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Ever thought you could have a free holiday in Spain for one week all expenses paid! Well now you can and I know because I have done it. It all started with an advert in my local paper saying "teach English to Spanish in a beautiful rural part of Spain completely free in 4 star accommodation. I was sceptical at first but looked at their website and saw how professional it was. My husband and I duly completed the stringent application form on line and within a few days heard we had been accepted on the programme. We had given a number of dates we would be available and they had arranged for us to go to their venue at Cazorla in Jaen at the end of June for 8 days. The programme consisted of approximately 25 Spanish professional people and 25 English speaking people (called "Anglos" on the programme). Whilst we were waiting to leave for Cazorla they had a forum on the website where we could see who our fellow Anglos were and chat to them online. We were amazed that they came from Canada, America and the UK. By the time we arrived at Cazorla we felt we already knew some of them.

The area of Cazorla is superb set in a National Park. The accommodation was townhouses set in amongst the hillside overlooked by an old castle. It was idyllic. We arrived in time for lunch which was enormous with copious bottles of vino on the table. Most people were there on their own but if you go as a couple you are not allowed to sit with each other at meals. The tables were set for four persons, two Spanish and two "Anglos". We thought that was quite good because we had loads to talk about to each other at the end of the day. The Spanish spoke excellent English and ranged from managers of large businesses, lawyers, doctors, nurses etc. We were told they never really got the chance to speak to English speaking people for any length of time so needed intensive talking about anything and everything. Throughout the week we talked one to one, two to two and group sessions. The group sessions normally ended with some of us dressing up and acting out little sketches for the rest of the group and was hilarious.

My husband and I produced a quiz which went down very well and other Anglos came armed with other ideas. It was a very demanding week but enjoyable and we met some really wonderful people. We had free time between 3pm and 5pm but quite often did not bother as lunch seemed to go on and on chatting and laughing with our new friends. The day ended at 10.30pm after dinner but then the bar was available with music and dancing until........... Sometimes we did not roll into bed until about 4am and then up again for "work" at 9am the following day. However, as I have said it was an experience I would not have missed for the world and we have decided we shall definitely do it again. The company have three venues in Spain, all rural, picturesque and away from the beaten track. Take a look at their website (www.puebloingles.com) - you will not be disappointed. The only cost is getting to Madrid and once there the coach takes you to the venue and brings you back to Madrid. Of course the only other cost is your bar bill at night!

Learn more about this author, Jenny Holmes.
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