Travelling and Tourism

1. Why people travel

• For leisure / holidays – to relax, see new places, escape routine.
• For business – meetings, conferences, trade fairs.
• For education – language courses, student exchanges (Erasmus), study abroad.
• For family / personal reasons – visiting relatives, weddings, funerals.
• For adventure – treks, safaris, extreme sports.

2. Types of travel

• Family holiday (BrE) / vacation (AmE)
• Excursion – short trip with a specific purpose
• Guided tour – with a guide explaining sights
• Trek / safari / hike – nature-oriented
• School trip / day trip / road trip / camping trip / business trip

3. Before the trip

• Choose a destination, book a ticket / seat in advance, reserve accommodation.
• Pack luggage – distinguish hand luggage (BrE) / carry-on (AmE) vs checked luggage.
• Sort out documents – passport, ID card, visa if needed, travel insurance.
• Plan a route, get directions, check the weather and local currency.

4. At the airport

• Arrive ~2 hours before departure, check in, drop off luggage, go through security and passport control.
• Wait at the gate, then board the plane.
• Things you need: ticket, boarding pass, valid ID / passport.
• Classes: economy, business, first.

5. Accommodation

• Hotel – full service but expensive.
• Hostel – cheap, popular with backpackers, shared rooms.
• Bed & breakfast (B&B) – home-style, common in the UK / Ireland.
• Airbnb / apartment – flexibility, kitchen, often cheaper for groups.
• Campsite / caravan – cheap, close to nature.
• Cottage / cabin – Czech speciality (chata, chalupa).

6. Popular destinations

• Sea & sun: Croatia, Greece, Spain, Italy.
• Cities: London, Paris, Rome, New York, Tokyo.
• Nature: Norway (fjords), Iceland, national parks in the USA.
• Czech favourites for abroad: Croatia, Italy, Greece, Slovakia (mountains), Egypt.

7. Tourism in the Czech Republic

• Prague – Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Astronomical Clock.
• Český Krumlov – UNESCO medieval town.
• Karlovy Vary – spa town, international film festival.
• Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) – rock formations, hiking.
• Krkonoše & Šumava – mountains for skiing and hiking.
• Moravian Karst – cave systems.

8. Advantages of travelling

• You learn about other cultures, languages, food.
• It broadens your horizons and makes you more tolerant.
• You meet new people, gain independence.
• It’s a great break from school / work routine.

9. Disadvantages / problems

• It can be expensive.
• Mass tourism damages historical sites and the environment.
• Risk of theft, scams, illness, language barriers.
• Carbon footprint of flying.
• Lost luggage, cancelled flights, jet lag.

10. My experience

• Talk about a trip you took – where, with whom, how long, what you did, what you liked / didn’t like.
• Pattern: Last summer I went to … with my family / friends. We stayed in … . We visited … . The best part was … . The worst was … .

11. Useful phrases & vocabulary

• Verbs: to travel, to go on a trip, to go sightseeing, to book / reserve, to check in, to board, to go abroad.
• Adjectives: exotic, picturesque, breathtaking, off the beaten track, touristy, overpriced, affordable.
• Useful: itinerary, sightseeing, landmark, souvenir, guidebook, currency exchange.

12. Speaking strategy

Start with why people travel in general, then your own habits and a specific trip you took. Compare a city break with a beach holiday or active vs. relaxing trips. End with a recommendation (a place you’d like to visit and why).