Experience the real Spain

Hordes of Brits fly to Spain every single day. It is seen as the ideal place to get some sun, relax on the beach or by a pool and eat well, all on a moderate budget. But this is sometimes as far as us British people get. We daren't take a step out of our comfort zone. We think English-language interaction with a waiter is classed as ‘getting to know the locals'. We just eat burgers and fish and chips and never leave the safety blanket of our resort. This is all well and good, but if you want to experience the real Spain, then you need to try a few of these ideas:

Live in Spain:
How about moving to Spain for the summer and getting a job? Anyone can teach English, work in a bar or volunteer for a charity. This way, you'll meet plenty of Spanish friends who will show you how to really make the most out of your stay. You could do this in the middle of the countryside or in one of the many bustling cities. Of course this will be really scary at first, but imagine how much you will experience, learn and grow as a person.

Cultural experiences:
Instead of just lazing on the beach, sipping a Guinness and reading a British newspaper, on your holiday you should make the most of the Spanish culture and take a trip to one of the many exciting places. Go flamenco dancing; visit some of the fantastic art by Miró or Dalí, or if you dare, go to a bull fight.

Authentic food:
Instead of just playing it safe by eating fish and chips or egg and chips or burger and chips, you should delve into the fantastic world of tapas , paella and chorizo . Finish it off with sangría or some Spanish wine. Some of the most loved tapas are calamares (deep-fried squid rings), gambas (sautéed prawns) and patatas bravas (deep-fried potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce – a Spanish version of chips and ketchup, if you will). Once you've arrived back in the UK, you will be making these dishes for your friends in no time.

Language school:
Learning the language is a great way to connect with the culture, and you will get so much more out of your time in Spain. Being able to interact with the locals, who will feel much more at ease with you and willing to communicate, is such a plus, and they will be proud that you have made the effort and will happily show you around. Spanish courses are readily available, and once on them, you will be immersed in the language and meet new people. This isn't just advised for Spain – whichever country you wish to go to you should consider learning the language, and there's no excuse not to, because French courses , Italian courses and courses in other modern languages are all widely available.