You may have heard of the Incas, but nothing can prepare you for the moment you step off the plane at Cusco's small airport. Your bird's eye view was one thing, but up close the old stone foundations of one of the world's greatest civilisations are something else. At 3,000m in the Andes mountains, towering archways mix in with some of the finest colonial Spanish architecture on the continent - an incredible architectural fusion.

All you need to do is coincide your trip with the Inti Raymi festival, and you'll witness a magnificent celebration of one of the Americas' largest empires, the Incas. Literally meaning the solemn resurrection of the sun, Inti Raymi is celebrated on the Southern Hemisphere's Winter Solstice and pays homage to the mythical Inca ancestral gods, with the sacrifice of two llamas followed by plenty of drinking and feasting... More on Inti Raymi >>

"The trip was fantastic, thanks, in many ways. The course was very good and I got up to Intermediate Medio which means, I think, that I have finished the first major grammar hurdle - the Imperative. I think I need a lot more practice before tackling the next stage, the Subjunctive! The host family were lovely, and spoke fairly good English (in some ways a disadvantage as I did not always practice as much as I should) but I had decent typical food, a decent room and a big bed.

The trips organised by the school to various ruins and around town were excellent. One good thing about this is that we managed to visit some sites than were not so touristy. I should have taken a bit more time as I think the 4 day Inca trail is very worthwhile. In the end, though, I made my top priority to go to the Jungle for 7 days (Manu) which was fantastic for scenery, wildlife and nice people. Thanks again for all your help."
Steve Turner

In addition to our standard 8 week volunteer programme, we now offer shorter programmes of 5 weeks (1 week course + 4 week placement) and 7 weeks (3 week course + 4 week placement) for those who already have advanced Spanish and travel experience. Placements are available in social work, healthcare, education and nature.

More Info: Please email Sarah or see our website >>

Paul McLaughlan: 8 Week Modern Standard Arabic Course in Cairo, March 04

"I have now finished the course in Cairo, and this is just a short note to let you know how I got on. The teaching on the course was exceptional. As I was the only one on the course I could target my learning to specific areas. I am confident that I now have a basic understanding of the mechanics of Arabic (MSA). I will return soon to Iraq and build on the subject matter I have been taught. I hope to return to the school Cairo at least once a year.

Do you have any information on how to take an O/A Level exam in MSA? Any help in this matter would be appreciated. Thanks again, Paul."

For more info on Paul's Arabic Course in Cairo >>

Mardi Vassella: 2 Week General Spanish Course in Buenos Aires, April 2004

"Thanks for the follow up. Yes, I did feel I learnt from my Spanish course and really enjoyed the experience. My host family was lovely and Palermo was a great place to be based in Buenos Aires - nice and central and definitely fun. I did send on my questionaire when I finished the course, so hopefully you got any extra comments from that, but I now feel I have a good grounding in the language. I am still travelling in Sudamerica at the moment, but would be interested in picking up some Spanish classes when I return to Sydney. If you have any affiliated schools or recommedations for courses there, I would be most thankful. Cheers, Mardi."

For more info on Mardi's Spanish Course in Buenos Aires>>

Barcelona Dance Holiday Feedback (May 2004)

Our first Spanish & Salsa Group Holiday took place in May and we have been delighted with its outstanding success and the fantastic feedback we received afterwards. All 13 participants became firm friends during the course of the week and came back buzzing with Spanish and salsa!

A few excerpts from their comments are listed below, and if you would like to see more, or if you are interested in going on the next holiday (5th Sept), please email Laura or check out our website >>

Joe Kavan
"The holiday was excellent and I was genuinely sad to leave Barcelona. The city, the group,
the language learning and dancing was a great combination. The hotel was very good, not that I spent much time in it, and I thought the situation could not have been better as it was so central. I learnt a lot of Spanish and found the teachers good also. All in all it was a wonderful experience and thank you very much for your assistance and guidance. I will definitely go on one of Cactus' Cuban trips next year so please keep me posted."

Hiley Lewis
"¿Qué tal? We are extremely tired - we had a fantastic week! Homework had to be done once back from the club or at breakfast. Ana the conversation teacher had a lot of crazy ideas to get participants involved. Using the Imperative, each member of the class had to write down a command and then another member of the class had to pick a piece of paper and carry out the command. I ended up standing on a chair with my T-shirt turned backwards singing No Woman No Cry. I said she was crazy! If I write anything more about this holiday it will turn into a book so I end it here..."

Suse Hankins
"The group: we got on very well and I found everyone friendly. Haven't contacted them yet, but I will shortly. I am almost certain that all 13 of us managed 100% attendance record all week at all classes, which shows that we were all enjoying it. All the teachers I had were fine, but one lady, Noemi, was exceptional: she was excellent, witty, and really made it fun. Please convey my praise of Noemi to her employers. She deserves a rise!"