As summer draws to a close and we move into autumn many people like to head for the countryside to enjoy a relaxing rural type of break and of course, to take in the wonderful scenery all made colourful by the glorious shades of gold and red this season brings. So without further ado, here's some vibrant, key Spanish phrases to help you enjoy the perfect weekend break in the country - venga, ¡vamos!
Bueno, if you're looking to have a break from the daily grind so you can enjoy some peace and quiet, just say:
Me busco unos días de paz y tranquilidad porque necesito descansar del ajetreo cotidiano - I'm seeking a few days of peace and quiet because I need to take a break from the daily grind.
One of the reasons for taking a break in the countryside is of course to escape the levels of pollution that blight major cities and enjoy the pure air of the country. Want to say this in Spanish? Here you go, it's so easy:
Quiero escapar de la ciudad y la contaminación y tomar un descanso en el quinto pino. Da gusto andar en el campo y respirar el aire puro - I want to escape the city and the pollution and take a break far away in the sticks. It feels great to walk in the country and to breathe pure air.
El quinto pino - out in the sticks - is another authentic and vibrant phrase to sprinkle into your Spanish as is da gusto - it feels good. Just add the infinitive, in this case andar, to walk and respirar, to breathe. But there are hundreds of others you can easily add, por ejemplo: Da gusto: Leer, Nadar, Bailar, Comer, Beber - you get the idea I'm sure.
You probably know how to say you're taking a walk - dar un paseo - but if you're going to be going for long walks in the country then instead of un paseo use una caminata. So:
Doy una caminata por el campo - I'm taking a long walk in the countryside.
While you're enjoying your long walk in the countryside, lookout for los carteles - signs - especially ones saying "PRIVADO" - Private and "Privado: Un Coto de Caza" - Private Hunting Grounds. You don't want to incur the wrath of the landowner or even end up being hunted! Other signs to note will be those indicating footpaths - Un Sendero - and Un Camino - a way, a path.
One of the attractions of the countryside is the opportunity to visit traditional villages that have been unspoilt by tourism and retain their original charm and character. These are the places where you'll find the authentic Hispanic culture and if this is your thing then this Spanish phrase is a must for your toolkit:
Voy a hacer una excursión al campo para visitar un pueblo típico sin mucho turismo - I'm going to take a trip to the countryside to visit a typical village without much tourism.
To which you may receive the following reply:
Muy bien pero en los fines de semana ese pueblo se llena de domingueros - That's great but at the weekends, that village is full of day-trippers.
There's another great word for your Spanish vocabulary, domingueros, which can mean day-trippers or, around the towns and cities, Sunday drivers.
What about somewhere to stay? I'm not big on hotels as I find them impersonal, cold and expensive for what they offer. I much prefer a more welcoming family run bed & breakfast and if you're like me then how about this for a cracking Spanish phrase.
El coste de alojamiento estos días cuesta un ojo de la cara, especialmente los hoteles. Para mi, están fuera de presupuesto. Prefiero quedarme en una casa rural - The cost of accommodation these days costs an arm and a leg, especially for hotels and for me, outside the budget. I prefer to stay in a small bed and breakfast.
Cuesta un ojo de la cara - It costs an eye from the face is a great phrase to add to your growing Spanish vocabulary and is the equivalent of "it costs an arm and a leg" in English.
No hay nada más relajante que pasar unos días en el campo para disfrutar de la paz y la tranquilidad. ¿Por qué no haces la mochila y vas de puente al campo? Estoy con el pie en el estribo - ¿y tu? - There's nothing more relaxing than spending a few days in the country to enjoy the peace and quiet. Why not pack the rucksack and take a long weekend in the country? I'm ready to take a trip - how about you?
A couple of great phrases there for you to bring this article to an end. Ir de puente doesn't mean: to go for a bridge it means to take a long weekend and if you watch the news bulletins around Easter, you will hear this Spanish phrase as the roads become gridlocked with holidaymakers. Estar con el pie en el estribo has a couple of meanings. This Spanish phrase is used when somebody is about to breathe their last, when they are at death's door but the less serious meaning and more in context of this article means to be ready to take a trip.
Oye, olvida la rutina diaria, ¡vamos!