Tag: Travel and Holiday

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Barcelona has mostly flat paths and numerous bicycle lanes. It is no wonder that different forms of single-person vehicles are emerging in this city. The most popular one is the e-scooter, locally known as “patinete”. However, these e-scooters and other VMP’s have increasingly become a problem in the city recently.

Let’s read the article and know more about problems brought about by VMP’s and the new traffic laws imposed on them.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/01/05/500-euro-fine-barcelona-impose-strict-crackdown-on-e-scooter-users/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define the word “nippy“. “Electric scooters now dominate the daily commute, with nearly 45,000 journeys every single day taking place on the nippy vehicles.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
2. What does the phrase “to flood something” in this context? “Barcelona is a vibrant, blossoming city that continues to flood the Spanish landscape with culture and historical significance, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists per year.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does the phrase “tear through” mean? “Criminals would tear through the city at speeds of up to 25 mph and target innocent pedestrians, aiming to capture their mobile phones and make a quick getaway.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the new e-scooter rules in Barcelona?
2. Do you use an e-scooter? Would you consider buying one? Why or why not?
3. What personal mobility vehicles are common where you live? What kinds of problems do they cause?
4. How pedestrian-friendly your town or city is? Talk more about it.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Could airships be the key to sustainable air travel? With concerns over aviation’s environmental impact rising, these eco-friendly vehicles are being revisited as a possible solution. While they offer the promise of lower carbon emissions, questions about their practicality and cost-effectiveness remain.

Read the article to discover whether airships can provide a viable, greener alternative to modern air travel, or if they’re just a nostalgic dream.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20241204-could-the-airship-be-the-answer-to-sustainable-air-travel

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “at the height of luxury” mean? “The journey is expected to take two days and will be conducted at the height of luxury in an airship gondola decked out with panoramic windows, fine dining areas and opulent cabins containing eco-luxury beds that take in the views of the icebergs as you go.” Make a sentence with this.
2. What is “a niche role”? “In my view, airships cannot replace aircraft but might have a niche role to play, like cruise ships, on slower journeys.” Create a sentence with this phrase.
3. Define the expression, “poised to enter something”. “LTA – which stands for “Lighter Than Air” – is one of a handful of airship manufacturers around the world currently poised to enter the aviation market.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes airships a potential solution for sustainable air travel?
2. Do you believe airships could become a viable alternative to airplanes for long-distance travel?
3. Should governments and industries invest more in the development of airships for sustainable travel?
4. Would you consider traveling by airship if it were available as a sustainable option?
5. Do you think the cost of building and operating airships would be justified by their environmental benefits?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Over-tourism is a growing concern, affecting both local communities and the environment. While tourism brings economic benefits, overcrowding leads to problems like environmental degradation, rising living costs, and strained infrastructure. As destinations struggle to manage the increasing flow of visitors, finding sustainable solutions has become more urgent than ever.

Read this article to learn more about the impacts of overtourism.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-over-tourism-causes-consequences-pum1f/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “tourist cap” mean in this context? “This can be done through measures such as tourist caps, timed entry systems for popular sites, and differential pricing during peak seasons.” Make a sentence with this.
2. Define “off the beaten path“. “Marketing efforts can focus on off-the-beaten-path locations, seasonal activities, and cultural experiences that draw tourists away from overcrowded hotspots.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give two synonyms.
3. What is “equitable tourism“? “Through collaborative efforts, it is possible to create a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry that enriches both travelers and host communities alike.” Make a sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does over-tourism affect the cost of living for local residents?
2. What role can travelers play in reducing the negative impacts of over-tourism?
3. In your opinion, what makes a destination “over-touristed,” and how can we identify when a location reaches this point?
4. How do you think digital platforms like Airbnb contribute to the rise of over-tourism in certain cities?
5. What are some examples of destinations that have successfully addressed the issue of over-tourism? What strategies did they use?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nintendo has a profound impact on most children in the 1990’s. Young people in this decade would have probably played or at least recognize Super Mario to this day. Not only is Nintendo popular for its video games, but it has once dominated the playing card market as well.

If you enjoyed playing Nintendo video games as a child, you should come pay the Nintendo Museum a visit and be brought back down memory lane.

Let’s read the article and know more about the nostalgic Nintendo Museum in Japan.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/worlds-first-nintendo-museum-kyoto-japan-intl-hnk/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “a wealth of something” mean? “While museum visitors won’t be able to jump up and punch “question blocks” like Mario –they can already do that at the Super Nintendo World theme park in nearby Osaka anyway – they will have access to a wealth of info that offers insights into the mind of Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto, also known as the father of Super Mario.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘a wealth of something’ in your own sentence.
2. What does “humble beginnings” mean? “A museum section called “Craft and Play” is dedicated to these humble beginnings and features a hanafuda room where visitors learn to play the traditional card game with the help of technology and can join a workshop to create their own flower cards.” Give a synonym or similar expression and use ‘humble beginnings’ in your own sentence.
3. What does “pan out” mean here, “But the main attraction of the museum is its “Discover” area, a massive hall featuring displays of almost every product ever released by the company, including rare limited-edition devices and prototypes that didn’t pan out.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘pan out’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you owned any Nintendo consoles? Which ones?
2. What are your thoughts on the Nintendo Museum? Would you be interested to visit? Why or why not?
3. Have you visited any unique museums? What makes it special?
4. What are your country’s most influential and nostalgic companies/brands?
5. Talk about the history of one of the biggest companies in your country.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The phenomenon of heatwaves is significantly altering the nature of summer holidays, particularly in urban areas where temperatures are exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. Research indicates that extreme heat events, such as those experienced in the western United States during the summer of 2021, are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.

The implications extend beyond individual enjoyment; they encompass broader societal effects on physical health and social interactions. Ultimately, understanding these changes is crucial for developing effective strategies that can mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on our summer holidays

Read the article and find out if heat waves really affect tourism in a region.

https://www.euronews.com/2023/08/08/mauritius-rather-than-mallorca-how-the-heat-waves-are-changing-our-summer-holidays

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to take a toll on something” mean? “On the Italian island of Sicily, wildfires were much less widespread and they didn’t affect many tourists. But fear of more fires has nonetheless taken its toll on booking numbers.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does the idiom “full picture” mean? “A study by the EU Commission study found a clear north-south divide on tourism demand within Europe. But what’s the full picture?”  Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the noun “upswing” mean? “According to the European Travel Commission (ETC), a non-governmental organisation that promotes Europe as a travel destination worldwide, the European travel market is on the upswing.”  Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share your insights related to this news.
2. How was the situation in your country this last summer in terms of the heat and the number of tourists that the country received?
3. Jean-Pierre Mas said: “There will be no dramatic decline. Instead, there will be a gradual change.” What does it mean?
4. Share your own opinion why you think German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach’s tweet became controversial.
5. “Italy’s motto: Don’t be alarmed.” Do you think they are right? Share your thoughts.