Why, when and how do people travel?

People travel on business or for pleasure. Usually they travel when they are on holiday. When people wish to become tourists, they go to a travel agency and buy a tour of some country from a travel agent. They may travel by air, by train, by boat, by coach or by car. Young people may travel by bicycle or go hitch- hiking. Before booking your foreign holiday make sure you have an insurance policy. When you are abroad you should have some currency on you. All goods must be paid for in foreign currency only. The visa is the most essential thing. You can’t enter the country without it. When tourists arrive at the place of their destination they stay in hotels or motels, guesthouses or B&Bs. When in a big historical city tourists buy and study maps and tour guides of the city.

Today people have lots of good reasons to travel. Travelling has always been a part of people’s education. The best way to study geography is to travel and the best way to get to know the traditions and customs of different peoples is to speak to them. Besides, travelling is a good way to practise foreign languages.

It’s always interesting to discover new places and new ways of life, to try foreign food and to listen to unusual music. It's much better than sitting at home and doing nothing. When on a holiday tourists enjoy sunbathing, scuba diving, swimming, windsurfing, rafting, hiking, climbing the mountains, shopping, buying souvenirs, going sightseeing, going on excursions, taking pictures, visiting museums and picture galleries, going to theatres, cinemas, discoes and so on.

As for me, I’m fond of travelling. It’s both my hobby and favourite pastime.

Assignment 4

Read the text again and describe:

• types of holidays

• accommodation

• means of transport

• leisure activities

• reasons of travelling

Assignment 5

Match the words with their definitions. Give the Russian equivalents.

1. insurance	a. a special mark in a passport that gives permission to enter or leave the country
2. foreign currency	b. a little piece of paper, plastic, or any other material which appears on someone’s luggage and has essential information about its owner ( usually name and contacts, telephone and address )
3. label	c. type of money that is used in a country
4. visa	d. a document in which a certain sum of money is paid in case of an illness or an accident

SPEAKING

Assignment 6

1. You and your friend have won a competition and the prize is a holiday of your choice. Discuss the following issues and choose a holiday from the options below:

• which would be the best type of holiday to go on

• what you would like to do while you’re there

• how long you would like to go for

• what preparations you need to make for the trip.

Holidays from a to z

Action adventure

Cross the Sahara on a camel. Fly in a balloon safari. Sleep under the stars. Live your life to the full!

Beautiful beaches

White sand and palm trees as far as the eye can see. Bright sun and warm water. Exchange your stress for peace!

Countryside camping

Put down the picture postcards of the pretty countryside and pack your bags because we’re going there. Be part of nature!

Date with History

Bored with TV? Come on our great tour of monuments and museums and historical town centres. Feed your brain and your eyes!

Exciting sports

Fed up with sitting around? Want to get fit and have fun? Water sports, mountain-climbing, indoor skiing, and more: everything’s possible at our special centre!

Assignment 7