HOLIDAY
Topical Vocabulary
holidayBrE / vacation AmE to stay
package holiday / tour to catch up with smth
traveller to have a lie - in
tourist extra charge
holiday-makerto look forward to smth
travel agency to do odd jobs
travel agent
destination
hotel
single / double room
receptionist
reception desk
guest
accommodation
Ex. 1. Read the dialogue and say whose idea of a good holiday appeals to you more.
A Good Holiday
Liz: What’s your idea of a really good holiday?
Ron: Given a free choice, I’d say somewhere completely off the beaten track, like a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in the middle of nowhere, if you know what I mean.
Liz: That doesn’t sound like my scene at all - far too lonely.
Ron: Not at all. I’m not particularly keen on places swarming with people. In fact, I find t quite amazing that people want to be sociable on holiday.
Liz: Really?Imuch prefer having holidays in a town where there’s plenty of opportunity to do and see things.
Ron: I'm happy if I can just gaze at the sea. There’s nothing I enjoy more than lazing around on the beach with a good book, then having a leisurely lunch before going back to the beach again.
Liz: That doesn’t appeal to me one bit. I’d probably die of boredom.
Ron: Fortunately we never go on holidays together, so we’ll never have to fight about it.
Ex. 2. What do you look for in a holiday? What are your hopes and dreams for these blessed-out days? Put the following factors in order of importance and then compare your list with that of the partner’s.
• escaping the daily grind of work and day-to-day pressures
• getting away from your usual sources of stress
• relaxing your body, renewing your energy and refreshing your spirits
• migrating to sunnier climes, visiting historical and cultural attractions
• taking the best of the local cuisine
• spending precious time on your own
• indulginginsportsactivities
• spending time with people you like and love
• looking for peace and quiet to soothe away stress
• lookingfor a holidayromance
Ex. 3. What is your idea of a perfect holiday? You are not an active type, you are dreaming of a hideaway. You may start with:
Ah, holidays! Do you want to know what makes them perfect for me? Well, it is not a sundrenched island in the Caribbean, or lazy days under an azure blue sky in Italy. It is not even the gentle lapping of waves on a palm-fringed beach in the South Pacific. It is better. Much better.
Ex. 4. Work in pairs. Read the extracts from two holiday brochures and try to per suade your partner to go on a holiday with you.
Student A
MAJORCA
This idyllic spot is situated on a bay on the north-east corner of the island, overlooking a vast beach of fine sand. The surrounding countryside is hilly, with giant rocks, sand dunes, and rich-scented pine trees giving shade on the hottest days. All the simple requirements of a perfect holiday are to be found at the CaleMesquila. Hot sun... sea breeze, golden sands, comfortable chalets and homely food - all the ingredients to give you an atmosphere of good fellowship, humour and romance.
Student В
HOTEL YRIS, NORWAY
Five minutes’ walk from the village centre, the Yris has lovely views of the valley and mountains. It’s a spacious, extremely comfortable hotel and Mr. Blindheim, the manager, and his wife, make sure the hotel lives up to its motto of “A Home Away From Home!” The lounges (one has a small library with English books) and the attractive dining-room look on to green fields and mountain peaks. The Yris has an outdoor heated pool, a ballroom and bar, and a games room.
Ex. 5. Form a group of four. You want to go on holiday together but have different ideas. Try to come to an agreement.