Travel Blog

There are almost 7,000 different languages spoken throughout the world, some with just a handful of speakers and some with hundreds of millions. In fact it is estimated that 94% of languages are spoken by just 6% of the world’s population, meaning there are a small number of languages spoken by millions of people and many languages each spoken by just a few. So which are the world’s most commonly spoken languages, where are they spoken and what is it that makes them so popular?

1. Mandarin

With estimates ranging between 845 million and a billion speakers, Mandarin Chinese is without a doubt the language spoken most across the world. Mandarin is the official spoken language of the People’s Republic of China and its origins can be dated back thousands of years to Early Chinese.

With the 20th century popularity in migration from China to countries such as America, Australia, Canada and the UK, Mandarin was spread across the globe, successfully retaining its usage amongst migrant settlers and their children. “Ni hao” is how you would say hello in China, while “my name is” would be “wo jiao”, “thank you” is “xie xie” and “goodbye” is “ziajian”.

2. Spanish

Next on the list is Spanish, with over 358 million native speakers and well over 400 million speakers in total. Modern Spanish first began to develop in 15th century Spain, but was spread across the world with the colonization efforts of Spanish conquistadors. It now has official status in 25 countries, with Mexico boasting the most native speakers. To greet someone in Spanish we say “hola”, whereas to say goodbye we would say “adios”. “My name is” in Spanish translates to “mi nombre es” and “thank you” is “gracias”.

3. English

With an estimated 330 million speakers, English is the world’s next most common language. English has a fascinating history and finds its present form thanks to contributions from Germanic, Romantic, Scandinavian, African and Asian languages. Like Spanish, English was spread throughout the globe with British colonization efforts and is now the official language of many countries including America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the United Kingdom.

4. Hindi-Urdu

After English, it is believed that Hindi-Urdu is the next most widely spoken language, with approximately 242 million speakers across the globe. Dating back from the 13th century, this language actually has two official forms, Hindi – the official language of India – and Urdu – the official language of Pakistan. The two languages are very similar, although they are written using different alphabets. “Hello” is “namaste”, “goodbye” is “namaskar”, “mera nam …….. hai” is “my name is” and “thank you” is “dhanyavad”. Like English, however, Hindi-Urdu is subject to a wide variety of regional variations.

5. Arabic

Arabic, a Central Semitic language similar to Hebrew, is next on the list of world’s most commonly spoken languages, with approximately just over 220 million speakers. Arabic has very close ties with the Islamic holy book – the Quran – and is spoken predominantly in Islamic countries.

Arabic is the official language of 26 different nations, including much of the North of Africa and the Middle East. In order to say “hello” in Arabic you should say “marhaba” and to introduce yourself to someone you would say “ana Ismi” followed by your name. To thank someone for something you would say “shukran” and to bid someone farewell you say “ma`a as-salaamah”.

6. Bengali

After Arabic, Bengali is thought to be the world’s next most widely spoken language, boasting around 180 million speakers across the globe. Like Hindi-Urdu, Bengali belongs to the Indo-Aryn family of languages, with the majority of native speakers living in Bangladesh and the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal and Tripura. There are also many Bengali speakers living in Australia, Europe and North America. “Hello” in Bengali is “nomaashkaar”, whereas saying goodbye is “khudaa hafiz”. To tell someone what your name is in Bengali you should say “amar nam” and to thank them you should say “dhonnobad”.

7. Portuguese

With just less than 180 million speakers across the world, Portuguese is thought to come just behind Bengali in terms of the most commonly spoken languages. Just like Spanish and other languages belonging to the Romance family (such as Italian and French), the Portuguese language is a descendant of Latin, though modern Portuguese has a much harsher sound than its Romantic counterparts.

As with English and Spanish, Portuguese was spread by traveling colonialists hundreds of years ago and so despite finding its home in Portugal, it is now most widely spoken in Brazil, as well as being spoken in a number of African countries. You say “olá” to say hello to someone in Portuguese and “adeus” to say goodbye. “Obrigado” is Portuguese for “thank you”, whereas “Meu nome é” is how to tell someone your name.

8. Russian

There are around 150 million Russian speakers in the world, making Russian the world’s next most commonly spoken language. Russian is a Slavic language and unlike many of the other languages in this list, the vast majority of its speakers actually reside its country of origin – Russia – making it the most widely spread native tongue in Europe.

Russian is also used by many of those living in countries surrounding Russia and those that were once part of the former USSR. “Hello” in Russian is “Zdravstvujte”, “goodbye” is “Do svidanija”, “my name is” is “Men’a zovut” and “thank you” is “Spasiba”.

9. Japanese

With somewhere in the region of 130 million speakers, Japanese follows Russian in terms of most widely spoken languages across the globe. Most of the language’s speakers do actually live in Japan, although there are strong migrant communities – particularly in America and Australia – where Japanese is also spoken. Interestingly, Japanese is written using Chinese characters (called kanji), as well as modified versions of the Chinese script. “Konichiwa” is Japanese for “hello”, “sayonara” is “goodbye”, and “arigato” is “thank you”.

10. German

Finally, the tenth most commonly spoken of all the world’s languages is thought to be German, with an estimated 90 million speakers. The majority of German speakers live in Germany, however German is also an officially recognized language in Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

As well as these countries, German is also spoken in parts of Luxembourg, Northern Italy, Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Russia, Africa and South America thanks to colonialism and migration. There are also 5 million German speakers in the US. German for “hello” is “hallo” or “guten Tag”, goodbye is “aufwiedersehen”, “danke schön” is “thank you” and “mein name ist” is German for “my name is”.

This was a guest post written by TravelSupermarket, a travel comparison site who have great deals available on holidays, flights, hotels, car hire and everything else travel related.

Tags: commonly spoken languages, top languages in the world, world languages

Puerto Plata is a go-to destination in the Dominican Republic, which occupies the majority of Hispaniola Island in the Greater Antilles (the remainder is made up by the country of Haiti). The city is built on raised ground, making it visible from the port, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the Isabel des Torres mountain in the south.

Certainly one of the most exciting things to do in Puerto Plata is to take a cable car and ascend 793 meters up Isabel des Torres to view panoramic ocean vistas and the outlying regions of the city. Botanical gardens and a statue of Christ the Redeemer (similar to that in Rio de Janeiro), as well as souvenir shops, are open to tourists visiting the plateau.

There is a beautiful and varied coastline in Puerto Plata, of which the main beach is Long Beach in the east, located in the busy, urban perimeter of the city, but which offers snorkeling and diving in colorful coral reefs. Because the city has boomed in recent years with luxury resorts, adventure parks, marinas and casinos, the beaches have been swept up in development and dominated by the tourism industry. Confresi and Costambar have excellent amenities but tend to be busy, while Playa Dorada or Golden Beach has endless shores of glittering sand.

Other popular activities include whale watching between January and April when humpback whales return to the nearby bay of Samana. Visitors may like to stop by Puerto Plata’s rum distillery off the main Sosua-Playa Dorada highway, or take a tour of a cigar factory in neighboring Santiago. There’s also a variety of bird species in the El Morro National Park just a few hours drive from the city in the region of Monte Cristi. Be sure to book a package holiday to the Dominican Republic where the sun shines all-year round and enjoy the golden beaches.

Travelers can find cheap holidays to Dominican Republic with HolidayHypermarket, where flights and hotel bookings are inclusive.

Tags: Dominican Republic, Greater Antilles, Hispaniola Island, Isabel des Torres, Puerto Plata

For those of you who have been keeping up with Traveling Project for some time now, you might know that I’ve been setting aside some of the income this travel blog generates and have been donating it to those who are in need of a loan on the Kiva website.   When I first started this little side project, I thought it would be a great idea to see how many people I could help around the world by making loans – a perfect fit for a blog which is about traveling around the world.  So today I can add the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Mali and Uganda to the list of places I have made loans too as you can see in the picture above.

A complete list of countries/places around the world I have made loans to can be seen in the image below:

Tags: kiva, Kiva loans

Known for beautiful mountain ranges and long stretches of sandy beaches, Benidorm, Spain is a wonderful location for family holidays. Located on the Costa Blanca coast, Benidorm provides activities to satisfy all age groups. Families traveling to Benidorm can experience castle tours, water parks, nature parks and water activities. For the adventurous family, four wheeling tours, water sports and theme parks will provide plenty of excitement.

Capture a day of fun and relaxation at Aqualandia Water Amusement Park. During hot summer months, the water slides and swimming pools not only offer a way to cool off but relaxation and sunbathing as well. Featuring restaurants, cafes and gardens, the adults will find it as appeasing as the children.

For more thrilling excitement, older children and teens will love Terra Mitica theme park. Based on a Mediterranean theme that includes Egypt and Greece to name a few, rides and attractions offer information about each country. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, ride enormous roller coasters such as the Inferno and be launched to 60km per hour in a matter of seconds.

When the need for thrills is at a lower level, experience the countryside and beaches. To view the beauty of Benidorm’s coastline, boat trips are available daily to Calpe. Lined with a seafront promenade, visitors to Calpe will find a wide selection of restaurants.

Located directly into the sea, Cable-Ski, Benidorm is a new and innovative opportunity to practice a favorite sport. Developed as a European idea, cable water skiing doesn’t utilize boats; instead, glide over the waves by an electronically-driven cable.

Delivering a new concept for zoos and nature parks, Terra Natura Animal Park allows guests to make contact with the animals between barriers invisible to the naked eye. Called “Zooimmersion,” this idea is a safe way to view wild animals without straining to see over and between fences. Four themed areas divide the park into types of animals found in different regions of the world.

Plan a trip inland to visit the Castle of San Jose and Alcozaiba Castle in Guadalest. Constructed in the 12th century, the Castle of San Jose was important due to its strategic location in the mountains. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1644, the castle was part of the walled town of Guadalest. Alcozaiba Castle was part of an 11th century fortress built by the Moors.

Enjoy a family holiday in Benidorm and find activities suitable for everyone.

Tags: Alcozaiba Castle, Aqualandia Water Amusement Park, Benidorm Spain, Benidorm travel, cable water skiing, Castle of San Jose, Costa Blanca, fun family holidays, Guadalest, Terra Mitica theme park, Terra Natura Animal Park, Zooimmersion

Dubbed as the “Mother of All Cities” by the locals, Egypt is one of the many places in the world whose beauty will captivate any visitor.  Located in the north eastern part of Africa, Egypt also extends into Asia through the Sinai Peninsula. Its interesting geographical location is bounded by the Mediterranean and the Red Sea; is dominated by the Nile River; and is scattered with amazing valleys and deserts along the way.

The Basics of Traveling to Egypt

Depending on your original location, you can easily obtain a tourist or entry visa for Egypt.  Several international airports operate here including the Cairo International Airport, Alexandria Nozha, the Luxor International Airport and a handful of others. With the Nile River being the heart of Egypt, you will be missing out on a lot if you will not take any of the ferries which regularly run through the Sinai Peninsula – or follow a cruise itinerary as you board one of the ferries in the Red Sea.

Highlights of Touring Egypt

Now, what are the highlights of touring this captivating country? You’ve never been to Egypt unless you check out its most iconic structures and places to see, including:

• Alexandria

Egypt’s second largest city, Alexandria is a hip metropolis where you can feel as if you’re one of the locals. Buy a cup of coffee or smoke sheesha in one of the antique shops here and you’ll have a truly down-to-earth Egyptian experience.

• Cairo

Tourists have a couple of reasons to visit a new place – to have a glimpse of the past or see what the modern city feels like. Visiting Cairo is a mixture of these two as you wander through Garden City or be taken back in time as you have a tour of the crumbling 19th and early 20th-century mansions.

• Great Sand Sea

What’s Egypt if not for the deserts, and skirting the edge of the sand dunes here is one of the most unforgettable travel experiences that you’ll have in your life.

• Mount Sinai

Feel how it is to be in a live, Bible-like setting as you trek through the holy mountains of Sinai.

• Nile River

People from all corners of the globe flock to Egypt just so that they can see for themselves the river of life which is Nile. There are feluccas, floating hotels or dhabiyya cruises that you can take here so that you can tour the magnificent Nile River.

• Red Sea

Beach bum or not, nothing beats the feeling of knowing that you are actually exploring one of the most beautiful underwater scenes on Earth as you scuba dive or snorkel in the Red Sea which is teeming with lush marine life.

• The Pyramids of Giza

Finally, there’s the iconic Pyramids of Giza. The simple experience of standing at the base of one of these gigantic monuments is already an experience by itself so make sure to include it in your travel itinerary.

If you want to learn more about Egypt as a country, you can go on an extended vacation here. However, those who have a limited time can go on an eight-day tour which will give you enough time to explore the aforementioned highlights, immerse yourself in the culture and at least have a basic idea what Egypt is all about.

Visit TravelMatch to book hotels  in Egypt online  and to learn more about Egypt holidays.

Tags: Africa, Alexandria Egypt experience, Cairo, Egypt holiday, Egypt international airports, Egypt tours, Egypt travel, Egypt vacation, Great Sand Sea, Mount Sinai, Nile River, pyramids in Egypt, Pyramids of Giza travel, Red Sea travel tours, Sinai Peninsula

When traveling to a place you’ve never been, seeing how the locals live and marveling at the sights will somewhat affect you. Depending on the initial impact that the place made on you, your wish would be to either come back for another visit, never go back there again or do the opposite which is to want to live there.

How about when you travel to Italy? A long-time favorite of those who would like to experience the best that Europe has to offer, this large country in the southern part of the region is dubbed as the birthplace of the Western culture. Italy is also home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, it’s one of the main cities for fashion, it is a haven for food lovers and the ultimate place to be in for those who’d like to live the good life – or la dolce vita.

You will definitely not be lacking in activities to engage in and sights to see when going on Italy touring holidays. In fact, the one thing that you might have trouble doing is to choose which place to visit first.

For instance, if you want to learn more about the country’s history, you can join a tour called the Greek Influence and check out the well-preserved temples on the south western part of Sicily. For those who’d like to learn more about the Christian influence in Italy, the Vatican is a must-visit. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church which has separate state status despite being part of Rome.

You can also check out the Byzantine Cities, the Renaissance part of Italy or have a walking tour of the streets and squares. In the same vein, there’s a plethora of UNESCO World Heritage Site monuments that you can visit, charming little islands, museums, excellent beaches and a flurry of other sites to pay homage to.

Living “La Dolce Vita” While Touring Italy

Now, how can you live la dolce vita while going on one of the Italy touring holidays which you can book personally or through a travel agent? First, you can lounge by one of the best beaches in the world. For a flash of history, religion, art and culture, you can go on a tour of some of the best museums not just in Italy but the rest of the world as well.

Second, you can go on a cycling tour; visit the vineyards or go shopping at one of the quaint farmer’s markets in Italy. Being the center of the fashion industry, you can buy any of the top designer brands in Italy. Third, go on a tour of small towns which haven’t changed since the middle ages.

The people are friendly, the food is fantastic, the culture is fascinating, the history is rich – it’s all these and more which endear Italy to travelers from around the world. If you want to have a taste of the beautiful life in an equally gorgeous city, then you should definitely book a touring holiday in Italy.

Check out Page & Moy for more Italy touring holidays!

Tags: Byzantine Cities, Europe travel, Italy cycling tour, Italy holidays, Italy travel, Italy UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Rome Italy, Sicily Italy

If there’s one thing when it comes to traveling around a bustling city that makes everything so much more difficult, it’s transport. If there’s another, it’s expenses. If there’s a third, it’s timing. I could go on, but let’s say that when I had the pleasure of viewing some of Moscow’s most iconic and inspiring architecture, I was relieved to find that the easiest, most hassle-free method was by boat.

Of course, I had to get to the dock first, which meant a trip on Moscow’s Metro. The dock itself is across the street from Kievskaya Metro Station. Fortunately, I could bide my time because the boat leaves every twenty minutes or so, and runs from about midday until well into the evening; the last run is about eight at night. Tickets are around three hundred rubles, or about a fiver. There are several stops along the way where passengers are free to board and there are ticket officers at each stop. I also found out that the trips run from May to October because the river has a tendency to freeze over during the winter.

From Kievskaya Metro the boat chugged lazily along the River Moskva which dissects the city. I found it was the perfect way to relax and see the sights at the same time. I took a seat on the outer decking (there is inner seating as well), and was treated to a fantastic journey, albeit without any commentary or explanation as to what was what – research was needed.

The first thing I passed as we went down the river was the Bogdan Khmelnitsky pedestrian bridge; a mass of twisted metal and glass intricately entwined together forming a spectacular construction. At night, it was lit up like a Christmas tree, adding to its ‘sci-fi-esque’ appearance. Next was the Mosenergo Frunzenskaya Power Station. Chimney stacks like light-houses and funnel stacks painted blue like circus tents; the Russians find joviality in almost all situations. However, turning away from that, I noticed various different Moscow restaurants and shops that had been newly built on the other side of the river. They could be worth checking out, I thought, until I laid eyes on the next iconic building: The Maiden Convent. Its golden onion domes and palace-like appearance stood proud in Moscow’s skyline and as we rounded the bend, everyone was rushing to snap a picture.

Further on, the sights kept my eyes well and truly glued: more fascinating bridges, more classic Moscow structures and skyliners, and the awe-inspiring statue of Peter the Great. It has to be seen to believe but, the monument itself, was a bronze plume of water with the fronts of small ships (in comparison to the life-size frigate above) jutting out. On the frigate’s deck stood Peter himself holding a golden scroll.

For me, that was the highlight of the hour and a half or so trip and, before it turned around and went back the way it came, there were many more thrilling sights to feast my eyes upon. The boat trip was definitely the cheapest, most relaxing way of taking in all of Moscow’s weird and wonderful cityscape.

For more info on Moscow view this page.

Tags: Bogdan Khmelnitsky bridge, Kievskaya, Kievskaya Metro Station, Maiden Convent Moscow, Moscow boat ride, Moscow Metro, Mosenergo Frunzenskaya Power Station, Moskva River, New Maiden Convent Moscow, statue of Peter the Great