Spanish language holiday, northern Spain

bopbuddy

Hola,
I'm thinking about heading to northern Spain (or anywhere in Spain but I have a feeling the north is for me!) on a Spanish language Holidy. Anybody got any tips or suggestions for this. I am quiet active and would love to tie it in with some walking/hiking/trekking as well. I've just started learning so my current level would be just beyond beginner.
Gracias!

dardhal

Northern Spain comprises so diverse and (to some extent) so different regions as Galicia on the west, to Cataluña on the east. All the way you have very nice mountain ranges with huge amounts of trekking and biking areas within easy reach. Closer to the coast, weather can be similar to the weather in Ireland, but it doesn't rain SO much, you can see the occasional sunlight, and summers can be a bit hot in certain regions. Food is nice and life can be affordable in some places, but not in others.

As your intention is to learn Spanish, you may have to void some areas. Galicia, Cataluña and País Vasco (Basque Country) all have their own languages, that coexist with Spanish, but you may have difficulties getting to speak Spanish at some places. People won't refuse to talk to you in Spanish, specially you being foreigner, but in some places Spanish may not be the normal language in use by people.

Asturias and Cantabria, in between Galicia and Basque Country, may have an slight accent (heavier in the inland), but they don't have languages on their own (but take into account languages can spill over administrative boundaries), are hugely beautiful places to live, food is nice, you have the Picos de Europa close by, and people is warm and welcoming.

In between Basque Country and Cataluña there is Aragón, to the south of the Pirineos mountain range. Most of what was said in the paragraph above still applies, although the region being so large (to the south), I would stay to the north, close to the mountains, and avoid the south, which is of more extreme weather and not so beautiful. Although in some places the spanish accent of people in Aragón in funny, but sometimes difficult to get.

Cost of living is very high in the Basque Country coast line, in some places in Cantabria, in holiday towns close to the Pirineos, and more affordable elsewhere. Check for flight availability, as you may be lucky to have direct flights to Ireland in the vicinity.

two wheels good

dardhal wrote: »

As your intention is to learn Spanish, you may have to avoid some areas. Galicia, Cataluña and País Vasco (Basque Country) all have their own languages, that coexist with Spanish, but you may have difficulties getting to speak Spanish at some places. People won't refuse to talk to you in Spanish, specially you being foreigner, but in some places Spanish may not be the normal language in use by people.

Good point. And the Madrilenos speak too fast!

There are some agencies\schools that book courses abroad for customers. I'd recommend checking prices directly with the school.

You'll be tempted to book accommodation with a family to maximise language practice. In my case I was glad that I had to change to a room in a house shared with other students.

If you want to incorporate some hiking then a city centre location won't be ideal for those free half days. I did a course at other end of the country some years ago. If you reconsider your preference for northern Spain PM me for more info .

bopbuddy

Thanks for the replies folks, lots of food for thought!
If anyone has any specific recommendations for schools that could combine a bit of walking/trekking that would be brilliant... adios!