Many of us like to travel. Whether you’re going halfway around the world to climb a mountain or scuba diving on a coral reef, or simply jumping in your car to drive to a nice hotel for a weekend break, your trip will most likely involve some planning.

In this episode, we share some of our best travel tips and you’ll learn some useful travel vocabulary.

Holidays and travel: https://inglespodcast.com/156
Air Travel Vocabulary: https://inglespodcast.com/108

Speaking of travel, María Jesús from Avilés in Asturias has been travelling. Let’s find out where she’s been.
Thank you for your letter and your kind words, María Jesús.
Also, thank you for your suggestion to speak about El Camino de Santiago, St. James’ Way.

Are you a planner or do you like to be spontaneous?
Have you ever been anywhere at the drop of a hat with no planning whatsoever?

To travel (not common as a countable noun)
To go on a trip
To go on holiday/vacation

Planning a trip

Research your destination – how to get there, things to do when you’re there (activities, excursions, day trips, local guide, walking tours, sightseeing, tourist attractions, tourist traps)

Budget (camping, 5-star, first class, hire car or public transport, independent travel or all-inclusive package tour, no frills, low-budget, backpacking).
Tell your bank before you go. Travel with some local currency when abroad.

Time of year – airfares, low rates, local weather conditions, local festivals, high/low or off-season

Book flights, hotels and accommodation – make reservations, car hire, tours, visa requirements, itinerary (allow for jet lag), direct flight, connecting flight, a stopover, get vaccinations or “jabs”. Check passport expiry date.

Phone apps – paper/digital guides and maps. Learn some local phrases for foreign travel.

Packing – Travel check list, suitcase measurements from airline, Packing cubes for luggage (or roll, don’t fold to travel light), photocopy important documents (passport, health insurance etc). Take some old clothes. Pack a clean T-shirt and change of underwear in your carry-on bag.

Check in online as soon as possible to avoid double-booked seats. Paper copy and digital copy of boarding pass.

Before you hit the road, check the essential three things:
Passport
Ticket
Money

Bonus tips
Use a business card in hotel key card slots.
Ask to see the room before you accept it, if possible.
Check out how comfortable the mattress is.
Take a photo of your room number and hotel name.
Take a small electric water boiler or kettle.
Ask for a quiet room (if possible).
Don’t always trust the hotel safe. Take a bulldog clip.
Clean and sterilize the remote control!
Take earplugs and/or noise-cancelling earphones, and an eye mask if light bothers you.

…….and don’t leave home without your sense of humour and a lot of patience!

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. Do you have any tips and advice about travel that we haven’t mentioned here?
Send us a voice message. https://www.speakpipe.com/inglespodcast
Send us an email with a comment or question to [email protected] or [email protected]

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In next week’s episode: Cakes and Pastries

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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’