Travelling and holidays.

People have travelled all over the world from the very beginning of their existence. In the remote past they only travelled on foot, but later they started to use donkeys, horses, camels, elephants, and even dogs for travel, depending on the place where they lived. In the course of time and the development of technology we now have many forms of travel. We can use bikes and motorbikes, cars, trains that travel under the ground and on surface, aeroplanes, helicopters and ships. If we want to get to another country, the best way of getting there is to fly by plane. It’s very quick and comfortable, but expensive. People like airplane flights very much. Man has been flying from the begining of the twentieth century when the first aeroplane left the earth. At first they flew over their cities, over their countries, then over English Channel. Later, the first pilots reached America and Australia. Nowadays airplanes are used in people’s everyday life. They carry them from one place to another. Airplane flights may seem to be dangerous, after a crash many people decide never to fly again. But airplanes are very safe, and millions of people travel by air as it is the quickest way of travelling. A very nice way of travelling is to sail onboard a ship. It takes much more time, but gives more opportunities to visit interesting places. Unfortunately, it is expensive too, and requires more free time. On a big passenger ship you may have wonderful time swimming in the swimming-pools on deck or under deck, go to restaurants, cafes, discos, lie in the sun, play deck games or dance in the night club. Cars, trains, and buses are all quite common, you have a chance to get off wherever you want Going by coach is cheaper, but it is neither quick nor comfortable. Also, it may be a little bit boring. For those who want to see as many interesting places as possible probably the best way of travelling is to go by car. People who decide to go by car are independent and they can plan their trip entirely by themselves. A lot of people like to ride their bikes, no matter how far they want to go. It keeps them in close contact with nature and provides good health.

Many young people want to see a lot, go far away and travel in cheap way, so they go hitch-hiking. It gives them a lot of fun, excitement and sometimes a lot of surprises. But it can also be dangerous.
Modern means of transport make the world very small. It is possible to visit many countries, get familiar with many exotic cultures, and meet people of different nationalities. It is up to you what you choose; the cheap and slow travelling on foot or by bike or the more expensive but more comfortable air flights or sea voyages.

Going to the mountains is one of the most popular ways of spending holidays. We can go there either in summer or in winter and we will come back filled with rapture. There is something special about mountains that make everybody who goes there falls in love with them and want to come back as soon as possible.

In summer the only thing to do there is to walk and admire the landscape. As there is no snow, we cannot do anything else. But not everybody goes to the mountains to ski not everybody can ski. People just like to walk as far as they can and to climb as high as they can. In winter mountains are more dangerous but still a lot of people like to spend their holidays there. When there is a lot of snow, avalanches may occur, therefore tourists have to be particularly careful. People go to the mountains in winter rather to ski than to climb so the ski trails are very crowded. The mountaineers organize sledging cavalcades for tourists. There is always something interesting to do in the mountains, regardless the time of the year. Some people say that the mountains are most beautiful in winter when everything is covered with snow, some say that the mountains are most beautiful in autumn when leaves change colours from green to golden. Without any doubts we can go to the mountains whenever we want and we will come back neither bored nor dissappointed.

Many people like spending holidays at the seaside. In summer it makes sense as there are more things to do there, than in winter. We can spend our time in many different ways. Because it is usually hot and sunny, we can spend whole days on the beach. When we want to take a cool break from the hot sand and hot air we can swim in the sea. Swimming in the sea gives us a lot of fun, especially when it is windy and there are big waves. Although swimming in rough sea is fun, it is dangerous, too. So it is better to swim only in areas where there is a lifeguard. Some people like to sunbathe for hours. This may seem a little bit boring but they say it makes them feel relaxed. Being on the beach gives a lots of possibilities to have a good time. We can play volleyball and many other games. While playing we move which is the best way of sunbathing. We can build sand castles. Building a big castle may take us even a couple of hours. We can go for long walks along the coast. In the evenings we may sit on the beach round the bonfire, sing songs, and roast potatoes and sausages. These are a few of the ways of spending our time at the seaside. It all depends upon us if we make it a good time or not.

Very popular way of spending holidays is going abroad. People are interested in seeing other countries and distant places. Trips abroad require special arrangements. Our passport is something we cannot leave without. It has to be valid, or we will not be able to leave the country. While going to most European countries we do not need a visa. But it is essential to have one if somebody wants to go to certain countries such the USA or some South American countries. Knowing at least one foreign language is helpful or we will not be able to communicate with people. The ideal situation is to speak the language of the country we go to but in general English is enough.
Some people like their holidays to be exotic, so they go to Asia or Africa. In Africa they can take part in a safari which is an unforgettable experience even if it is only a photo safari. Others like to have comfortable holidays so they go on a guided tour. The hotels and the coach are provided by a travel agency, so the participants do not have to worry about anything. The most popular trips are the ones to Italy or France, many people go to Spain and England. While we are abroad, we learn a lot. We see things completely new for us, we get to know new cultures and customs. Sometimes we are shocked with what we experience but hardly ever we are disappoined. As going abroad is expensive, not everybody can afford it. But sometimes it is worth saving money for a long time, then going away even for a week which you will not forget to the rest of your life.

Here are some final tips for travellers:
- In France you shouldn’t sit down in cafe until you’ve shaken hands with everyone you know.
- In Afganistan you should spend at least five minutes saying hello.
- In Pakistan you musn’t wink. It is offensive.
- In the Middle East you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating, drinking or smoking. Also, you should take care not to admire anything in your hosts home. They will feel that they have to give it to you.
- In Russia you must match your hosts drink for drink or they will think you are unfriendly.
- In America you should eat your hamburger with both hands and as quickly as possible. You shouldn’t try to have a conversation until it is eaten.

“ When in Rome, do as the Romans do”

existence- istnienie
remote- odległy
donkey- osioł
in the course of time- z biegiem czasu
development- rozwój
surface- powierzchnia
require- wymagać
common- powszechny
entirely-całkowicie
get familiar- poznać
filled with- przepełniony
rapture- zachwyt
avalanches- lawiny
occur- pojawiać się
ski trail- szlaki narciarskie
sledging cavalcades- kulig
covered-pokryte
regardless- niezaleznie od
dissappointed- rozczarowany
make sense- miec sens
waves- fale
rough- wzburzone
require- wymagać
arrangements- przygotowania
valid- wazny
essential- wazne
take part in- wziąć udział w
guided tour- zorganizowana wycieczka
provided- zapewniony
participants- uczestnicy
shake hands with- uścisnąć sobie ręce
wink- mrugać
match- dorównać
aisle- przejscie(miedzy rzedami)
away from house- z daleka od domu
rucksack- plecak
caravan- przyczepa turystyczna
fondness for travelling- mania podrożowania
itinerary- plan podróży
travel in good company- podróżować w dobrym
towarzystwie
to have a good rest- dobrze wypocząć
bicycle tracks- drogi dla rowerów
holiday season- sezon wycieczkowy
pleasure-boat- statek wycieczkowy
land in transit- lądować w tranzycie
on the way- po drodze
deckchair- leżak
peak- szczyt
paradise- raj
gorgeous- cudowny, wspaniały
picturesque- malowniczy
sandy- piaszczysty