If you want to pick up a foreign language quickly, an extended stay in a country that speaks it is one of the best strategies. So if you have to learn Spanish, Spain or a Latin American country will provide you with a 'total immersion' experience where you can live, breathe, eat and drink the language for maximum exposure.

Whether you choose to enroll in a language course or simply acquire the language through regular use, Spain itself provides a wonderfully welcoming and vibrant environment which positively encourages the visitor to mix with local people and gain an appreciation of the colorful and varied culture of the country.

Spain is often referred to as un pa�s de contrastes -- a land of contrasts -- and it's certainly true that the visitor can enjoy a wide range of landscapes and customs while traveling across the country. Sadly, however, many people never bother to stray from their coastal holiday resort to discover the very different world that often lies just a few kilometers inland.

The larger cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona or Granada, naturally attract many students who want to learn Spanish. Spain boasts wonderful food, world class museums and great sight-seeing which provide a picturesque backdrop for any visit. And the more enterprising tourist who travels beyond the main centers will be fascinated by smaller towns and dramatic scenery that offer very different views of the country.

If you're interested in discovering more unusual areas in which to learn Spanish, Spain's 'Autonomous Regions' each offer varied and interesting characteristics that are worth discovering in depth. A good guide book will provide details of how you can plan your stay in one area or create your own itinerary. Here are some popular regional destinations to consider:

Andaluc�a: Many visitors to Spain are familiar with the beaches of the Costa del Sol. But much of the beauty of this southern region lies in its diverse scenery, the architecture and long history of towns such as Granada, C�rdoba and Seville and the life of its pueblos blancos -- the little 'white villages' that dot the landscape of the interior.

Green Spain: A popular nickname for the northern stretch of the country that borders the Atlantic. The Cantabrian mountains give it a more moderate climate than that of the central plateau.

Rioja: Wine-lovers will be familiar with the name of this province, famous throughout the world for its vineyards and the distinctive flavors of its wine.

Catalu�a: This eastern region is home to the famous city of Barcelona, as well as the popular area of coastline known as the Costa Brava. It boasts ancient traditions and culture, including its own language, Catal�n, which many inhabitants speak in addition to regular Spanish.

Galicia: To the far west of Spain, this region's climate is characterized by its proximity to the Atlantic. Its coastline is marked by many inlets that resemble fjords and contribute to the importance of fishing as an industry and the influence of fish and seafood in its cuisine.

Visiting the country is a great way to learn Spanish. Spain is not the only country in which it is spoken, of course. There are also countless opportunities to learn and practice in Latin America, which may be a more practical destination, depending on your location.

But if traveling to the country just isn't a possibility, don't give up on your ambition to learn Spanish -- what about other language learning options? Find out if there are local Spanish classes in your area, and check out online learning options. If you have a computer and an internet connection, you can download audio learning material that you can work on anywhere, at any time.