Day 53

Holla,

r u waiting for new post? I know that the ansver is yes)

so, let's work

Text for dictation:

In Britain, Tourist Information Centres can arrange short stays in Hotels, Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfast establishments.Bookings can be made either by phone or in person on arrival in large towns or cities. Clients can usually specify the part of town where they want to be based, though this may limit their choice of price-range. It is helpful to state whether you are looking foreconomical, medium-priced or luxury accommodation. A small deposit is usually required which is returnable if you inspect the room and decide you do not want it. If you take the room, the deposit is deducted from the bill.

For longer stays or holidays in other countries, it is usual to go to a travel agency. You can collect brochures from rival companieswhich offer packages in the countries and resorts which you are interested in. Many people go home and study the information. The booking forms on the back of the brochures contain the information which the travel agent needs to know, should you wish to go ahead. You will need to decide the number in your party, the resort, the departure date, the duration, the type of accommodation, the eating arrangements ( full board, half board or self-catering ), travel or transport options ( e.g. air or sea ),car hire, equipment hire (e.g. skis), excursions, insurance cover and the method of payment.

When you return to the travel agent, you may have further questions to ask about the facilities for children, elderly or disabled people, the activities available or places of interest within easy reach of your resort. If you have chosen an all-inclusive packageyou may wish to know whether your investment contributes to the local economy of your holiday resort, whether it brings businessand employment to local residents or whether your presence merely helps to exclude them from the best parts of their own beaches.

Dialogue:______read aloud in pairs

A: What do you think of package holidays?

B: Well, they're usually very cheap, but joining a crowd of noisy people and

eating plastic food is not my idea of a holiday.

A: Are the resorts worth visiting?

B: Some of them are, but in my experience it's better to arrange private

accommodation rather than accepting the tour operator's choice of hotel.

A: But surely, you can see what you're getting in the holiday brochure.

B: You may see a picture of the hotel and there may even be a popular beach, but

if you want to go to a nicer locality, you can spend all day getting there.

A: Then how do you go about making your own arrangements?

B: It's not as difficult as you think. First, you look at the "flight only"

advertisements on teletext, in Sunday newspapers or travel shop windows to get an

idea of the best time to go. I usually go in early June or mid September to avoid

school children. There's a good range of flights and prices aren't too high.

A: How do you find private accommodation?

B: That's very easy in Europe because many British people buy holiday villas

which they let to other people while they're not staying there themselves. They

advertise in journals such as Dalton's Weekly, Exchange & Mart and in

Sunday newspapers.

A: I suppose that if they own these homes, they must be in nice locations.

B: That's the point. Also, they are usually well maintained and the owners will

leave you details of the best shops, restaurants and places to visit. They really want

you to recommend their homes to your friends. However, remember to ask them

about transport, especially if you don't drive.

A: Surely, most of these resorts would have bus services.

B: There are two problems here. Some of these homes are a long way from bus

routes. Moreover, bus services can disappear altogether when the tourist season

comes to an end. Many of these resorts are like ghost towns from October to May.

Discussion questions:______ask and answer

1. Do you prefer to book holidays through travel agents or to make your

own arrangements? Describe your best and worst holidays?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of TWO of the following

forms of holiday accommodation:

(a) five star hotel (b) budget hotel (c) guest house

(d) bed & breakfast (e) self-catering villa (f) farmyard cottage

(g) ocean liner (h) student family (i) youth hostel

(j) caravan (k) tent (l) canal boat ?

3. Which form of accommodation did you have on your last holiday?

Were you satisfied with it?

4. Which form of accommodation would you prefer for your next holiday

and how many people would you like to accompany you?

5. What are your favourite holiday activities?

6. Has your country been spoilt by tourist developments?

7. A friend wants to get to know your country and is planning a tour.

What advice would you give about places to visit, travel, accommodation,

eating out, shopping, sightseeing, things to bring and souvenirs to buy?