About travelling in English

People have travelled since the earliest days of the human history. In primitive times they did not travel for pleasure. They travelled on foot and their journeys were long, tiring and often dangerous. Later they travelled not from necessity, but for the joy and excitement of seeing and experiencing new things. Travelling has now become a highly organized business. There are cars and splendid roads, express trains, huge ships and jet airliners, all of which provide us with comforts and security.

The choice of the means of travelling depends on its purpose. If you go on a business trip you had better go by airplane. Some people are scared of flying. Planes make them nervous. I think there is nothing to be frightened of. Air transport is really safer compared to road transport. Travelling by air has many advantages, it is convenient and much f aster than travelling by car, train or sea.

Before you get on board the plane you have your luggage registered. It is weighed and labelled. You are not allowed to take bulky luggage with you. Before the flight you have to spend some time at the airport. I like watching the planes taking off and landing.

Then you hear your flight announced and the passengers are invited to board the plane and take their seats. The airplane armchairs are very cosy, and they are equipped with safety belts which must be fastened during both take-off and landing. Sometimes the order to fasten the belts may be given during the flight.

When the plane takes off, the stewardess gives the passengers all the information about the flight. She asks the passengers to fasten seat-belts and not to smoke during the flight. The stewardesses are usually very amiable and cater to the passengers’ wants and needs. If you want something during the flight, you are to press a button with a pictogram of a stewardess, and she will immediately come to your help.

During the flight the passengers do whatever they like — some of them read, others sleep or look through the porthole at the beautiful scenery. Sometimes you can see the land below which looks like a map.

When you reach your place of destination in a few hours you realize all the advantages of travelling by air. As for me the only unpleasant thing about that kind of travelling is that during take-off and landing my ears hurt a little. I usually chew a gum to relieve this little discomfort. Sometimes yawning and swallowing helps.

Railway transport is still one of the cheapest ways of travelling. But such journeys are usually long and tiresome. Trains stop at many stations and are often delayed. It is usually stuffy in the cars. If I were to travel by train I would like to travel in a compartment car. There are two or four berths in a compartment. If I were to choose any, I would prefer to travel on a lower berth with my face to the engine.

Many people prefer travelling by sea for pleasure because it is very comfortable. One may travel either by sea or by river on board a sea liner or a river cruise ship. Those who live in St.Petersburg have a great opportunity to make a trip to Valaam. If the weather is fine you can enjoy the fresh air and the picturesque banks. A sea-voyage is very pleasant. However, if the sea is rough, some passengers are sick. Fortunately, I am not a poor sailor. Those who are not afraid of the rough sea, can walk up and down the deck in any weather but storm. Ships usually reach the port of destination on time according to their schedule.

Many people like to travel by car. The advantages of this way of spending a holiday are that you can plan your trip. You do not have to buy a ticket and you are not afraid of missing your train or airplane. But at the same time you are to think about many other things. For example, how to repair your car if it breaks down or if a tire is flat.

At present, taking into account travelling expenditures which are inevitable, no matter how you choose to travel, many our compatriots think that the best way of travelling is hiking. Our family is fond of hiking which is becoming very popular nowadays. We usually spend our days off and holidays in the country. There are picturesque places with forests, lakes and rivers near our city. We travel not only to enjoy these places but also to see ancient monuments and other places of cultural and historical interest.

Questions:

1. What makes people travel?
2. Speak about advantages and disadvantages of travelling by air, by sea, by train or in a car.
3. Some people say they will never travel by air if they can avoid it. What makes them think so?
4. Which route would you choose if you were to go on a holiday cruise?
5. Have you ever travelled by train? Speak about your impressions of the journey.

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Сейчас столько разных туристических фирм. Все они обещают замечательный отдых и комфорт, но далеко не каждому по карману все эти путешествия на экзотические острова или морские круизы.

2. Раньше было трудно забронировать номер в гостинице, а сейчас это не проблема. Достаточно позвонить в любую туристическую фирму, и они подыщут и гостиницу, и забронируют номер, если, конечно, это не разгар сезона.

3. Раньше мне нравилось ездить в Крым на поезде. Дорога занимала не так много времени, а теперь пассажирам приходится пересекать государственную границу. С этим связано немало неудобств, например прохождение паспортного контроля поздним вечером или ранним утром. Поэтому теперь я предпочитаю летать в Крым на самолете.

4. В прошлом году Тамара летала в командировку в Чикаго. У нее была промежуточная посадка (stopover) в Амстердаме продолжительностью почти в шесть часов, так что она смогла осмотреть этот город.

5. В прошлом году я путешествовал по европейским столицам на автобусе. — Понравилось? — С одной стороны, удалось повидать много новых мест, а с другой — автобусное путешествие очень утомительно.

6. Что вы планируете делать летом во время отпуска? — Как обычно. Возьмем палатку и пойдем в поход (camping) в Карелию. Остановимся у какого-нибудь озера, муж займется рыбалкой, а я буду просто гулять, готовить. Кстати, наши друзья тоже поедут с нами.

7. Несколько лет назад я совершил замечательную поездку -черноморский круиз на огромном корабле. Условия были замечательные, как в отличной гостинице. Правда, я ожидал, что меня будет укачивать, но этого не произошло.

8. Недавно я прочитал в газете объявление о том, что организуется поездка в Антарктиду. Мое особенное удивление вызвала стоимость путешествия — раза в три или четыре превышающая стоимость тура куда-нибудь на Канарские или Багамские острова.

9. В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше. В конце концов, кто сказал, что путешествие — это обязательно зарубежная поездка? В России столько чудесных мест и памятников истории, что за всю жизнь не осмотришь.