What is Thanksgiving and where is the best place to celebrate it?

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If you live in the US, or are lucky enough to be in the US over this All-American holiday, make sure you save your appetite because this day is all about food.

The origin of Thanksgiving brings us back to 1621 when the settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, sat down with the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans and shared a feast in order to celebrate their autumn harvest. The two groups gathered to celebrate the bounty of their crops and so it follows that when the modern American family sits down for a Thanksgiving meal they keep the tradition of giving Thanks. Thanksgiving is a holiday for all families, regardless of religion, color and creed.

Thanksgiving became an official national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President, thought it would bring the nation closer together amidst the Civil War. In 1941 President Roosevelt decided that the holiday should be on a Thursday in November and ever since then it has been the sign that the Holiday Season has begun. Most businesses and all schools are closed for Thanksgiving and the following day. Black Friday, as the day after Thanksgiving has been coined, is the busiest shopping day of the whole year in the United States.

There are specific food traditions for the Thanksgiving Day dinner which does not really replicate the original Thanksgiving Day meal in 1621. In 1621 the Plymouth settlers did make fowl, but no one really knows if it was specifically turkey. In modern day America, hands down there will be turkey on nearly every family’s dinner table. Sides will most likely be mashed potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie to follow.

If you are lucky enough to be in the U.S. during Thanksgiving, try to get invited for a home cooked dinner. But if you can’t, being in New York will rival anywhere in the States, as there is a massive parade down 5th Avenue that includes major celebrities, marching bands and giant floats. Restaurants will still be open and they will even offer their own version of a Thanksgiving Day dinner. Tuck in!

Cactus offers English courses in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Honolulu.

Cactus also offers TEFL / TESOL courses in the US, and part-time evening languages courses in cities across the US.

Jungle fever: 5 lush destinations to learn Spanish

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The choice of destinations when it comes to choosing a language course is impressive. Beach, city, town, mountain, island, historical ruins – they’re all there. But it doesn’t get much more adventurous than packing your mosquito net and heading into deepest darkest jungle. Well, ok, you don’t have to be Indiana Jones, but when it comes to taking a language course a jungle location makes for an impressive postcard home.

So grab the Deet, pack your sunblock, wrap your dictionary in a waterproof and look no further…

1. Leticia, Colombia

Located in the far south of Colombia, at the point where Colombia, Peru and Brazil meet, Leticia is a hot and humid frontier town on the legendary Amazon River. Hidden in the rainforest, life here is peaceful and safe, yet fully geared to support those who arrive by flight or boat to explore the incredible flora and fauna of this precious part of the world. There aren’t many people who can say they learnt Spanish on the banks of the Amazon, but become one of them and you’ll be sure of a once-in-the-lifetime Amazonian adventure.

Spanish courses in Leticia

2. Boquete, Panama

The lush valley of Boquete is justifiably considered to be Panama’s eco-tourism capital. Located in the country’s western highlands, Boquete is found at 1,200m above sea level, nestled among the mountains and surrounded by pristine cloud forest. As such it enjoys an enviably sunny yet cool mountain climate, and is home to superb natural landscape that lends itself perfectly to a host of adventure activities. Try your hand at white water rafting, take a canopy tour, spot some exotic birds – including the famous quetzal – or immerse yourself in a hot spring…it is rare to have the chance to be at one with nature whilst indulging in your favourite activities, but in Boquete you have the best of both worlds.

Spanish courses in Boquete

3. Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde – literally ‘green mountain’ – is a nature lover’s paradise set in Costa Rica’s central highlands. The reserve is alive with countless species of wildlife and vegetation, and organic farming and eco-tourism are prevalent. Founded by Quakers in 1951, the town is spread out along the cloud forest and has grown from a small settlement into a popular tourist destination: in an effort to keep this precious environment as it is, sustainable ecotourism and alternative energy are important issues here. Come to study Spanish in Monteverde and your classes will take place in a fully-equipped school surrounded by pine trees and with stunning views of the cloud forest and the Gulf of Nicoya.

Spanish courses in Monteverde

4. Cusco, Peru

Although not in the jungle itself, Cusco is a much-loved city and gateway to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu which sits at 2,450m above sea level, high in the Andes mountains above the Sacred Valley. Surrounded by untouched forest and with breathtaking views, we feel it is deserving of inclusion in our list of top jungle locations; indeed, for many people, Machu Picchu is a highlight of any trip to South America. Spend some time learning Spanish in Cusco before embarking on the Inca Trail and you will have a chance to soak up the history and awe of this magnificent place. A truly memorable place to learn the language.

Spanish courses in Cusco

5. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest but most popular National Parks in Costa Rica. It’s worth the 4-hour bus ride from busy, bustling San Jose to stand barefoot in the soft white sand, breathe in the warm Pacific air and explore the dense rainforest. The park’s 1,700 acres of land mass and 136,000 acres of marine reserve are a natural habitat to species including the white-faced capuchin monkey, two-toed sloth, black-collared hawk and white-nosed coati – perfect subjects to explore after your Spanish class, which may well take place in view of the ocean. And all this in the name of education…holidays don’t get much better than this.

Spanish courses in Manuel Antonio

Cactus staff have visited all of the above locations so feel free to quiz us if you have any questions!



Cactus offers Spanish immersion courses in 20 countries worldwide, including Spanish evening courses in the UK and in the US & Canada.

Working the English way – a comparison between the English and German workplace

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This article is actually very interesting for me in particular as I study International Business Communications back home in Munich. At university we were encouraged to go into our internship abroad with a critical approach. So I am very pleased to be given the possibility to share my thoughts.

“Du” and “Sie”

The first thing I noticed, and of course already knew before having arrived in Brighton, is that the English don’t distinguish between “Du” and “Sie” as the Germans do. Here, there is only “you”. On the one hand I really like that, because it sets you on the same level no matter what qualification you have. It also helps you to build up a professional relationship with your colleagues a lot easier because it isn’t as difficult to address them. On the other hand it doesn’t really create the sometimes needed respect when having discussions with your colleague or even boss. In Germany, the rule is that the senior colleague has to offer the “Du” to the younger one. The younger one is given the “permission” to name the senior colleague by his first name. It usually doesn’t take a long time until you will be “per du” with the colleagues you mostly work with. However, to be allowed to call your boss by the first name is very unlikely unless you really earn his trust and know him for quite a long time.

In my opinion, this separation between “Du” and “Sie” contributes to the stereotype that Germans are very serious people. I have to admit that the more I think about it the more I actually agree with this stereotype when comparing Germans with the English. But, if you plan to spend a language holiday in Germany don’t worry, the Germans know how to laugh and have fun too!

Working Environment

I can only compare working for Cactus with working for a big American company selling technical machinery that has a subsidiary near Munich. But what I realised is that the atmosphere at Cactus is much more relaxed – despite the fact that there are about 25 people working in one busy room. Everyone gets along together really well and we laugh and joke a lot. I couldn’t imagine that back home in Germany. But in fact, if you look at the aspect of communication this is quite good because you don’t have to knock on a door or even call someone if you want to talk to him/her. You can just hop over and have a quick word with your colleague. All in all, the information flows a lot faster.

Even our boss is sitting in the same office as we are, which means that you can always have a word with him if you have something on your mind. If you wanted to have a word with the boss at the company I was working for back home in Germany you had to make an appointment first.

Of course the size of the company plays a crucial role when it comes to the layout of the offices and how many people are working in one office. And I guess it is difficult to compare an online based company selling language courses with a company selling a completely different brand.

Attitude to Work

Another thing I noticed is the attitude to work in general. I noticed that my colleagues have fun when working. You hear someone singing from time to time and I haven’t witnessed a serious argument during the 11 weeks I have been here! Another thing that is important here is that you motivate your staff – it’s for this reason that we have a champagne Friday every last Friday of the month. We work until 5pm and after that we all gather in a big room. Our boss gives us reasons to celebrate, which are mostly achievements by the staff themselves. After that we have champagne and go to the pub as a group.

All in all, these factors make Cactus a really enjoyable place to work and once I am back in Germany I will certainly miss the atmosphere in the Brighton based Cactus Worldwide office.

Top 10 foodie destinations in Europe: how to learn a language and woo your stomach

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Cactus is delighted to see that we offer language and/or TEFL courses in ALL 10 cities that made it to the top 10 so, whichever language you want to learn (you’re on a winner with Italian), here’s the pick of places where your linguistic skills will be honed and your taste buds truly wooed. 

1. Florence, Italy image

The first of an impressive five Italian cities to make it into the top 10, the Tuscan city of Florence needs little introduction. An Aladdin’s cave of basilicas, frescoes and piazzas, known the world over for its fine art and architecture, it seems that anyone coming to soak up Florence’s wonders will be treated to a fine feast at the end of a hard day’s sightseeing. Hardly surprising when you consider the abundance of local produce – including pecorino cheese, olive oil and wild game – and world-class wines produced in the surrounding Tuscan hills, Chianti and Montepulciano to name a few. You can even combine your love of food with your language learning by taking an Italian & Cooking course here – the ultimate way to immerse yourself in real Florentine life!

Italian courses in Florence

2. Paris, France image

Inherently proud of their cuisine, there is perhaps no better place to experience the finest of French food than in its capital, Paris. A place of lavish restaurants and Michelin stars, it is easy to splash your cash in gourmet heaven and let an impossibly knowledgeable sommelier talk you into that vintage Burgundy. A treat once in a while, perhaps, but not for the average tourist. Instead, head off down a side-street, surround yourself with the clatter and chatter of a busy bistro, and you’re more than likely to be wowed by ‘simple’ local fayre of steak-frites, veal, moules marinieres, (mussels), bouillabaisse (a Mediterranean-style fish stew), foie gras, charcuterie, salade nicoise and more. With an ample supply of fresh baguette and a carafe of wine on the side, this is dining as the locals do. NB. Cost-conscious diners should consider having their main meal at lunchtime, when you can take advantage of the ‘prix fixe’ menu.

French courses in Paris

3. Rome, Italy image

Steeped in history and compact enough to be able to get around easily, Rome is a great place to learn Italian. And when it comes to eating you won’t be disappointed either. With culinary traditions harking back to the past, you can expect to eat basic yet hearty food while staying in the capital: fresh vegetables (artichoke being the most popular), inexpensive cuts of meat (particularly the innards), salted cod (filetti di baccala), deep-fried courgette flowers (fiori di zucca) and pecorino cheese are common menu items, while ricotta cake may grace your plate for dessert.  Just as well you can walk around easily to work some of it off…

Italian courses in Rome

4. Sorrento, Italy image

Sitting on the coast in Italy’s beautiful Campania region, Sorrento is a place for fish and seafood lovers. With fresh produce plucked from the sea by day and cooked to perfection at your evening meal, it barely matters what you order as you can be sure it will exceed expectations. Even if you order a typical staple such as pasta or pizza, it will be lovingly cooked with locally-produced olive oil, sun-ripened tomatoes and silky mozzarella. And to wash it all down? Why, limonello of course. What else are they going to do with all those lemons? It would be rude not to…

Italian courses in Sorrento

5. York, UK image

An unexpected location on this top 10 list, perhaps, yet there’s a lot more to this northern English city than intially meets the eye – or stomach. Set in the North Yorkshire countryside, York is home to some of the best food and drink providers in the UK – from local farm produce to artisan cheeses, delicatessens and quality butchers. Even going for a simple walk – the Moors and Dales offering superb natural scenery for lovers of the great outdoors – you will be treated to cosy tea rooms and traditional pubs serving wonderfully fresh, home-made produce and local beers. In celebration of its food and drink, York plays host to a string of food-related festivals, including the annual York Food Festival and the Dales Festival of Food; if you’re coming to take a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, you won’t regret coinciding it with one of these highlights and socialising with the locals who are undeniably proud of their culinary heritage. Cactus offers TEFL courses in York; our closest location for English language courses is Leeds.

TEFL courses in York

6. Siena, Italy image

The little sister to Florence, Siena is an excellent option if you want to enjoy Tuscany on a smaller scale. It is by no means less generous on the food front however. Sienese cuisine is characterised by cereals, pulses, herbs, game and pork, making meats such as wild boar, hare and roast pork popular menu inclusions here. Vegetarians might enjoy specialities such as ribollita (Tuscan vegetable and bread soup, prepared over three days), pici  (thick, chewy spaghetti) and pasta with chickpeas, while there are no barriers to indulging in Siena’s classic sweets of panforte (a cake typically eaten at Christmas) and ricciarelli, crunchy oval-shaped almond biscuits. Then you need simply order a carafe of wine to complete the meal, which will more often than not be a local Chianti far superior to something twice the price back home. 

Italian courses in Siena

7. Bologna, Italy image

“La dotta, la gorda, la rossa”, as it is affectionately known, is testament to Bologna’s credentials as a centre of learning, eating and architecture. La gorda, or ‘the fat one’, refers to its notoriously delicious food which has made it, for many, Italy’s gastronomic capital. In short, it’s impossible to eat badly here. Tagliatelle al ragù (spaghetti bolognese in its original, superior form), lasagna, tortellini, trippa bolognese (tripe served with eggs and cheese) and filetto alla bolognese (calf meat marinated in Marsala wine) are all popular local dishes. You should also add ‘buonissima’ to your Italian vocabulary, particularly for use outside the classroom…as well as meaning ‘very tasty’, an expression that will come in very handy, this is the name of a typical regional cake that’s well worth tasting.

Italian courses in Bologna

8. San Sebastian, Spain image

It could be called fanatical, the Basque relationship with food. Not that they necessarily spend hours over it or charge you a fortune for it – ok, so it may have more Michelin stars per head than anywhere else in the world, but what it really comes down to here is exquisite detail to food in everyday life. Nowhere is this more apparent than in San Sebastian, the capital of Gipuzkoa in the Basque country – and incidentally home to a superb natural bay, making it a fantastic beach resort. In San Sebastian, every other door seems to open into a tapas bar. And each one of these bars seems to creak under the weight of a delectable display of freshly-made tapas, called ‘pinchos’, ranging from quails’ eggs, chorizo, croquettes, anchovies, stuffed peppers, acorn-oil-infused ham and more ham to all manner of seafood to reflect its enviable maritime location: tiger mussels (mejillones tigres), barnacles, salt cod, spider crab and sardines, to name but a few. Just tally it all up and let the barman know how much you’ve had – you won’t want to underestimate as it’s all worth every single cent. ¡Buen provecho!

Spanish courses in San Sebastian

Read about famed gastronomy convention ‘Gastronomika’ in San Sebastian

9. Barcelona, Spain image

People go to Barcelona for many reasons and, if food is yours, then you’ve chosen well. Ninth on the list of Europe’s food heavens, Barcelona offers an enormous number of bars, bistros and restaurants serving typical Catalan specialities such as fideua (similar to paella except with noodles instead of rice) and zarzeula (seafood stew) as well as science-defying dishes inspired by famed local and highly experimental chef Ferran Adrià. If you want a break from eating out, then grab your basket and head for one of the city’s colourful markets (La Boqueria and Sant Antoni are both excellent) to create your very own picnic – an excellent way to practise your Spanish and sample exciting new foods!

Spanish courses in Barcelona

10. Edinburgh, UK image

Being one of Europe’s top tourist destinations, Edinburgh pulls out the stops when it comes to food. Fully aware that it needs to caters to all tastes, you can happily stay here a while and eat Indian, French, Thai, Japanese or Mexican food each night of the week. You can’t come all this way, however, and not indulge in the local specialities, so intrinsic are they to the Scottish way of life. So take your pick from traditional Scottish fayre in the form of haggis (a savoury pudding cooked in a casing of sheep’s intestine – they say not to be put off by the description), deep-fried Mars bars (yes, they really do this), stovies (a potato-based dish), fresh salmon from its very own lochs or real Scottish porridge to start the day…and then you’ll truly be spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking establishments at the end of the day.

English courses in Edinburgh

Cactus offers language courses in more than 30 languages, in 60 countries and 500 destinations worldwide. We also run our own language courses in the UK and in the US/Canada, which are the ideal way to learn the basics or brush up on previous language knowledge in advance of a holiday or business trip abroad.

Top 10 things to do in and around Seattle

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Firstly, Pike Place Market is a definite must for visitors. The Market is located amongst a protected historic district, initially created to allow growers of produce to sell directly to consumers without a middleman. It is open 7 days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year´s Day. The Market opens at 8am and is filled with many shops, restaurants, live performances, cooking demonstrations, as well as fish throwing at the fishmonger´s, who may even give you a chance to catch one yourself!

The most famous building in downtown Seattle is the Space Needle. Head like the Jetsons to the observation deck and check out the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.

If you´re not in the mood to ramble around outside in the rain, then head to the Seattle Art Museum Downtown, where there is a large collection of Native American and African art. Seattle also has an Aquarium, holding creatures that live in the water near where Seattle sits.

If you have been enjoying Seattle´s downtown waterfront, don´t forget to hop on the Bainbridge Island Ferry. In a 35 minute ride you´ll get an extraordinary view of Seattle and all that encompasses this majestic city. From the skyline, to Mount Rainer National Park, to the Olympic Mountains, it is certainly a site not to be missed.

If you´re the outdoor type, than Seattle´s surrounding area is perfect for you. There are hiking trails begging to be explored all along Mount Rainer National Park.

There´s plenty to do even if you´ve got young kids with you, too. The Children´s Museum has a mountain forest, a dress-up area and even a travelling show. This museum is good for kids that are in their toddler years.

Seattle is a city known for music, as the 90s grunge movement put Seattle on the music map. Older kids and adults will no doubt enjoy the Experience Music Project which takes you through the history of music, including costumes worn by famous musicians, as well as holding musical instruments from various famous acts.

If you´re looking for an educational stop on your tour of Seattle, then head to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall. Here you can participate in interactive exhibitions.

Lastly, look out for the underground tour. This will take you to Pioneer Square, which is actually the oldest neighborhood in Seattle. Over two dozen blocks of Pioneer Square is underground, which was once the storefronts and first floors of the buidlings of Seattle. They are now passageways literally beneath the city. This part of Seattle was once destroyed by a fire in 1889, which resulted in the re-build of the area, above ground. It had been decided that the newly restored area would be safer if it was built on raised streets, as the original earth was soggy in Seattle.

More about English courses in Seattle

3rd October: Day of German Unity

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The 3rd October is a public holiday in Germany, and each year the reunification, when the Federal Republic of Germany and the Democratic Republic of Germany united to create one single, federal Germany, is remembered throughout the country.

Each year one city is chosen to host the national celebrations, which usually include a ceremonial commemoration and a citizens’ festival (Bürgerfest). Last year this was Bremen, the year before Saarbrucken, and in 2011 it’s the former West German capital, Bonn which will stage the celebrations.

How will you be celebrating German Unity Day this year?

Celebrating All Saint’s Day in France

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It is the day when all the Saints recognised by the Roman Catholic church are honoured. The following day is Le Jour des Morts (All Soul’s Day), when people pray for the souls of the departed. Both days are national holidays and children have a two-week holiday from school at this time of the year.

The origins of All Saint’s Day go back to the 5th Century AD, when the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain was celebrated at the beginning of November. Samhain marked the start of the dark half of the year and was the time of feasting and drinking when it was possible for the living to communicate with the dead. This festival was adopted by the Christian church and transformed by Pope Boniface IV into a day dedicated to the mother of God and all the saints who had been martyred. It was originally celebrated on 13th May, but around 830 AD Pope Gregory IV moved it to November and rededicated it to all saints.

Today, La Toussaint is marked by the lighting of numerous candles in cemeteries and the decorating of graves with chrysanthemums, the flowers associated with death. Stone lanterns of the dead, which are lit during the festival, can also be found in many cemeteries, especially in the Massif Central region in central France, and in Brittany. Family reunions are held to honour the dead, church bells are rung, and churches are decorated with chrysanthemums, candles and banners.

On the eve of Le Jour des Morts churches are draped in black, funeral songs are sung and prayers for the dead are recited. People visit cemeteries to pray at their family graves, then have parties involving singing and telling stories about the dead. At midnight they eat a special supper for the dead which traditionally includes milk, black grain, bacon, pancakes and cider.

The most famous cemetery in France is the Père-Lachaise in Paris and is well worth a visit during La Toussaint, or at other times. Established by Napoleon I in 1804 and located in Paris’ 20th arrondissement, the Père-Lachaise is one of the most visited cemeteries in the world, and the final resting place of many famous people, including Honoré de Balzac, the French novelist; the Polish composer, Frédéric Chopin; Jim Morrison, the American singer with the Doors; and Oscar Wilde, the Irish writer.

Cactus offers French courses at its Père-Lachaise school in Paris, in other schools across Paris and in a total of 19 locations across France.

As one of the world’s leading language training companies, Cactus provides language courses in more than 30 languages, in over 60 countries and in some 500 destinations worldwide.

10 facts about Tours

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Here are ten facts about Tours that will hopefully inspire you to take a visit:

1. Tours is the largest city in the Centre region of France, although it is not the regional capital, which is the second-largest city – Orléans.

2. It is known as the “Garden of France (“Le Jardin de la France”) because of the many parks located within the city, and is also famous for its Vouvray wine and chateaux.

3. In 1870 and 1940, the French government was based in Tours.

4. The inhabitants of Tours (Les Tourangeaux) are renowned for speaking the “purest” form of French in the whole country. It is said that the French spoken here has the most standard pronunciation – there is no real accent.

5. In the garden of the ancient Palais des Archevêques (now Musée des Beaux-Arts), there is a large cedar tree that was planted by Napoleon Boneparte.

6. Tours is famous for its original medieval district, called le Vieux Tours. Its preserved half-timbered buildings are considered quite unique to the city.

7. One of the most famous historical figures assocaited with the city is Saint Martin, a bishop who, according to legend, shared his coat with a naked beggar in Amiens. This incident and the ensuing fame of Martin in medieval times made Tours, and its position on the route of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, a major centre during the Middle Ages.

8. The buildings of Tours are white with blue slate (called Ardoise) roofs; this style is common in the north of France.

9. The city was greatly affected by the First World War. It became a major base for American soldiers, and the American presence is remembered today by the Woodrow Wilson bridge over the Loire.

10. Tours is home to François Rabelais University, which hosts one of the most important international choral competitions that there is – Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition.

Cactus offers French courses in locations across France.

Vienna - the perfect winter destination

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When I visited Austria’s capital city, it was the height of summer, and not just that, it was in the midst of a summer-long heat-wave in central Europe. It was hot…very hot!

Whilst I really liked Vienna, with its gothic architecture, grandiose buildings, and, of course, the plethora of cafes selling the ‘Kaffee und Kuchen”, I couldn’t help feeling that the true character of this regal city could not fully be appreciated at this time of year – it’s just one of those cities that you immediately imagine at its fairytale best under a covering of snow!

December is therefore an ideal time to visit Vienna – the cafes offer a perfect, cosy shelter from the cold, the Christmas markets fill you with festive spirit, and the horse drawn carriages in the town centre add to the atmosphere even more with a wintery backdrop.

Every year in December, Vienna offers tourists a wealth of entertainment options, including:

• Regular performances at the Winter Riding School in the Hofburg. The Spanish Riding School is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses, and is also a centre for classical dressage.

• A temporary ice palace, ice rink, and ice climbing wall in the Museum Quarter, accompanied by a varied program of DJ sounds, readings and all sorts of activities.

• A traditional Christmas Market in City Hall with a giant 12-meter Advent wreath and 150 stalls offering Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks.

• The Christmas village on Maria-Theresien-Platz – during Advent more than 60 stands offer traditional, handcrafted wares and original gift ideas. Musical accompaniment is provided by brass bands and gospel choirs.

If your tastes are a little more decadent, and you can coincide your trip with New Year, you could even experience one of Vienna’s most famous attributes first-hand – the fantastic Imperial Ball (Kaiserball) at the Hofburg Palace. The Kaiserball is the traditional opener of the Vienna Ball season, when the historic changing of the guard takes place, performed by the Imperial Guard in the palace’s entrance hall. Cocktails are served whilst the Hofball Orchestra plays and guests are greeted by the likes of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Josef. Not a cheap event by any means, but certainly a New Year’s Eve that would set quite a precedent for years to come!

More about German courses in Vienna

German Christmas Markets – take a German course this December and enjoy some true Christmas cheer

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Yes, times are hard and trips abroad aren’t at the top of everyone’s agenda, but with so many last-minute, low-cost airline and train deals, there are certainly affordable options to be had.

With the climate ever-changing and seasons seemingly overlapping into each other, the chances of stereotypical ‘Christmas’ weather around the festive season in the UK is even less likely than usual.  Germany around this time really does indulge the pre-Christmas child in you, you may not be lucky enough to get any snowfall, but its cold enough to feel like it’s on the way.

The bugbear of every Brit is the emergence of festive decorations and even worse, ‘Here it is, Merry Christmas’ from roughly 31st August every year. Given that everyone seems to detest the outrageously premature, and usually extremely tacky, nature of this occurrence, why not allow yourself a bit of traditional Christmas cheer, at an appropriate time of year?

Contrary to what some people may think, visiting a German Christmas market is not about getting all your Christmas shopping done in one fell swoop. Whilst some of the traditional items sold would suit certain friends or family members, there isn’t a big enough range to be able to buy for everyone…

No, visiting a Christmas market is all about soaking up the festive atmosphere and feasting on the edible Christmas market products. Bratwurst, potatoes, warm soups and stews, toffee apples, crepes and gingerbread delights..the list is endless. Wrap up warm, take a stroll around the markets and then head to a dimly-lit Bierhalle…the perfect way to spend a winter’s day.

The atmosphere at these Christmas markets really cannot fail to give you a festive glow. Or perhaps that’s just the gluhwein!

If you have more time at your disposal, why not take the opportunity to escape the onslaught of crazy last-minute shopping in the UK and combine your trip to the Christmas markets with a week-long German course. Courses are available throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland, although the following cities have particularly impressive markets and would therefore make especially good destinations: Dresden, Munich, Heidelberg, Cologne, Freiburg, Berlin and Vienna.