Besides Spain’s Royal Spanish Academy, there are 21 other official Spanish academies around the world that promote and regulate the Spanish language, including the US’s misleadingly named North American Academy of Spanish (Academia Norteamericana de la lengua española, known by its initials ANLE).  

The Spanish Language in the US

The ANLE admits in its website that it should be called the “United States Academy of the Spanish Language”, then goes on to explain that it didn’t take that name when the academy was established in 1973 because the state of New York would not accept it, as it sounded too much like the name of a governmental institution. The website also includes articles that cover topics of interest such as whether or not Spanish should be considered a foreign language in the US.

From June 6 - 8, the ANLE will be holding its first conference in the organization’s 40 year history. Under the motto “unidad en la diversidad” (unity in diversity), the conference will be held at the Library of Congress in Washington DC , where participants will explore and discuss Spanish use in the United States and the presence of Hispanic cultures in American economics, politics, history, etc.  

The ANLE has made great efforts to standardize US Spanish. The academy’s latest book, entitled Hablando bien se entiende la gente, touches on common errors and alternatives to popular English loan words that are often false friends, such as the use of the word “aplicar” to refer to applying for a job. The ANLE also airs on Univision 41 (in New York, California and Washington DC) a program called “digalo bien” which uses everyday examples, accessible language and a bit of humor to offer short pieces of advice on Spanish language usage. Episodes are also available for view on Univision’s website.  

In a recent interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, the director of the academy expressed optimism when asked about the state of the Spanish language in the US, mentioning the 50 million speakers that live there, but going on to point out that the ANLE is more interested in the quality than the quantity of Spanish being used. He also described Spanish in the US as a language that is greatly influenced by English. When asked how Spanglish affected the academy’s mission of promoting quality Spanish use, he explained that while the ANLE pays attention to the phenomenon because it’s an interesting topic, they don’t “lose any sleep over it […] Spanglish will never become the language of the US”.

The ANLE is the youngest member of the Association of Spanish Language Academies. Member academies meet every four years. The Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language is the only other member not based in a country or region in which Spanish is the most spoken language. Although Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US, it is expected to become the country with the most Spanish speakers in the world by the year 2050.

  

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Spanish Language Rules

The Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española or RAE in Spanish) was created in Spain in 1713 to regulate the Spanish language. The academy’s existence today, still based in Spain, often seems to generate more questions than answers.  Should Spanish speakers outside of Spain adhere to the language rules dictated by the Spanish academy? How do academicians decide what words and grammar rules to accept? Why have only 8 women been elected to seats in its 300 year history?

The RAE’s dictionary (DRAE) currently includes over 88,000 entries of accepted words, and its members continue accepting, often outraging Spanish speakers around the world. The REA recently approved the word Cederrón as the accepted Spanish translation of CD Rom, a move that has received heavy criticism and lead many observers to wonder if the Spanish Academy’s royal members have run out of relevant matters to tend to. They also decided to guillotine the letters ch and ll from the Spanish alphabet and oust accent marks from certain words like solo and este. Other recent additions to the dictionary include friki, which refers to a strange or eccentric person, presumably from the English “freak”, peñazo meaning a person or thing that is boring or annoying, and pepero, a member of the PP (Spain’s main conservative party).

Although often criticized for being overly conservative, the RAE has made progressive changes to the definitions of certain words like matrimonio (marriage), which is now not only defined as a union between a man and a woman, but one that can also be between two people of the same sex. They’ve also updated their entry for the word memoria to not only include meanings related to human memory, but also electronic devices designed to store information. Tableta is now not only a “flat, rectangular piece of chocolate”, but also “a multi-beneficial, touch screen portable electronic device”. 

The DREA also allows a number of curious alternatives to common words. The royal preservers of proper Castilian have given the nod to Murciégalo instead of the more standard murciélago for bat, almóndiga instead of albóndiga to refer to meatballs, and toballa instead of toalla for towel. Perhaps more surprisingly is agora, an acceptable alternative to ahora to mean “now” and dotor instead of doctor.

Properly expressed onomatopoeia

Ox according to the DREA means “a sound to scare away chickens”. Za means a sound to scare off dogs "and other animals". These words, along with ño and lle are valuable to know during Spanish language Scrabble competition, but probably not during everyday conversation. The Fundéu BBVA’s style book, created in collaboration with the RAE, offers 95 onomatopoeias, which detail appropriate ways to describe sounds as specific as those made by the springs of a mattress (¡ñeeec, ñeeec!), silk being rubbed on silk (frufrú), wind (sss sss sss), and buzzing bees (zzzzzzzz [8 z's, one more or one less and I think it would technically be a spelling error]).

The DRAE and the The Fundéu BBVA’s style book are not the only reference resources for standardized Spanish. The Associated Press’ Spanish language style book considers language in the DRAE, but it also accepts a more liberal helping of English loan words, such as picop for pick-up truck.

Besides the Royal Spanish Academy, there are 21 other Spanish language academies around the world including the US’s Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española (although called North American, it is a US institution, Mexico has its own academy of language), and the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española. 

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Walking around the streets of many major cities in the world, you will be overcome by the skyscraping architecture, the roaring traffic and the bustling atmosphere of urban life. However, another prominent feature of many metropolises is that which lines many sparse areas of free concrete, ranging from scrawled signatures and political slogans to full scale murals and colorful cartoons.  

Without doubt, the practice of graffitying is not a universally welcomed form of expression. Arguments against the activity tend to revolve around the the fact that graffiti is often illegally painted on buildings and is thus a form of ‘vandalism’ which creates nothing more than an eyesore to passersby. This viewpoint might very well be supported considering that there is graffiti which appears to lack real purpose. For example, following the collapse of the Franco dictatorship in Spain in 1975, graffiti began to emerge in Madrid and many young people started writing their names on walls around the city.

While signatures in themselves are not generally considered a political message, in this case they were part of a social rising among Spanish youth known as “The Madrid Movement” and, as it expanded, “The Spanish Movement”, in which the graffitying of one’s name was a form of liberation and self-identification following the repressiveness of the Franco Regime. This might be seen as evidence that seemingly meaningless graffiti can carry a strong political message. A further example of this is in cities such as Salamanca, where there is an abundance of graffiti related to the economic crisis. For example, a recurring image is a man’s face showing a derisive and mocking expression with the phrase ‘Reforma Laboral’ (‘Labor Reform’) printed next to it. This particular image also demonstrates the internet influence on the types of graffiti witnessed; this image is frequently seen on so-called “meme” websites where internet-users circulate particular images and alter their captions in accordance with what they wish to ridicule.

Although it is generally accepted that graffiti can be used to convey political messages, a frequently-discussed topic is whether or not it should be considered ‘art’. Those who believe graffiti is indeed an art form might argue that graffiti is a form of expression and is no different from an artist putting his paintbrush to an easel. In the light of this, a hybrid form of graffiti has emerged known as ‘political art’ in which graffiti can be used, among other methods, to deliver a political message in an artistic form. For example, a group of Russian political artists known as ‘Voina’ (‘War’) have gained much attention over the years for their daring artistic creations which condemn the Putin regime. These artists were even awarded the 2010 Innovation Prize for visual art by the National Center for Contemporary Arts in Moscow for a graffiti image of enormous dimensions (65 meters high!) which they whitewashed onto the Liteiny Bridge in St. Petersburg. However, the political group maintains that they do not wish to accept any governmental recognition for their work as this would undermine their cause, which is to artistically oppose the current Russian authorities in order to bring about significant change in the country. Thus, Voina might indeed be considered artists and their creations works of art.

Graffitists in Spain and around the world continue to spread their expressive, political and artistic messages through the medium of shapes, colors and images, and the city surfaces remain the canvass to graffiti and political artists alike.

Photo by Arluck.

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The University of Salamanca released “HiHola” earlier this month, an innovative videogame that is designed to build players’ Spanish language skills as they enjoy interactive game play. The entertaining and educational game’s designers assert that while the best way to learn a language is by living it, the second best way is by virtually living it”. HiHola is a 3-D virtual game, similar to the Sims, set in Salamanca, Spain, where users are immersed in the town’s youthful energy, its impressive historic scenery, and most importantly, the Spanish language.

Playing the game

Players take on the role of study abroad students, making their way through Salamanca using Spanish they’ve recently learned in class to communicate with others in everyday situations. Players can attend class in the park with their teachers, hang out with friends, hit the clubs at night, or just take in cultural attractions such as the Plaza Mayor, la casa de las conchas and the monumental New Cathedral. A chat system allows students to talk to one another and set up study sessions with their teachers.

The current version of the game is designed for intermediate-level Spanish learners and players must already have a basic command of the language to follow instructions. Versions of the game designed for other Spanish levels are scheduled to be available in the future. 

With a budget of 2.8 million Euros, HiHola is the product of a joint collaboration between the University of Salamanca and digital animation companies. It also received support from the local Department of Industry, Energy and Tourism, and Education. The game has first been released to Spanish language schools and the University of Salamanca’s summer course program, but it is planned to be distributed internationally to schools also.  

A learning and teaching resource

Teachers can use the game to complement the material they’re teaching and even to evaluate students’ progress after they’ve finished playing. It’s already being used at the University of Washington, where students seem to be responding positively. Teachers confirm that using the game as an engaging study tool seems to encourage more “study” time.

HiHola offers students the unique opportunity to experience Spain and learn Spanish in an ideal study destination. The game effectively captures the lively university atmosphere and historic air that characterize Salamanca and have traditionally made the city popular among Spanish language students from around the world. Founded in 1218, la Universidad de Salamanca is one of Europe’s oldest universities.

HiHola effectively transforms the traditionally passive learning format of a videogame into an active learning experience, which allows players to not only improve their Spanish but to also gain valuable insight into Spain’s rich cultural heritage.  

 

 

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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ...

The Spanish sporting calendar: Top Ten Annual Events

Here's our top ten annual sporting events in Spain, a full calendar of sports action that we think may come in handy for anyone planning on being in Spain. These events could coincide with a weekend city break, an interrailing traveling adventure, or an extensive family holiday. Organized by date rather than preferential order, we therefore bring you Spain's Top Ten Annual Sporting Events... ready, steady, go!

1. Rock n' Roll Madrid - Athletics (April) Location: Madrid Want to join 15,000 other runners and hit the streets of the Spanish capital, making your way around a truly spectacular landmark-studded 26.2 mile route? Or not quite ready to take on the full marathon distance but still eager to put your active side to the test while being spurred on by the cheers of an incredibly enthusiastic Madrilenian crowd? Well then, Madrid's annuall marathon, which also includes a 10k and, as of next year, a half marathon course, is the perfect event for you! Boasting famous sights along the way such as Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace and Retiro Park, and offering a real party atmosphere thanks to numerous live music performances, a finish line concert and even a complimentary gift bag, what's not to love! Be sure to sign up online now and combine a city sightseeing trip with an unforgettable sporting experience!

2. Open de España - Golf (April/May) Location: various Why not enjoy the springtime sunshine on one of Spain's verdant golf courses while watching Europe's greatest players executing their finest strokes!? Part of the prestigious European Tour, the 101 year-old Open de España tournament continues to attract the continent's most gifted golfers year after year. What's more, the varying annual locations couldn't be better for tourists; from Barcelona in 2011 to Seville in 2012, to Valencia in 2013, this first class tournament won't only satisfy your golfing passion, but will equally give you the opportunity to visit one of Spain's major cities!

3. The Mutua Madrid Open - Tennis (May) Location: Madrid Always wanted to see the likes of Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Andy Murray performing their finest shots in a globally renowned tennis tournament but never got round to buying tickets? Then, make this a thing of the past and book now to see world class players in a world class city! Haying only opened its newly refurbished and highly praised red clay courts this year, Madrid's Caja Mágia sports complex is guaranteed to provide ardent tennis lovers with yet another week of sporting excellence when the competition returns in 2014.

4. Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix - Auto racing (May) Location: alternates between Barcelona and Valencia Thanks to the multiple victories enjoyed by Spain's F1 racing driver hero, Fernando Alonso, the Spanish formula 1 Grand Prix has considerably grown in popularity and importance among Spaniards in recent years. British visitors will fancy taking a trip to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya in 2014 to see Hamilton challenging Alonso and team Ferrari's 2013 domination. Be prepared to watch a 66-lap long auto racing extravaganza of tight bends, careful tactics and rapid accelerations!

5. Red Bull X-Fighters International Frestyle Motocross - Motocross (July) Location: Madrid Got a bit of a daredevil streak in you? Then be amazed by the jaw-dropping motocross stunts carried out by the world's greatest (and definitely most fearless!) riders at Madrid's globally renowned Las Ventas bullring. Welcomed into the arena to the regal sounds of drum rolls and trumpet fanfares, these motocross kings provide 25,000 enthralled spectators with a non-stop, adrenaline filled spectacle of whips, turndowns and front flips. Human beings they may be, but the rider's tricks are completely out of this world!

6. Descenso del Sella - canoeing (August) Location: Gijón, Asturias Perhaps a less familiar sport for some, canoeing takes center stage in the beautiful coastal town of Gijón during its highly popular annual competition, the Descenso del Sella. Now when I say a canoeing competition, I don't mean that you might be able to spot a few canoeists making their way calmly down the River Sella... I mean the entire river is filled with more than 1,000 participants from all over the world who, with the support of an equallly impressive large, enthusiastic and often fancy dressed crowd, battle it out over a physically demanding 20 km course in the hope of winning one of the most desperately sought after category trophies.

7. Vuelta a España - Cycling (August - September) Location: various Hoping to spend your summer holiday in Spain next year? Felt inspired when you've watched the sheer determination of the world's greatest cyclists as they climb the arduous ascents of the three annual Grand Tours? Well, why not replace your postion on the sofa at home with a spot in one of the numerous enthusiastic crowds of the Vuelta de España and watch in awe as your cycling heroes master hair pin bends, overcome gruelling gradients and fight against the agonizing lactic aced overload of such an incredibly exhausting threee week long cycling competition. With a route which passes through many of Spain's 15 mainland regions, you're bound to find a stage near you, so get researching and keep your eyes peeled for the prized red jersey when you arrive!

8. 2014 FIBA World Cup - Basketball (August 30 - September 2014) Location: Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Las Palmas, Madrid and Seville As the reigning European champions, second in the FIBA World Rankings and having marginally lost to the historically dominating USA basketball team in the final of the last two Olympic Games, the national Spanish men's basketball team is going from strength to strength. Moreover, delighted to be chosen as the host nation for the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Spain, with the support of an inevitably passionate home crowd, will endeavor to outmanoeuvre their US rivals and give their loyal fans the winning result they so desperately desire. So come and join your fellow basketball aficionados as Spain attampts to make sporting history!

9. La Liga - Football (August - May) Location: various Arguably the most widely recognized of sports in Spain owing to its impressive skillfull players, its high capacity stadiums and its internationally famed league, La Liga, football in Spain provides fans with an atmosphere like no other. Ten months long, Spain's La Liga brings together the world's best footballers as they fight to win both the highly esteemed competition title and a place in the UEFA Champions League. However, the highlights of the season have to be the two Real Madrid vs Barcelona fixtures. Ronaldo or Messi, Alonso or Iniesta, Benzema or Xavi... the only question is... which football-mad Spaniards will you choose to side with?

10. 2014 ISAF World Championships - Sailing (September) Location: Santander With qualification for the Río 2016 Olympic Games at stake, the 2014 ISAF World Championships, taking place in the stunning northern Spanish port city of Santander, is set to be a two week long sailing competition of the highest quality. With over 1,400 particpants, more than 1,000 boats representing the 80 nations, this quadrennial event is sure to be an absolute crowd pleaser.

 

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2013 World Scrabble in Spanish Championship

Airan Perez  (from Venezuela) clenched the title of World Scrabble in Spanish Champion last Saturday after facing  two time world champ Enric Hernandez (from Spain) in a dramatic final match of the popular word game.

International competition was intense at the 17^th annual World Scrabble en español Championships held in Buenos Aires last week; 92 players from 23 different countries (including the US, Israel and Switzerland) entered the 4 day event, many with visions of bringing Scrabble glory to their home countries and earning major bragging rights. Some observers and participants felt that Argentina had dominated on-board Scrabble action for too long, with Argentines having won the title 4 years running.  President of the Federación Internacional de Scrabble en español (FISE), Santiago Rosales stated before the tournament: “Argentina has won so many world titles that they must be stopped any way possible”.

Horacio Moavro, president of the Asociación Argentina de Scrabble and last year’s world Scrabble champ describes the game as “a sport of the mind”, and says that “to play, you have to know a lot of words, but most importantly, you must employ a strategy that allows you to use those words in a way that scores the most points”. Mr. Moavro stated at this year’s competition that “there’s great camaraderie here that goes beyond countries and rivalries, we’re rivals on the board, but when the game’s over we all go have lunch together”. It’s no surprise that Argentina make a strong presence at the event, as an estimated 10,000 Argentines play the game regularly in clubs and associations across the country. Buenos Aires’ city legislature officially declared this year’s World Scrabble Championship an event “of special sporting interest”.

Spanish Letters

The English version of the game only allows for the use of 120,000 words, while Scrabble in Spanish recognizes 660,000 words. 105.000 of those Spanish words appear in the latest edition of the Royal Spanish Academy’s dictionary, while the rest are the 34 to 35 conjugations for each verb and gender differences (feminine versions of nouns generally don’t appear in the dictionary). Among the accepted words are 87 two letter words and 450 three letter words, which are essential knowledge for savvy scrabblers. Small words that score big points include “ox” technically meaning “sound used to scare away chickens”, along with za  ño, and lle. You don’t have to know what the words means though to use them in play, and even world ranked players admit they don’t know what many of the words mean. Spanish Scrabble also has letter tiles you won’t find in the English version, such as the Ñ (worth 8 points), CH (5 points), and the LL and the RR that will each score you 8 points.

Scrabble in other languages

World Scrabble Championships are currently held in 3 different languages around the world: English, French and Spanish. The board game is produced in 29 different languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Icelandic, and the latest language addition Welsh.

The 2004 documentary Word Wars – Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit explores the curious world of competitive level Scrabble competitions. The film was shown at the Sundance film festival and was nominated for an Emmy. 

Next year’s World Scrabble in Spanish Championship is scheduled to be held in Cuba.

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The Cradle of Tango

Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital, has long been an attraction for worldwide tourism due to its beautiful architecture and rich culture. However, one of this metropolis’ most impressive boasts is, undoubtedly, being the birthplace of the Argentine tango.

The ‘Festival Mundial de Tango’, which takes place annually in Buenos Aires (this year from 14-27^thAugust), is one of the crucial events in the tango calendar, with more than 500 dancing couples from 37 different countries, including the USA, Japan and Chile, competing in two categories of the exquisite dance:
Tango Salon: Salon tango is the most traditional form of the Argentine Tango as it was performed in the dance halls of Buenos Aires. Couples have a relaxed embrace and move smoothly and eloquently with the music.
Tango Escenario: Show tango is a more theatrical form of the Argentine tango and adapted for stage performances. It includes embellishments which require more floor-space than would be available in the traditional dance halls.

The aim of this yearly festival is to re-enact the historic background of the Argentine tango, as well as to celebrate the cultural diversity of the participants and add to the dance’s ever-evolving repertoire of movements and figures. Filled with music and color, the Festival Mundial de Tango is a tantalising attraction to dancers and tourists alike.

Argentine tango has its roots in the working class districts of Buenos Aires during the late 1800s. It emerged during the time when the capital was amass with settlers who came from all over Europe and, in turn, mixed with the existing South American immigrants, creating a melting pot of culture and racial diversity. In some districts of Argentina there was a distinct shortage of women with whom to dance, which resulted in ‘male-only practicas’ where men would dance together to improve their tango technique. Same-sex dancing is still practised today, although the gender ratio is generally far better balanced, so this is less common.

Milonga

This passionate dance has gained an enormous number of followers over the years not only for its sensual movement and fluid pace, but also for the music to which it is danced. The merging of European and South American culture was responsible for what is known as the ‘milonga’ genre of music: a variation on the sultry stringed instrument music of traditional tango. There is also variation between the way the tango is danced to these different music genres; while traditional tango can be danced in an open or close embrace and involves long languid movements, the milonga style consists of short and sharp stepping movements while the couple holds one another in a close embrace. Today, the term milonga is also used to refer to a gathering of ‘tangueros’ (Tango-dancers) for an evening of dancing - and there is no doubt that milongas are in their abundance across Europe. Spain, for example, is the home of some of the best milongas in the world; notably, Barcelona and Madrid are a hive of activity when it comes to tango classes and milonga evenings.

From its humble roots in Buenos Aires to dance halls across the world, the Argentine tango is undoubtedly one of the most influential dances ever to emerge and is at the heart of a constantly evolving dance community which is gaining increased membership year by year.

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Home to some of the finest landscapes in Europe Spain is definitely a top destination for both beginners, intermediate and advanced triathletes looking for a different sort of physical challenge. Most Triathlons happen between February and September throughout the year. The weather in Spain varies massively between these times but below I have highlighted a few events which are sure to be an eye stopper for those looking to get into doing a triathlon or semi professionals alike.

Types of triathlons

Triathlons are usually split into the following types:

Sprint Triathlons – 750m Swim, 20KM Bike, 5KM Run
Olympic Triathlons – 1.5km Swim, 40KM Bike, 10KM Run
Long Triathlons–1.9KM Swim, 90KM Bike, 21.1 KM Run
Ultra long – Known commonly as the ironman

As you can see the distance varies massively. Nowadays there are slight variations on these such as Cross Triathlons, triathlons over a rougher terrain such as a beach, forest, mountains etc. These are sometimes more physically enduring than an Olympic triathlon on road because it requires you to focus significantly more regarding which direction and speed you are travelling in, and as the terrain requires more effort these are very difficult. They are however a great place to start from if you are looking to get into triathlons.

There are several brands and organizations when it comes to triathlons in Spain. Most are part of the Federation of Triathlons in Spain. The most common in Spain are: Gescon Chip – offer a broad range of duathlons, triathlons, aquathlons and cross sprints etc. all over Spain. Easy to sign up, cheap and all information is uploaded onto your account.  ICAN – This is the equivalent to an IRONMAN. The distances are tough and challenging and entry fees are a lot more expensive. These courses are for true triathletes. Then there are other organizations like: TriStar, TriSur, AviaMan, IronCat and Ironman (in the Canary Islands).

Cities also organize their own private triathlons without major companies so bare that it mind. So if you’re looking to get involved or take advantage of Spain’s ideal climate and geography than here are a few stand out triathlons in Spain to look out for. Have a google if you are unsure, there are normally a lot smaller:

TIMANFAYA TRIATHLON

Located in the Canary Islands, this is a great early year triathlon blessed with great African weather. This is a Sprint triathlon and a top spot to get some early year experience and practice ahead of the bigger events. Intermediate and advanced.

ICAN MALAGA APRIL

Definitely a top triathlon for the elite. This is a long triathlon located in the south coast of Spain that is not one for the faint hearted. You have to sign up quite early and prices are quite high but definitely worth trying. Advanced

TRISUR SEVILLA

This is definitely a great event for everyone. They do sprint, Olympic and Long triathlons. Fine landscape but very, very hot so make sure to drink a lot of water. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

TRIATLON DE CARTAGENA

Great event and in a nice location, located on the south east coast of Spain. This is a sprint triathlon and a good one to do. Good for all levels, and a great place to start. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

TRIATLON VILLA DE MADRID

Located in the heart of the city this is definitely a recommended triathlon. Level is normally quite high but they offer both sprint and Olympic triathlons. Definitely worth a look. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.

That’s about it, let me know if you have any experience with the above or if there are a couple crackers I might have missed out on!

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Spanish Wines

As a salute to wine harvest season, we're listing our top ten wines that bear the prestigious label of Denominación de Origen, an official classification granted by the Spanish Department of Food and Agriculture to the country's finest food products and particularly to its wines.

The labeling guarantees quality and that the product has originated from the region of its designation. Here are ten ideas, ten places, ten exceptional wine regions. They may not be as well known as other Spanish wines such as Rioja, Ribera de Duero, and Sherry, but these wines and their places of origin are no less delightful.

Top ten Designation of Origin wines

1. D.O. Navarra

The Navarre region is well known for its running of the bulls festivals and its bountiful orchards that produce top quality fruits.

The excellence of Navarre wines often takes tasters by surprise, and wineries in this region have clearly evolved.

A visit to a local bodega and a hike around Sierra de Urbasa Park make for a "round" experience.

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2. D.O. Chacolí de Guetaria

This refreshing white wine with a bit of a bite goes perfect with "txikitos" you can order in bars all over the Basque country.

This is a social, upbeat wine that's also a great complement to the endless fish dishes on offer in the region.

The town of Gueteria holds a unique appeal for many: it's got some of the best waves in the world for surfing. Other area towns with beaches and fishing ports worth visiting include Zarautz, Deba and Motriku.

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3. D.O. Bierzo

This region sits nestled in the northeastern corner of Castile and Leon, near the border of both Asturias and Galicia. It produces robust red wine that perfectly complements the mountain cuisine.

The mountainous landscapes that await your hiking boots are also the place of origin of exceptionally fine meats and cheeses. From Ponferrada, you can first head to Las Médulas to take in impressive scenery.

Next we recommend visiting the Asturias area of Los Oscos, just an hour by car and just a short drive away from Galicia.

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4. D.O. Ribeira Sacra

In the province of Ourense, embraced on either side by the Sil River, there's a community of winegrowers that insists on cultivating vineyards and producing wine on rugged river banks that are often only accessible by water.

Like the famous Galician wines Albariño and Ribeiro, wines from Ribeira Sacra are offering surprising new quality white and red wine flavors that go nicely with the wonderful meats and stews of the region.

A boat trip to the Sil River canyon is a must.

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5. D.O. Ribera del Guadiana

Extramadura is known for its ham and its cherries from the Jerte Valley. Some also call the cheese from here "Torta del Casar", but not many people know about the wine of Ribera del Guadiana, a wine that's been produced since the age of the Roman Empire, but which has only had a regulatory council for the last ten years.

The white and red wines of these regions, most notably Montánchez, have obtained "very good" classifications in the last few years. Enjoying a nice wine and strolling about Merida while soaking in the enchanting historic ambience are highly recommended activities.

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6. D.O. Sierras de Málaga

Although Malaga is most associated with stunning beaches and not with the drink of Baco, the region's inland areas such as Competa and Frigiliana offer a pleasant surprise.

Frigiliana and the mountains surrounding Ronda will provide the dynamic setting for our tour of the region's most palette pleasing wines.

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7. D.O. Alicante

The Spanish Mediterranean coast is home to a wine that is listed by the European Union as one of its five "luxury wines".

Fondillon is made with over-ripe monastrell grapes and aged for a minimum of 10 years.

Only 10 bodegas in Alicante have the privilege of making this wine.

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8. D.O. Pla i Llevant

White wines are produced in this eastern, inland area of Mallorca that make notable use of Chardonnay grapes.

Mallorca's mountain scenery and the cozy coves tucked away along the island's coastline provide a perfect excuse to make your getaway to this Mediterranean paradise, an ideal backdrop to your wine tasting adventure.

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9. D.O. Lanzarote

This is a place where volcanoes make the ground so hot you can cook without making a fire, a place where the earth's force is in constant movement, and where an excellent wine is produced:

Malvasía, which delighted Shakespeare himself four hundred years ago and continues to be made among the cones of ash that protect the vineyards huddled within the prairie lands of La Geria on Lanzarote Island.

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10. D.O. El Hierro

For centuries, this small island marked the end of the known world for Europeans. It was called "Isla del Meridiano" because the prime meridian passed through here for several centuries until it was redrawn over Greenwich. El Hierro is a model community in terms of its use of sustainable energy, its respect for nature, and friendly residents, many of whom produce flavorful white wines that reflect the character of the island.

The La Restinga area in the south is required visiting, where the sea floor continues "fabricando isla" (creating island) as the islanders say.

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As the most spoken language in the western hemisphere and the second most spoken language in world, it comes as no surprise that regional varieties of Spanish vary. It’s important to remember however that no matter which destination you choose to learn Spanish in, speakers from Spain to Mexico to Central and South America will have relatively little difficulty understanding the Spanish you’ve learned. For a rough idea of how different Spanish accents can be, just consider the differences between British and American English; they don’t present much of language barrier and they are kind of cool to hear.

The Spanish Language in Spain

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of Spanish in Spain is what people often describe as a “lisped” pronunciation of the letters “c” and “z”. This misconception stems from the fact that these letters are pronounced like “th” in English. However, the “s” is clearly pronounced like an “s” meaning that the possibility of a lisp is out of the question. Students studying Spanish as a second language in most areas of Spain will also get the chance to master the informal second person plural informal pronoun of vosotros, along with its corresponding conjugations. Another characteristic of Spain is that the informal prounoun tu is used much more frequently than the very formal usted. Spain also boasts various regional accents and dialects, something to keep in mind when choosing the best place to study abroad.

Study Spanish in Latin America

Learning Spanish in Latin America is a popular choice for American students as it is commonly heard within the country. The Spanish spoken here has strength in numbers, encompassing a huge range of countries with a wide range of accents and regional variations.

Spanish was brought to Latin America in the 16th and 17th centuries and has since evolved into what it is today. Spanish spoken in the Americas linguistically bears many features akin to southern Spanish dialects, particularly Andalusia. This is no surprise considering the majority of Spanish colonizers hailed from this region.

In addition to the differences previously mentioned regarding the more intensive use of the formal pronouns and pronunciation of the “c” and “z”, Spanish spoken in Latin America is also marked by having incorporated more Anglicisms (words that stem from English) than their European counterparts. Indigenous languages have also marked the language and the spelling of many Spanish words in Latin America. (Mexico rather than Méjico, for example, which originated from the Nahuatl word Mēxihco). Later in the 19th century, European settlers from other countries made their way to Latin America, each affecting the evolution of the local accent.

Mexico is a popular choice due to its proximity to the US and clear accent, but what about Argentina with their romantic accent marked by the French sounding “je” pronunciation of the “ll”, or the Spanish spoken in Cuba marked by the weak pronunciation of end consonants converting a word like “después” into something that sounds like “despue”….

One thing to keep in mind is that each dialect offers its own textures, subtle cadences, and local slang but a common misconception is that some Spanish varieties are better than others. All varieties are correct and all are different in some ways from the rest. Once you learn Spanish you will have no troubles communicating with other Spanish speakers, regardless of where you choose to study.

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