The Spanish people really know how to enjoy life, and you can’t help but to absorb and project this mantra yourself through every pore when visiting Spain.

This is a country that practically pulsates with passion, excitement and a zest for life. The Spanish are immensely proud of their history and their culture and it’s not hard to see why.

Relish the traditional architecture, the colourful street art, the thin streets lined with beautiful flowers, sun drenched beaches welcoming the warm coastal waters and some of the most delicious food you could ever wish to taste.

There are so many different things to do in Spain that this particular high five was no easy task, but I got there in the end, and the result is five experiences that undoubtedly stand out, but are they the right five? Over to you on that one, let me know what you think in the comments box below.

Continue reading →

What is the one thing you need to know if you’re booking a round the world trip? How do you get a job after gaining a TEFL qualification? What’s they best way to travel across America? How long do you need to take part in a volunteering project?

When it comes to planning your own big trip, whatever that may be, there’s one thing that you’ll have in common with everyone else planning theirs – questions. And lots of them.

This month and next, our STA Travel stores will be open late to host our ‘Your Big Trip’ travel talks. A series of nights aimed at sharing advice, tips, important information and inspiring ideas you haven’t even considered, straight from the mouths of our own Travel Experts but also from some very knowledgeable and experienced special guests.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, you could win one of a whole heap of prizes, from bus passes to hotel nights, just for turning up! (Oh, and there’ll probably be a free beer or two too, as if you needed any more convincing).

If you’re planning on heading off on your own trip of a lifetime anytime soon, you can’t afford to miss it, and best of all – they’re totally free! Just make sure you reserve your place as soon as possible because places are filling up fast.

So, that’s the ‘why’s’ taken care of, here’s all the info on the ‘when’ and ‘where’s’.

Thousands of excited would be travellers take inspiration from out travel talks every year.

Continue reading →

Life as an English teacher abroad is special. Imagine getting paid to spend time with groups of enthusiastic young faces that hang off your every word, in one of the world’s most captivating locations.

To break down the 5 most popular TEFL destinations and tell you how you can get a taste of life as an English teacher abroad is TEFL specialist Katie Baxter.

Continue reading →

“Exactly what is a sabbatical and how can I get myself one of those?” I hear you ask – and if you weren’t asking before – you probably are now…

Put simply, a sabbatical is an agreed, and unless you’re very lucky, usually unpaid, amount of time away from work.

If you manage to secure a sabbatical, it means that you are still technically employed by the company you work for, but are just enjoying a ‘career break’, giving you the opportunity to enjoy those experiences you’ve been dreaming about at your desk for the past few months or years.

I’m not going to lie, they aren’t necessarily easy to secure. Not all companies offer them, but some do, and if you’re one of the lucky enough to have the opportunity to take advantage of unpaid (or paid) leave, you should grab it with both hands.

Here is a 5 step plan to making that happen.

Continue reading →

Tours are great. Personally I love them. You get to see all the best bits of a country or region while someone else take care of all the bits, such as transport and accommodation, which usually end up distracting you from the real reason you came – to explore and experience.

But sometimes, time can move a little too fast on a tour, it can feel like you’ve only just arrived when it’s already time to go, meaning it’s not really the perfect way of getting ‘under the skin’ of the place you’re visiting.

This is the very reason we’re introducing our new form of adventure tour; local living experiences. A perfect combination of the local knowledge and support provided by a tour, along with the ultimate freedom of really getting to know an area of the world in your own way, in your own time.

It’s the fast track way of living like a local; for those who don’t have time to live like a local.

Continue reading →