Top 8 Things to Do in Moscow in Winter!

moscow in winter

 

Top 8 Things to Do in Moscow in Winter!

By Teva Serna

February is one of the best times to visit Russia and Moscow, as you will get to experience the magic of a real Russian winter. In January and February, snow reigns over the city creating enchanting and beautiful panoramas. Wrap up warm, sip some vodka, and make sure you experience at least a couple of our top 8 things to do in Moscow in Winter!

The Kremlin

The most famous area in Moscow. Hidden behind high red stonewalls is the seat of the Russian government – a historic complex with colourful and impressive churches and palaces home to numerous artifacts and stories.

Ice Skating (Катание на коньках)

Have fun on one of Moscow’s many ice rinks. Whether you prefer the classic Red Square’s ice rink or the ice labyrinth in Gorky Park, you will find a place to glide over the ice throughout the capital.

The Red Square

Take a stroll around the most famous square in the world and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, then make your way towards the multicolour Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

The Bolshoi Theatre

A ‘must-do’ for many on a trip to Moscow. There is no better place to enjoy the ballet than at The Bolshoi Theatre and with all year round performances by some of the best dancers in the world the most difficult part is choosing which ballet to enjoy.

The Old Arbat

Stroll along Moscow’s main pedestrian street, once home to the country’s greatest artists. Stop in a restaurant to taste the savoury borscht (soup made of beetroot) after shopping for some matryoshkas (Russian nesting doll) to take back home as a souvenir. We like Café Mu Mu for an authentic Russian lunch.

Exhibitions (Выставки)

If you are passionate about contemporary art, head to the modernist Garage Museum in Gorky Park for exhibitions, artistic performances and film screenings.

Banya (Баня)

Warm up, relax and pamper yourself in one of the traditional Russian bath houses for a true winter experience. We like the Sandunóvskie Baths or Sanduný, which is a cultural and architectural landmark in downtown Moscow, just near the Central Bank of Russia.

banya moscow

 

Your Stay in Moscow

Take advantage of our special offers and save up to £235 when taking a Russian language course in Moscow this winter! Standard course (20 lessons per week) with homestay (bed and breakfast) or shared flat accommodation included from £650 for 2 weeks. Intensive course (25 lessons per week) with half-board homestay accommodation included from £855 for 2 weeks. These offers are available when booking before 31st January 2017, for a course between 1st February 2017 and 28th April 2017. Want to do a Russian tour? Why not combine one week in Moscow and one week in St Petersburg? Simply let us know at the time of your booking. Transfer costs between the two cities are not included.

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language holidays please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[ninja_forms id=6]

Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

Our Top 5 Destinations in Latin America for 2017

learn spanish in latin america

Learn Spanish & Experience Latin America – Our Top 5 Destinations for 2017

Latin America has something for everyone and especially for those residing in the Northern hemisphere it offers some much needed winter sun! From white sandy beaches to snow-capped mountains, from rich colonial history to Caribbean food and vibes, its landscapes and people are diverse and enigmatic. These are our top 5 choices for Latin America – and the bonus is that they are all locations where you can learn Spanish as well as have a Latin American experience to remember!

BUENOS AIRES

learn spanish in latin america

Equally European as South American in flavour, the Italian influence in Buenos Aires is clear – with its stylish shops, steak restaurants and trendy cafés. It is at night that Buenos Aires really comes alive with tango music and dance in the streets and the sizzle of succulent steaks on the grill. With a glass of the local Malbec in hand your Spanish will improve just by being there!
Spanish courses in Buenos Aires

SANTIAGO DE CHILE

learn spanish in latin america

With the magnificent backdrop of the Andes in the distance, the capital of Chile provides a wealth of arts and culture for the intellectuals and a wide range of adrenaline pumping activities for the adventurers. Topping up on the tan one day, wine tasting another, and fresh powder snowboarding the next… you will be spoilt for choice for things to do after class, many of which are included in the school’s jam-packed social activities programme.
Spanish courses in Santiago de Chile

LIMA

learn spanish in latin america

More recently people have been flocking to Lima for its undeniably delicious gastronomy, which has become popular all over the world, and most notably in the world capitals such as London and New York. Lima is a historical city with an energtic present – a colonial past mixed with a modern art scene, all brought together by its Spanish, African, Asian and Indigenous influences. You might come here to explore the city’s history but your taste buds will thank you for it.
Spanish courses in Lima

BOGOTA

learn spanish in latin america

Bogota is not longer a city to be feared or avoided. With decades of civil war and violent crime well behind it Colombia was voted the second best country to visit in 2017 by Lonely Planet. A clean and safe city Bogota can be enjoyed for its colonial treasures, glittering pre-Colombian art, enticing restaurants and diverse intellectual life. A world city of the future get to know Bogota before everyone else does.
Spanish courses in Bogota

HAVANA

learn spanish in latin america

The classic cars, the salsa beats on every corner, the faded colonial façades, and an old guy with a mojito in one hand and Cuban cigar in the other… this is the Cuba everybody knows, even those who have never visited. This is a Cuba that everyone must experience once in their lives – and be caught up by the friendliness of the people, the beauty of the Caribbean sea, and the notion that sometimes the world doesn’t have to move forward at breakneck speed.
Spanish courses in Havana

Contact Us

For more information on any of our worldwide language holidays please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[ninja_forms id=6]

Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

Join the Magic in Venice: Don’t Mask your Curiosity

venice carnival

It’s Carnival Time in Venice: Enter the Magical World of Masks

by Kathrin Schmitz

The Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival) is an almost one thousand year old tradition, after being banned for almost 200 years under the rule of the King of Austria, the Carnevale returned to the streets of Venice in 1979. Since then, the carnival in Venice has became one of the most popular celebrations in Europe with approximately 3 million visitors per year. Venice carnival always takes place between February and March. Explore the city of Venice, take an Italan language course and discover the magic of Carnival!

 

What happens at Carnevale?

The historic carnival was a colourful and spectacular event with theatre shows, ropewalkers, jugglers, exhibitions of exotic animals and fireworks. The streets of Venice Carnival were full of people in masks, and no differentiation could be made between nobility and the common people. Today’s carnival still tries to convey the flair of the 18th century when the Venetian carnival was at its height. The celebrations start with water parades through the canals of the floating city, artistic performances and celebrations in San Marco square. You can still see some acrobatic arts during the Volo di Angelo (flight of the angel) when an artist flies from the clock tower down to San Marco square.

The most distinctive and popular feature of the Venetian carnival, however, are the masks. Masks have always been important in the Venetian culture and mascheraro (maskmaker) was a reputable profession. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and from October 5th to Christmas, people could spend a large portion of the year in disguise. Nowadays there is a competition every year for la maschera più bella (the most beautiful mask).

venice carnival

 

Types of masks

Volto – the modern Venetian mask. Covers the entire face but doesn’t allow wearer to eat. Mostly worn with a cloak and tricorn.
Bauta – covers the entire face but still enables the wearer to eat, drink and talk. Often combined with a black cape and tricorn. Originally worn by men
Colombina – a half-mask often decorated with gold, feathers, crystals. Originally worn by women
Medico della peste (The Plague Doctor) – very distinctive mask with a long beak. Originally used by doctors to prevent spreading of the plague
Moretta – a black oval mask which didn’t allow the wearer to speak. Therefore also called Muta (mute). Was mostly worn by women.

 

Why Study Italian in Venice?

Venice Carnival

So pick your mask and dive into the fantastic world of the Carnevale di Venezia. Discover the famous canals on a gondola, try the Italian delicacies and go on wine tasting sessions. If you would like join people from all over the world at the Carnevale and to combine your masquerade adventure with learning Italian, Cactus Language offers Italian courses in the centre of Venice! You can study Italian from 1 week up to 52 weeks and choose from general Italian courses to Italian and Cooking courses. All courses are delivered by accredited Italian language schools.

 

How to Book an Italian Course in Venice?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the link to find more information about any of our Italian courses and discover the Venice Carnival.

For information on any of our language courses or to study Italian in Venice, Italy, please call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have before you start a summer adventure.

 

BOOK YOUR ITALIAN COURSE TODAY

 

[ninja_forms id=6]

Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

Meet Hannah – Our Portuguese Language Holiday Winner

portuguese language holiday

 

Our Portuguese Language Holiday Winner is off to The Algarve!

by Maria Ansede

During the Language Show 2016 Cactus Language offered visitors the chance to win a language holiday abroad. Having received 100s of entries we selected one name at random and we are happy to announce that the winner of our Portuguese Course in Faro prize is Hannah from the UK! Hannah visited us on our stand at the Language Show and will receive one week Portuguese language group lessons with accommodation included in the beautiful Algarve’s city of Faro.

Where will Hannah study?

Hannah will study at our partner school in Faro, based in the centre of the town, just a short walk from the beach. She will attend Portuguese classes with a native speak and will be joined by people of all ages from all over the world. Faro is a perfect blend of Portuguese culture, history and nightlife.

What does Hannah say?

“I study Spanish and German at university and have a passion for languages. After travelling in South America in the summer and visiting Brazil, I decided I would really like to learn Portuguese. I don’t really know any Portuguese, just a few phrases, so this course will be perfect! I love travelling, experiencing new cultures and learning new languages, so I am really looking forward to the course.”

portuguese language holiday

 

We wish Hannah the best of luck on her language learning adventure, and you can follow her experiences in Portugal on our Facebook page.

Contact Us

For more information on any of our Portuguese Courses please call us on 01273 830 960 or email us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

[ninja_forms id=6]

Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French

Reasons to Send Your Child to a Summer Language Camp

summer language camp

Why Send your Child on a Summer Language Camp?

As social and economic globalisation continues to develop at a rapid rate, the importance of language skills, in both the workplace and in life, continue to be highlighted by employers and government education departments all over the world. Learning a language as a child or young person is often easier than as an adult – and there is no better start to learning or improving a language than joining a summer language camp. The experts at Cactus Language have provide their top reasons for why sending your child on a summer language camp may be your best decision for their future!

Download our free Summer & Winter Language Camp Guide for Parents

 

Immersion works

Taking a summer language camp, in the country that the language is spoken, offers children and teenagers the best way to learn a language. From the day they arrive they will be surrounded by the language and every day they have the opportunity to practise and improve in a relaxed and fun environment. There are many situations where they will need to use the language in order to communicate – and it is this necessity that develops both their ability and confidence in the language. At a summer camp the children and teens live, eat and sleep the language – so much so that they forget that it is also an educational experience.

 

Learning can be fun too

All of our summer language camps, from English to Spanish, French to German, offer a full programme of fun activities, sports, games and trips throughout the week and weekends. With classes in the mornings and a wide choice of sports, social events and cultural visits in the afternoons, and day excursions at the weekends, the children have the chance to relax and enjoy themselves. Every activity gives them the chance to practise what they have learnt in the classroom with both their classmates and their native speaking activity leaders.

 

Not just language skills but skills for life

In a summer language camp environment the children develop a range of soft-skills and life-skills in addition to their language skills. Making friends with children from all over the world and working in teams with members from different cultures and customs builds assertiveness, independency, negotiating skills, and self-confidence. These are the skills that your children and teens will return with should you send them on a language camp this summer.

 

Download our free Guide for Parents

If you want to help your children and teens improve not only their employability but their ability to mix with people from all over the world then you want to find out more about our Summer Language Camps – download our free Guide for Parents. This guide answers all your questions about summer language camps – from where they sleep, to who looks after them, to how much pocket money they need. Cactus Language offers summer language camps in the UK, Spain, Italy, France and Germany – simply download our free Guide for parents to get a better understanding of whether a language camp is right for your child or teen.

 

How to Book a Summer Language Camp?

Please check our How to Book page for more information on the simple secure and easy online booking process. Check the location links to find more information on our Summer Language Camps Abroad.

For information on any of our Summer Language Camps, please check Our free Summer & Winter Language Camp Guide for Parents, call us on +44 (0) 1273 830 960 or contact us. Our multilingual team will be happy to answer any question you may have.

 

[ninja_forms id=6]

Cactus language offers the following types of language courses:

Evening language courses: 19 different languages in 10 UK locations
Language holidays: worldwide immersion courses in the country of the language
Private tuition: tailor-made and corporate language training solutions throughout the world
TEFL: teacher training courses for both English and other languages all over the world
Online courses: for teacher training, English and French