Travelling
Thousands of people travel every day. Everybody wants to go somewhere and to get there as quickly as possible, with all conveniences and safety. Those, who wish to travel, either for pleasure or on business, have at their disposal various means of transport, for instance, bicycles, motorcycles, motor-cars, boats, ships, helicopters and others.
Of course, travelling by plane is the fastest, but it is also the most expensive. That’s why if people have time they go by train. It is one of the most popular means of travelling. Trains go slower than planes, but you can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Modern trains are very comfortable and you can enjoy even the longest journey.
Travelling by sea is popular mostly for pleasure trips. Onboard large ships and small river boats people can visit foreign countries and different places of interest within their own country. A trip by sea is usually called a voyage or a cruise.
Buses also can take you to any place you wish. It can be a trip not far from your home or a long journey even to a foreign country. Modern buses have comfortable seats, video and phone, you can have hot tea or coffee, drinks and snack. Tourist groups usually use buses to visit foreign countries and different places of interest.
Many people prefer travelling by car. They don’t have to buy tickets. They don’t have to carry heavy luggage. They can stop wherever they wish and spend as much time as they like at any place.
But some people like spending their holidays travelling on foot or by bike.
If you feel like travelling by plane, by train or by bus, you have to choose a flight or a line, to go to a ticket office and buy a single or a return ticket. Sometimes you have to change trains or buses. But usually travellers prefer tickets for through trains or buses. Then you take your luggage and try not to miss your plane, train or bus. They usually arrive at the airport or the railway station in time. And your wonderful journey begins. Have a nice journey.
As for me, I have never travelled far from my home. I and my family usually spend holidays at my Granny’s in the country. But last year we went to the seaside. It was so exciting. I hope, next year I shall visit London. It’ll be great.
A TRIP BY THE RAILWAY.
The traveller first of all books the tickets in advance. It may be 45 days or less before his departure. He makes his preparations before the trip. He pays some visits to his friends and settles all his business. On the eve of his departure he packs his things in a suit-case. When the day of the departure comes he calls a taxi and proceeds to the railway station. For some time he stays in the waiting room. If he is hungry he takes some refreshments. In some time the loud speaker announces that the train is in and that passengers are invited to take their seats. The traveller finds his carriage, enters the corridor and finds his berth. It may be a lower birth, which is more convenient or it may be an upper one. The traveller puts his suit–case into a special box under the seat. Then he arranges his smaller packages on the racks. Very soon the train starts. First the train runs slowly, and then it gathers speed. It’s an express train and so it doesn’t stop at small wayside station or halts. But it stops at big stations and junctions where some passengers change trains. During the journey the guards or a special
inspector checks the tickets of the travelers. However, so that they should not be bothered at night the attendant takes the tickets from them. Night comes. The guard arranges the beds for the night. The passengers put out the lights and switch on the blue night lamps. They fall asleep. On the next day the traveller arrives at his destination. He calls a porter. The porter helps him to carry his luggage to a taxi.
TRAVELLING BY AIR.
If you need the fastest kind of transport you must travel by air. You don’t have any difficulty in booking.
The booking office sells tickets 15 days in advance. You can buy the return ticket, too.
There are special buses that take the passengers to the airport. You must be there one hour and forty minutes before the departure. Before boarding the plane the passengers must register at the airport. You go to the check-in-counter when your ticket and passport are looked at; your things are weighed and labeled (if you want them to be in the luggage compartment of the plane). If it weighs more than 20 kg, you have to pay extra. Then you are given a boarding –pass. And there is also a security check when your luggage is inspected. This is also an anti-hijacking measure. Then you go to the departure lounge where you wait for the announcement to board the plane.
When the plane and the crew are ready passengers take their seats. The stewardesses help everyone to find their places. Now passengers must fasten their seat-belts. Then the plane is towed to the runway. It begins to pick up speed and in a moment it is off the ground and out of sight. Now you can unfasten your seat-belts. The crew greets passengers. The stewardesses suggest you some drink. If the flight is more than 2 hours you have a snack.
The time passes quickly. You fasten your seat-belts again and the plane lands. (It takes you only…….hours to get to….)
TRAVELLING BY SEA
Travelling by sea is a delightful voyage. Passengers embark and disembark the ship by gangways. All the sea-going liners combine passenger comfort with speed. A team of stewards and stewardesses keep the cabins clean and tidy. Restaurants and bars take care of the passengers appetites. Different saloons are at the passengers’ service.
There is a number of decks and passenger cabins above and below deck. The windows in the cabins are round and made of thick glass. They are called portholes.
Some people travel for short distances on deck in the fresh air. Some people are sea–sick in a rough sea. We call them bad sailors.
Glossary
A Booking travel and holidays
- a scheduled flight is a normal, regular flight
- a charter flight is a special flight taking a group of people, usually to the same holiday destination.
- Apex fares normally have to be booked a fixed number of days in advance and they offer value for money.
- Budget fares are usually cheaper but may have restrictions (e.g. you can only travel on certain days) and are usually non-refundable [you can't get your money back] or if you cancel, you may have to pay a cancellation fee. Some tickets allow a stopover [ you may stay somewhere overnight before continuing to your destination].
- All-in packages normally include accommodation and transfers [e.g. a bus or coach to and from your hotel].
- Sea travel is normally on a ferry, and the journey is called a crossing, but you can have a holiday on the sea if you go on a cruise. For some people a luxury cruise is the holiday of a lifetime [one you will always remember].
- You may decide to book. a berth in a shared cabin [a bed in a cabin with other people], or to have a single or double cabin.
- For more money you can often get a de1uxe cabin, perhaps on the upper deck [ the higher part of the ship, which is often bigger and more comfortable]
- Cruises often go to exotic [unusual or exciting] islands where you can get away from it all [escape your daily life and routines]
- Car hire is another way of getting around [ informal: travelling to different places]
- When you book it, you normally choose whether you want unlimited mileage [you can travel as many miles as you like for the same price]
- There may also be extras to par such as accident insurance
- If you hire a car it gives you the freedom to go as you please [go where you want when you want]
B Accommodation
- Some people prefer hotels.
- Others prefer self-catering [ where you do your own cooking] accommodation, such as a holiday apartment or chalet [small cottage or cabin specially built for holiday-makers]
- In Britain and Ireland, guest houses [private homes offering high standard accommodation] and inns [ similar to pubs, but also offering accommodation; usually beautiful old buildings] offer good accommodation which is often cheaper than hotels
- There are many private homes offering bed-and-breakfast [ often called B and B]
- Some types of accommodation offer half-board [ usually breakfast and one other meal] or full board [ all meals]