Italy. The Countryside.

Tuscany & the Lakes.

About one hour by motorway from Milan lies Lake Como, generally considered the most breathtaking of all the Italian Lakes. Whether you actually take a refreshing dip or simply appreciate it from one of the steamers that navigate its length, you cannot help but respond to its awe-inspiring beauty. It is little wonder that Verdi and Rossini rented lakeside villas here in order to assist with their musical inspiration. Lake Garda, a 45 minute drive east of Milan, has also made its own valuable contribution to the arts, its scenic splendour celebrated in the works of the poet, Goethe. Days here are devoted to ferry rides across the lake, relaxing walks along lakeside promenades and leisurely meals in quaint trattorias and cafes.

But if you are really seeking peace and relaxation, you may like to spend some time exploring the rural delights of Tuscany. Marked by the archetypal Italian scenery of Renaissance paintings – cypress trees, vineyard-covered hills and walled towns – the province of Tuscany boasts world-famous towns such as Florence, Siena and Pisa, as well as pale sandy bays and picture-book villages seemingly unchanged for over 500 years.

EXERCISES:

1. Translate and match the two halves of the word combinations correctly.

r efreshing inspiration

awe-inspiring dip

lakeside splendour

musical trattorias

valuable paintings

scenic rides

ferry delights

relaxing promenades

lakeside villa

leisurely walks

quaint meals

rural contribution

Renaissance villages

cypress beauty

vineyard-covered trees

walled towns

world-famous hills

picture-book towns

2. Translate and match the three words given below correctly.

p ale Italian scenery

a rchetypal sandy bays

3. Insert the missed words in the sentences:

1) About one hour by ______ from ______ lies ______ ______, generally considered the most ______ of all the ______ ______.

2) Whether you actually take a ______ ______ or simply appreciate it from one of the ______ that navigate its length, you cannot help but respond to its ______-______ ______.

3) It is little wonder that Verdi and Rossini rented ______ ______ here in order to assist with their musical inspiration.

4) Lake Garda, a 45 minute ______ east of Milan, has also made its own valuable contribution to the ______, its ______ ______ celebrated in the works of the poet, Goethe.

5) Days here are devoted to ______ ______ across the ______, ______ ______ along ______ ______ and ______ ______ in ______ ______ and ______.

6) But if you are really seeking ______ and ______, you may like to spend some time exploring the ______ ______ of Tuscany.

7) Marked by the ______ ______ ______ of Renaissance paintings – ______ ______, ______-______ ______ and ______ ______ – the ______ of Tuscany boasts ______-______ ______ such as Florence, Siena and Pisa, as well as ______ _______ ______ and ______-______ ______ seemingly unchanged for over 500 years.

4. How to get there?

These people say how they get from Washington to New York. Fill the gaps with these expressions.

leaves gets to costs takes arrives at

• “I usually fly. If I leave home at 6.30 in the morning, I can catch the 7.30 flight, which …... La Guardia Airport at about 8.30. I’m in the centre of New York by 9.15, so the whole journey …… less than three hours. It’s expensive – it …… about $ 300 return – but it’s very quick.”

• “I usually take the Greyhound bus. It …… Washington at 9 in the morning, and ….. New Year at 1.40 in the afternoon. The New York bus terminal is in Manhattan, so it’s very convenient, and it only …… about $ 85 return on weekdays.”

• “I usually go by train: it’s only a bit slower than the plane and it’s more reliable. It’s about $ 100 return. The journey ….. about four hours. I usually catch the 10.30 train, which …… New York at ten past two. It’s comfortable, and it’s always on time.”

What’s good about:

• going by plane?

• going by bus?

• going by train?

Write sentences about a journey you make regularly.

I go by… It leaves… It arrives at… It gets to… The journey takes… It costs…

UNIT 8.

Key words: originally – to conceive – turn-of-the-century – private lakeside retreat – Count – villa – elegant 49-room hotel – prestigious address – Lake Garda – elegant neo-classical architecture – splashing fountains – impressive statues – perfectly – to compliment – beauty – tranquil parkland setting – fragrant conifers – shady pathways – flowering rock gardens – natural balconies – to overlook – deep blue waters – lake – to contribute (to) – exclusive – meditative ambience – common – large European houses – to enjoy – interesting history – to become – hotel – nursing home – wounded soldiers – sequestration – German and American forces – World War II – to extend – businessman – to improve – to restore – new owner and art lover – Sir – to split (into) – distinct parts – later extension – to house – majority – private rooms and suites – Elegant Resorts’ clients – to prefer – refurbished rooms – first and second floor – oak panelling – parquet flooring – to enhance – antique-style furnishings – elegant fabrics – in-room amenities – to include – televisions – radios – ensuite bathrooms – tubs and showers – balconies – lovely views – recreational opportunities – swimming pool – tennis court – fully equipped pebbled beach – guests – fresh fish barbecue lunches – warmer months – June – September – main alfresco restaurant – to serve – delicious international and regional cuisine – to enhance – fine wines – first-class service – lakeside setting – old town of Sirmione – cobbled streets – enticing cafés – attractive shops – easy walking distance

TEXT 8. Read and translate the text.