good word to learn is "delicious" and try to go for other words like beef, pork, water, vegetable, and work your way to the rest of the items on the menu.

Visit the market and get some fresh fruits. Try to ask the vendors to go slow with their names.

Create your own phrase book

Instead of following the phrase book you bought, make your own! You will master the sound, the spelling, the right syntax faster. The locals will also be a lot eager to help you with the phrases.

Word trade

Some of the locals that you will encounter will also be very curious with your language be it English or anything else. Be patient and learn a ton of words from them and in return you teach them some English. Share your stories, here their stories. Try to make your new friend laugh. Smiles and laughters will somehow break the barrier between your different cultures and open new doors to learning the new language.

Shopping

Learning how numbers work for a certain language will be a lot of help when you are on the road. There is no better way to learn them than when you go shopping. Ask for prices, bargain, try to negotiate and you will be mastering the numbers a lot quicker.

Learn from kids, be a kid

Experts say that kids absorb new words like a sponge. Another good idea is to hang out with some kids. They will find it funny when you make mistakes and they will correct. Kids will not hesitate to correct how you use words and how you pronounce them.

 

Customers in Singapore, the United States, and some countries in the Asia Pacific will now be able to pay for their tickets on Singaporeair.com using their Paypal accounts. This mode of payment will eventually be available for seventeen countries which will be the biggest partnership between Paypal and an Asian airliner to date.

Travellers can book their flights on the internet and check out using their own Paypal account which saves them time and somehow increases their online safety since they do not need to input their credit card numbers and other financial info.

Singapore Airlines will be running a promo throughout the year to celebrate the collaboration with Paypal. Lucky customers might be picked for a full refund of the cost of their flight of as much as $2,000. This promo will run from 7 March to 6 April this year.

Aside from their Paypal balance, customers will also be able to use their credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts linked to their Paypal account to pay for their flights.

Paypal is the leading online payment platform serving more than 94 million account holders in 24 currencies and almost 200 market areas.

 

 

Grand Solmar Land recently opened the End Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas which is another haven for those craving to have a blast during their spring break.

The new resort is designated as a luxury accommodation following the lines of the Mexican décor of the Old Wordl using stone and wrought iron accents and wood furniture.

The suites at the End Resort comes with a kitchen, flat screen television, and balaconies. They also have a spa, three bars with all drinks that you can wish for, and a spa where you can have those aching backs treated. Aside from these features, they also have a private beach and a really nice infinity pool. In case you want to explore the waters, they also have their own fleet of boats.

The first phase of the launch cuts the ribbons for the 119 suites while the next phase to complete the 289 suites is scheduled to welcome guests by 2013.

If you want to hang out and party MTV style during the spring break, book a room kicking off at $331 per night.

 

 

Vivanta continues to expand as Taj Hotels designate 16 of their hotels in India under their flagship brand. Vivanta was established twenty months ago with initial operations of hotels in Maldives, Goa, and Bangalore to fine tune its services.

Vivanta is being marketed as an upper scale hotel brand while the Taj Hotels remains to be its luxury brand. Taj also manages Gateway, another upscale hotel brand launched in 2009.

The new hotels under the Vivanta brand upgrades its offering to 2,500 rooms. The goal of the company is to expand the brand to have over 30 hotels and over 5,000 rooms by 2012.

Some of the properties now under the Vivanta hotels are the Taj located in Connemara and the President catering to travelers in Mumbai. Two other properties located in Goa will also be moved under the Vivanta brand.

 

Warmer weather, blooming flowers, and all other reasons for a quick weekend getaway come to us this spring. If you are in the mood for some sand, sun, water, or some dose of hiking on the slopes, then check out our list of some quick spring escapes that you can try.

Sailing in Antigua or in Barbuda

Deciding to head to Antigua or the smaller nearby island of Barbuda means you also have the inkling to go on sailing. April is actually a great time to be in Antigua as the Classic Yacht Regatta also kicks off by mid-month and the Antigua Sailing Week on the last week of the month. These are among the biggest events in the Caribbean and in the world of regattas.

The trade winds and the picture perfect harbor magnets every yachter, sailor, and water lovers to this corner of the world. Even on land, there are quite a number of attractions that you should not miss. Aside from the white sands, you have to see some of the historical sites of Antigua. About 30 miles away is the untouched Barbuda and the pure Caribbean life it offers.

 

Cultural offerings in Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville in the region of Smoky Mountains in North Carolina has been bleeping constantly on travelers' radars for its art scene, cultural offerings, and of course the great mountain views. Those who are into architecture will surely appreciate the Art Deco buildings and a French castle inspired Bitmore Estate.
You can scoop some fine crafts and art pieces as souvenirs or as additions to your collections back home. A trip to the mountain preserves will also be a blast for nature lovers. Do not forget to bring your cam to click on the very colorful blooming wild flowers.

Enjoying the music and the bats in Austin, Texas

Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World and it boasts of around 200 venues where you can tap your feet following the different beats. Texas also has a ton of art galleries and museums that you can visit. Austin is really a haven for musicians and artisans who live and work there. If you want to fill in that artsy in you, then a quick trip to Austin will give you endless possibilities.
The temperature of low 80s is just perfect for a spring getaway. Austin is also famous for bat watching. Check out millions of these night creatures hanging by and flying by the Congress Avenue Bridge known to be the biggest colony of bats in urban North America.

 

Enjoy genuine southern life in Charleston, South Carolina

If you want to experience the genuine laidback southern life there are only a few places that can equal what Charleston, South Carolina can offer. You will love everything from its historic landmarks, charming inns, and gracious homes. Everything seems to be picturesque.

The spring weather is perfect to enjoy a walking tour of the city. Another great option is to ride a carriage to go around Charleston. Life in this city is a bit slower and you might also notice that the people you will encounter are nicer than what you maybe used to. Combine the hospitality with the colorful blooms, great restaurants, shopping, golf, and beach and you will have a perfect spring weekend. You will wish that it could be a longer weekend.

 

Discovering Death Valley, California

Launching a rocket to Mars or rushing to the Sahara will never be an ideal spring getaway for us. You will have practically the same experience when you spend a few days exploring the mountains, the salt pans, and the wide open spaces of Death Valley.

The name might not really be that appealing, but Death Valley is a national park that comes to life when the spring flowers bloom in mid-April. The spring temperature is perfect compared to the hellish temperatures of summer and below freezing offerings of winter. There is 3.3 million acres of land to discover. You can go surfing on the sand dune, visit a castle, or relax in an inn. You can also hike to the lowest point of North America which is about 300 feet below the sea level.

 

Feel the rhythms in New Orleans, Louisiana

The streets of New Orleans come to life in full rhythm when spring comes. There is no better way to get to know the city by attending the Jazz Fest which usually happens on the last week of April. Everything is just so colorful, chaotic, and full of life.

The Jazz Fest puts spotlight on different talents from all over the world who perform in the different local stages. Don't miss the art scene in New Orleans and of course the great food. This 2011, expect the big names like Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Simon and Garfunkel, and Pearl Jam to grace the annual Jazz Fest.

 

Tropical breeze at Playa del Carmen in Mexico

Life in Playa del Carmen is on the opposite side of the wheel compared to its neighbor in the north, Cancun. Along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Playa del Carmen might not boasts of parties until the wee hours of the morning but the beaches, Mayan ruins, and eco parks are equally great.

You can go on a day trip to visit the monuments at the Chiche Itza. Welcome spring with the equinox festival just when the sun casts a serpent like shadow on the main pyramid of the ancient landmark.

 

Postcard perfect holiday in Santa Catalina Island in California

The Santa Catalina Island is just about 22 miles from the coast of Long Beach and a perfect place to go to if you want to enjoy a year round of warm Mediterranean climate.
Avalon provides a perfect backdrop for anyone who loves to capture a perfect view with their cameras. It is the only city in this 75 square mile island where you travel most of the time in a golf cart to go around. Check out the mermaid on the art deco inspired dance hall built back in the 1920s then grab your scuba gear to enjoy the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean.

 

A different experience in

"The City Different". That is the moniker of Santa Fe and truly it lives up to it. The dessert landscape is just surreal combined with the adobe architectures and the art market which is considered to be one of the biggest in the United States.
Most travelers flock to Santa Fe during the summer but spring is also a great time to check out the place when prices are a lot lower and when the yucca flowers make everyone feel welcome. There is a ton to do in Santa Fe: trying the local cuisines; shop for jewelry, potter, paintings and sculpture; or walk down the Canyon Road.

 

Still catch some snow in Whistler, British Columbia

If you still want to catch some snow instead of the sun and the sand, then head to Whistler in British Columbia. Whistler has one of the longest ski season in North America. You can enjoy sliding down the slope of this 7,000-acre terrain with 200 trails and twelve alpine bolws until around June.

The village also has great nightlife, restaurants, shops, and events to keep those who are not really into skiing happy and busy.

 

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