Traveling

The scientific and technological progress of the 20th century has allowed people to overcome time and distance, to cover in the twinkling of an eye the vast expanse of our planet. The whole world is open now. The limitations of former times have ceased to exist.
Modern life is impossible without travelling. To begin with most of us in big cities travel every day to our schools, offices and factories. For some people it is quite a trek to get from home to work. They go by underground, they change to a bus or they take a taxi. From time to time we have to go to another city or country on business. Then after a year’s work people go on holiday and they do not like to spend it at home.

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, to see different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.
Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or on the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and lie in the sun.
People who wish to travel either for pleasure or on business have at their disposal various means of transport. If you want to get somewhere as quickly as possible the best way is to travel by plane. It is better to book tickets in advance. On the appointed day you go to the airport by car. Soon you’ll be boarding the big airliner and it will carry you to new lands. When on the plane you may look around. In front of you in the cockpit you’ll see the pilot and his crew. Some of the passengers are already reclining in comfortable armchairs. There is a kitchen in the rear part of the plane where the stewardesses are preparing the meals. Presently we take off and in a few minutes the pilot informs us of the altitude. Sometimes it is possible to see land. It is like a geographical map. Our plane is due to arrive in eight hours. The time passes quickly. The plane arrives at the airport on time.
Travelling by train is slower than by plane but it has its advantages. When on the train you can always see the country side around you, so you are not simply travelling, but your holidays have already begun. To have a good trip by train you must book the tickets in advance. When the day of your departure comes, you go to the railway station, which is usu¬ally closer to your home than the airport. The porter helps you with your luggage. You go to your carriage and find out if you have a lower or upper berth in your compartment. Each compartment has its own window, a table, a place for your suitcases and, of course, four berths.
Travelling by sea is mostly for those who are going on holiday and want a pleasant voyage. On board a large cruise ship people traverse oceans and visit other countries. The ship stops for a day or two in different ports and people go ashore on excursions. Crossing the ocean is a magnificent and very long voyage, with enormous waves before you and a 4-deck liner under you. The only drawback is seasickness, so before starting on a voyage you should find out whether you suffer from it or not.
Many people prefer travelling by car. This way you can explore the nearby towns and cities. The greatest advantage is that you can stop whenever you like and that you are not bound by any schedule. You start from your own front door and take any road you like.
Coach tours are not expensive and very popular. They are planned as holidays and there is a chance to do a lot of sightseeing and have a good rest at the same time.
One of the cheapest and the most popular ways of travelling is hiking. It is always a great experience for a lover of nature. Walking through the wood or along the river, having a rest on the shore of a forest lake, climbing a mountain, you feel yourself a part of nature.
All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. People choose one according to their plans and destination. When travelling we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home.

Научный и технический прогресс XX века позволил людям преодолеть время и расстояние, в мгновение ока покрывать огромные пространства нашей планеты. Теперь весь мир открыт. Ограничения прошлого перестали существовать.
Современная жизнь невозможна без путешествий. Прежде всего, в больших городах большинство из нас каждый день совершают поездки в школу, в контору, на завод. Для некоторых добраться из дома на работу — настоящее путешествие. Они едут на метро, пересаживаются на автобус или берут такси. Время от времени нам приходится ездить в другой город или страну по делам. Проработав год, люди получают отпуск, и им не нравится проводить его дома.
Миллионы людей во всем мире проводят отпуск путешествуя. Они совершают путешествия, чтобы увидеть другие страны и континенты, современные города и руины древних городов, чтобы наслаждаться живописными пейзажами или просто ради перемены обстановки. Всегда интересно открывать новое, видеть, как разнообразна жизнь, встречать новых людей, пробовать необычные блюда, слышать непривычные музыкальные ритмы.
Тем, кто живет за городом, нравится отправляться в большой город и проводить время, посещая музеи и художественные галереи, разглядывая витрины магазинов и обедая в экзотических ресторанах. Городским жителям обычно нравится спокойный отпуск на море или в горах, когда не надо ничего делать, кроме как гулять, купаться и бездельничать, валяясь на пляже.
Те, кто собирается в путешествие по делу или для удовольствия, имеют в своем распоряжении различные виды транспорта. Если вы хотите попасть куда-либо как можно быстрее, лучше всего путешествовать самолетом. Лучше всего заказать билеты заранее. В назначенный день вы отправляетесь в аэропорт на машине. Вскоре вы сядете в большой авиалайнер, и он отнесет вас к новым землям. Сидя в самолете, вы можете оглядеться вокруг себя. Впереди, в кабине, находятся пилот и экипаж. Пассажиры могут откинуться в удобных креслах. В задней части самолета — маленькая кухня, где стюардессы готовят еду. Наконец мы взлетаем, и через несколько минут голос пилота сообщает нам, на какой высоте проходит полет. Иногда можно увидеть землю. Она похожа на карту. Наш самолет должен прибыть через восемь часов. Время проходит быстро. Самолет прибывает в аэропорт вовремя.
Путешествие на поезде проходит медленнее, чем на самолете, но у поезда свои преимущества. В поезде вы все время видите окружающие пейзажи, так что вы не просто добираетесь до места отпуска, ваш отпуск уже начался. Чтобы путешествие поездом было удачным, вы должны заказать билеты заранее. Когда наступает день вашего отъезда, вы едете на вокзал, который обычно находится ближе к дому, чем аэропорт. Носильщик помогает вам с багажом. Вы идете в вагон и выясняете, верхняя или нижняя полка (койка) у вас в купе. В каждом купе есть окно, стол, специальные ящики для чемоданов и четыре койки.
По морю обычно путешествуют те, кто едет на отдых и хочет совершить приятное путешествие. На борту большого круизного судна люди пересекают океаны и посещают другие страны. Корабль заходит на день-другой в разные порты, и пассажиры сходят на берег, чтобы совершить экскурсию. Плавание через океан — это великолепное и продолжительное путешествие, когда вокруг вас гигантские волны, а под вами четырехпалубный лайнер. Единственный недостаток — это морская болезнь, так что перед путешествием надо выяснить, страдаете ли вы от нее.
Многие предпочитают путешествовать на машине. Путешествуя таким образом, вы можете осмотреть города, через которые проходит ваша трасса. Самое большое преимущество подобного путешествия в том, что вы можете остановиться когда угодно и не зависите ни от какого расписания. Вы отправляетесь от дверей своего дома и выбираете ту дорогу, которая вам больше понравится.
Автобусные туры недороги и пользуются большой популярностью. Их планируют в качестве отпуска, поскольку есть возможность повидать много достопримечательностей и в то же время хорошо отдохнуть.
Самый дешевый и один из самых популярных видов путешествия — пеший туризм. Для любителя природы это всегда прекрасная возможность непосредственного общения с ней. Идя по лесу или вдоль реки, отдыхая на берегу лесного озера или взбираясь на гору, чувствуешь себя частью природы.
У всех видов передвижения есть свои достоинства и недостатки. Люди выбирают то, что соответствует их планам и возможностям. Путешествуя, мы видим и узнаем много такого, чего никогда бы не увидели и не узнали дома.

Summer Holidays
The beach is a traditional summer destination for thousands of people. Everyone wants to go to the beach! Sun, surf, and sand are a magnetic lure for millions of visitors. The wealth of things to do includes sunbathing, jogging, boating, fishing and surfing. Ever presented breezes keep the temperature comfortable and the water warn. Beach cities are the centres for easygoing life styles. The newest trends in youth culture often originate there. For example, the roller-skating craze started on the Venice boardwalk.
Though sea, sun and sand are the same, people try to go to a different place every year, because fauna, and flora, and the air are different.
Spending holidays on the beach is a great rest though many people combine sunbathing with visiting museums and places of interest.

Questions:
1. What is traditional destination for summer holidays?
2. Why do people want to go to the beach?
3. What can people do at the beach?
4. What makes temperature?
5. What often originates in the beach cities?
6. Why do people go to a different places?

Пляж — традиционная цель летнего путешествия для тысяч людей. Каждый хочет пойти на пляж! Солнце, прибой и песок оказывают магнетическое воздействие на миллионы приезжих. Множество вещей, которыми можно заняться, включает в себя: принятие солнечных ванн, прогулки, лодочный спорт, рыбную ловлю и серфинг. Всегда дующий бриз сохраняет температуру комфортабельной, а воду теплой. Пляжные города являются центрами беспечного стиля жизни. Новейшие тенденции молодежной культуры часто зарождаются здесь. К примеру, мания катания на роликовых коньках началась на Венецианском пляже.
Хотя море, солнце и песок везде одни и те же, люди стараются каждый год ехать в другое место, потому что фауна, флора и воздух различны.
Проведение каникул на пляже — замечательный отдых, хотя многие люди совмещают солнечные ванны с посещением музеев и интересных мест.

Travelling
People began to travel ages ago. The very first travelers were explorers who went on trips to find wealth, fame or something else. Their journeys were very dangerous but still people keep on going to the unknown lands.
Nowadays it is not as dangerous and much more convenient. Do you want to go somewhere? Hundreds of companies are there to help you. They will take care about your tickets and make all the reservations needed. You don’t speak the language of the country you go to? There are interpreters that will help you.
With modern services you can go around the world. You can choose the means of transport you like: plane, train, ship, bicycle or you can travel hiking.
Tourism became a very profitable business because people are ready to spend their money for the great opportunity to have a great time learning about new countries, going sightseeing, resting and enjoying themselves.

Questions:
1. Who were the first travelers?
2. Were their journeys safe?
3. Why did they go on trip?
4. Is it more convenient to travel now?
5. What kinds of transport can you choose from?
6. Is tourism a profitable business? Why?

Путешествия
Люди начали путешествовать давным-давно. Самые первые путешественники были исследователями, которые шли в путешествия на поиски богатства, славы или чего- нибудь еще. Их путешествия были очень опасными, но люди все продолжали идти к неизведанным землям.
Сейчас это не так опасно, да и более удобно. Хотите поехать куда-нибудь? Есть сотни компаний, которые помогут вам. Они позаботятся о ваших билетах и забронируют все, что нужно. Вы не Говорите на языке страны, в которую едете? Есть переводчики, которые помогут вам.
С современными службами вы можете поехать вокруг света. Вы можете выбрать вид транспорта, который вам нравится: самолет, поезд, корабль, велосипед, или вы можете путешествовать пешком.
Туризм стал очень выгодным бизнесом, потому что люди готовы платить деньги за хорошую возможность великолепно провести время, изучая новые страны, осматривая достопримечательности, отдыхая и получая при этом удовольствие.
Источник: 100 тем английского языка. Авторы Каверина В. Бойко В. Жидких Н.

Travelling by train.

Modern life is impossible without travelling. Of course the fastest way of travelling is by plane. But many people make their choice on travelling by train as with a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. Travelling by train is of course slower than by air but it also has its advantages.
If you are going to travel by train you’d better book seats beforehand because many people are fond of travelling by train. There are some reasons why people choose railroad. Train is the cheap means of travelling. If it is summer outside it will be better to think of your trip before the vocation starts. To understand how true this is, you only have to go to a railway station. There you will see hundreds of people hurrying to catch a train. You’ll waste a lot of time standing near the booking-office trying to buy a ticket.
Modern trains have very comfortable seats in all passenger cars, and there are sleeping-cars and dining-cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. You can buy first-class, second-class and third-class sleepers in a separate compartment. If you are early before the train starts you can leave your suit-cases in the compartment and walk up and down the platform. Some people forget when and from which platform and track their train will be off. They can always ask for the track, platform and train numbers at the railroad station information bureau and also get information about next trains and their schedules. There are express, slow and long-distance trains. If you want to go somewhere and get there as quickly as possible you’d better know that express trains only stop at the largest stations while slow trains stop at all stations. You can get to far countries only by a long-distance train.
Once you are in your compartment you have to ask the guide to bring in the bedding. There are usually two lower and two upper berths in a third-class sleeper compartment. Some people like to occupy upper berths because it is more convenient and exciting to travel. During your way on the train you can read newspapers, books, look out of the window, drink the tea, communicate with your neighbors or sleep. I prefer to look out of the window, because you can see the country you are passing through, and not only the clouds as when you are flying. You can have something to eat at the stations when the train makes stops.
Though we all seem to agree that the future belongs to air transport, the railroads today still carry a lot of passengers and goods.

TRAVELLING.

People are fond of traveling. They spend their holidays traveling. They travel to see other countries and continents, to learn a lot about people’s traditions, to enjoy picturesque places. It is interesting for them to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food.
Those who live in the country like to find themselves in large cities with their shops, cinemas, crowds of people. City-dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains with nothing to do but walking and bathing, lazying in the sun. Most travelers and holiday makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them — beautiful views of waterfalls, forests, unusual plants and animals. These photos will remind them of the happy time of holiday.
These are many ways of traveling — by train, by plain, by ship, on foot. Everyone chooses his favourite one. My favourite way is traveling by plain. And not because it is very comfortable. It is exciting. I also like traveling by train. I’ve traveled this way a lot. When you are in the train you can see the beauty of nature.
I envy the tourists because I think that they study geography traveling and visiting different parts of the world. They can tell you many things which you didn’t know before.
They are interesting people from whom you can learn much new for yourself. Any kind of travel helps you to understand many things that you can never see or learn at home. Though you may read about them in books and newspapers.
As for me I’d like to have a coach tour to some foreign country. Coach tours are planned and I’ll have a chance to do a lot of sightseeings and have a good rest at the same time.

Travelling by Air.

Modern life is impossible without travelling. Of course the fastest way of travelling is by plane. Many people prefer travelling by air as it is the most convenient, comfortable and quickest means of travelling. Travelling by plane has also its advantages and disadvantages.
If you are going to travel by air you’d better buy tickets beforehand because many people are fond of travelling by plane. There are some reasons why people choose that means of travelling. If it is summer outside it will be better to think of your trip before the vocation starts. To understand how true this is, you only have to go to an airport. There you will see hundreds of people hurrying to catch a plane. You’ll waste a lot of time standing near the booking office trying to buy a ticket.
Modern planes have very comfortable seats in all cabins, and there are first class, business and economy class cabins. Inside the cabin the air is always fresh and warm. Before the plane takes off the stewardess helps everyone get comfortable in the seats and wishes them a pleasant trip. She also gives all the information about the flight, the speed and the altitude. During the flight you can have something to drink and to eat. You can read newspapers and magazines or simply look out of the pothole. But you will sea nothing outside but the clouds. You can buy first-class, second-class and third class. You must be in time for your flight because you must have time to pass custom and passport controls and check in. Before boarding the plane the passenger must register at the airport. While registering he is required to have his luggage weighed. If the luggage weighs more than 20 kilograms you have to pay extra. Sometimes people forget the time and the number of the flight. They can always ask for that at the airport’s information bureau and also get information about next flights and their timetables.
Sometimes passengers don’t feel as if they are walking on good solid ground when on board the plane. They can get airsick and then travelling by air becomes a real torture for them.
Nowadays travelling by air is one of the dangerous means of travelling. There are a lot of air crashes and many people die in them. And I think people prefer safety to comfort on board a ship.
Though we all seem to agree that the future belongs to air transport, other means of travelling are still popular today.