The Most Common Second Languages Spoken Around the World

Sure, you probably know a country's official language—but what about its second? Have you ever wondered which languages people speak after their native tongue? If you're traveling (and brushing up on your own second language, green owl or not), it’s worth knowing the second-most spoken language in the place you’re headed. Some of them might surprise you.

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✅ Your Travel To-Do List

May Edition

Where to travel: Head to one of the many new hotels opening this spring—from design-driven city stays and luxe beach resorts to remote retreats near canyons, rainforests, and national parks
What to do: Check out our editors’ top picks from the REI Outlet Sale and stock up on gear and clothing for your summer trips through May 16
Trending news: What airport you fly out of can impact the cost of your airline ticket. Here’s the cheapest and most expensive airline in every state
What we’re loving: Where to pitch your tent for a Sasquatch sighting
Listen up: This week on No Fixed Address, the woman behind the world’s best sea urchin, Stephanie Mutz, takes you into a world you never knew existed—an industry where divers harvest these spiny treasures from the ocean floor, destined for the plates of the world’s top chefs

Matador's Weekly Roundup

Our most popular stories this week.

The 10 Hardest Hikes in California Only Experts Should Attempt

Plenty of states have tough hikes—looking at you, Colorado—but California trades 14’ers for sheer variety. From the blazing desert trails of the south to the misty forests of the Lost Coast, these 10 hikes span the state and range from scenic day trips to grueling multi-day treks. Fair warning: some are so intense, hikers train for months (or even years) to take them on.

10 UK Train Journeys Through Seaside Towns, National Parks, and Mountain Peaks

Traveling by train in the UK frees you up from valuable time chewed up by airports, and the added plus of no security or luggage hassle.

Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Gate Is Quickly Becoming a Global Heritage Tourism Hub

A cultural epicenter in Saudi Arabia’s centuries-old capital, now home to world-class hotels and heritage experiences.

The World’s 9 Newest Countries and Their Paths to Becoming Independent

Whether born from violent revolution, political autonomy, or the breakup of a parent state, the world’s newest nations may be younger than most, but their origin stories are no less fascinating.