The Cactus Scoop - January 2005 
On behalf of Cactus we would like to extend our sorrow to all those people and parts of the world affected by the Asian earthquake and tsunami. Cactus will be donating £2 to the relief effort for every client booking during the month of January. Anyone wishing to make a personal donation to the appeal can also do so by clicking here.
  :: Which Holiday To Kick-Start The Year?

The New You


The Detox

The Party's Not Over
Volunteer Programme Spanish in Playa del Carmen Chinese in Beijing

Have you started the new year full of good intentions? If now's the time to do something different or learn something new, you're reading the right newsletter...

1. Scale new heights at Machu Picchu - with Spanish in Cusco
2. Go cultural at La Scala's new opera house - with Italian in Milan
3. Do your bit for nature - with a volunteer programme in Costa Rica

Is your body begging forgiveness after a month of late nights, rich food & festive tipples? Give it a break in one of our reviving outdoor locations and you'll come back a new person.

1. Spanish in Mayan paradise Playa del Carmen
2. French in sun-soaked Guadeloupe
3. German in Zurich's outdoor wonderland

So the party season's not over til you say so? Fine. Don't put your dress away - get yourself to these festivities and just tell your friends it's all in the name of learning a language:

1. Venice Carnival - 28th Jan-4th Feb
2. Salvador Carnaval - 3rd-8th Feb
3. Chinese New Year, Beijing - Feb 9th

 :: The Best of Cactus in 2005


 


 Spanish in Madrid, Barcelona & Salamanca
 French in Paris & Montpellier
 Spanish & Salsa in Havana & Santiago de Cuba
 Italian in Florence & Rome
 Language Courses in the UK
 Language & Activity Holidays
 Russian in St Petersburg
 German in Berlin


Spanish in Murcia, Tarragona, Mendoza & Ushuaia 
French in Vichy & Toulon 
Cactus Group Dance Holidays: Spain, Cuba, Argentina 
Italian in Capo Vaticano, Viareggio & Palermo 
English in the Bahamas, Whistler & New York 
Japanese in Kawasaki 
Chinese in Taipei 
 

 

 :: New Year Specials
Vejer de la Frontera
Bordeaux & Biarritz
Radolfzell
Malaga
Spanish Courses in Vejer French Courses in Biarritz German in Radolfzell Spanish Courses in Malaga

Buy one course, get another one free! Applies to all courses booked for dates between 17th Jan - 4th March Email Elvira

Intensive Course 30 lessons = same price as General Course 20 lessons, 3rd Jan - 28th Jan. Plus free activities! Email Laura

German & Snow Activities! Skiing/boarding at weekends incl. travel, passes & lodging. 2 wks £599 sgl/£569 dbl Email Anna

Free breakfast for all courses combined with student residence
starting in January!
Email Elvira

 :: And To Elaborate A Little On Those New Year Treats...


Cactus Group Dance Holidays

Whether you're on your own or with friends, our Group Holidays are taking off as THE way to go away and meet like-minded people in a lively and social environment. You'll learn the lingo, enjoy the local culture and have some great nights out in some of the world's most exciting cities - plus make a whole load of friends while you're at it! For more info or to book your place please email Laura.

Spanish & Salsa Holiday in Barcelona: £499 - 15th May & 4th Sept
Spanish & Salsa Holiday in Havana:
£399 - 20th Nov
Spanish & Tango Holiday in Buenos Aires:
£419 - 16th Oct

* £25 off any group holiday for Cactus VIPs - see below for more details *


Cactus Group Holidays
 

Cactus Families

Having kids doesn't have to restrict your choice of holidays. In fact it opens the door to our latest holiday addition, Cactus Families - brand new for 2005 following demand from you, our clients. Go to any of our selected locations within Europe and you can stay in family-friendly accommodation and together take part in a whole range of linguistic and social activities. You can still take the bucket and spade, but you'll come back having done much more than sit on the beach...

Read more here or email us for info.


Cactus Families
 :: Long Term Courses: 12+ Weeks


How to get really good in a language...with an unbeatable January offer!

Everybody on the continent does it, and look how well they speak languages - living proof that a long-term course of 12 weeks or more is without doubt the best way to make significant progress in a language. There's no upheaval just as you're getting to grips with the verbs and developing the confidence to speak to the locals, making it much more beneficial than a series of 1 week holidays - plus it's more economical.

All our prices for courses of 2 weeks+ are already discounted, meaning that the longer you study the cheaper it gets...and as a special NEW YEAR OFFER we are adding an *EXTRA 5% DISCOUNT* on top of this for all 12 week courses booked by Mon 31st Jan 05! Book now by quoting Ref: janlong12. Some sample prices to get you going...

Cape Town 12 weeks from £959
Buenos Aires
12 weeks from £979
Salvador de Bahia
12 weeks from £1299
New York
12 weeks from £1409
Sydney 12 weeks from £1669
Guadeloupe 12 weeks from £2109

12 Week Courses are available in ALL our locations. Please contact us for more info or for a quote!


Experience a new culture with a long term course
 :: What Our Clients Say: Feedback from Playa Tamarindo, Montpellier & Cairo


James Keeshan: Spanish in Playa Tamarindo, Nov 2004

"I chose Cactus because you seemed VERY organized, offered exactly what I was looking for and made it very easy to sign up. The school also ran an excellent operation out there. They were very friendly and professional and I was very pleased. I stayed at the student house "Catalina" and was pleasantly surprised - it's a great place to stay and at a great price too.

Playa Tamarindo is the perfect place to learn the language, use it throughout the day and generally have a blast! I enjoyed having a schedule for part of the day and then having the rest of the day to do as I chose. The part I least enjoyed was leaving!"

For more info on Spanish courses email Elvira >>


Spanish Courses in Playa Tamarindo
 

Benjamin Pynt : French DELF Preparation in Montpellier, Nov 2004

"Fantastic! The school was great, the teachers were great and the quality of care in the classes was fantastic. My hosts, les Chevaliers, were also a very good family - very pleasant and obliging. Montpellier itself is very nice, with a good student atmosphere, plus it's close to the beach, Spain and many regional attractions. Not one problem...everything from my point of view was perfect. "

For more info on French courses email Laura >>

French Courses in Montpellier
 

Ellis Titmas: Arabic in Cairo, Nov 2004

"I chose Cactus for your ability to offer a suitable programme and handle all the details in a way that could accommodate my schedule. The classes were wonderful and very productive. I had the benefit of individual instruction, and I feel as though it made the trip more worthwhile than lessons with a larger group. I stayed in a double apartment - it was very spacious and had more amenities than I had expected, so that was a bonus.

I think that Cairo is ideal for both language and cultural immersion as well as being a convenient launching point for more "traditional" touristy destinations. I was very pleased with Cactus, and their willingness to help me throughout the course of my holiday to resolve any problems that arose. Sarah was incredibly helpful and helped me to have a wonderful trip."

For more info on Arabic courses in Egypt email Anna >>

Spanish Courses in Playa Tamarindo
 :: Cactus VIPs


 You automatically become a Cactus VIP if you have taken more than one language holiday with us  and/or if you have sent in particularly useful feedback following on from your Cactus holiday.

 Those of you who are already Cactus VIPs now have your own section to log in on the home page of  our website. This gives you access to your unique web pages, offering fun language and travel  related information such as world festivals, recipes, mini language guides and a monthly photo  competition - plus, of course, amazing special offers as follows...

 * Cactus VIPs Offers - January *

 Cactus Group Holidays - £25 off holiday price (valid all year). Please quote your Customer  Number & Ref: VIPgroups.
 FREE Arrival Airport Transfer - for bookings made in January 05 for any holidays throughout the year. Please quote your Customer  Number and Ref: VIPtransfer.

 For more info on becoming a Cactus VIP please email us.


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© 2004 Cactus Language