Travelling

Most people would agree that rest and recreation are as important as work. Different people choose different ways of spending their holidays. The most popular among them is travelling. It has become an essential part of our life. It's difficult to imagine modern life without travelling as the technological progress of the previous century has allowed people to cover long distances in no time.

Travelling has become a highly organized business in many countries. Millions of people all over the world travel about their own countries and to foreign lands as well. People travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. They are eager to see and explore new places. It is always interesting to discover new things and other ways of life, to meet different people, taste different food, examine various architectural styles, visit museums and picture galleries. Travelling is a remarkable key to understanding other cultures, a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.

Travelling is a kind of adventure which is necessary for us all. It keeps us from growing stale and old; it develops our imagination, it gives us that movement and change which are necessary to our life. One of the aims of travel is to go in search of beauty. The beauty spots of the world are magnets which attract travellers year after year. Yet even more valuable to the traveller is the knowledge which he gets of his fellow men by going among people of different character and different ways of life. The proverb says, “So many countries, so many customs.” That’s why people always look forward to their holidays which afford so many opportunities for travelling, adventure and fun.

Nowadays people can travel in many different ways. They can enjoy the comfort and speed of superb air-liners as well as the conveniences of modern comfortable trains and coaches or the luxury of a sea voyage. People choose this or that way of travelling according to their likings and financial possibilities.

Of course, travelling by air is most convenient as in a short time you reach the place of your destination well-rested and well-fed. Naturally it is the most expensive method of travelling too.

Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages as well. Many people are convinced that with a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. Most trains nowadays have very comfortable seats as well as sleeping carriages and dining cars, which make even the longest journey enjoyable.

Sea voyages these days have become popular again mainly as pleasure trips. The speed of sea liners is good deal slower than of planes. But when the holiday season is in full swing it’s next to impossible to get accommodation on a liner. If you are not much of a sailor you may get sea-sick in a rough sea. But when the weather is fine and the sea is calm, your voyage will be wonderful. Ocean-going liners and river boats are used to carry passengers and goods. On board the large ships and small river boats people can visit foreign countries and different places оf interest within their own country. Trips on the Volga, the Yenisei, and the Black Sea are very popular in our country. On board the ship there are all facilities to enjoy your trip: tennis and badminton grounds, swimming pools, cinema and dancing halls. Indeed, it’s a pleasant way of spending a holiday.

Other people prefer travelling by car. There are several reasons for it. First of all you don't need to reserve your tickets. Then you can go as slowly or as fast as you wish, stop whenever you choose and stay at any place you choose as long as you like. And, of course, you see much more of the countryside than you do travelling by plane or even by train. It’s especially pleasant if the road is straight and smooth.

There are two viewpoints on travel. Some people like to go to one place and spend their holidays there. The place may be an interesting city, a picturesque village, a remote island or some other attractive place. Others believe in seeing as much as possible in the time they have. As for me, I belong to the first group. In my opinion it is the only way to satisfy your curiosity for a new scene and to have an enjoyable rest and to relax.

When people choose the route of their travel they discuss it with their family or friends who have already been there taking into account all its advantages and disadvantages, all the arguments for and against it. They can turn to a travel agency for help as well. At the agency they are offered various guide-books, travel brochures and booklets which contain a lot of useful and valuable information about different tours, places of historical and architectural interest and the possibilities for sightseeing, places of accommodation, service, etc. They are usually well illustrated, and from time to time people will enjoy looking through them, and remembering the beautiful places they visited.