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Let’s take a trip! How to plan your holiday

When planning a holiday, or as Americans say, a vacation, there are many things to think about. First, how much money do you have? Second, how much time do you have? Money and time are the two biggest factors when planning your holiday.

Where to go

If you go someplace nearby , and only for one day, this is called a day trip, because you leave and come home in the same day. Many day trips are taken by car, but bus or train can be used too. Are you looking to go someplace warm

and sunny? Then you’ll probably choose to go to the beach or seaside and have a relaxing holiday, sun tanning and swimming. Would you like to do something active, like hiking or skiing? Then you will want to go to the mountains. Do you want to visit friends or family who live in another city or country? If you leave the country, we say you are going abroad.

Do you want to plan your holiday yourself, or have someone else do it? If someone else plans your trip and it’s with a group of people, we say you are going on a tour. The time of year and the costs involved , as well as what you like to do are all things to consider when planning your holiday.

How to go

How you will get to your holiday destination is a big decision. If you have a car, that is probably the least expensive, but if you want to go someplace far away, driving will take a long time. Buses and trains are affordable options, but you have to go when they run, and not on your own schedule, like with a car. Airplanes are the fastest, and also the most expensive.

When you decide how you will get there, if you aren’t driving, you will have to buy a ticket. You can buy a ticket at

a bus or train station. They will also have timetable information, so you can find out what days and times the bus or train goes to your destination. If you want to fly, you can go to a travel agency, and they will arrange your airline ticket for you, or you can call the airline directly and they will book it for you.

What to do

Before you go, you should buy a guide book to the city or country you are visiting. This will tell you about interesting things to see and do and help you plan your itinerary .

If you are going to a city, like London or Paris, you will probably want to see some museums, cathedrals, and other famous landmarks . This is called sightseeing. You can do this by yourself, or hire a guide to show you all the most important sights and tell you about them.

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Traveling gives you the opportunity to learn about different cultures, meet new people and see unusual places. Have fun and Bon Voyage!

a place to stay. If a hotel doesn’t have any rooms available , they say there are no vacancies. If you are going to a popular place during a busy travel time, it is probably best to book your room ahead of time. Many places have websites and by searching the Internet you can find hotels in the city you are planning to visit.

through passport control and security. At the security checkpoint , you will have to put your coat and any carry−on bags you are bringing on the plane through a scanner. You will then have to walk through a metal detector. After you go through security, find the gate where your plane is departing from and wait there until you board the flight for your trip.

Jacy Meyer (USA)

What to take

Once you get to the city, you may want to visit the tourist office. They will have city maps and other information about what to do during your visit. You can ask about the most important sites in the city, as well as when museums and other places are open. They will tell you about different historical events that may have happened nearby, and can give restaurant and hotel recommendations .

So you have done all your research, booked your tickets and reserved your hotel room. Time to pack ! How long your trip will be and what the weather will be like will determine what you bring.

vocabulary

nearby [nI@“baI] − blízko sun tanning [t&nIN] − opalování hiking [haIkIN] − pìší turistika costs involved [kQsts In”vQlvd] − náklady, které to bude obnášet to consider [k@n”sId@] − zvá�it, vzít v úvahu destination [dEstI”neIS(@)n] − cíl cesty affordable [@“fO:d@bl] − dostupné (finanènì) to book [bUk] − rezervovat itinerary [aI”tIn(@)r@ri] − program cesty landmark [“l&ndmA:k] − pamìtihodnost to hire [“haI@] − najmout si recommendation [rEk@mEn”deIS(@)n] − doporuèení any rooms available [@“veIl@b(@)l] − �ádné volné pokoje ahead [@“hEd] − pøedem to pack [p&k] − balit, sbalit to determine [dI”t@:mIn] − urèit backpack [“b&kp&k] − batoh duffle bag [“dVf(@)l] − pytel (taška) pøes rameno sun tan lotion [“l@US(@)n] − opalovací mléko seat assignment [@“saInm(@)nt] − pøidìlené sedadlo security checkpoint [sI”kjU@rIti “tSEkpOInt] − bezpeènostní kontrola carry−on bags − pøíruèní zavazadla

If you are going for a long trip, you will need a suitcase, but if you are only going away for a weekend, you can probably just use a backpack or small duffle bag . You will want a jacket and umbrella in case the weather is bad, and your swimming suit, sunglasses and sun tan lotion if you are going to the beach. Comfortable shoes to wear while you are sightseeing, your guide book and of course your camera so you can take pictures to show your friends. If you are going abroad, don’t forget your passport.

Where to stay

There are many options where you can plan to stay. You can choose a hotel, which offers a private room with bed and bathroom. At a pension or bed and breakfast, you will have your own bedroom and will get breakfast, but may have to share a bathroom with other guests. A hostel has rooms that many people share, sometimes six to eight people per room, and everyone shares the bathrooms. Hotels are usually the most expensive and hostels the cheapest.

If you go by plane

If you are flying, you will have to go to the airport. Once you get there, you will have to check−in and get your seat assignment . Then you will have to go

You can reserve a room before you go or wait until you get to the city to find