Art & Design, Buenos Aires

This past week students studying at the Expanish Spanish School in Argentina could catch Puro Diseño Buenos Aires, put on by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Metropolitan Center of Design. This feria features socially and environmentally conscious creative and innovative endeavors undertaken here in the city of Buenos Aires.

In June of 2006 architect Monica Cohen created green architecture organization ReMade in Argentina, a project which she internationalized from the original ReMade in Italy. As featured within the innovative CASA sustentable exposition, the designers and architects here demonstrate sustainable architectural development by incorporating recycling and environmentalism into Eco-friendly design.

For those more interested in interior design or fashion, the Puro Verde exhibit features environmentally friendly furniture, clothing and accessories created from natural, organic and recycled materials. All items found in Puro Verde are intended to project the social conscience and ecology of design. Check out how designers Aluminium (www.al-uminium.com.ar) and Neumática (www.neumaticanet.com.ar) create their modern purses, bags and accessories from recycled aluminum cans and tires. If originality is what you crave, stop by the Puro Inedito section, with a focus on ‘unprecedented’ items of limited edition, displayed to reinforce the originality of the local design scene.

If the visual arts are more your taste, pass through the Paseo del Arte where a “Calle del Arte” displays not just works of art, but the artists themselves. Visitors can talk with the artists about their influences and inspiration, and it’s all for a good cause as all pieces will go to charity. For a little more action stop to see the cortos, or short films, presented in conjunction with the University of Palermo. Watch some of this year’s top awarded shorts here: “Gong,” “Miedos de Comunicación,” “Tema de Otro,” and “Le Duel d’Hamlet.”

This year Puro Diseño was held in La Rural, an events center in the trendy neighborhood of Palermo. To check out this event and more go to their website at www.larural.com.ar. To see more on Puro Diseño go to www.feriapurodiseno.com.ar/09/. To come see the amazing art and culture scene in Buenos Aires for yourself check out Spanish Immersion Courses in Argentina at www.viaspanish.com!

Buenos Aires appeals to travelers from all around the world. Although distinctly Latin American, the city of Buenos Aires is a melting pot of converging cultures, traditions and art forms. This exciting and vibrant mix is ideal for cultural immersion programs. Expanish’s Buenos Aires Spanish School is located in the heart of downtown. Our state-of-the art facilities provide students with a haven of tranquility surrounded by a stimulating, constantly active setting. Our open classrooms and social break rooms act as an ideal home base for Spanish students looking to explore all that Buenos Aires has to offer.

Often called the Paris of South America or Cultural Capital of Latin America many people try to capture the essence of Buenos Aires in a few short words, but this just can’t be done. Buenos Aires is decidedly unique. Argentinians are very culturally aware and proud. Their enthusiasm and dedication to art, sports, and academia is inspiring to witness, and creates an ideal environment for cultural and language immersion. Whether you find it among an afternoon tango show in San Telmo or a Boca Juniors futbol match in La Boca, studying at our Buenos Aires Spanish School you will find a connection to Argentine culture.

Expanish prides itself not only in academic quality, but also in creating a welcoming environment for travelers of all types, backgrounds, and ages. Some students are casual backpackers looking to brush up on some Spanish before a tour of South America, while others are looking for an intensive multi-week course in preparation for their semester abroad. Others still are on vacation in Argentina and want a valuable social and educational outlet for their stay in Buenos Aires. With weekly courses, flexible dates, and a variety of group and individual lessons, Expanish is accommodating to all.

Don’t hesitate to visit our Buenos Aires Spanish School website and begin planning you’re Spanish immersion adventure today!

As one of the most popular Mexican destinations for tourists worldwide, Puerto Vallarta is a more than enjoyable place to learn Spanish. Located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, this thriving city of around 200,000 inhabitants is nestled comfortably alongside the Pacific Ocean.

With plenty of beaches and dozens of delicious restaurants to choose from, it is easy to feel at home in this exotic Mexican paradise. The two most popular beaches are Playa Olas Altas (High Waves Beach) and Playa Los Muertos (Dead Mans Beach). The High Waves Beach is a popular place to swim for both locals and national tourists and is lined with outdoor restaurants. Dead Mans Beach is the largest public beach in town, and is impossible to miss if you come to study Spanish in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta also has many things to explore inland aside from its spectacular beaches. The Plaza de las Armas is the city’s main plaza and is where the majority of public concerts take place. There are also two large public markets in the Centro selling a variety of artesian and souvenir items. These markets are called Mercado Isle and Mercado Cuale. This city is also home to museums, theater buildings, and a decorative City Hall for all to visit.

One will never find a lack of adventure or sense of exotic freedom in Puerto Vallarta, which is one of Mexico’s top destinations. Being so, the education Spanish experience has been and is becoming increasing popular amongst international visitors wanting to learn Spanish. To check out more about studying Spanish in Puerto Vallarta with Viaspanish, click here to begin your adventure now!

Located on the northwest rim of Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”, the Guanacaste Province is an enchanting escape for all. ViaSpanish’s language school at Flamingo Beach lies along the golden-sand beaches of this diverse province. Framed by the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the verdant valleys of Guanacaste’s coastline, Flamingo Beach is a hallmark of Costa Rica’s lure and beauty. The small-town charm of this beautiful resort makes Flamingo Beach an exotic and relaxing destination for Latin American immersion programs. The wildlife reserves surrounding Flamingo Beach could satisfy the adventurer in us all, and lounging on one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica is good for the soul after a long day of Spanish class.

At Flamingo Beach, students can spend their days exploring the unsurpassed beauty of the Guanacaste province. For the next few weeks, one of nature’s most impressive ceremonies of life takes place every night in this wildlife haven – the nesting ritual the leatherback sea turtle. Students can witness one of the largest reptiles on earth perform their maternal duty during this unique time of year.

Others may opt for a sailing tour of the volcanic reefs just off the coast of Flamingo Beach. These day trips past the secluded beaches and mangroves of the Guanacaste coast are a favorite among ViaSpanish students. Others still may choose to hike to the ecotourism lodge Hacienda Guachipelín at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Surrounded by lush gardens with native trees, natural hot springs and pools, exotic flowers and views of the volcano and pacific coast, Hacienda Guachipelín is a sanctuary of tranquility. And those staying long enough will get to experience it all!

The ViaSpanish language school at Flamingo Beach is an accredited Spanish institute in Costa Rica. With an experienced teaching staff, and a costumer service network of international and local contacts, students will be fully accommodated from the day they register to the day they return home. Don’t hesitate to visit the ViaSpanish Latin immersion language school website and customize your ideal immersion experience today!

Cusco, the historic capital of the Incan Empire, sits about 10,000 feet above sea level in a beautiful valley of the Andes Mountain Range. UNESCO declared Cusco a world heritage site in 1983, and it has been a popular tourist destination ever since. With a heavy Spanish influence dating back to the 15th century with Pizarro, Cusco is an ideal place to study Spanish!

Machu Picchu, notably the most remarkable archeological site in all of South America, is only 50 miles northwest of Cusco, which one can reach by train, taxi, or even by foot along the infamous Inca Trail that stretches north to south across the continent. Within the city, the most noteworthy building to see is the Cathedral de Santo Domingo located in the central plaza. Whether you want to explore the beauty of the inner city or the natural splendor outside of it, Cusco is without a doubt an extraordinary place to immerse yourself in Spanish culture!

One of the must do things to do while in Cusco is to visit the Sacsayhuaman fortress located on the highest hill above the city. It is a place of worship and architectural impressiveness, with some of its stones weighing more than 100 tons. While atop the hill, don’t forget to look at the view of Cusco; it is one of the best there is.

To learn more about studying Spanish in Cusco, the historic capital of Peru, click here!

Although now a bustling urban sprawl, Lima has maintained a strong indigenous personality. The city is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Sight for its historical assortment of architectural design. This strong connection with its roots, as the powerful capital of the Incan Empire, makes Lima ideal for Spanish immersion. Studying Spanish in Lima provides students with the opportunity for a total city, culture and language immersion.

Modern day Lima has established itself as an exciting and vibrant Latin American capital city. The bohemian art scene is one of the most famous in South America, and there is a healthy mix of botanical gardens, Japanese gardens, art museums, and theatres throughout Lima. With picturesque beach resorts along the coast to the north and south of Lima, the city also has a significant beach culture.

Students looking for a true immersion experience can find it at the ViaSpanish language school in Peru. There is much to be learned outside of the classroom in this exciting capital city. With a qualified teaching staff and service team, ViaSpanish provides students with everything they need to get the most out of their experience. Don’t hesitate to visit our website and plan your trip to study Spanish abroad today!

ViaSpanish’s language school at Playa del Carmen is right in the heart of Mexico’s Mayan Riveria. This quant, cosmopolitan town lies 35 miles south of Cancun on the same white-sand beaches and crystal blue waters of the Caribbean coast. The language school is nestled among the restaurants and shops of this gorgeous, beach front resort. You can walk just about anywhere you need to go in Playa del Carmen, and the luring smell of the Caribbean Sea is always in the air.

Playa del Carmen is indeed a travelers paradise. With a myriad of desert landscapes, ancient ruins, colonial towns, world-class resorts, deserted beaches and an endless collection of fauna and flora, the Mayan Riveria has it all. Playa del Carmen sits smack in the middle, surrounded by world-class destinations such as Cozumel (recognized internationally as one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the world) and Cancun. However, it is the gentle surf and white-sand beaches that keep the people coming back.

Today, this old-time Mexican fishing village maintains its small town charm. The stress free days are spent mainly under umbrellas along the azure Caribbean waters, followed by an afternoon of open air markets and shady, sea-side restaurants. When the sun goes down, students can find themselves listening to anything from reggae to folk to mariachi while enjoying Playa del Carmen’s cool and breezy nights.

The language school at Playa del Carmen is outfitted with multimedia equipment and video rooms, study and break areas, computing and internet access, a tropical garden and, last but not least, a sand volleyball court for break times. The school’s Caribbean style architecture gives it a true beach feel. Sometime it’s hard to realize how much you are learning in such a relaxed setting. The water is warm year round in Playa del Carmen, so it’s always the right season to visit the ViaSpanish website and begin planning your Spanish immersion adventure today!

Located on the border of Argentina and Brazil, the two Latin American landmass powerhouses, Iguazú Falls is one of the most unique South American wonders to experience. At any given second, 550 cubic feet of water is gliding off the cliffs that stand about 270 feet high. As first lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said upon visiting Iguazú Falls, poor Niagra! The rainy season ends at the end of March, which means now is an ideal time to visit the falls at their peak water level.

One can easily get to Iguazú by bus or plane from Buenos Aires. Here, at ViaSpanish, a trip to Iguazu is organized roughly once every month for anyone who studies Spanish with us. In Iguazú, you can participate in various activities including: rafting under the waterfalls, ATV or trekking through the Brazilian jungle, or rappelling off mountains or even the Falls’ themselves!

Words do not do Iguazú Falls justice, one must see for him or herself to understand the magnitude of such natural beauty. Studying Spanish in Buenos Aires and leaving on the weekend to visit Iguazú is a very popular activity for many who come to study or live in Buenos Aires. To find out more about studying Spanish with ViaSpanish and the chance to visit Iguazú Falls, click here!

While in the city, getting around is made easy by one of the most modern transportation infrastructures in Latin America. The Santiago metro is known to be an incredibly convenient and efficient underground train system running all over the city. At the heart of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas. It is the city’s historic center surrounded by impressive buildings on every side. On the north side of the plaza you will find the National History Museum and the 18th century town hall. To the south is the busiest shopping street in town, Paseo Ahumado.

Other things to do in the afternoons after a day of taking Spanish lessons are going to The Cerro Santa Lucia or the Cerro San Cristobal. Both of these locations have great views of Santiago. Cerro Santa Lucia is located on a hill in the middle of the city and is where the city was originally founded in 1554. It is nowadays known for its magnificent entrance and Chilean castle on top of the hill. The Cerro San Cristobal, on the other hand, is 300 meters above the city making it is the most recommended place to view Santiago. One can drive, walk, or take a gondola up the hill to experience this breathtaking view.

Chileans are known to be relaxed and down to earth people, which is why studying in Santiago has appealed to the thousands of foreigners who study there every year. To find out more about studying Spanish in Santiago, click here!

ViaSpanish’s language school is located in downtown Buenos Aires in an historic building with elegant, French architecture. Complete with tall windows and artistic ceilings, the school is an ideal space study Spanish. As Buenos Aires comes back to life after its short summer recess, the streets outside of the classroom are humming with anticipation. In just a few short weeks, Carnaval de Buenos Aires will kick of the festivities which signify the excitement and celebrations of the year to come. It is an exhilarating time to be a part of this cultural capital of Latin America.

The food in Buenos Aires is recognized as some of the finest in the world, and the city’s nightlife follows suit. With a posh bar scene that could satisfy Paris’s elite, classic Irish pubs and local hang-outs for casual bar-goers, and all-night dance clubs for the young and restless, Buenos Aires has a little bit of something for everyone. The nights in Buenos Aires are never dull, and often extend into the early morning.

Now is the best time of year to come to Buenos Aires and experience the city gear up to full force. Spanish immersion programs with ViaSpanish offer quality education and customer service, and are customizable to assure that each individual is getting the most out of their experience. Why wait? Visit our website and book your Spanish immersion adventure today!