We are aware that Asunción has lots of activities to offer, but there are also lots of cities full of magic outside of Paraguay's capital. One of our favorite things about learning Spanish with Fluido is getting out of the classroom and into real Paraguayan life — and our latest excursion to Areguá did not disappoint.
The itinerary was simple, the air was fresh, the strawberries were sweet.
We started in front of the town's iconic Areguá sign, right in front of a beautiful old church built in 1862.
Of course, no group trip is complete without a photo, so the whole crew gathered for a picture before heading off to explore.
Noborigama, the largest climbing kiln in South America, it's a traditional wood-fired oven for ceramic typically built into the hillside in a series of connected chambers, one stacked above the next. A local artisan welcomed us into his workshop and walked us through the whole process, from purifying the clay to loading pieces into the kiln for firing. He explained how the kiln's sloped, multi-chamber design lets heat and flame climb naturally from the firebox at the bottom all the way up through each chamber, reaching temperatures well over 1,200°C and firing hundreds of pieces in a single, days-long burn.
Students got to see finished pieces up close, ask questions about the wood used, how long the pieces cure before firing, and how this centuries-old Japanese technique found a home in Areguá's pottery tradition.
Beyond the food, La Candelaria is also home to a unique antique collection scattered around the property, so students wandered around before and after eating, admiring the old pieces and snapping a few extra photos.
By midday, everyone had worked up an appetite, -vare'a, as paraguayans say- and we headed to the beautiful La Candelaria hotel for a buffet lunch. The food there is incredible, there's always something for everyone, and it gave the group a chance to relax, chat, and refuel before the afternoon.
If there's one stop that had everyone talking, it was Expo Frutilla. This street festival is a celebration of Areguá's most famous export: strawberries.
Lots of stands lined the street, run by local vendors selling everything strawberry-related you could imagine — fresh strawberries by the kilo, homemade strawberry liqueur, pastries, and of course, strawberry ice cream.
Students wandered from stand to stand, practicing their Spanish while ordering treats and chatting with vendors, and more than a few ice cream were happily purchased.
We wrapped up the day at Areguá Bay, where Lake Ypacaraí stretches out with gorgeous views. After a full day of walking, it was the perfect place to slow down. Students strolled along the water, took in the scenery, and snapped some final photos together before heading back.
From ceramics to strawberries to lakeside views, this trip was a perfect reminder of why we love bringing our students beyond the classroom walls. Learning a language isn't just about grammar and vocabulary — it's about experiencing the culture, the people, and the traditions that make that language come alive.