Travel agencies

Travel is the name of a modern “disease” which started in the mid fifties and is still spreading. The “patient” grows restless in the early spring and starts rushing from one travel agency to another. He collects information about the places where he would like to spend his holidays.

It’s vital to choose the travel agency that will ensure that your every cent is well spent. The staff of most travel agencies are professional travel consultants. They will offer you a travel package that suits both your plans and your pocket. Besides, travel consultants will provide you with up-to-date information about the places you are interested in, news of road and weather conditions and information on local customs, events, points of interest, shopping hours, duty free shops, currencies, etc.

The people in an agency will arrange reservations for air and shipping lines, trains, rental cars, hotels, auto and baggage insurance – all the services that make your travel problem-free and pleasant. Travel agencies can arrange sightseeing or shopping tours, organize special interest holidays such as sailing, water skiing, fishing, camping and fly-drive vacations. They can make reservations for special events such as art festivals, cultural and sporting events. Besides, travel agencies offer a range of services designed to meet the specific needs of business travellers. In a word, travel agencies are designed to help people have an enjoyable and worry-free trip.

Agree or disagree:

1.  Travel can be called a disease.

2.  To choose the right travel agency is very important.

3.  To work in a travel agency you needn’t have any qualifications.

4.  The role of travel agencies nowadays is very important.

Speak on:

If one wants to have an enjoyable and worry-free trip...

Exercise 2. a) Read and dramatize the text.

Packing the luggage

(Scene: Two young men and two girls are getting ready for a journey.)

ANDREW: Well, Kate, here we all are to take you out to dinner before our journey begins tomorrow.

KATE: Oh, but I haven’t packed yet.

A: Neither have I. But you want to have dinner with us, don’t you?

K: Well...

BORIS: Kate, we can help you pack later.

HELEN: Let’s help her now.

K: Yes, I think I’ll do it now. But... shall I take a lot of things? Do I need one suitcase? Or two?

B: Take only what’s necessary for the journey.

A: Take a couple of dresses, your camera, a toothbrush...

H: Take a book to read, too. Of course, you must take a sweater, a raincoat...

K: If you name more things, I’ll have to take two cases after all! If I leave something behind, I’ll be able to buy it, won’t I?

A: Of course, you will. Don’t listen to them, listen to me! You mustn’t take more than you can carry, it is not always easy to find porters. As for me, I always travel light.

H: Oh, that doesn’t matter, Andrew. You and Boris will have to carry the cases if we can’t find porters.

B: Do you hear that, Andrew? Will you be able to carry Kate’s cases? And your own too? I think we’ll have to take a porter!

K: Don’t worry. I’ll be able to get everything into one case, I’m sure. Just wait a little, I’ll fetch some of my things.

A: OK. If we start packing now, we’ll still be able to have dinner somewhere. Come along, Helen, you can help her find what she wants.

(Some minutes later)

H: Here we are. If we can’t shut the case, you, boys, will have to sit on it to help.

B: Put the things in, Kate, I’ve opened the case for you.

b) After dinner the whole company went to Andrew’s place to help him pack. Describe how they were doing it.

Exercise 3. Read the texts and do the assignments.

Text 2 Travelling and transportation

The average American employee usually has three or four weeks of paid vacation during the summer, but this varies considerably. Some American families spend their vacations at home. Others might own or rent a cottage near a lake or in the mountains. Locations where swimming, fishing and other water sports are available are especially popular. Every year more than 60 million Americans visit their National Parks, which give Americans opportunities “to get away from it all”, to escape from the worries and hectic life of the urban world.

Camping and hiking, which have become extremely popular throughout the country, also afford the chance to travel on a limited budget. Some Americans take a trip to Europe or Africa, tour Asia or South America, and have a good time travelling. Often it is cheaper to fly than to go by car, bus, or train. Travellers can simply step aboard the planes which leave every hour between Boston, New York, or Washington, without advance reservations, without a ticket (which you can buy on board the plane), or luggage check-in.

Answer the questions.

1.  How do Americans usually spend their vacations?

2.  What opportunities are open for recreational activities in the USA?

3.  What are the most popular places to spend vacation time?

4.  What is the motto of American travellers?

5.  Why do Americans like to visit their National Parks?

6.  Did camping and hiking become extremely popular throughout the USA? Why?

7.  Do all Americans prefer camping and hiking holidays?

8.  It is it often cheaper for Americans to fly than to go by car, by bus or by train, isn’t it? Explain why.

SECTION II