Holidays

Holidays

WHY DO WE GO ON HOLIDAY?

1. to relax - Sometimes there's nothing better than sitting by a pool or on a beach and getting into a good book.
2. to take a break - Occasionally, it's not that we want a holiday, it's that we need one. If life's too hectic at home, people often use a holiday to escape.
3. to experience new cultures - From museums and galleries to rich history and amazing people, new countries offer new cultural experiences.
4. For adventure – some people prefer active relaxation and who like adrenaline. For them there's no better adventure than one in another country.
5. To do your Christmas shopping - Many people head overseas in October and November for better prices. They buy presents from other countries and see how do other countries celebrate Christmas.
6. To watch a sporting event - From football to athletics, the world has a host of sporting events that people long to see.
7. To visit loved ones - People's friends and family are often now spread all around the world, which means seeing them requires flying overseas.
8. For the nightlife - There are many European holiday and tourist destinations that offer a wild and crazy nightlife, which draws especially young people

TYPES of HOLIDAY

You have got two possibilities - you can go with travel agency or you can go alone - arrange your own holiday.

With travel agency  - package holiday

ADVANTAGES:

• everything is done for you, you need only money, because the travel agency takes care of everything – books your accommodation, buys tickets,
• You will know what the total cost of the holiday will be.
• Many packages offer facilities such as swimming pools, children's clubs, restaurants and bars and activities such as cycling and tennis included in the price.
• you have got special program, you can do a lot of trips with a tour guide a get more information about the town, sights, habits...
• In general,evertything described in the brochure is included.

DISADVANTAGES:

• the major disadvantage might be when you pay for comfort holiday and you get terrible accommodation. (E.g. without air condition) you can be cheated by travel agency.
• you basically spend most of your time in the resort complex to avoid more expenditure.
• you are dependent on whatever the hotel offers which might not be so very good.

Holiday on our own- self-catering holiday

ADVANTAGES:

• if you are on a self-catering holiday, youcan take your own meal, you can cook for yourself if you don´t like the food hotels offer.
• you can do everything what you want, you aren’t dependent on other people.
• Good for families or larger groups traveling together.
• Generally cheaper than hotels.

DISADVANTAGES:

• you have to organize everything, you have to book the place for accommodation, full or half board, tickets or travel with own car, you have to have own insurance,and of course a map in case you get lost.
• You must provide yourself with your own meals if you are on a self-catering holiday, anf cook everyday, so you relax less.

There are several TYPES of holidays that may be taken:

1. A coach tour/holiday

Advantages:

• this is a great way of visiting places that would be otherwise too expensive for you.
• coaching holidays are great for young people, who go on holiday together to have fun. They enjoy seeing places and talking during the journeys.

Disadvantages:

• uncomfortable and it takes too long to get to your destination. Sometimes even 2 days.
• it is difficult to fall asleep there, so it´s also tiring.
• Not really suitable for children

1. A cruise holiday

Advantages:

• one advantage of taking a cruise is the amazing pricing. This includes a person’s cruise fare, lodging, food and some onboard entertainment and sightseeing.
• There are no delays and no traffic jams which would lengthen our journey.
• the only stops the ship makes are at their destination sights, where everyone is able to get off the ship and enjoy local towns and sightseeing.

Disadvantages:

• Although a cruise is all-inclusive, there are several things the traveler will have to pay out of pocket. When a ship reaches a destination, they will have to pay extra if they want to do any sightseeing.
• There is the possibility of becoming sea sick.
• If the weather is bad, the trip along the sea can be bumpyThe weather can also hinder the activities planned both onboard and onshore at destination sites. There are usually outdoor areas such as pools, waterslides, running tracks and other activities on a cruise ship.

1. A caravan holiday

Advantages:

-you can get everywhere you want. it´s your own aaranged tour.

-you are absolutely independent.

-a basic caravan model may include a fridge, a toilet and a heater and luxury models may have stereos, showers, satellite TV, microwaves and double glazing. In fact today most items found in your home can be found in caravans.

Disadvantages:

• once you set up in your camp site you have lost your mean of transport.
• There is small space and quite uncomfortable to live in and sleep.
• With limited space you are forced into choosing which items you want to bring on holiday and those that you would like but can't fit in.
• Storage of clothes, food and everything else that makes for a good holiday may also be an issue with touring caravans and motor homes.

1. A camping holiday

Advantages:

• Camping provides a wonderful way to spend a holiday close to nature. People are surrounded by nature such as meadows, trees and rivers.
• You are surrounded by fresh air, which is very healthy for people with breathing problems.
• camping can be economical friendly for you, because you do not need many things or

Disadvantages:

• For pampered people, camping offers discomfort such as sleeping in a tent and cold water.
• unpredictable weather conditions can make your vacation uncomfortable.
• insects

1. Hitch- hiking

Advantages:

-it is a cheap way to travel, sometimes even a free way to travel, if the person giving you a ride is gracious enough.

• Hitch-hiking gives you an opportunity to meet a lot of different and interesting people
• f you’re hitch-hiking for just for the fun of traveling, it’ll give you a feeling of freedom

Disadvantages:

• with the rising of criminality the number of people got lost while hitch-hiking rises,too.
• You may get mugged, conned, kidnapped, raped, and may even end up losing your life.
• You can get stuck in the middle of nowhere without being picked up by anyone or have to walk for miles before getting picked up by anyone.

1. Hiking

Advantages:

• It helps reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers.
• can help you lose or maintain weight
• Hiking allows you to explore nature, to relax your mind and stimulates hormones like adrenaline and endorphins which lift your mood and energy levels.
• hiking allows you to socialize and improve relationships with those around you.

Disadvantages:

• Weather in the high country can change quickly.
• can be physically demanding and result in muscle soreness
• If you are not conditioned for the challenge, risk increases for slipping, falling and other injuries.

1. Cycling

Advantages:

-one of the safest means of transport.

-environmentally-freindly

-they save your money because they don´t need petrol like cars

-bicycles also save space and you can park them anywhere

-helps you to stay fit and healthy as it is a good form of exercise for your whole body and your mentality too.

-you can enjoy the most wonderful views and sights.

Disadvantages:

• On the other hand cycling may be a really dangerous means of transport. Nowadays there are many irresponsible young drivers who not always give way to cyclists.
• Moreover the fumes from cars and lories are bad for your helath.
• you can not protect yourself from bad weather conditions

ACTIVITIES

1. A relaxing holiday

-Many people spend their holiday in seaside resorts or those who live in large towns often like to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet of the country.

-a perfect way to escape from your stressful everyday life, even if just for a little while.

-you can sunbathe and be pampered from head to toe, do yoga and meditate.

1. A sightseeing holiday

- this type of holiday is for those who want to see the world’s most famous natural and historical sights, galleries and museums.

-Many people go on sightseeing tour of a town ( usually by bus ).

- They usually look round the shops where they spend money, they can take photos

and buy souvenirs.

-a vacation where you get to know and experience different things can give you a new perspective in life.You come back more knowledgeable and more interested in knowing more about other parts of the world.

1. An active holiday

-for those who prefer the active form of relaxation.

-On winter holidays, you can ski or snowboard in the mountains or ice-skating if you have the possibility. If you want to take ice-skating to a next level, you can try ice-hockey.

-In depends your destination but in every single one of them your can find a bunch of acitvities worth persuing. So you can check the local guides in order to find fun activities in your area. In summer, these could be but are not limited to swimming if you have decided to travel to a seaside location.

- It depends on your character whether you wish to only lie on the beach or do something more active.

- If you are up to it, you can try diving, surfing or sailing.

-If you are not that active and you would rather just relax, you can try fishing.

-In case of ending up in a location without an access to water, hovewer improbable it would be in summer, you can always go hiking or cycling.

1. Romantic holidays

-when couples go somewhere to spend more time together, to have more privacy and to gain common experiences.

-they usually prefer calm places, cottages surrounded by beautiful nature, or at lakes, but there are also couples longing for more adrenaline who go hiking or climbing mountains.

1. Exotic or dangerous holidays

-somewhere in the jungle or elsewhere, where people search for adventure and adrenaline, who like to risk their lives (E.g. in Himalayas)

1. The shopping and night life holidays

-preferred by those who like to party, dance and shop a lot.

-quite expensive type of holiday.

1. Educational holiday

-If you go on language coureses or voluntary job or part-time job.

-when you want to improve your language skills and learn more about history and other countries.

ACCOMMODATION /LODGING

• they can be accomodated in a hotel (Luxury hotel, five-star hotel or ordinary hotel)
• they can rent a apartment or a holiday flat or villa ( a house by the beach ),

Motels (Boatel) are situated mostly by the roads. The guests can park his car at the door of his own room.

• In a Guest house/ Boarding house (penzión)-cheaper than hotels
• Youth hostels / Dormitory -a special kind of accommodation for young people, where it is possible to stay overnight at a low rate but only for a limited number of times and also it is not very comfortable. Usually you got there only a bed and a toilette.
• In a Camp site or Camp-ground-where you can camp out in a caravan or tent.
• You can be accommodated in bungalows, cabins or shales.
• On a farm

Types of hotel accommodation
- a single room – for one person with a single bed
- a double room – for two people with one large double bed
- a twin room – for two people with two single beds
- full board – includes breakfast, lunch and dinner
- half board – includes breakfast and dinner
- B&B – just the room & breakfast

We should book our room in advance (make reservation), because when it’s in the middle of the tourist season it can be full.When we arrive we check in at the reception, then the porter carries our suitcases up to our room.

FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS

The most beautiful places are Rome, Venice, London, Prague, Paris or Amsterdam. We can see there very nice buildings, temples, churches or castles. For recreation and for having rest we travel to beautiful scenery of Whales, Alps, and places around in Mediterranean Sea, however there are whole countries worth seeing.

Spain- Mallorca and Ibiza are the most favourite tourist destinations along with Canary Islands. But there’s a lot more to Spain than beaches. Palma and Seville are rich in culture. here are great walking holidays in Northern Spain and cycling in Catalonia.

France- Paris is one of those cultural and historical cities everyone should visit. Other highlights include Normandy and boating on the Canal du Midi. You can try skiing in the French Alps, which are worth seeing. You can visit Monet`s Garden in Giverny, take a cycling holiday or a battlefield tour.

GB- The UK’s most popular tourist destinations include Devon and Cornwall, District, the Cotswolds, Dorset and Scotland. London is an another culturally and historically rich city which everyone longs to see.

Greece-the hot sun and blue seas that keep us coming back year after year. Greek food is both traditional and healthy. Corfu,Crete culture in Athens and the stunning new Acropolis Museum.

Italy- Ancient culture, great beaches, fantastic food and beautiful weather – it’s no surprise that so many of us decide to holiday in Italy. For a taste of la dolce vita, head to the wonderful cities of Rome, Florence and Venice, which are beautiful but they are always packet with tourists in the summer.

Egypt- It’s difficult to know where to start with the historic treasures that Egypt boasts, but a great way to explore them is on a Nile Cruise. Float in luxury between the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and Aswan. The capital Cairo is home to the Egyptian Museum where you can see King Tutankhamen’s solid gold death mask, and just outside the city are the iconic pyramids and Sphinx.

For a more laid-back experience head to the sparkling waters of the Red Sea resorts which offer some of the world’s best snorkeling along with luxurious, good-value hotels.

Croatia-The pristine coastline of Croatia is one of the most beautiful in the world – and one of the most unspoilt in Europe.

Either stay in one of the beautiful resorts that dot the coastline, or head out to one of the many stunning islands that lay off the coast. The island of Hvar is a real stunner, easily reached by ferry from Split. It has fabulous beaches and a great selection of budget hotels and luxury hotels.

The historic city of Dubrovnik has been beautifully restored in recent years. Originally built by the Venetians, the Pearl of the Adriatic has some great food and is a wonderful base from which to take the ferry to surrounding islands.

Things to be arranged and checked before leaving home

When going abroad we must get necessary documents. First of all a valid passport and visa + ID and you should also find out whether you are eligible to travel to your country of choosing because many countries place regulations on foreign tourist. For example, if travelling into a Muslim country, make sure that you do not have Israeli stamps in your passport because in that case you would be denied entering. You must bring your traveler´s check with yourself. Also it is good if you have your credit card with you. You have to exchange your currency for the local one.Also you have to arrange insurance for traveling and for whole stay and be vaccinated if necessary.

It is also good to write a list of things you want to bring with you, so you won´t leave anything at home.

If you want to aviod misunderstandings you should learn something about the culture of the country you are to visit.

Things to be arranged and checked before checking out

Leaving the hotel should be the easy part, you only have to remember to pack all your belongings and check out before the stated deadline and of course, pay for your stay.

TRAVELLING AND HOLIDAYS IN THE PAST, AT PRESENT AND IN THE FUTURE

IN THE PAST

• There were no roads. There was none of the mechanical transport we have now.
• people travelled on their own on foot.
• They had to face different kinds of danger like weather, wild beasts and robbers.
• Most people therefore did not like to leave their villages. Only those who were adventurous dared to go for longer distances.
• They traveled in groups.
• Later people learned how to domesticate wild animals and started using horses or camels and elaphants as means of transport. This step made travelling more comfortable.
• The things changed further after the invention of wheel. Now carts and wagons were used.
• People learnt how to rule the seas by building ships which were powered by wind, human power, and later steam engines (trains were powered by them too) and combustion engines.
• The first plane was constructed in 1903 which was a huge step in the history of travelling.
• Travelling was affordable only for rich people

AT PRESENT

• Nowadays, the traveling is well-developed. It allows the transportation of both people and goods.
• We have all kinds of improved, better, comfortable and safe means of transport.
• Every country has a network of railways.
• Travelling by sea also has become more comfortable faster and safer than before. Giant steamers have replaced the ancient boats and sailing ships.

• Many people travel to big cities to work or school, or for holiday to the seaside or to the mountains:
• Eldery people prefer passive holidays and they usually go with their children and their grandchildren. If they want to go on alone they have to choose a cheaper holiday
• since Slovak retirees cannot afford holidays at the seaside in five-star hotels.
• Yong people prefer both active and passive holidays- it depends on the type of work they do. If their job requires physical work, these people need passive holdays where they just lay down on the beach and relax. Those who are stressed and psychically tired, they prefer active holidays which means that they need to release the stress by activities such as different kinds of sport, hiking or cycling.
• The duration of journeys is becoming shorter day by day.
• Now we can go from South Pole to North Pole in a matter of hours.
• It is cheaper, however it is still expensive for ordinary people, especially now when the crisis made thousands of people redundant. Their financial situation is so bad that they cen not afford to go on any holiday.

IN THE FUTURE

• Travelling will develop more.
• Atomic energy might replace oil and electricity.
• Further researches of space travelling may lead to interstellar or even intergalactical journeys so space might become the next tourist destination
• There is also the possibility of teleportation which could allow any matter to be transported with the speed of light.
• You can expect planes that will go round the earth in a few hours and maybe airplanes will become as common as buses of today's world.
• The speed of trains may improve too, which will be driven by atomic energy
• The rich may think of going to moon for vacations while the poor will only afford holidays on the Earth.

MY DREAM HOLIDAY

Everyone dreams of seeing places cultures and historical sights they have never seen before, only in pictures. The holiday I dream of for years is connected with an archipelago called Malta.

What attracts me to Malta the most is its beautiful nature. Even though greenary is not dominant here, all the majestic rocky shores with cactus, water caves and palm trees on the both pebbly and sandy beaches are worth seeing. The most famous beaches which I would like to see are The Blue Lagoon and The Golden Bay. 77

What is more, Malta is rich in history and culture. They are influenced by the British who took over Malta in 1800. I was stunned by the huge fortifications around the capital city called Valletta and the numerous towers along the coast rise respect inside of me. The buildings are made of stone just like the roads on which you may see their traditional yellow buses.

Me and my boyfriend have always dreamed of going there and maybe after my graduation we will have the chance to get there, which would be an unforgetable experience. I have heard of Malta as a combination of cheap prices and well-developed customer service. Furthermore, I would like to see its nightlife and improve my language skills since it is an English-speaking country.

Malta is a small country, but there are so many things I would like to see, plus it would be the most exotic place I have ever been to so I hope one day this dream will become true.