http://telegraphuk.disqus.com/enTue, 18 Oct 2011 17:32:00 -0000http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/centralamericaandcaribbean/guatemala/8831011/Guatemala-Finding-peace-in-the-volcanos-shadow.html#comment-338531155<p>Antigua is totally gorgeous, but extremely touristy (think groups of Americans down for a week or so to 'do' Central America) For the real Guatemalan experience, head to Quetzaltenango in the Western Highlands, Guatemala's second biggest city but with none of the issues of the capital. Within near reach of some beautiful volcano hikes and only 2 hours from lake Atitlan it is also one of the cheapest places in the world to study Spanish, with one-on-one classes and lots of after class activities.  And unlike Antigua,  also has a ton of Spanish schools, people in Xela (as Quetzaltenango is know locally) will actually speak to you in Spanish, not English! I loved it and can't wait to get back to Guatemala.<br>Here is where I studied, Utatlan Spanish School: <a href="http://www.spanishxela.com" rel="nofollow">www.spanishxela.com</a></p>jeebTue, 18 Oct 2011 17:32:00 -0000