🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
SPEAKER 1: Hi Sarah! Have you booked your holiday yet? I heard you were thinking about going somewhere sunny.
SPEAKER 2: Yes, I have! I've been planning a trip to Portugal for months. We're going to the Algarve in August. I've already booked the flights and the hotel.
SPEAKER 1: That sounds amazing! How long will you be there?
SPEAKER 2: Two weeks. If we have good weather, we'll spend most of our time on the beach. We've decided to take a few day trips too.
SPEAKER 1: Have you ever been to Portugal before?
SPEAKER 2: No, never. I used to spend my holidays in Spain, but I wanted to try somewhere new. My brother went last year and he really recommended it. He said the food is fantastic and the people are very friendly.
SPEAKER 1: I'm jealous! Will you do any activities besides swimming?
SPEAKER 2: Well, I love hiking, so if there's time, I'd like to explore some coastal trails. We're also planning to visit some traditional fishing villages. And my husband wants to try surfing for the first time!
SPEAKER 1: That's brilliant. Are you staying in a resort?
SPEAKER 2: No, we've rented a small apartment near the beach. It's more affordable, and I think we'll enjoy having our own space. We've read lots of reviews online, and they were all positive.
SPEAKER 1: You've really thought this through! I hope you have an amazing time.
📖 Reading
Last summer, my sister Anna decided to try something different for her holiday. Instead of flying to a beach resort, she joined a small group that cycled through the countryside in Portugal. She has never been very sporty, so at first I thought the trip would be too hard for her. But Anna told me that the guides planned easy routes, and the group stopped often to rest, eat local food and take photos.
Anna said that the best part of the holiday was staying in small family-run guesthouses instead of big hotels. In one village, the owner of the guesthouse cooked dinner for the whole group and told them stories about the area. Anna said she learned more about Portuguese culture in that one evening than she had in a whole week at a typical resort. If she had stayed in a big hotel, she probably wouldn't have met any local people at all.
Of course, the trip wasn't perfect. On the third day, it rained heavily, and the group had to cycle for two hours in wet clothes. Anna admitted that she almost gave up and asked the guide if they could stop early. However, when the rain finally stopped, the sky turned a beautiful orange colour, and everyone agreed that the view was worth the discomfort.
Now Anna is already planning her next active holiday. She says that if more people tried this kind of travel, they would probably enjoy their holidays more because they would be outside, meeting new people and seeing places that tourists don't usually visit. I have to admit, after hearing her stories, I am starting to think about booking a similar trip myself.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- Popular holiday destinations worldwide are experiencing record visitor numbers, from Venice to Barcelona to Bali.
- Many travellers now seek authentic cultural experiences away from crowded tourist hotspots and commercialized attractions.
- Local communities in heavily visited areas are facing challenges including pollution, rising costs, and loss of traditional ways of life.
- A growing movement promotes 'slow travel' and off-season visits as alternatives to mass tourism.
Themes
- Cultural Authenticity vs. Tourism Industry — The tension between experiencing genuine local culture and the commercialized tourism experience designed for visitors.
- Environmental and Social Impact of Mass Tourism — How large numbers of tourists affect local communities, natural environments, and the sustainability of popular destinations.
- Personal Travel Values and Choices — How individual travellers can make conscious decisions about where to go, when to visit, and how to travel responsibly.
- The Search for Hidden Gems — The appeal of discovering lesser-known destinations and the challenge of keeping special places from becoming overly touristy.
Personal Response
- Describe a holiday destination you have visited. What did you enjoy most about it?
- Would you prefer to visit a famous, popular destination or a quieter, less-known place? Why?
- Tell me about a time when you felt disappointed with a holiday experience. What went wrong?
Themes & Ideas
- What do you think makes a travel experience 'authentic'?
- How can tourists behave respectfully in other people's countries and communities?
- Do you think popular destinations should limit the number of visitors they allow? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Critical Thinking
- Why do you think some destinations become overcrowded while others remain unknown? What role does social media play?
- How might overtourism change a place's culture and character over time?
- What responsibility do travel companies and hotels have toward local communities?
Cultural & Social Topics
- In your country, are there tourism hotspots that have changed because of too many visitors? How?
- Should governments encourage more tourists to visit their country, or should they control visitor numbers? Explain your view.
- How do you think local people feel about the tourists who visit their region?
🎭 Classroom activity
Role-play activity: Pair students as a travel agent and a customer planning a holiday. The customer has conflicting wishes—they want authentic experiences but also comfort and convenience. The travel agent must suggest a destination and defend their choice based on sustainability and cultural respect. After 5 minutes, swap roles.
✏️ Questions
- By the time we arrived at the hotel in Rome, the sun ___ (already/set).
- If the weather ___ (be) nice tomorrow, we will go snorkeling near the reef.
- My brother ___ (travel) to at least ten countries so far, and he's only twenty-five.
- If I ___ (have) more money, I would book a longer trip to Southeast Asia.
- Our tour guide told us that the museum ___ (close) at five o'clock, so we needed to hurry.
- The hotel room ___ (clean) every morning by the staff before guests return from breakfast.
- Why did Anna choose a cycling holiday instead of a beach resort?
- a) She wanted to try something different
- b) She couldn't afford a beach resort
- c) Her friends persuaded her to go
- d) She had already visited every beach resort in Portugal
- According to the passage, why were the author's worries about the trip being 'too hard' not completely necessary?
- a) The guides planned easy routes and the group rested often
- b) Anna had trained for months before the trip
- c) The weather stayed sunny the whole time
- d) The group only cycled for one hour each day
- What does the second paragraph suggest about staying in big hotels?
- a) Guests may have fewer chances to meet local people
- b) Guests always eat better food
- c) Guests usually learn more about the local culture
- d) Guests can cycle more easily from big hotels
- What happened on the third day of the trip?
- a) Heavy rain made the cycling difficult
- b) The group got lost in the countryside
- c) Anna decided to go home early
- d) The guesthouse owner cancelled dinner
- In the third paragraph, what does the word 'admitted' suggest about Anna's feelings?
- a) She was a little embarrassed to say she nearly quit
- b) She was proud of finishing the ride quickly
- c) She was angry with the guide
- d) She was confident the whole time
- What is Anna's opinion about active holidays, based on the final paragraph?
- a) More people would enjoy their holidays if they tried this kind of travel
- b) Active holidays are only suitable for very sporty people
- c) Tourists should avoid places that aren't popular
- d) Beach resorts are more relaxing than cycling trips