did you travel recently

My Recent Vacation: Exploring New Destinations and Unforgettable Experiences

Discovering the enchanting destination: a glimpse of my recent vacation.

Hold onto your hats, folks! I’m about to take you on an unforgettable journey to the land of wondrous sights and questionable fashion choices. That’s right, I recently embarked on an escapade to the enchanting destination of Las Vegas. Oh, sin city, you cheeky devil! From the minute I stepped onto the strip, I knew I was in for a wild ride. I gallivanted through the grand casinos, trying my luck at blackjack and swiftly realizing that Lady Luck was definitely taking a nap that day. My taste buds were tantalized by the extravagant buffets that seemed to stretch for miles, making me question if I had accidentally stumbled upon an all-you-can-eat paradise. And don’t even get me started on the mind-bending performances that graced the stages. Mystical magicians, gravity-defying acrobats, and sequin-clad singers transported me to a world where reality took a vacation. It’s safe to say that Las Vegas knows how to leave you craving for more, and as I bid adieu to this mesmerizing mirage, I couldn’t help but wonder when I would return to this oasis of opulence.

Experiencing Unforgettable Adventures: Highlights of my Travel Experiences

Interesting fact: The most recent vacation I took was to Kyoto, Japan, where I had the incredible opportunity to witness the unique tradition of ‘hanami’ – the act of flower viewing. During my stay, I visited the famous cherry blossom spots, such as Maruyama Park and Philosopher’s Path, and joined locals in their traditional picnic gatherings under the blooming trees. It was a truly immersive experience, as I not only got to appreciate the beauty of nature but also learned about the deep significance these blossoms hold in Japanese culture.

Oh boy, hold onto your hats because I’ve just returned from the vacation of a lifetime! I recently embarked on a wild and wacky adventure in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Picture this: me, a city slicker blogger, getting up close and personal with nature’s finest. I swung from tree vines like a modern-day Tarzan (minus the loincloth), tried communicating with cheeky monkeys (they didn’t exactly respond to my attempts at conversation, but hey, I’ll take what I can get), and even wrestled a boa constrictor (admittedly, more accurately described as a very intense staring contest). Let’s just say I left a piece of my dignity deep in the lush green leaves, but I gained a treasure trove of unforgettable memories.

Immersed in Local Culture: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of My Vacation Spot

So, picture this: I recently embarked on a glorious vacation to a place that was, well, slightly off the beaten path. Forget about the crowded tourist traps and overhyped landmarks, because I was determined to dive headfirst into the local culture and unearth the astonishing hidden gems of my vacation spot. Destination? The enchanting land of Broccolivia! Yes, you heard me right, Broccolivia—an extraordinary place where verdant fields of broccoli stretch as far as the eye can see. Now, I know what you’re thinking—how could a vegetable-themed destination possibly be entertaining, right? Oh, my friend, let me unravel the wonders of my vacation to Broccolivia.

Upon arriving in this peculiar land, I was immediately immersed in the vibrant local culture, as if I had been transported into a broccoli-themed wonderland. As a true adventurer, I decided to start my exploration by signing up for a ‘BrocWalk.’ Equipped with my trusty broccoli hat and a pair of robust stem-shaped hiking boots, I cannot begin to describe the joy that ensued as I strolled through the broccoli fields, engaging in lively discussions with local farmers who seemed to know every little secret about this green veggie. They had stories—oh, such stories! Legends of the great broccoli harvests, tales of epic broccoli battles fought with giant salad tongs, and even rumors of a mystical Broccoleon lurking somewhere deep within the broccoli forests.

But the adventures didn’t stop there, oh no! After my enlightening BrocWalk, I stumbled upon a delightful little village nestled amidst the broccoli fields. The villagers, who had clearly embraced the green theme wholeheartedly, had transformed their houses into kaleidoscopes of green hues. With every step, I felt like a tiny broccoli floret, blending seamlessly into the local environment. I spent my days here mingling with the locals, partaking in broccoli-themed competitions, like broccoli cooking contests—where I mastered the art of the brocco-samosas—and broccoli fashion shows, where I rocked a one-of-a-kind gown made entirely of broccoli leaves (don’t worry, it was very breathable). You may even say I went from a mere broccoli enthusiast to a full-blown broccoli connoisseur!

As the days turned into weeks, my adventures in Broccolivia became increasingly peculiar and uproarious. I hopped on a broccoli-shaped hot air balloon, marveling at the breathtaking panoramic views of the broccoli fields below. I even ventured into the depths of the Broccocaves—a natural wonder hidden beneath the ground—where I encountered glow-in-the-dark broccoli fungi and learned to communicate with the rare Broccoshi tribe, known for their astonishing broccoli-shaped headdresses.

But my absolute favorite part of the vacation, without a doubt, was the grand finale—an event spoken of in hushed tones throughout Broccolivia—the legendary Great Broccopalooza. This magnificent celebration occurs only once a year and brings together broccoli enthusiasts from all walks of life. People come adorned in elaborate broccoli costumes, parading through the streets as a cacophony of broccoli-themed music fills the air. The highlight of the festival is the lighting of the Broccobel Tower, a towering structure made entirely of broccoli stalks, illuminating the night sky in a dazzling display of green splendor.

So, my dear readers, if you ever find yourself in need of a whimsical and utterly unique vacation, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in the local culture of a broccoli-themed paradise. Trust me, your trip will be far from bland—it will be a cornucopia of laughter, adventure, and, of course, an extensive range of culinary delights featuring, you guessed it, broccoli!

Unwinding and Indulging: Relishing the Tranquil Moments of My Getaway

Fun fact: On my most recent vacation, I visited a remote island in the Maldives, and besides enjoying the breathtaking beaches, I had the unique opportunity to swim alongside playful dolphins! It was an incredible experience to witness their grace and playfulness in their natural habitat.

Ah, the sweet taste of tranquility! Recently, I embarked on a much-needed getaway to a hidden oasis that I stumbled upon while unsuccessfully trying to find my way out of a corn maze. This little slice of paradise, tucked away in the depths of the countryside, allowed me to fully unleash my inner sloth. Armed with a kimono (because why not?), I dedicated my days solely to unwinding and indulging in the art of doing absolutely nothing. As the world busily buzzed by, I found solace in napping under a swaying palm tree, sipping on piña coladas, and perfecting my skill of cloud-shaping. Don’t worry, I also managed to summon the energy to switch from one poolside lounger to another. In short, my recent vacation was an exquisite display of laziness and hedonistic tendencies, leaving me yearning for yet another taste of this sweet, sweet leisurely life.

Planning Your Dream Hawaii Vacation

Choosing the Perfect Time to Visit Hawaii: Weather So you’ve decided to finally take that dream vacation to Hawaii and you’re ready to hit those sandy beaches and bask in the glorious sunshine. But wait, there’s a catch! You’ve heard about the unpredictable weather in Hawaii and now you’re wondering: when is the perfect time…

Exploring the Concept of a Fly and Swap Vacation

Exploring the Concept: Unraveling the Mystery of Fly and Swap Vacations Have you ever dreamed of experiencing two vacations at once? Well, buckle up your seatbelts because we’re diving into the intriguing world of fly and swap vacations! Picture this: you and a daring soul from another part of the world swap homes, cars, and…

Getting Ready for Your High Altitude Vacation

Understanding the Effects of High Altitude: A Guide to Pre-Trip Research and Planning So, you’ve decided to take on the ultimate challenge of vacationing at high altitude. Whether you’re an adventurous soul seeking the thrill of mountain peaks or simply looking to rock that ‘I climbed a mountain and survived’ t-shirt, understanding the effects of…

The Cost of a Bora Bora Vacation Dissected

Unveiling Bora Bora’s Exotic Paradise: Setting the Stage for a Dream Vacation Welcome to Bora Bora, where the boundaries between fantasy and reality blur faster than an indecisive chameleon! Oh, you’ve dreamed of experiencing this exotic paradise, but now you’re wondering, ‘how much is a Bora Bora vacation?’ Well, let me tell you, dear reader,…

Ultimate Vacation Activities: Unleash Your Wanderlust and Embrace Adventure

Planning Your Dream Vacation: From Destination Selection to Budgeting Planning Your Dream Vacation: From Destination Selection to Budgeting Ah, the thought of vacation, that magical time when we can finally escape from our daily routines and embrace the unknown. But where do we even start when it comes to planning that elusive dream vacation? Well,…

Ultimate Tips for Planning Your Dream European Vacation

Choosing the Perfect European Destination Ah, planning a European vacation, the never-ending quest to find the perfect destination that satisfies your wanderlust while also ensuring you don’t end up at a place with perpetual rain or surrounded by grumpy locals. The key to success lies in the art of choosing the perfect European destination. First,…

EnglishPost.org

How to Talk about Your Last Vacation in English

Talking about your last vacation is a good topic to prove how much you have learned about the simple past.

In this lesson, you are going to learn how to talk about your last vacation in English.

A basic question and answer about this topic are:

Where? who with? How long?
I went to Hawaii with my family for a couple of weeks
I went to Spain with my friends for a couple of weeks
I went to Italy with my girlfriend for a month

As you can see, both of those sentences use verbs in the past.

Table of Contents

Questions about your Last Vacation

My last vacation examples, my last vacation example #1 , my last vacation example #2, my last vacation example #3, my last vacation example #4, my last vacation example #5, questions about my last vacation in english, key vocabulary, your last vacation exercise.

Not let’s take a look at some other questions, these questions will help you think about your last vacation.

The first set is basic questions that usually require some basic details to be answered:

Where did you go?
When did you go?
Who did you go with?
How did you get there?
What did you do during the day?
What did you do at night?
What did you eat?
Did you enjoy your last vacation?
Where did you stay?
How much money did you spend on your last vacation?

These are some questions that require a few more details to be answered

Did you have any bad experiences on your last vacation?
Did you make new friends on your last vacation?
What places did you visit during your stay?
How long were you there?
Did you buy any souvenirs?
Where would you like to go next?
Would you recommend that place that you visited? why or why not?

All of those questions are really helpful when you have an oral test.

These are five examples of people describing their last vacations.

Pay Careful attention to verbs in the past form since you will see lots of them. You will also see verbs in the present in some instances.

The verbs in the past forms will be in bold so it is easier for you to remember them.

Don’t think that those examples are hard to create, you just need to create simple sentences and in some instances provide more details.

Last year, I had the chance the amusement park, Zarcero, and Ciudad Quesada in a day. I wen t with my daughter, my wife, and some friends.

We woke up early that day and our friends drove us to the amusement park, my daughter enjoyed the many rides available, we ate pizza and we left around three.

Then we headed to San Carlos, on the way to San Carlos we stopped by the catholic church and took some pictures of ourselves in the gardens.

We got to San Carlos around 5:00 PM, we had dinner there, picked some people up, and headed home.

Last year I spent my vacation at the beach. I traveled with some friends of mine. We arrived at the beach at 8:00 AM, we immediately went swimming then we made some sandwiches for lunch.

After lunch, we went running and we left the beach before 6:00 PM.

We drove back to the hotel and we had dinner there. Around 9, we called our friends and we met outside a dance club because we wanted to dance.

We spent like three hours in the club and we got back to the hotel.

Last year, I went to Cartagena with my family and my best friend Luis. We visited my cousins Mayra and Alejandra. I hadn’t met them before, so I was really excited to meet them.

My first impression of them it was very good, they are friendly and fun. We went to visit many places but my favorite place was Barú island.

That island is amazing, it looks like a paradise, I took many pictures of every single we did.

The food was excellent. We ate shrimp rice and a shrimp cocktail. I had a great time with my family. We spent three amazing days in Cartagena.

Hello. I’d like to share with everybody the great time that I had on my last vacation. I went to Conchal Beach with my friends. We stayed at a small hotel right in front of the beach.

The first day we were there we took surfing lessons, my friends and I had so much fun hanging out at the beach.

There was another beach nearby, probably a five-minute walk and you are in Brasilito beach. We watched the sunset and we set a fire at night.

We spent most of the three days on the beach and we usually went to a club at night located in a place called Tamarindo. There is a beach in Tamarindo too. It was one of the most special times I’ve had in my life.

My last holiday was a five-day trip to Guatemala I know Guatemala well because I lived there when I was a missionary more than ten years ago.

Instead of staying in a hotel, I stayed with one of my old friends. It wa s so much fun.

I wanted to visit all the places I lived, so I visited Baja Verapaz. It has changed a lot. I also went to the supermarket near my old house.

We did some touristy things too. We went to Tikal. Nature is amazing up there. We walked across the historic monuments.

These are some questions and answers about my last vacation in English

I went to Coco Beach
I went to Samara Last week
I went to a resort with my parents
We rented a car
I went surfing with my friends
We visited the clubs and the casinos
We ate different types of meat

These are some important words that you can use when talking about vacations in English

Long Weekend: Saturday and Sunday with at least one extra day added, either Friday or Monday.

Hang out: to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone

Sightseeing: The activity of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holiday

Test how much you know the past form of most common verbs to describe your past vacations

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English

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Husband and wife duo with a passion for travel and documenting the journey along the way!

13 Clever Ways to Ask: How Was Your Trip?

Traveling is one of our favorite things to talk about. In fact, we always find ourselves asking others about recent trips and often get the best tips from those who experienced a location or destination first hand. In this post, we’ll share with you our 13 clever ways to expand on the popular question “How was your trip”, to learn more about someone’s recent travel adventure.

How was your trip?

“How was your trip” – The go-to question to kick off a travel conversation. We are very intrigued to learn about new locations as well as listening to someone else’s opinion of a location we’ve already been. Here’s the quick list of our 13 go to questions we ask to dive deeper into the How was your trip, conversation.

How is the culture?
Are the locals friendly?
How is the food?
Is it packed with tourists?
Is it expensive?
What currency is used? Is credit and debit cards accepted?
Did you get good weather?
Is the location heavily dependent on seasons?
How did you get there? How was the flight, what route did you take?
Did you use public transportation?
Did you learn anything new?
Would you recommend it?
Would you go again?

How Was Your Trip - Cultural Questions

How is the culture.

This question is more specific for international travel, however, there are plenty of cultures within the United States depending on which region you visit. We love to ask about the culture to get an idea of what to expect. However this is completely subjective so if someone has a bad experience at a particular location, it does not mean you will!

Asking if the locals are friendly ties closely to the question about the culture. However if you can get a gauge on whether the locals are friendly that will provide insight if a location is welcoming to tourists!

We found throughout our travels that Denmark (Copenhagen in particular) are some of the friendliest locals we’ve ever met. But this is just from our experience!

Are you a foodie? If so then this is likely your go to follow up question after “How was your trip?”! Many locations have at least one or two food meals or snacks that originated there and are must tries! One of our favorite local meals is a Belgium Waffle, which we had when we visited Brussels, Belgium .

Below is a picture of a local meal from a recent trip visiting Finland.

How was your trip - asking how was the food is a great way to expand on how was your trip

Many popular locations can be jammed pack with tourists. For example, when we were in Switzerland, we visited a lot of the mountain tops in the Swiss Alps. For one of the mountains we visited, the Top of Europe (Jungfraujoch), there was a massive group of tourists that took over the entire place! Most of the time we like to avoid group tours so we often find ourselves asking this question and we will visit a place during off-peak hours to avoid the crowds.

How Was Your Trip - Money Questions

This is a general question but you will quickly get a gauge on how expensive a particular location is. Sometimes food is really expensive, but hospitality is relatively cheap and vice versa. Sometimes, everything is expensive, like Switzerland (HOLY SMOKES!).

We found that the Switzerland is the most expensive country we have visited so far, but Western Europe and Scandinavia are pretty expensive comparable to the coastal cities in the United States.

Southeast Asia is by far the cheapest location we’ve ever visited.

Another question that applies for more international travel. What currency do they use and whether or not they accept credit or debit cards. The latter part of this question is a game changer for us. We always try to pay with credit cards whenever possible to get the best exchange rates while traveling, avoid foreign exchange fees, and to accumulate points and miles for future travels.

How Was Your Trip - Weather Questions

The weather is one of the most critical things that can make or break a trip. Diving deeper into the conversation with did you get good weather can lead to learning more if the success of a trip is dependent on the weather. For example if someone is traveling to a beach location and it rained the entire time, their trip may not be as enjoyable as if it was sun shine and rainbows.

Understanding if a particular location is dependent on seasons is good insight for future travel. For example, we live in a coastal city in New Jersey close to Atlantic City. Other than Atlantic City, the Jersey Shore pretty much shuts down after Labor Day until Memorial Day every year so you want to keep that in mind if you want to get your typical Jersey Shore vacation.

Below are a few of our favorite post on things to do near the Jersey Shore:

Best Things to Do in Atlantic City in the Summer

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20 of the Best Happy Hour Spots in Atlantic City

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Things to Do in Atlantic City in the Winter

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The Best Breakfast Restaurants in Ventnor City, NJ

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How Was Your Trip - Transportation Questions

How did you get there - how was your flight.

I am always interested in the mode of transportation one took to get to a particular destination. If someone decides to drive, fly, take a cruise, or train, it’s always interesting learning why they chose the transportation method.

For someone flying, you can often ask what route they took and if there’s a non-stop direct flight option. I am a bit of a flight geek so this sparks my interest.

How was your trip what - how did you get there is a great question to ask

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Once one gets to a location they often have to get from point A to point B. Depending on the location will dictate whether or not you chose public transportation or use a rental car.

We often find ourselves searching the best way to get to and from an airport before we takeoff so we’re not scrambling once we land. If we’re visiting a city then we will likely use public transportation, trains, buses, or uber. In a more rural location we often opt to rent a car that way we can travel at our pace.

How Was Your Trip - Recommendation Questions

Taylor and I always try to learn something new about a particular trip, whether that’s something historical, something about the culture, food, or really anything.

When talking about one’s trip, ask if they learned anything new, I bet you they did!

Do you recommend it?

We love asking if people recommend a particular destination. I can honestly say I’d recommend just about every place we ever visited because there’s a unique thing to do in each location.

This is a great question to ask to see if people enjoyed their trip when asking folks, “how was your trip”.

“Would you go again” is the ultimate question to find out if someone absolutely loved a location. We are constantly trying to visit new locations since there are just so many amazing places here on planet earth so if we say we will visit a place again, we really really love it! Now we understand, not everyone is like us and may not want to visit as many places as we do but the general census is if you want to go back to a location, you definitely like it.

For example, if you’re like my dad, you will make your way to the same spot every year, like Key West, FL (I think it’s his favorite place on earth).

How was your trip - 13 ways to ask how was your trip

Overall we hope this post encourages you to talk more about travel and experiencing new places! If you have any other suggestions on great questions to ask to expand the conversation of How was your trip, please let us know! Again here’s the quick list of 13 different questions to expand on the question, How was your trip?

If you have any questions about about traveling in anyway shape or form, please let us know in the comments below!

Have a loved one traveling right now?

If you have a loved one traveling right now and want to wish them a safe flight, here are 20 ways to wish someone a safe flight !

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

Get vaccinated.
Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

Enhanced cleaning procedures
Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
Vaccine recommendations for staff
Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
Contactless payment
Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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#261: Small Talk About Travel, Vacations, and Holidays in English

Jan 4, 2023 | English Conversation , Small Talk in English

When you get back into your daily work routine after a holiday season, what are the best small talk questions you can use to reconnect with your colleagues?

Or when your coworker is back from a long weekend getaway, what are the best questions to ask for friendly small talk conversations in English?

“ Is it polite to ask how was someone’s holiday? Is it a superficial question? Is it okay to be curious about someone’s long weekend and ask about it? ”

These are questions one of my students recently asked. You might be curious too.

In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn how to have successful small talk about travel, vacations, and holidays.

We’ll review the right small talk questions to ask and what to say if you’re not sure if a question is too personal or not.

Plus I’ll share my top tip to feel confident in small talk conversations.

The Importance of Small Talk

Before we start with the best questions for small talk conversations about vacations and travel, followed by holidays, let’s do a quick review of why small talk is so important.

I know small talk might make you cringe.

If you haven’t viewed my previous lessons on small talk in English , here’s what you need to know. Small talk is a social skill.

With small talk, you avoid moments of uncomfortable silence.

And it’s what leads to a productive conversation.

It’s informal, polite, and often revolves around unimportant things.

Small talk connects people.

So is it polite to ask about a coworker’s time away from work during the holidays? Is it okay to be curious and ask about a vacation?

Absolutely!

Small Talk Questions about Vacations and Travel

Let’s start with common English small-talk questions about vacation and travel.

If you know a coworker will be away on vacation or if the whole company is closing down for a period of time, here are common questions you can ask before the vacation.

What plans do you have for the summer/spring/autumn/winter break?
What are your upcoming vacation plans? Will you travel or stay closer to home ?
What are your vacation plans for the year ahead?
You mentioned you’ve got a vacation coming up. That’s exciting! Where will you be traveling?

When an acquaintance returns from a vacation or a long weekend getaway, here are the best questions to ask after they return.

How was your trip?
How did you spend your vacation? Did you travel or stay closer to home?
How was your long weekend? Did you get away somewhere?
I remember last week you talked about some travel plans for the long weekend. How was it?

The Right Questions to Ask and How to Avoid Superficial Questions

Before we transition to common questions for English small talk conversations about the holidays, let’s discuss two keys for successful small talk in English.

Number 1: Use Open Questions

Let’s review the previous small talk questions.

They all started with what, where, or how . By starting with a question word, you avoid potential one-word answers. Such as a simple yes or no.

Instead, you are encouraging conversation. And, you’re making it easier to avoid superficial questions.

That leads me to the second key for successful small talk.

Number 2: Show Genuine Interest

The questions I’ve shared so far are starter questions.

Imagine you’re at the beach. You’re thinking about going for a swim. What do you likely do first?

You dip your toes in the water. You test the temperature.

Starter questions help you do that with conversation. Open starter questions encourage the speaker to share details.

And to show genuine interest, the key is to ask follow-up questions.

Imagine this scenario:

You come back from a vacation and I ask, “How was your vacation?”

You respond with, “It was amazing. I swam every day. Enjoyed the sun. Read books. Hiked to watch the sunrise from the top of a mountain. It was exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t ready to come home.”

Then I say, “Cool.” And I walk out of the room.

What would you think?

Yeah – NOT cool! I would appear rude and my question would appear superficial, right?

Instead, to show genuine interest, I would ask follow-up questions.

And because you shared so many details from my open question, it’s easy. I can ask about the details you shared.

For example:

That’s amazing. Where did you go?
That sounds wonderful. What beach did you visit?
Two weeks of reading! That sounds like a dream. What was the best book you read?
Wow. Hiking to see the sunrise sounds incredible. Do you have any photos? I’d love to see them.

Small Talk Questions about Holidays

With that in mind, let’s talk about the right questions to ask about the holidays. Then I’ll end with 2 more tips, including what to say if you’re not sure a question is too personal.

Let me clarify that when I use the word holiday. I mean federal or religious days during the year when government offices and many businesses close.

Americans don’t often use the word holiday for their vacations.

Like questions about travel, we’ll talk about the before and after.

Before the holidays or at the start of the holiday season, you might ask:

What are your plans for the holidays?/What are your holiday plans?
What do you usually do during the holidays? Will you be traveling?
How do you like to spend your time during the holidays?
What are you looking forward to during the holidays?
How do you usually celebrate the holiday?
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
How was your holiday?
How was your [Insert Holiday]? For example, How was your New Year?
What did you get up to during the holidays?
How was your time away? Did you travel for the holidays or stay home?

Of course, like with travel, it’s best to use open questions. And show genuine interest with follow-up questions.

What to Say If You’re Not Sure a Question Is Too Personal

Whether you’re chatting with someone, there may be a question you WANT to ask. But you’re not sure if it is appropriate.

Is it too personal? Would it be offensive?

When you’re not sure, use these phrases to start your questions:

Example: If it’s okay, I’d love to ask about your holiday. Where did you go? How was your time with your family?
Example: If you don’t mind me asking, how was your time with your family over the holidays?

Both of these phrases help your listener to know you’ll be asked a question. It’s like giving a gentle warning and they have a moment to prepare how they may want to answer.

How to Feel Confident in English Small Talk Conversations

For small talk, there’s a simple way for you to feel more confident in the conversation.

Determine the questions you want to ask in advance. And, think about your own answers to those questions.

What details would YOU share about a recent vacation or your upcoming holiday plans?

There’s a simple reason this is important. When you ask someone a question, MOST of the time they will answer and then say, “And what about you? How was your time away?”

They will return the question to you.

By deciding the questions you want to ask in advance, you get to control where the conversation goes. And you can prepare your answers.

Do you have a favorite small talk question to ask in English?

What is it?

I’d love to hear your go-to questions. You can share your answer — as well as your questions — with me in the comments below.

~ Annemarie

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Hi Annemarie, I’ve just started to follow your lessons and I want to thank you. I found them very interesting and useful. I have a question: in a small talk , is it ok to ask about someone’s country of origin? I’m truly interested in cultures, sometime I try to recognize the different English accent but may be this question could be interpreted as to personal, may be as a thought of discrimination? Carla from Italy 🙂

Thanks for watching my lessons, Carla! And great question. You’re right that it can be delicate to ask. When we’re unsure if a question is too personal, we can begin with something such as, “If you don’t mind me asking…” or “Do you mind if I ask…” For example, “Do you mind if I ask where you’re from originally? I am interested in other cultures and enjoy hearing a variety of accents.” This does two things: 1. It let’s the other person know you’ll be asking something more personal, almost like a warning, and it is a way to ask … Read more »

Very helpful lesson. It shows once more that learning English is also understanding another culture. Thanks Annemarie.

Dear Annemarie, I just want to thank you for beingso nice; you don´t even know how many things I´ve learned from you!!! I´m a huge fan of your videos, lessons and all the stuff you gently share I hope this year brings you great things as well as prosperity and good health. My best wishes for you and your family Warm regards, Sofía Curiel

Hi Sofia, thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m thrilled to know my lessons have been so helpful to you! I wish you prosperity and good health in the year ahead as well. And if there are any topics you’d love for me to do a lesson on, please don’t hesitate to let me know! Best, Annemarie

Hi Annmarie, First, Happy New Year and wish you the best! Second, as always, your lessons specially this one is so much useful, thank you. Example: After returning from vacation, I asked my coworkers: How was your vacation? Where did you go? How many days did you spend in France?

Hi Hengameh, Fantastic! I’m so pleased to know this lesson was helpful. It sounds like you had some perfect small talk questions to reconnect with your coworkers. 🙌

Hello Anne Marie, As usual, your lessons are extremely useful. Thank youuuu

I’m glad it was helpful, Raoudha.

Great lesson, thank you.

You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

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What does it feel like to travel right now?

September 22, 2020

Travel looks so different during Covid-19.

Aside from a short road trip to Pennsylvania, I’ve barely left my neighborhood. However, there definitely are people traveling. That’s why I reached out to a few travel experts who’ve embarked on trips in the last few months. Whether by car or air, their boots on the ground experience give insight into what it feels like to travel right now. They give me hope that travel will come back (and hopefully soon).

Jeff Jenkins

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Jeff Jenkins is the founder of ChubbyDiaries.com , an online community for plus-size travelers who are passionate about seeing the world, experiencing new foods, and learning clever hacks along the way.

I saw that you did a big National Park tour. Where did you go? What inspired the journey? Yes, I went to Glacier, Yellowstone, grand Tetons, and Theodore Roosevelt national Park! Due to the pandemic, I decided to explore our backyard. I’d never been on a cross-country trip. At the time, I still had 17 more states to visit to complete all 50. So this is a great way to social distance and travel domestically.

What were you most nervous about? To be honest, I knew I was going to parts of the country where there weren’t a lot of POCs (people of color), so I didn’t know if I was going to be confronted with any discrimination. Also, I was nervous about bears LOL.

Did you fly? If so, what was the experience like? Yes, I flew to North Dakota and it was an interesting experience because there were so many people flying Frontier that day. We ended up upgrading our seats so that we didn’t have to sit next to people. But I liked all the safety precautions that they had in place.

In what ways was preparation different for this trip than usual? First, since we would be gone longer than most of my normal trips, I had to prepare a suitcase for few weeks. We also had to prepare for cooler weather and camping! This was the first time my wife went camping and my first time camping in a National Park.

What safety precautions did you take? We did a lot of research and called a lot of our friends who have been to these national parks. We got the ins and the outs from them about safety precaution.

What precautions were taken at your destination (for example, hotels, campgrounds, park rangers, etc.)? We loaded up on bear spray, we looked at all the updated signs and fliers that told us about the area and if there were any potential dangers. One ranger told us that there were bears in the area and the moment we set up our campground in Grand Teton National Park, a mama bear and her 3 Cubs were strolling next to our campsite. For hotels, it came down to if they were clean enough and we ended up having to switch rooms because one of them was filthy.

Were the crowds normal or was it empty? If empty, was it a nice empty or an eerie empty? Oh no, every park was full! At Glacier one park ranger told me that was the most people he ever seen in the park on a Monday in his life. The park was full before 9 AM. They ended up having to do one car out, one car in. Similar situations for the other parks. We met a couple from Michigan and we asked them outside of Yellowstone if they’d seen a lot of wildlife. They said “No, but we did see a lot of people!”

As a tourist, how were you received by the locals? Warmly… or not so much? For the most part, we were around a lot of tourists. I would stop and talk to as many locals as I could, but they were all friendly and excited that I was there. I didn’t meet a lot of park seasonal workers. The conversations that I had with them were great, but most of them didn’t live in that area after the season was over.

Were you able to do and see everything you wanted, or did you feel limited? We felt limited by the scarcity of camping sites. We didn’t know how hard it was going to be to find a camp site in the parks. A lot of the campgrounds were closed due to Covid and they were only a handful of them open. Some you needed a reservation which was booked out a couple of months in advance and others you need to be in line by 3 or 4 AM in the morning for the first-come-first-serve.

I was a little sad that we weren’t able to go to the east side of Glacier National Park, but the west side was immaculate and I have no complaints.

I think my expectations was that there weren’t going to be that many things open, but there was so much stuff that we could do and see that it turned out to be a great experience.

Advice for anyone considering travel right now? My advice always is to check CDC guidelines, and also the city and state that you are visiting. Through my road trip I found that some cities and states have fully opened and others are partially open, so make sure you check beforehand.

Charlotte Simpson

Instagram | Facebook Charlotte Simpson is a retired guidance counselor from Indianapolis. To date, Charlotte has visited all 50 states and over 80 countries. After losing her husband of 31 years, she decided to live her best solo life and see the world.

I saw that you recently road tripped from Indianapolis to Chicago. What inspired your trip? I was inspired to take a road trip to Chicago as Labor Day Weekend approached and the travel bug and wanderlust overtook my entire being. I usually travel in September, which has the best weather worldwide, and with no trip planned I just had to get away.

What were you most nervous about when traveling? I wasn’t nervous at all about the trip as I had researched Chicago and Illinois’ Covid status and regulations. It actually seemed a safer place than home.

I was a bit anxious though after we crossed the state line and began seeing freeway warnings that those entering from Covid Hotspots would need to Self-Quarantine for 14 days. I honestly wasn’t sure if we were a Hotspot, but had only seen on the news that our numbers were dropping and schools could safely reopen.

In what ways was preparation different for this trip than usual? My preparation was different in that I did momentarily consider what should I take if, for some reason, I became ill or detained in Chicago. I imagined – worse case scenario – reflecting on how surprisingly quickly the stay-home order was implemented in March with no real warning. So I took plenty cash (for bribes -LOL), snacks for the room, and a new magazine. I really didn’t dwell on it.

What safety precautions did you take? Safety wise, I took a sanitizer for the room and made sure to have plenty in my purse. I trusted that the room would be sanitized and unused for 3 days as stated on their COVID info.

What precautions were taken at your destination (for example, hotels, parks/sites, etc.)? At the hotel there was no valet parking, resulting in our getting lost in the massive underground maze-like garage. Perfect Social Distancing at check-in. No bellmen, but large luggage carts available. Entrance was quite a distance from the usual front of the hotel, dramatically reducing social contact. No maid, room service and mini bar was empty and unplugged. They did send us up a mini-fridge. Remote was in a plastic cover. Only two people were allowed on elevator. Breakfast menu was limited and seating was distanced.

When we arrived, we immediately went to the magnificent pool with great Chicago skyline views. My daughter and I were the a ONLY two people wearing masks. Prior to that everyone on the street and in the hotel had been masked. It was evident that a complete air of abandon happened near the water. The area was packed. I felt so uneasy because it looked exactly like scenes on the news of places that have seen a spike in Covid because of holiday gatherings. We didn’t utilize that area.

Were the crowds normal or was it empty? If empty, was it a nice empty or an eerie empty? Navy Pier and touristy sites were closed and blocked off. There were NO crowds anywhere. The renown “Bean” was blocked off. Buckingham Fountain was turned off. We walked to see it, other than one police car, we were the only people. It was eerie. That area of Michigan Avenue was so empty that you felt like you’re one of a handful of survivors in some science fiction novel with a crazy plot you can’t figure out. Clearly we can’t really be in Chicago!?

North Michigan was incredibly sparse too. Many buildings were boarded up from demonstrators and looters on previous nights. There was a sizable police presence mainly on horseback and walking and standing around in small groups. Many store required temperature checks to enter. All were limiting the number of customers.

As a tourist, how were you received by the locals? Warmly… or not so much? We were SOOO warmly received by everyone, from hotel staff to sales clerks and especially restaurants. We ate outdoors in Greektown where the restaurant had a very limited menu. Rush Street was closed to increase outdoor seating/ which also maintained excellent distancing despite the obvious popularity of all those restaurants. Menus were always either limited or had somethings unavailable due to reduced hours/seating/Covid. Waiters didn’t give you the traditional Chicago rush AT ALL.

Were you able to do and see everything you wanted, or did you feel limited ? I felt limited. It was not a typical Chicago getaway, but still a wonderful time in a magnificent city.

Advice for anyone considering travel right now? For anyone considering travel now I’d say, GO, if you feel compelled to travel. But realize that there will probably be numerous limitations: access to tourist sites, restaurants seating and offerings, museum hours and reservations, unexpected closing of some place you’d hoped to see.

It will definitely be an unforgettable experience, and worth the trip to actually experience being the only person at a place where you’ve always been shoulder to shoulder in the crowd. I’m going back for my annual Christmas decorations tour on the Magnificent Mile getaway.

Angel Castellanos

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Angel is a US-based travel expert who teaches people how to travel well, smart and often.

You traveled both to Mexico and Turkey in the last few months. What inspired those journeys? They are two countries that are accepting American travelers that rose to the top of my list. I hadn’t been to Mexico in several years and after weeks of lockdown and isolation, I needed a mental health break. I had only been to Istanbul and never really explored much of Turkey. Both countries required no quarantine upon arrival and had COVID statistics that made me feel comfortable about their infection rates.

What were you most nervous about when traveling internationally? Getting infected or spreading COVID to others were my biggest fears. Since both countries had great public policies in place to prevent the spread, those fears quickly went away after being in country for a couple of days.

Also, I was nervous that people would misunderstand why I was traveling and I was nervous about being travel shamed. At the end of the day, I feel a responsibility to my followers, readers and the travel community, to report on what is happening in tourism during this challenging time.

What was the flight experience like? On Internationally based airlines like Qatar, Turkish & AeroMexico, it was stellar. I felt very safe by their common sense rules and regulations that passengers actively participate in during the flying process. AeroMexico even spray sanitized all passengers carry-ons before boarding. Qatar provides free face shields for all passengers. All international airlines that I have flown are boarding and deplaning back to front and vice versa. For international airlines, it’s a combination of changes we can’t see and new rules we take part in. Unlike US-based airlines, international carriers that I flew are still serving meals and drinks. On US-based domestic airlines, I have felt less safe, but I can see that they are progressing and continuing to make the necessary changes.

You’re currently in Turkey. In what ways was preparation different for these trips than usual? Double-checking open vs closed sites became very important. I learned in Mexico most tourist sites, like Pyramids, were still closed. In Turkey, most sites are open but have limited hours. So I have to keep checking opening and closing times vigilantly. Google has been my go-to and seems to be accurate on current closings and COVID operating hour updates.

I also had to put my health in the forefront and consider that for every type of booking or activity. So I specifically chose areas or destinations that had public health policy in place to protect locals and visitors. As someone who enjoys adventure and the outdoors, social distancing is sometimes part of the journey. So I wove into my trips plenty of opportunities to get outdoors or get off the beaten path.

What safety precautions did you take? I looked at the infection rates in each country and compared them to what was happening in my own city and state. That gave me peace of mind. I packed a PPE kit that including several masks, hand sanitizer gel, sanitizing wipes and gloves. I also mentally thought through the flying process, hotel check in and rental car process. Preparing myself to clean and sanitize everything was not hard because I’m a germaphobe. During a pandemic, I knew I had to step it up my sanitization routine. I never used to sanitize my luggage, but I do now.

What precautions were taken at your destination (for example, hotels, parks/sites, beaches, etc.)? I mixed in various outdoor and social distancing activities. Turkey is perfect for social distancing because of the variety the country has to offer. I hiked the Lycian Way, visited National Parks, hired a boat to go island hopping, spent plenty of time on the beach and visited lots of archeological sites that are outside. I didn’t take public transportation in Turkey, so I hired a car for a couple of weeks and made it a road trip.

In Mexico, masks and hand sanitizer are required when entering any building. Social distancing is in place at restaurants. At the time of my trip, Quintana Roo limited hotel room bookings to 30% capacity. My hotel in Playa del Carmen had a full body spray sanitizer that everyone had to go through when entering or exiting the hotel.

Turkey required masks, hand sanitizer and there was hand sanitizer everywhere. In Pamukkale, guards would yell at people who were not wearing a mask while walking around. The Safe Tourism Certificate was prominently displayed by properties that adhered to the guidelines and recommended safety procedures. Social distancing was evident everywhere. Beach clubs socially distanced their sun beds and even sprayed them down between use. Sites in Turkey limited hours and encouraged social distancing.

I had not been in a restaurant since COVID started in March. Every restaurant I ate at in Mexico or Turkey socially distanced. I also only ate at places that had fans and/or outside patios.

Were the crowds normal or was it empty? If empty, was it a nice empty or an eerie empty? The crowds were really minimal. In Mexico, that was great because the because the usually crowded beaches of Playa Del Carmen & Tulum were empty.

In Turkey, it was a once in a lifetime experience to have Unesco World Heritage Sites to myself. Revisiting Istanbul during the pandemic, the crowds were noticeable thin. I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the lack of crowds. No crowds though, means little for the local economy.

As tourists, how were you received by the locals? Warmly… or not so much? I was treated very warmly in both countries. That is no surprise since both countries are very hospitable to foreigners and their peoples are notoriously generous. During COVID, everyone in tourism and local merchants expressed their deep gratitude for my visit. Their sincerity made a deep impact on me. It was clear they appreciated the business. Some people couldn’t believe they were seeing an American traveling. It was like a unicorn in the wild. It made me think that I was giving them hope that American travelers would be back someday.

Were you able to do and see everything you wanted, or did you feel limited? I felt limited in my ability to interact with locals, deep dive into making local connections and telling their story. Social distancing was in the back of my mind so it was hard to truly engage with locals in a meaningful way. As someone who values human connection, this was very hard on me. It became easier the more I traveled and truthfully I don’t know if my adventurous and gregarious spirit stayed tempered the whole time.

Advice for anyone considering travel right now? Travel right now is a deeply personal choice. It’s something that should be considered seriously. All travelers considering travel should speak with their Dr. Also, travelers have to be mentally prepared for things to be different. The energy and process of traveling will be different.

Brian Kelly

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy (TPG) has been publishing hands-on advice to help readers maximize their travel experiences since the site debuted in June 2010. What started out as a points-and-miles blog by founder and CEO Brian Kelly has evolved into a lifestyle media brand with 10 million unique visitors a month.

I saw that you recently traveled both to Antigua and Croatia. What inspired those journeys? I traveled to Antigua and Croatia because of my need to see what international travel was like right now. It is my job to explore and educate our millions of readers what it’s like out there. It was also important for me to understand the process of traveling during the pandemic so that I could best educate my readers on how to travel safely.

What were you most nervous about when traveling internationally? I was most nervous about being able to get quick and reliable COVID-19 tests. There are lot of them out there, including rapid tests which most countries don’t accept, but luckily, I have been able to figure out how to get quick COVID-19 tests through NYU Langone here in Manhattan that are approved by the destinations I have traveled to.

What was the flight experience like? It was totally fine! But don’t expect hot meals and full service on all flights. The experience has been stripped down and it really depends on the airlines and routes with what is offered. But frankly, I was so thankful to just be up in the skies and I made sure to plan accordingly and eat my meals before my flights.

In what ways was preparation different for these trips than usual trips? The preparation was obviously different than before because I had to get COVID-19 tests prior to my travels. Additionally, it is also more important now than ever to stay up to date on the ever changing rules of your destinations (i.e. do you have to quarantine, what businesses are open, etc.)

I also was sure to have a backup plan. For example, I connected in London on my way to Croatia so that in the event I didn’t get let into Croatia or my flight was cancelled, I would be able to stay in London for the time being as the UK is open to Americans.

What safety precautions did you take? I have had COVID-19 and have the antibodies, so my risk is more minimal than others but I am always sure to practice social distancing, always wear my mask, and to take a COVID-19 test before any travels.

Were the crowds normal or was it empty? If empty, was it a nice empty or an eerie empty? Crowds were a fraction of what they usually are so it was really the perfect time to visit Croatia. There were people there so it wasn’t an eerie empty, but it wasn’t too crowded, so you felt comfortable and safe.

As a tourist, how were you received by the locals? Warmly… or not so much? Both in Antigua and Croatia, the locals were so grateful and appreciative to have us there. So much of their income comes from tourism so they were so appreciative and welcoming and wanted me to let Americans know that they are welcomed and will not be harassed if they do travel to their home country.

Were you able to do and see everything you wanted, or did you feel limited? I went to Antigua in June, so a lot of things were shut down so I spent most of my time there at the resort. So be sure to choose a resort that has a lot of amenities, dining, and activities if you are going to travel to a country that is not fully opened yet.

Advice for anyone considering travel right now? Always be sure to talk to your doctor and consider your levels of risk when deciding if you want to travel right now. That said, if you are healthy and safe to travel – it can be a wonderful time to do so. Mexico, for example, is not that far away and is still open to Americans, so that might be a great place for people to consider.

Have you traveled during Covid-19? What did you learn?

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Travel looks different during Covid-19. I reached out to atravel experts who've recently taken trips. Here's how it feels like to travel now.

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Yes. I flew at the end of June 2020 on Delta, up and back which involved a 3-night stay. I had 4 planes, 2 layovers and 3 airports roundtrip. This was from Greenville, South Carolina to St. Louis, Missouri. Layover in Atlanta. Delta required masks.

I had flown to see my daughter’s wedding Venue, as well as go wedding accessory shopping with her. The Venue was beautiful! We enjoyed the food-tasting, too. Masks were not required.

The two bridal shops we went in required masks. Both also required appointments. My heart broke inside when I knew how delighted ny daughter was trying on wedding veils, yet I could only see her delight in her eyes because she was wearing the bridal mask that she had ordered for the occasion. The two accessories that I had hoped to buy was purchased.

It had been a successfup trip. An emotional one for my daughter and me, especially not knowing if our states would ban or require quarantines at the time of the wedding this year in December as we hugged each other with see-you-later goodbyes, and please stay safe.

Both flights were great. Going up, I was the only one on my row of 3 seats. From Atlanta, I was the only one. Going back, 3 out of 5 seat row. One out of 3 seats.

What a special trip! Before the trip I was very nervous about wearing a mask for hours each way. I was used to getting out on weekends with my husband with no mask because we had huge distances in between to social distance from others at huge lakes and state parks that only allowed 25 people at a time. Thanks to the air directly above my head on the planes, I could breathe fine. The air poured down inside my mask.

I had a very enjoyable trip. My advice is for someone who wants to fly, GO. My biggest fear was not to be able to breathe. And that did not happen. 🙂

My husband and I didn’t feel ready to fly but were definitely ready to get out of Charlotte, NC. We have family in New Jersey but the state required a 14-day quarantine, so no go. South was too hot! So in August we created a driving “Tour de Tennessee” and spent eight days seeing what the Volunteer State had to offer: Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga, and off-the-beaten path points of interest in between. Although the usual music scenes in Nashville and Memphis were not not happening, we found plenty of unique places to explore.

We were in Nashville for the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the women’s right to vote. At an outdoor ceremony at the Parthenon, we watched a dozen female skydivers!

In Memphis (our favorite) the National Civil Rights Museum was open with COVID-19 restrictions and…Graceland was also open with restrictions, but practically deserted. Imagine being the only two people in every room in Elvis’s house! And Shelby Farms Park was a fantastic find – five times the size of Central Park, miles of biking and hiking trails, half a dozen lakes of all sizes.

Chattanooga on the weekend was busy, lots of folks walking the bridges and riverside streets, and masks were a little looser (literally) so we were careful choosing our activities. The Modern Art Museum was doing a great job with safety guidelines, though, and the Chattanooga Valley Railroad Museum has dozens of locomotives to see in its outdoor train yard.

We stayed in Airbnb’s and visited at least two breweries in each city, ate most meals outside, and had a great vacation. Two weeks after returning home, no COVID symptoms, and we declared our adventure a success. It CAN be done if everyone follows protocols. Thank you, Tennessee!

I flew from NY City (JFK) to Raleigh, NC in June and September. I flew American in June, Delta in September. Based on my experiences, I will NEVER fly American again, and will loyally fly Delta whenever I can. On my American flights, every single seat was filled, we boarded in the traditional grouping style, mask usage wasn’t enforced, and I saw American crew in the crowded terminals without masks. Delta was stellar: the terminal was supplied with hand sanitizer stations, every other seat in the waiting areas in the terminals was marked to remain empty for social distancing, and every single Delta employee was wearing a mask at all times. We boarded back to front and deplaned in reverse order, mask usage was enforced on the planes, and we were handed a goody bag containing bottled water, snacks, and hand sanitizer once we were seated. On the Delta regional jet, in four person rows (two and two), only one person was seated per row, unless travelers were together, and every other row was skipped wherever possible. Stellar precautions! On my return to NY, I’m required to quarantine for two weeks. Thank goodness for grocery delivery!

In NYC, most people are very careful with observing the COVID-19 precautions, but not so much in NC – where the numbers are currently high! In NC, masks are required to enter stores and restaurants, but other than that, many people weren’t adhering to the CDC recommendations. As a family, we’re as observant of precautions as we can be, so when I visited, there were very limited activities we engaged in. We did go into one restaurant in June. The seating was very spread out, the servers were all wearing masks, and diners were required to wear masks when not seated. It made me very nervous to be inside in a restaurant, so we ate and left quickly. It was disorienting after not being inside restaurants for so many months. I haven’t been inside a restaurant since, and won’t do so again until there’s an effective vaccine. Raleigh has many beautiful parks, so we took advantage of socially distanced walking in the wonderful weather. Downtown was quite empty, so it seemed odd, but not scary.

I have grown children in NC, so I’ll be back periodically. Not as often as pre-pandemic. And not visiting as many places as I’d like to until the situation eases.

How to talk about a Vacation

Learning English
How to talk about a…

How can you talk about a vacation with your friend in English? You can ask questions to learn about how your friend’s vacation was. For example; Where did you go for your holiday? Did you have a good time there? What did you do there mostly? You should learn how to answer these questions and more in clear, natural English. And also, do you know the differences between holidays and vacations? This is a difference between British and American English you should be aware of. And both words have the same meaning.

You can start your answer with some simple language. You can think about how to give basic information about your vacation. You can begin your answer by saying where you went, how long for and who with. As an example; I went to the countryside with my friends for two weeks. I went to Italy with my family for ten days. My boyfriend John and I went to Paris for a long weekend. A long weekend means you go to Paris for three or four days, usually Saturday to Monday or Friday to Monday. Maybe because there’s a public holiday on Monday. So, can you talk about your vacation? Where did you go on your last holiday? Who did you go with and how long is your vacation? You can try to make your own sentences about your last vacation. If you need extra practice, you can write your sentence down. If you really need extra practice you can write down three different sentences.

Secondly, do you know how you can talk about what you did on your holiday? What do you like doing on holiday? Do you prefer relaxing on the beach? Or do you prefer a more active holiday with lots of activities and adventure sports? Or would you rather do something more cultural for your holiday? Whatever you prefer, it’s better if you can say something about how you spent your time on holiday.

Here’re some examples and some good vocabulary for you to use when you talk about a vacation;

I went to the countryside with my friends for two weeks. Mostly, we went skiing in the hills and mountains nearby. We also just hung out in the village, eating and chatting together. What do you think about hiking? The definition of hiking is going for long walks, often in the hills or the mountains. If you hang out, you spend time without having any specific goal. If you say I just hung out in the village with my friend, you mean that you spent time there in a relaxed way.

If you think about the second example; I went to Italy with my family for ten days. We did some sightseeing in Rome; Love fountain, coffee shops. Then we hit the beaches in Cinque Terre for sun, swimming, and cocktails. As you can understand, sightseeing means visiting famous places in a city. You can do sightseeing or go sightseeing.

As an example;

if you do sightseeing in New York, you’d probably visit the Statue of Liberty National monument, Empire State Building, Central Park and so on. And also, saying we hit the beaches is a very informal way of saying we went to the beaches. You can also say we hit the nightclubs or we hit the bars. Using hit suggests you’re going somewhere to party and have a good time. So, you should not use it in other places.

One more example;

My boyfriend John and I went to Paris for a long weekend. We went on a walking tour of the centre and the Eiffel Tower. Mostly, we went to cafes and restaurants and sampled and ate as much of the local cuisine as we could fit in our stomachs. If you go on a tour, for example, a walking tour you pay Money for a guide. Generally, tours are in big groups. Do you like to explore by yourself or do you prefer to go on a tour with a guide? The meaning of the sample in this example is to try many different things.

We sampled as much of the local cuisine as we could, which means that we tried many different dishes in this sentence.

Here’s a new step. How can you describe where you went on vacation? You can think about three adjectives to describe where you went on your last vacation. You should try to avoid general adjectives like good or nice. You should try to find more specific adjectives. Then, your answer will be more interesting.

For example;

I went to the countryside with my friends for two weeks. We stayed in a very nice village which is surrounded by nice mountain scenery. As you can understand, saying nice doesn’t say much. You can make his sentences better. You can say this; I went to the countryside with my friends for two weeks. We stayed in a very sleepy, picturesque village which is surrounded by some dramatic mountain scenery.

Do you know what dramatic scenery means? It means the mountains were very beautiful and impressive. Picturesque has the same meaning as beautiful. If something is picturesque, it means beautiful like a painting. I mean, you can use picturesque to talk about places and scenery. The meaning of sleepy is that the village was very peaceful and quiet. So, using more specific adjectives like sleepy, picturesque or dramatic makes your answer more expressive and interesting. And also, you’ll need different languages to talk about different places.

I went to America with my family for ten days. New York is a very cosmopolitan place but it could be a little overwhelming because there was so much going on. Then we went to Santa Monica, which has some stunning beaches. Do you know the meaning of the adjectives here? Firstly, cosmopolitan describes a city which has many different cultures and people mixed together. Secondly, overwhelming describes something which is very intense.

A city can be overwhelming if there are lots of people, sights, noises and smells all around you. And also, there’s so much to take in that you don’t know where to look. The meaning of stunning is very beautiful.

Here’s an example to practice;

My boyfriend and I want to go to Paris for a long weekend. It’s a fascinating place but it’s quite touristy, too. The best thing was the food which was very delicious and out of this world. Do you know what fascinating, touristy and out of this World means? Fascinating means very interesting. We use tourism to describe a place where tourism has grown too much. Generally, if you describe a place as touristy, it means that it’s lost some of its original atmosphere.

Finally, if you describe something as out of this world, you mean you enjoyed it very much and it’s really good. Now, you can try to make your own sentences to describe your last vacation by using at least three interesting adjectives.

Next, how can you describe what you liked or disliked on your vacation? What’s the best vacation and the worst vacation you’ve ever had? What made these holidays so good or so bad anyway. How can you talk about the positives and negatives of your holiday?

I went to the countryside with my friends for two weeks. It was relaxing but by the end, I was getting so bored, because each day was very similar. Each day was very similar, meaning you did the same kind of things each day, so there wasn’t much variety from one day to the next.

The other example is; that I went to America with my family for ten days. I loved Santa Monica because it was like nowhere I’d ever been before. I wasn’t so keen on New York. It’s a cool place but it’s very big and noisy for my taste. You can use it like nowhere I’d ever been before means that the place you went to was really unique. Saying I wasn’t so keen on…to talk about something you didn’t like so much in the past.

I wasn’t so keen on the food in the restaurants or the museums in the city, which means I didn’t think that they were very interesting. Using “for my tastes” after you give your opinion shows that this is just your perspective. You can also use it after you give a negative opinion, to soften your idea slightly.

It’s a nice place but it’s too touristy and developed for my tastes. Using form y tastes makes the meaning slightly softer and less direct.

Now, you can make a longer answer. You should say where you went, who was with you and how long; What you did on your vacation; describe the place you went to and talk about what you liked and disliked.

I went to New York with a group of friends for ten days. We did some sightseeing in New York; The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square and so on. Then we hit the beaches in Santa Monica for some sun, swimming and cocktails. New York is a very cosmopolitan place but it could be a little overwhelming because there was so much going on. Santa Monica has some stunning beaches and I loved it there because it was like nowhere I’d ever been before. On the other hand, I wasn’t so keen on New York. It’s a cool place but it’s very noisy and big for my taste.

You can see how we use simple phrases and ideas to build a full, clear and detailed answer.

Author: Rukiye

Rukiye is Co-Founder of SuperEnglish. After working for multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, British American Tabacco and Adobe, she has decided to be an entrepreneur to help people who want to learn English online. She writes articles about her English learning experience on our website.

Free English Lessons

Talking about your vacation – video.

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How to talk about your vacations in English video lesson

In this lesson, you can learn how to talk about your vacation in English. Talking about your vacation or holiday is a great way to improve your English conversation skills.

Where did you go for your last holiday what did you do there did you have a good time remember, we use ‘holiday’ in british english, and ‘vacation’ in american english., in this lesson, you’ll learn how to answer these questions and more in clear, natural english., quiz: talking about your vacation.

Test your understanding of the vocabulary and ideas you saw in this lesson! The quiz has 20 questions, and you’ll see your score at the end.

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1 . Question

“I went to the French Riviera ______ my family.”

Which is the missing word?

2 . Question

Write the missing word.

In American English, you have or take a vacation, but in British English, you go on .

3 . Question

Which might you do on a ‘cultural’ holiday?

visit art galleries
sunbathe on the beach
go to nightclubs
write an essay

4 . Question

“I took a train trip around Europe myself.”

5 . Question

“I wasn’t so _______ on the buses. They were all really uncomfortable.”

You could use all these words to talk about a holiday experience, but the preposition ‘on’ is only correct with one of them.

6 . Question

Write the name for a person who is in charge of a tour.

“We did a coach tour of the region’s ancient castles, with a who told great anecdotes about who lived in them.”

The word has five letters.

7 . Question

“It was the summer bank holiday, so my husband and I went to Dubrovnik for a ______ weekend.”

8 . Question

Write the missing preposition.

“We went to the Algarve a couple of weeks.”

9 . Question

“We went _________ in the mountains. Our longest individual day was 25 kilometres!”

Which words are possible in the gap? Choose as many as you think are right.

Three of the options are correct, and mean the same thing.

10 . Question

“The best thing was the seafood, which they’d brought in at the harbour right opposite the restaurant. It was out of this .”

11 . Question

“There’s lots going on in New York, but it’s far too busy and noisy for my _________.”

Which word goes in the gap?

12 . Question

Write a three-letter word to complete the phrasal verb.

“We spent two weeks just hanging by the pool.”

13 . Question

“I like going on active holidays and doing lots of __________ sports.”

Two options are not correct because the collocations (i.e. word combinations) don’t exist; one might be possible in the gap, but there would be repetition in the sentence, so it’s not the best option here.

14 . Question

Write one word in the gap.

“Most of , I liked wandering around the antique shops.”

15 . Question

“We started with one of those _____________ buses that goes round all the main points of interest.”

Which is correct?

sightseeing
sightreading
sitevisiting

16 . Question

“I wish we stayed longer.”

With the structure ‘I wish’, when referring to the past, you need to use the past perfect. So, the missing word is an auxiliary verb.

17 . Question

“After a hard day’s relaxing at the beach, we were ready to hit the _________.”

Which options are possible in the gap? Choose as many as you think are right.

18 . Question

Write eight letters to complete the adjective. The first four letters are given already.

“It was far too hot for me. I found it quite over , in fact.”

The last three letters are -ing. This is common for adjectives that describe how something makes you feel.

19 . Question

“We stayed in a lovely little village in the mountains – it was so ___________.”

What word goes in the gap?

picturesque
picturebook
picturepostcard

The three incorrect answers are words that don’t exist as one word – two of them are phrases but they are two words in both cases.

20 . Question

Write the missing word, which has 8 letters.

“I love the local cuisine wherever I go, and the best I’ve ever tried was a chilli crab in Singapore.”

You need to write the -ing form. A different form of the verb is used in part two of the lesson.

1. How to Give Basic Information About Your Vacation

Begin your answer by saying where you went, who with and how long for.

For example:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks.
I went to Thailand with a group of friends for ten days.
My girlfriend and I went to Rome for a long weekend.

A long weekend means you go for three or four days, usually Friday-Monday or Saturday-Monday, maybe because there’s a public holiday on the Monday.

What about you? Where did you go for your last vacation? Who did you go with, and how long for?

Pause the video and make your own sentence. If you want extra practice, write your sentence down. If you really want extra practice, write down three different sentences!

Next, let’s see how you can talk about what you did on your holiday.

2. How to Describe What You Did On Vacation

What do you like doing on holiday? Do you prefer a more active holiday, maybe with lots of adventure sports and activities, or would you rather do something more cultural?

Or, maybe you just like relaxing on the beach. Whatever you prefer, it’s good if you can say something about how you spent your time on holiday.

Let’s look at some examples and some good vocabulary for you to use:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks. Mostly, we went hiking in the hills and mountains nearby. We also just hung out in the village, playing cards and eating.

Do you like hiking? Hiking means going for longer walks, often in the hills or the mountains.

If you hang out , you spend time without having any particular goal. If you say we just hung out in the village , you mean that you spent time there in a relaxed way.

Let’s look at our second example:

I went to Thailand with a group of friends for ten days. We did some sightseeing in Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and so on. Then we hit the beaches in Krabi for some sun, swimming and cocktails!

Sightseeing means visiting the famous places in a city. You can go sightseeing or do sightseeing .

For example, if you go sightseeing in Paris, you’d probably visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and so on.

Saying we hit the beaches is a very informal way of saying we went to the beaches.

You could also say we hit the bars or we hit the clubs. Using hit suggests you’re going somewhere to party and have a good time, so you probably wouldn’t use it with other places.

Let’s do one more example together:

My boyfriend and I went to Rome for a long weekend. We went on a walking tour of the centre and the Vatican. Mostly, we went to restaurants and cafes and sampled as much of the local cuisine as we could fit in our stomachs!

If you go on a tour , for example a walking tour, you pay for a guide. Often, tours are in big groups. Do you prefer to go on a tour with a guide, or do you like to explore by yourself?

Sample means to try many different things. We sampled as much of the local cuisine as we could means that we tried many different dishes.

Alright, over to you! What did you do on your last holiday? Did you go hiking in the mountains, go sightseeing, or sample lots of delicious food?

Try to make two or three sentences. Use the language from this section if you can.

Pause the video now and make your answer.

Next in talking about your vacation in English, let’s see how you can describe the place you visited in more detail.

3. How to Describe Where You Went on Vacation

Can you think of three adjectives to describe where you went for your last vacation?

Here, try to avoid general adjectives like nice or good. Try to find specific adjectives. Your answer will be more interesting!

Let’s look at an example:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks. We stayed in a very nice village surrounded by nice mountain scenery.

Do you see what we mean? Saying nice doesn’t say much. This isn’t a very good example. How could you make it better?

Here’s one way to improve it:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks. We stayed in a very picturesque, sleepy village surrounded by some dramatic mountain scenery.

What do you think dramatic scenery means?

It means the mountains were very impressive and beautiful.

Picturesque is another way to say ‘beautiful’. If something is picturesque, it’s beautiful like a painting. You can use picturesque to talk about scenery and places.

Sleepy means that the village was very quiet and peaceful.

You can see that using more specific adjectives like picturesque, sleepy or dramatic makes your answer more interesting and expressive.

Of course, you’ll need different language to talk about different places. Let’s look at another example:

I went to Thailand with a group of friends for ten days. Bangkok is a very cosmopolitan place but it could be a little overwhelming because there was so much going on! Then we went to Krabi, which has some stunning beaches.

Do you know the meaning of the key words in this answer?

Cosmopolitan describes a city which has many different people and cultures mixed together.

Overwhelming describes something which is very intense. For example, a city can be overwhelming if there are lots of people, noises, sights and smells all around you. There’s so much to take in that you don’t know where to look!

Stunning means ‘very beautiful’.

My girlfriend and I went to Rome for a long weekend. It’s a fascinating place but it’s quite touristy, too. The best thing was the food , which was out of this world.

Here, we used the adjectives fascinating, touristy and out of this world. Could you explain what these mean?

Fascinating means ‘very interesting’.

Touristy describes a place where tourism has grown too much. Often, if you describe a place as touristy, you mean that it’s lost some of its original atmosphere.

Finally, if you describe something as out of this world, you mean it’s really good and you enjoyed it very much.

Now, it’s your turn. Can you describe the place you visited on your last vacation?

You can use the adjectives and language from this section, or you can find your own words and phrases. Try to use at least three interesting adjectives in your answer. Pause the video and do it now, either speaking or writing.

How was that? Remember that you can always review a section if you found something difficult.

Next, how can you talk about what you liked or disliked on your vacation?

4. How to Describe What You Liked or Disliked

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever had? What about the worst vacation you’ve ever been on?

What made these holidays so good or so bad?

Let’s see how you can talk about the positives and negatives of your holiday. Here’s our first example:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks. It was relaxing but by the end I was getting quite bored.

This is good, but it’s always better to add a reason if you can:

I went to the countryside with my family for a couple of weeks. It was relaxing but by the end I was getting quite bored, because each day was pretty similar.

What does that mean, each day was pretty similar? Do you know?

It means that you did the same kind of things each day, so there wasn’t much variety from one day to the next.

Let’s look at our next example:

I went to Thailand with a group of friends for ten days. I loved Krabi, because it was like nowhere I’d ever been before. I wasn’t so keen on Bangkok. It’s a cool place but it’s a bit big and noisy for my tastes.

Saying it was like nowhere I’d ever been before means that the place you went to was really unique.

You can use I wasn’t so keen on… to talk about something you didn’t like very much in the past. For example:

I wasn’t so keen on the food in the hotel.
I wasn’t so keen on the museums—I didn’t think they were very interesting.

Adding for my tastes after you give your opinion shows that this is just your perspective. You would use it after you give a negative opinion, to soften your idea slightly. For example:

It’s a nice area, but it’s too developed and touristy for my tastes.

Adding for my tastes makes this sound slightly softer and less direct.

Okay, let’s do one more example together:

My girlfriend and I went to Rome for a long weekend. I think I liked the general atmosphere most of all. Walking around the little streets in the centre felt like being in an old film. I wish it had been less crowded, though.

Here, you can use the phrase I liked … most of all to talk about your favourite thing from your vacation.

Use I wish plus the past perfect ( had done ) to talk about something in the past which you would change if you could. For example:

I wish we’d had more time to explore the city.
I wish we hadn’t stayed in that awful hotel.

Okay, your turn again! What did you like and dislike about your last holiday? Make at least two or three sentences, and say them out loud. Remember to give reasons to support your ideas.

Now, you should be ready to put everything together into a longer answer.

5. Making a Longer Answer

To make a longer answer, you need to:

Say where you went, who with, and for how long.
Say what you did.
Describe the place.
Talk about what you liked and disliked.

Let’s do an example using language from the lesson:

I went to Thailand with a group of friends for ten days. We did some sightseeing in Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and so on. Then we hit the beaches in Krabi for some sun, swimming and cocktails! Bangkok is a very cosmopolitan place but it could be a little overwhelming because there was so much going on! Krabi has some stunning beaches, and I loved it there, because it was like nowhere I’d ever been before. On the other hand, I wasn’t so keen on Bangkok. It’s a cool place but it’s a bit big and noisy for my tastes.

Do you see how using simple phrases and ideas, you can build a full, clear, detailed answer? We’ve added some linking words, but otherwise this is only using language you’ve seen in this lesson.

Let’s do one more example. This time, we’ll use original ideas:

I went to Siberia by myself for three weeks. I travelled around, did some hiking and camping, and explored the countryside. I was near Lake Baikal, which is a huge lake with mountains and villages dotted around the sides. It was beautiful in a wild way, and the emptiness gave me a real feeling of isolation and solitude. I liked the people I met—everyone was so open and welcoming. On the other hand, even though it was summer, the nights were so cold! I wish I’d taken a warmer sleeping bag.

This time, I’m using different ideas and some different language, but I’m still following the same structure.

Now, can you make a longer answer like these?

Try it! If it’s difficult, review the video or use a dictionary to get the vocabulary you need.

Practise your answer several times, until you can do it fluently and comfortably. You could also talk about other vacations you had, not just the last one. Being comfortable speaking about topics like this can help you in conversation and in tests like the IELTS Speaking Exam !

If you want feedback on your answer from Oxford Online English, put it in the comments. We’ll give you feedback and show you how you can improve.

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Listen, I don’t blame you for ignoring travel industry news during the pandemic. Who cares if Hilton went bankrupt (it didn’t) or Alaska Airlines joined some alliance (it did) when you aren’t traveling?

If it wasn’t my job, I would've tuned out that stuff, too.

However, many under-the-radar changes did significantly alter the travel landscape in 2021. Beyond the obvious — more cleaning, more masks — other updates rippled throughout the industry, including smaller fees and new credit card perks.

Anyway, it’s good to have you back. Here’s what you missed.

Main COVID-era travel industry changes

Airline change fees (almost kinda sorta) disappeared.

If you didn’t know about airline change and cancellation fees before the pandemic started, you likely got familiar with them at its inception. These fees were always a pesky nuisance, but when everyone in the world had to cancel their flights at once, they became intolerable.

Believe it or not, airlines seem to have done us a solid on this front. Many not only waived change fees early last year, but also removed them from most fares indefinitely.

What this means:

On most U.S. airlines for domestic flights, you can now change or cancel non-basic-economy fares without an extra fee.

You can book a flight, then rebook it if your plans change, without eating a bunch of fees.

What this doesn’t mean:

You can change and cancel tickets willy-nilly. You’ll have to pay the fare difference if you change your ticket to a more expensive one. And if you cancel it, you’ll get a voucher back as credit rather than cash.

You shouldn’t assume a ticket is changeable. Read the fine print before hitting “book.”

Rental cars got bizarrely expensive

This is a weird one, but it could have a major impact on your summer travel plans and expenses. A combination of supply issues and demand spikes have led to the so-called rental car apocalypse, driving costs through the (sun)roof in many popular destinations like Hawaii and Glacier National Park.

What does this mean for travelers? Flip your summer trip planning on its head and investigate rental car costs first , then look at hotels and airfare. Otherwise, you could end up scoring a great deal on flights, only to pay many times as much for a rental car when you land.

The ol’ invisible hand of the free market should address this problem eventually, but for now: Beware rental car sticker shock.

Your travel credit card had a midlife crisis

In the Before Times, travelers would shell out beefy annual fees on travel credit cards that offered perks like airport lounge access and free checked bags. But those perks were rendered moot last year, and these cards scrambled to offer new benefits and features that made some semblance of sense during a global pandemic.

The fallout from this identity crisis is a bunch of travel credit cards that now offer perks wholly unrelated to travel.

Some American Express credit cards offered perks for streaming services like Netflix, then a $30 PayPal credit every month. Other Chase bank credit cards offered bonuses on grocery spending instead of airfare and hotels. Basically, every premium travel credit card became a premium living-your-life credit card.

Some of these changes are temporary. Others were temporary, but keep getting extended as travel plans get deferred. The upshot for you? Don’t be surprised to see some unusual and flexible benefits when researching traditional travel rewards cards.

Other stuff that happened

Alaska Airlines joined American Airlines in the Oneworld Alliance. Most travel companies got huge federal checks in order to stay afloat. The cost of flights dropped when nobody was paying attention — and now, they’re climbing back up .

Let’s see, what else?

Some airlines handled the pandemic in a customer-friendly way (hat tip Delta), while others did not. Ditto hotels . To be honest, most airlines and hotels have coalesced their COVID-19 policies to the point where they’re basically indistinguishable from one another. There’s no use fretting over whether to stay at a Hilton or IHG for safety reasons — they’re both gonna be soaked in disinfectant.

The bottom line

I get it. You weren’t traveling, so you stopped paying attention to all of the travel blogs and websites you used to frequent. Who can blame you?

Considering that the entire industry effectively hit pause for over 12 months during a time of unprecedented turmoil, you didn’t miss anything earth-shattering. There were no blockbuster bankruptcies or mergers, and the value of reward points didn’t change as much as you might have expected.

Yet some of the changes, like the welcome exit of airline change fees, added up to a new travel reality that’s worth checking in on before you plan your next vacation.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Describe a journey that you remember well – IELTS Cue Card

Updated On Dec 11, 2023

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Describe a journey that you remember well – IELTS Cue Card

Guide to Achieving Band 8+ on IELTS Speaking Cue Cards

In IELTS Speaking, you should focus on one idea only and then expand that idea into a long meaningful sentence using grammar patterns and vocabulary. So, try practising this topic for Part 2 of the cue card for your IELTS Speaking and achieve a good score!

Describe a journey that you remember well.

You should say:

Where did you go?
How did you travel?
Why did you go on the journey?

Sample Answer 1

Last year, I had the pleasure of embarking on the most memorable trip of my life. It was a trip from Patiala to Shimla, which is a distance of around 160 miles by automobile. It was my first self-driving travel experience.

My friends called me a week before my 24th birthday to inquire about my plans. We decided to go to Shimla and celebrate my birthday there on the spur of the moment. After completing my driving lessons and acquiring my driver’s license, I advised doing the road trip in our car. So, I requested my father lend me his car.

I was accompanied by four of my closest friends. They were concerned since I had never driven in a steep area before. However, I assured them that the ride would be pleasant. We had no clue about the road conditions while planning the route, and it was made worse by leaving the highway for a time; anyhow, the following 10 kilometers or so were on some of the worst, never-ending roads. As a result, it took us around 4 hours to get to the Shimla hotel we had reserved. Regardless, contrary to my worries, driving on hills was not difficult, and this was the first lesson that gave me the confidence to drive on hills.

Overall, the journey was delightful. We all had a good time on vacation. Fortunately, because it was a holiday, the roads were mostly empty. However, it took a long time to get there since we stopped at numerous places for food and beverages. There was a lot of merriment there, and we weren’t in the mood to leave sooner.

Sample Answer 2

Journeys have always been an enjoyable part of my life. Every trip has taught me something fruitful, and I have become a better person at the end of every trip. Also, by planning and executing random trips, I have enhanced my observation skills to a great extent. The knowledge I have gathered through these trips is tough to accumulate through other means.

So, to tell you about a journey that is still immaculate in my conscious, it is the last travel that I arranged. So, all this while, I wanted to visit secluded and quaint places. However, my previous trip was to Ladakh – one of the dream places of almost every adventure lover.

Initially, I had decided to travel by cab as Ladakh is approximately 800 km from my place. But I changed this decision all because of one video on Instagram. While scrolling through this social media platform, I stumbled upon a video that showcased snow-laden mountains captured from an airplane’s window on the way to Ladakh. The mesmerizing beauty of those mountains compelled me to drop the idea of traveling by cab, and I booked plane tickets.

I am an adventure lover, and Ladakh is one of the prettiest places on the earth. I visited there for its scenic beauty, to try delectable cuisines, relish colorful local festivals, explore gompas and monasteries, and rejuvenate and relax.

Sample Answer 3

Journeys, after all, are always unforgettable. It exposes us to new experiences and allows us to unwind ourselves. I like traveling because it allows me to explore new places and experience new things around the world. However, there are certain travels on which I have had less than good encounters. I would like to discuss one such journey.

I went on a road trip with my friends around three months ago. It was my first extended road trip with my friends, and it was the most unforgettable event of my life. Because my friends and I don’t get to see each other very frequently due to our busy job schedules, we decided to take a long road journey from Punjab to Rajasthan. Ten of our friends decided to come along, so we managed two cars accordingly.

Everyone was requested to arrive at a mutually agreed-upon location on the scheduled day of the voyage. However, due to tremendous traffic congestion that none of us had expected, everyone was an hour late. Thus, our adventure began after considerable hardship. Nevertheless, because of the nature of the trip, it was a joyful and exhilarating experience for me. For a few hours, everything was working well, and everyone was having a great time. We were enjoying our little giggles, and the sight of the road flanked by trees. There was relaxing music playing in the background, and we were enjoying our fullest.

Suddenly, our journey was interrupted by accident. The first car in the lineup came to a complete stop because a youngster was crossing the road in a hurry, and the rest of the cars crashed because they couldn’t control their speed. Everyone was upset and anxious for a few hours. After that, everyone felt sad and worried. After that, the thrill of the trip vanished, and towards the end of the journey, we just hoped to reach our destination safely.

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Unwind (verb) – relax after a period of work or tension. Eg : Music is a good way to unwind.
Encounter (verb) – unexpectedly be faced with or experience (something hostile or difficult). Eg : I have had a brief encounter with a wild dog.
Tremendous (adj) – very great in amount, scale, or intensity. Eg : We witnessed tremendous change in our country.
Exhilarating (adj) – making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling. Eg : An exhilarating workout is a great way to start the day.
Interrupted (adj) – changing direction abruptly Eg : The meeting was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Explore More Recall Cue cards >>

Related Cue Cards

Describe a new year celebration that you still remember
Describe something you remember from your school or college days
describe a rainy day you can remember/
Describe A Teacher From Your Past That You Remember

30 + Difficult IELTS Cue Card Topics with Answer pdf

Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

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What Did You Spend on Your Vacation? We’d Love to Hear.

Was your last trip lavish, budget or somewhere in between? We’re interested in hearing about how much it cost and how much you enjoyed it.

Groups of people sit in red wooden chairs on a small patio under three trees. Behind them whitewashed single story buildings covered in bright pink flowers line the cobblestone street. In the distance a white church with a cross on the top is set against a bright blue sky.

By Morrigan McCarthy

Morrigan McCarthy is an editor for the Times Travel section. Her last vacation was to Camden, Maine, for a friend’s wedding.

Did you recently spend a long weekend camping at a state park with your family? Splurge on a fabulous vacation at a luxury beach resort? Take a Caribbean cruise with friends, or backpack around Thailand? Wherever you’ve been, we want to hear about your latest vacation, how you liked it and how much you spent.

The New York Times Travel section is planning to take a close look at people’s vacations — what they really cost and how our readers make decisions about what’s worth spending on, and what isn’t. If you’ve recently traveled and are interested in participating, please answer the questions below. We may use your contact information to follow up, and we will never publish any part of your submission without contacting you first.

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Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation: IELTS Cue Card

IELTS is a standardized English language test that aims to assess the English skills of the test takers. Candidates are required to submit English scorecards to get admission or a visa.

Therefore test-takers often take this exam for work or admission purposes. IELTS speaking is one of the most feared modules of the IELTS exam .

Here we have explained how to solve a cue card topic with the help of an example. Therefore read this article till the end and try to analyze the answer pattern.

Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation IELTS Cue Card

Instructions

# When did you go there?

# Where is it?

# What did you do there?

Also Read: Describe a Bicycle/ Motorbike/ Car Trip that is Interesting: Here’s the IELTS Cue Card Answers for 2021-22

IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer One: Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation

Today I would like to tell you about my trip to Manali. Everyone needs a break in this busy lifestyle. My cousins decided to go on a vacation to Manali. It was my and my sister’s choice as we always have been listening to the charms of Manali.

When did You Go There?

Luckily in the summer of 2019, our parents agreed to the vacation tour. Manali is a beautiful place and two years back we got this opportunity to visit there.

Where is It?

Manali is a high-altitude town in Northern Himachal Pradesh. The beauty, climate, and tradition of this town make it unique as one of the most wanted places to visit.

What did You do There?

My sister and I carefully planned our trip for 2 weeks so that we can enjoy this one at maximum potential. The day passed and the day of the trip arrived. We arrived at the railway station on time and boarded the train. We Indians have a special spot for the train and by travelling we generally choose the train for transportation.

Manali is a place where you can visit any time in the year but summer is usually regarded as the best time to visit. India is a tropical place and summers are sometimes unbearable. But parallel to summer heat prevailing in the country, this place has cool and relaxing weather for its tourists.

We reached Manali on time and directly went to our hotel as we were really tired from the journey and wanted to get rest. Rest was very important because the next day we were going to have an adventurous day.

The next day we decided to have a little adventure and then we reached Solang valley to try one of the most exciting adventurous sports, paragliding. Solang valley is famous for adventure sports and paragliding is the foremost activity opted by tourists.

The birds-eye view and the cold, chilly weather rushed our adrenaline, and yes this was the most memorable experience of my life. Afterwards, we decided to go trekking and camping.

We decided to trek from Solang valley to Beas Kund. We somehow knew that this was going to be the best part of the trip as we were going to do trekking and camping for 2 days. We went along the Beas river experiencing beautiful pine trees and rocky trails. At night we built our camps and cooked our meals. We danced and sang along the bonfire.

After reaching Beas Kund we were in awe to see the beauty. Yes, we were tired but this was a beautiful journey where the destination, as well as the journey, was equally beautiful and amazing.

After this, we reached our hotel and were completely out for one whole day. After an ample amount of rest, we resumed our trip and visited the Buddhist monastery of Gadhar Thekchhokling Gompa and also Himalayan Nyingmapa Gompa. We also visited Lord Narayan temple, Van Vihar, Museum of Himachal culture and folk art, Jayatsukh, and many more.

All we know about Manali and the love of tourist forest and after this visit I can completely agree to the praises of the tourists.

Also Read: Describe a Creative Person that you Admire: Tips and Tricks for IELTS Cue Card 2021-2022

IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer Two: Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation

Today I would like to speak about my trip to Meghalaya. Usually, people visit North India but after my exams are over, I convinced my family to go to North-East India.

Once I read about Meghalaya and the best place to visit. I was completely mesmerized by the location and reviews of The tourist and therefore we decided to plan a trip to Meghalaya in February.

Meghalaya is a state of North East India. This state was made from carving two districts out of Assam.

First, we departed to Kolkata from my town, and then from there, we took our train to Guwahati.

After this, we booked a room in the hotel, and then early in the morning, we reached Shillong. The distance between Shillong and Guwahati is around 100 km.

We reached Shillong at 6 a.m. and checked in the rules while at the guest house. I have heard about this hotel in the same article I have read before the trip. The hotel was more like a homestay and also had a beautiful garden attached. After resting for 1 hour we ate our breakfast. We had delicious Puri bhaji and jalebi.

Then we decided to visit the famous elephant falls. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Shillong. This three-tier what to call got its name due to the presence of elephant-shaped Rock.

However in 1897 due to an earthquake, this got integrated and washed away. It is a perfect spot for photography and people around us were busy clicking photos and we’re excited to see the beauty and the calmness of the water.

After this, we went to Shillong peak. This is the highest point of Shillong at the height of around 1965 m above sea level. We were amazed to see the whole city from this breathtaking side. There were also telescopes available for bird watching. We spent over one hour here. Then we travel 23 km South to Shillong to view the sunset at Laitlum Canyon.

This is a beautiful secluded place and is a perfect time to spend your evening relaxing and view the side of nature. Also, it is the perfect destination to watch the sunset.

After this, we went to our hotel and enjoyed it and then went to bed to rest.

In the morning we decided to start our day with a beautiful sunrise view at Umiam lake. This lake is situated at a distance of 15 km north of Shillong. Our local guide has suggested we visit there to watch this nature treat.

I am a nature lover and hence we agreed to go there even though we have to wake up early. The lake was beautiful and mesmerizing. We also did boating and other water sports activities over there. Also had packed a little lunch and therefore we had a little peaceful picnic over there.

Then we visited the Don Bosco Museum. This museum represents the beautiful culture and tradition of Northern India. It is a clear insight into the daily routine of northeastern people. For example, we also visited Lady Hydari park, a Japanese-themed garden. Here we relax and enjoy strolling around for the staff. We also visited a museum and a mini zoo inside there.

During our trip we covered the tourist attractions of Shillong including Cherrapunji, seven sister falls, Ramkrishna mission, and many more.

Also Read: Describe a Good Service You Received: Check this to Ace Your IELTS Cue Card 2021-2022

IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer Three: Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation

Today I would like to talk about my recent visit to Jaipur.

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan and last November I got the chance to visit this magnificent City.

Our family loves travelling and every year we go to some places and this year was their time to visit Western India. Rajasthan is a perfect place to visit to explore the rich and traditional culture of Rajput and others full stop. It is known for its historical forts, palaces, and of course the Thar desert.

Jaipur is the perfect choice for tourists to see a glimpse of all as you can find in this city different palaces, forts, and rich culture. And if you are a lover of architecture and culture like my parents it is a dream destination for you.

There on the day of our trip, we went to the railway station and bought it on a train for Lucknow and then to Jaipur. On the first day, we decided to visit the prime destination of the city, Ajmer fort. This beautiful and magnificent palace lies at the top of the Aravali hills for a stop. It is also known that it was built by Maharaja Mansingh, general of Akbar, a Mughal ruler. It was used as the main residence of the Rajput rulers.

We went to eat around 11 a.m. We were amazed by the aesthetic architecture. There were many magnification paintings on the wall of Rajput. My attention especially went to the beautiful red sandstone and marble works.

The fort was so huge that we did not get to know how four hours passed just to look around the fort. Then we visited Jaigarh fort which is around 900 meters far from Amber fort. It is located at the hilltop and you can take a glimpse of the whole city over hair fall stop. Here I got to know why Jaipur is called a pink city.

The next day we visited Hawa Mahal. It looked beautiful in person and in photographs. Then we visited City Palace which is also a museum for Rajput and Mughals belonging. Later we went to Jantar Mantar and Jaipur zoo.

The next day was the shopping day. Explore the bazaars of Jaipur. It was full of colourful small shops. We bought some colourful bangles, a pair of mojris, and imitation jewellery. Also, I got myself a beautiful Kurti of Rajasthani touch.

We also visited different public spaces such as Gem Palace, Ramgarh Lake, Sanganer, Sheesh Mahal, and many more.

I particularly enjoyed the popular cuisines of Rajasthan. This includes Dal Bati, Churma, Mawa kachori, Mirchi Vada and many more.

Also Read: Describe a Family which You Like and are Happy to Know: IELTS Cue Card Sample Answers 2021-2022

IELTS Cue Card Sample Answer Four: Describe a Place You Visited on Vacation

Today I would like to talk about my recent journey to Kerala. We went there in September 2019.

Kerala is the state of Southern India. It is famous for its tropical climate, spice tea and many more. Moreover, it is the state with the highest literacy rate.

On 15 September 2019 be boarded a flight and land the next day. On the flight, I read a magazine about Kerala. In it, I read about Kerala and how it is regarded as God’s own country.

This state lies between the water of the Arabian sea and the last of Western ghats. It is full of networks of rivers, lagoons, forests, wildlife backwaters, beaches, and many more.

We checked into a hotel and freshened up for an exciting day. It was a sunny day so we decided to visit Kovalam beach. We had a sweet time over there. We made sandcastles, played in the water and rested on the beach.

After this, we went straight to the hotel. There we got to know that a stage performance of Kerala folk dance is going to happen by eight o’clock. We ate our dinner and went down to see the performance. Hair we saw different graceful dancers performing Kathakali and other folk dances on soothing music.

The next day we went to Peerumedu hills. It is a lovely hill station of Kerala and a heaven for a nature lover. We started our track from Peerumedu to Kuttikanam. It was a small track of around 3 km but was full of beautiful and exciting scenes of tea plantation, pine forest, breathtaking views, and many more. The next day was a religious day and we went to explore 20 different temples. This includes Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Chottanikkara temple, Thali temple, Tirunelveli, and many more.

Also Read: Describe an Interesting Animal: IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topic 2021-22

I hope this article gave you a clear insight into how to solve IELTS cue card topics. For more such IELTS-related information visit IELTS Ninja .

This website has different customized courses, high-quality videos, and preparation materials to help you with IELTS preparation . Visit the website now for more information.

About the Author

Deeksha paswan.

Deeksha is a content writer at Ufaber EduTech. She writes well-researched, SEO-friendly articles to satisfy the reader's search intent. Until now, she has written over 300+ articles for various websites on different genres. She goes by the motto “flowing like a river, rather than an immobile pond.” She is a headstrong girl who follows her heart. Apart from this, she is a nature lover, bibliophile, dancer, artist and skilled cook. She is set on her journey to unveil the mysteries of life.

IELTS Speaking Test Tips and Strategies

Describe Your First Day at School: Cue Card Topics Explanation for the IELTS Speaking Exam

Describe an Occasion when You were Not Allowed to Use a Mobile Phone: Cue Card for IELTS Speaking

Other stories, describe a time when you were waiting for something special that would happen: ielts cue card, describe a businessman you admire: sample ielts cue card 2022 answers.

Describe a Travel Experience You Have Had: IELTS Speaking (2 Cue Cards With Example Answers)

Your examiner might ask you to describe a travel experience you have had in part two of your IELTS Speaking test.

Let’s take a look at the best way to answer this question. Below, you can also read a good example answer ( go straight to the answer here ).

What You Can Talk About

This is one of the easier part-two questions because you just need to remember an experience and tell the story.

Make sure you choose a travel experience that’s easy to talk about. This might be:

A vacation you had recently or a long time ago
An amazing vacation you had as a child
A work trip you took to another city or country
A longer-term journey you went on (for weeks, months, or years)
Some backpacking (cheap budget traveling) you did
A school trip you went on when you were younger
Any other traveling experience you can remember

You can then describe your trip. Here are some things you could focus on describing:

Interesting places you visited
Something interesting or exciting you did
A festival or traditional holiday you enjoyed
Interesting local food you ate
The hotel or apartment you stayed in
How you traveled there (car, train, plane…)
Who you traveled with
Who you met on your trip
Why you went there
How you felt on your trip
Something interesting you learned on your trip
Something that surprised you on your trip
A problem you had on your trip
Anything else that comes to mind

Use a Good Word Group

In part two, it’s important to use interesting vocabulary. One easy way to do this is to remember a few word groups .

A word group is a collection of words and phrases that describe a certain feature of a place you visited, an experience you had, or an activity you did.

For example, for this travel-related question, maybe you saw a festival in another country, and so you could use a ‘traditional event’ word group to describe that festival.

This ‘traditional event’ word group would include interesting words like: ‘customs, ancient, ancestral traditions, cultural heritage, passed down through the generations…’ and more.

You could then use these ‘traditional event’ words in many different part-two questions, such as:

Describe a festival you like
Describe a vacation you went on
Describe your favorite country
Describe a place you’d like to visit
Describe a city you visited
Describe a historical event in your country
And many more part-two questions

Below, you’ll see an example answer using an ‘exciting activity’ word group. Or you can l earn more about how to use word groups here .

Use Apps to Memorize Faster

There are some really great apps that can help you prepare for IELTS Speaking.

One perfect app for memorizing word groups is Anki App . This app uses spaced repetition to make sure you really remember the words and phrases well.

Some other good apps for IELTS Speaking are the Complete IELTS Full Skills app , Elsa app , and Cake app .

Prepare Your Story Well

You should prepare a good short story for this question.

It’s great to have a few travel stories prepared for Part 2 of your IELTS Speaking. This is because you can use these stories in your answers to many different kinds of questions.

Also, the more you practice preparing and telling stories, the better you become at using past tenses (primarily past simple, past continuous, and past perfect).

To see a word group and story in use, take a look at this example cue card and answer.

Travel Experience Cue Card

Describe a travel experience you have had.

You should say:

Where you had this experience
What the experience was
Who you did it with

And say how you felt while you were doing it.

I’m going to talk about a really exciting, exhilarating experience I had when I was traveling in Thailand six years ago. I had just graduated from university, and I wanted to travel cheaply for six months. So I spent about three months backpacking around Thailand, which is a really wonderful country. And while I was there, I did a few extreme sports like zip-lining and bungee jumping . I did these things in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is a peaceful city in the north of Thailand. It’s filled with beautiful temples and surrounded by mountains and dense jungle. I traveled there with a good friend of mine, and also two other girls we had met in Thailand. One day, we all went to an adventure park in the jungle and I went zip-lining for the first time. I loved the sensation of flying between two huge trees above the jungle. It was a really heart-thumping experience. Totally out of this world . Adrenaline was pumping through me. I can still remember it really well.

But the most hair-raising experience for me was bungee jumping. To be honest with you, I was quite terrified. My heart was beating out of my chest when I saw how high I was. But even though I was scared, I still jumped and I’m glad I did because it was a mind-blowing experience . And then I couldn’t wait to try it again .

That whole day was an action-packed adventure. We also went white-water rafting in the afternoon, which was another rip-roaring adventure . I’ve never been much of a thrill-seeker before, so it was all a new experience for me. By the end of the day, I was buzzing with excitement . And I’d love to return to Chiang Mai one day and do it all again.

(Word Group Used: ‘Exciting Activity’)

Thrilling, Exhilarating, Adventure, Mind-blowing, Heart-thumping, Action-packed, Thrill-seeker, A rip-roaring adventure, Hair-raisin, Breathtaking, Out of this world, I couldn’t wait to begin, I didn’t want it to end, I was on the edge of my seat, Gave me a real buzz, I was buzzing with excitement, Adrenaline was pumping through me, I was thrilled to bits, My heart was beating out of my chest, I was bored out of my mind, A big yawn-fest, It was about as exciting as watching paint dry, As dull as dishwater.

See more amazing word groups here.

Now It’s Your Turn

Prepare to answer this question yourself.

First, think of a travel experience that’s easy to talk about.

Then, think of a word group you could use to describe it. You can either create your own word group or use one already prepared for you here .

Next, set a timer for one minute and ask yourself aloud to describe a travel experience you have had.

Prepare your answer quickly, then start talking. Try to keep speaking for two full minutes (and remember to be careful with your past tenses).

It’s best to record yourself. This way you can listen to your answer, notice any mistakes, and repeat the process a few times.

Each time you do this, you’ll become better prepared for part two of your IELTS Speaking test.

If the topic is travel in part two of your IELTS Speaking test, then you…

In part two or your IELTS Speaking test, your examiner might ask you to describe…

In part two of your IELTS Speaking test, you might need to talk about your…

You might be asked to describe your favorite holiday (or favorite public holiday) in part…

You might get a cue card about time management in part two of your IELTS…

120 Questions to Ask Someone Who Went on a Trip

Embarking on a journey unleashes a world of discoveries, and returning travelers are often brimming with stories and insights. If you know someone who’s recently unpacked their bags, sparking a conversation with them can be both enlightening and entertaining.

This list of travel-centric questions is designed to dive deep into their adventures. From tasting exotic flavors to overcoming unexpected hurdles, these questions will guide you through the arc of their travel tale, sharing in their laughter, lessons, and those magical “ aha ” moments that only the road can provide. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Pre-Trip Expectations and Preparation

What inspired you to choose this destination?
How did you research and plan your itinerary?
Were there any specific goals you wanted to accomplish on this trip?
How did you prepare yourself culturally for the trip?
What were the must-have items in your luggage?
Did you learn any basics of the local language before you left?
How did friends and family react to your travel plans?
Were there any travel advisories or safety concerns you needed to be aware of?
What was the most challenging part of planning your trip?
How did you budget for your travel expenses?
Did you travel alone, and if not, who accompanied you?
How did you decide on the length of your stay?
What kind of accommodations did you plan to use?
How did you anticipate the climate and pack accordingly?
Did you make any arrangements for your home before leaving?
What travel apps or tools did you find most useful in your planning?
How did you handle health concerns and travel insurance?
Did you have any preconceived ideas about what the trip would be like?
Were there any special events or festivals you planned to attend?
How did you intend to document and share your travel experiences?

First Impressions and Cultural Discoveries

What was your first impression upon arriving at your destination?
How did the reality of the place compare to your expectations?
Can you share an interesting cultural observation you made?
What surprised you the most about the local customs?
How easy was it to navigate and communicate initially?
Can you describe the architecture and how it differs from home?
Were there any particular local manners or etiquette you had to adapt to?
Did you experience culture shock, and how did you deal with it?
How did the local people react to your presence as a tourist?
What local traditions or celebrations did you get to witness?
How prominent was the tourist presence in comparison to the local life?
What kind of local music or art did you encounter?
How did the pace of life compare to what you are used to?
Were there any social norms that incredibly intrigued you?
Did you visit any historical sites, and how did they affect you?
What was the most memorable street or neighborhood you explored?
How did you find the way people dress, and why do you think they dress that way?
Were there any linguistic hurdles you had to overcome?
Can you share a story where a local went out of their way for you?
Did you use any technology to enhance your cultural discoveries, like translation apps?

Unforgettable Experiences

What was the single most unforgettable experience of your trip?
Did you have any unexpected adventures or detours?
Was there a particular moment that moved you emotionally?
Were there any activities or excursions that took you out of your comfort zone?
Can you talk about a specific encounter with wildlife or nature that was impactful?
Did you discover any hidden gems during your travels that aren’t well-known?
What experience would you say was the highlight of your trip?
Was there a moment during your trip when you felt completely at peace or enlightened?
Can you share a humorous or unusual incident that occurred?
Did you participate in local festivals or events that became an unforgettable part of your journey?
Was there an adrenaline-pumping activity you tried for the first time?
Did you meet anyone who had a significant impact on your trip?
What was your most challenging experience, and how did you handle it?
Was there a particular day or occasion that summed up the essence of your trip?
Did you do anything on this trip that you had always been dreaming of?
How did any of the local attractions differ from your initial thoughts after experiencing them firsthand?
Was there an experience that you feel changed your perspective on life?
Did you fulfill all the goals you set before the trip?
Can you share an experience where things didn’t go as planned and how you adapted?
Did you take any risks or step outside your usual travel habits?

Food Adventures

What was the best dish you had during your travels, and where did you eat it?
Can you share an interesting story about your dining experience or meal?
Did you try any foods that were entirely new for you?
How did the local cuisine reflect the culture of the place?
Were there any flavors or ingredients that were particularly memorable?
Did you participate in any cooking classes or food tours?
Can you describe a food market experience and the things you saw there?
Was there a meal you didn’t like or didn’t agree with?
How does the act of dining differ from your own culture?
Did you discover any local beverages or spirits that became favorites?
What insights did you gain about the place through its food?
Was there a street food that left a lasting impression on you?
Did you make any surprising food discoveries during your trip?
Can you describe a traditional meal and the occasion it is associated with?
Were there any food customs or etiquettes that you found especially interesting?
Did you bring back any recipes or ingredients to try at home?
How did the portion sizes, dining hours, or meal compositions differ from what you are used to?
Did you find any regional variations in the same dish, and which ones did you prefer?
Can you recommend a particular restaurant or cafe that was a highlight?
Did you get the chance to eat with a local family or at a communal gathering?

Challenges and Learning Curves

What was the biggest challenge you faced during your trip?
How did you navigate language barriers, if any?
Were there any particular difficulties regarding transportation or getting around?
How did you manage your finances or deal with money issues abroad?
Did you experience any health-related issues, and how were they addressed?
Was there ever a time you felt unsafe, and how did you handle it?
How did you overcome homesickness or culture shock?
Were there any significant differences in social customs that created challenges for you?
Did you face any technical issues, like problems with your phone or camera?
How did you adapt to the climate if it was different from your home country?
What lessons did you learn from the setbacks you encountered?
Can you share an experience where your problem-solving skills were put to the test?
Were there any challenges in maintaining your travel schedule?
How did you deal with unexpected changes or cancellations?
Did you have to deal with any bureaucracy or red tape?
Was there a situation where you had to rely on strangers’ kindness?
Can you describe a challenge that ended up being a positive experience?
How did the physical terrain or geography present difficulties?
Did you encounter any scams or moments where you had to be extra vigilant?
What would you do differently to prepare for these challenges in future travels?

Reflections and Takeaways

How has this trip affected your outlook on travel?
What have you learned about yourself through this travel experience?
Can you share a key insight or revelation you had during your trip?
In what ways did the journey surpass your expectations?
Is there a piece of advice or a travel tip you’d like to pass on?
What would you say was the most meaningful takeaway from your trip?
Did your perceptions or stereotypes about the destination change after visiting?
How do you think this experience has changed or will change your daily life?
Is there a new hobby or interest you’ve taken up due to your experiences?
What piece of this culture would you like to integrate into your own life?
How has this journey influenced your thoughts on sustainability and eco-tourism?
Are there any social, environmental, or economic issues you became more aware of?
Would you recommend this destination to others and why?
How do you plan to maintain any new friendships or connections you’ve made?
What part of the trip do you find yourself reflecting on the most?
Has this trip inspired future travel plans, and where to next?
How would you summarize this trip in one sentence?
What misconceptions did you discover about the place or its people?
How has this trip enriched your understanding of different cultures?
Did the trip meet, exceed, or fall short of your expectations, and in what way?

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to learn from someone else’s travel experience.

Absorb and reflect: Listen actively and ask follow-up questions. Reflect on how their insights might influence your own travel preferences and world views. It’s an opportunity for mutual growth.

How does travel enrich a person’s life?

Travel acts as a catalyst for enrichment on multiple levels:

Cultural exposure: Opens up new perspectives and understanding of diverse lifestyles.
Personal growth: Encourages adaptability, problem-solving, and greater independence.
Mental reset: Provides a break from daily routines, leading to refreshed mental and emotional states.
Social expansion: Builds new friendships and broadens the social network internationally.
Lasting memories: Creates unforgettable experiences that contribute to one’s identity.

How can asking about someone’s trip help with future travel plans?

Inquiring about someone’s trip can be incredibly useful when planning your own travel. Through their experiences, you can learn about the practical aspects of visiting a particular destination, such as the best times to go, the cost of accommodations, or the availability of transportation options.

Their stories can also highlight must-visit spots that might not be in guidebooks, or conversely, they can advise you on tourist traps to avoid. They may share tips on great restaurants, navigating local customs, or packing efficiently for the climate.

Final Thoughts

These questions aren’t just about sparking a chat; they’re invitations to step into someone else’s shoes and wander through their adventures. So go ahead, ask with curiosity, listen with interest, and maybe you’ll be inspired to embark on your own voyage. After all, each traveler’s tale is a beacon, lighting up paths we might one day choose to tread ourselves.

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What is Eid al-Fitr? What to know about the Muslim holiday at the end of Ramadan

As Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims are getting ready to commemorate the month of fasting, spirituality and reflection.

Eid Al-Fitr, Arabic for “the celebration of breaking the fast," is expected to fall on or around Wednesday, April 10, this year. The holiday starts once the crescent moon signifying the start of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic Hijri calendar is spotted.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and spend time in self-reflection and prayer.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr marks the first day Muslims return to their regular lifestyles . In fact, it's forbidden to fast on this day.

"God has given us that one special day for us to celebrate our ability to get through that one month," Khalid Mozaffar, director of communications and outreach at the American Islamic Association in Frankfort, Illinois, told USA TODAY.

What do Muslims do on Eid al-Fitr?

The Eid prayer is a cornerstone of celebration. Muslims will congregate in their local mosques in the early hours of the first day of Eid to perform this prayer.

Muslims are also obligated to pay Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charity of food that must be given before the Eid prayer.

Every Muslim who can afford to do so is required to donate what is roughly a plate of food.

The donations help people celebrate Eid no matter their financial situation, Tareq Alkhudari, a Kuwaiti human rights activist, told USA TODAY.

Since it's difficult for many people to give an actual plate of food, many Muslims may choose to donate to charity organizations, like Islamic Relief , that have estimated the cost of a plate of food, which will feed those in need on their behalf.

How else do they celebrate?

Eid celebrations all across the globe vary, but it's not uncommon for families to get dressed up in their best clothes, have a nice small breakfast together and spend the day visiting relatives and friends.

Muslims will wish each other "Eid Mubarak, " or a blessed holiday.

Family members exchange gifts or money, sometimes called "Eidi". It's also not uncommon for community members to give out "eidi" to the young children in their communities.

The holiday is celebrated across the globe and different cultures have their traditions and customs for the joyous occasion, including unique dishes and sweets made just for the celebration.

Contributing: Maria Jimenez Moya

Why did Iran attack Israel? What to know about the strikes, U.S. response.

Iran launched a wave of missiles and drones toward Israel late Saturday as regional tensions continued to mount over the war in Gaza . President Biden condemned the attack and spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to Israeli security, the White House said. Other allies including Germany, Canada, France and Britain reaffirmed their support for Israel in the wake of the attack while expressing fears that Tehran’s assault could further destabilize the Middle East.

Iranian state media said the missile and drone assault was in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria on April 1.

What happened

More than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles were launched by Iran in the first full-scale military attack on Israel by Tehran. Around 99 percent of the projectiles were intercepted, according to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman.
Some of the projectiles fell inside Israeli territory, and one damaged a military base in the country’s south, Hagari said. A young girl who was seriously injured in the attack underwent surgery and was moved to the pediatric intensive care unit, according to Israel’s Soroka Hospital.
Hagari said “a coalition” of countries helped Israel with intercepting the projectiles. The U.S. military helped Israel take down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles, Biden said. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain’s Royal Air Force shot down “a number of Iranian attack drones,” while Jordan’s cabinet said it “dealt with” objects that flew through its airspace overnight. France also contributed technological support, Hagari said.
Tehran’s attack on Saturday was “four-pronged,” according to a report by the state-run Tasnim News Agency, originating from sites in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, called Tehran’s attack “more successful than we had expected” and warned that any retaliation by Israel would draw a more forceful response.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting Sunday, Iran and Israel traded blame over the recent escalation. Iran’s ambassador said the Iranian attack was a “necessary and proportionate” response to an earlier Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Syria, while his Israeli counterpart said Iran’s actions “crossed every red line.”

Why did Iran attack Israel?

Iranian media said the attack was in retaliation for an Israeli strike this month on an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, which killed members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , including senior commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haj Rahimi.

Hamas expressed support for Iran’s attack on Israel this weekend, calling it a deserved response to the attack in Syria. Officials from the rebel Houthi group in Yemen congratulated Iran while downplaying their own involvement; Hagari said some UAVs and cruise missiles were launched from Yemen.

Israel has carried out strikes in Syria against Iran and its allies for years and throughout its six-month military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. But the April 1 attack stood out both because of its location — in a diplomatic compound, traditionally exempt from hostilities — and because of the seniority of the apparent targets.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, promised that his country would avenge the Damascus attack. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres condemned the strike, citing “the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises.”

The Israeli strike also frustrated Washington.

Three U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss security matters said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior defense officials believed Israel should have informed them ahead of time because of the strike’s implications for U.S. interests in the region, The Washington Post reported.

U.S. officials worry about a multifront war breaking out and feared the Damascus strike could lead to attacks on U.S. military personnel based in Iraq, Syria or other parts of the Middle East.

Middle East conflict

How is the United States involved?

U.S. military forces in the Middle East intercepted “dozens” of Iranian drones and missiles, Austin said in a statement, adding that American military forces remain “postured” to protect U.S. troops and support Israel’s defense. He called on Iran to de-escalate tensions and halt attacks on Israel.

“We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel,” the statement said.

Biden, who had directed aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to be sent to the region over the past week in anticipation of an attack, said no U.S. troops or facilities were targeted in the barrage.

“We will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,” he said.

On Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Biden communicated to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu that the weekend’s defensive actions had been an “extraordinary success,” and urged Netanyahu “to think about what that success says all by itself to the rest of the region” when considering next steps.

What is the recent history between Iran and Israel?

Iran has funded attacks on Israel in the decades before Israel’s war in Gaza that began Oct. 7, and its proxies have stepped up strikes in the months since.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanon-based armed group, has been firing rockets into Israel since the start of the war. Iran also supports Houthi rebels by smuggling weapons to Yemen, allowing the Houthis to prolong a deadly campaign of violence against commercial shipping.

Israel and Iran have been waging a covert war of assassinations and sabotage for years, The Post has reported .

More recently, Iran accused Israel of killing Brig. Gen. Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a missile strike in Syria in December. Israel declined to comment on this accusation.

Israel’s main focus for attacks in Iran has been the country’s nuclear program, which Israel has tried to undermine for years, The Post reported .

In 2021 Iran blamed Israel for an electrical blackout at Iran’s nuclear facilities, and more than a decade ago when a computer virus targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the malware was suspected to be developed by Israel and the United States.

Kareem Fahim and Suzan Haidamous contributed to this report.

Israel-Gaza war

The Israel-Gaza war has gone on for six months, and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region .

The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival . (See photos and videos of how the deadly assault unfolded ). Israel declared war on Hamas in response, launching a ground invasion that fueled the biggest displacement in the region since Israel’s creation in 1948 .

Gaza crisis: In the Gaza Strip, Israel has waged one of this century’s most destructive wars , killing tens of thousands and plunging at least half of the population into “ famine-like conditions. ” For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave .

U.S. involvement: Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. politicians , including President Biden, the United States supports Israel with weapons , funds aid packages , and has vetoed or abstained from the United Nations’ cease-fire resolutions.

History: The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 . Read more on the history of the Gaza Strip .

Middle East conflict live updates: Israel weighs response to Iranian attack as U.S., allies urge restraint 12 minutes ago Middle East conflict live updates: Israel weighs response to Iranian attack as U.S., allies urge restraint 12 minutes ago
Why did Iran attack Israel? What to know about the strikes, U.S. response. April 14, 2024 Why did Iran attack Israel? What to know about the strikes, U.S. response. April 14, 2024
Mapping the wide-scale Iranian drone and missile attacks April 14, 2024 Mapping the wide-scale Iranian drone and missile attacks April 14, 2024

When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

Keep reading

A ramadan no palestinian will ever forget, the cost of a ramadan iftar meal around the world, ramadan 2024: where do your dates come from, in washington, dc: celebrating ramadan, protesting israel’s siege of gaza.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

Muslim worshippers prepare to take part in a morning prayer on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, on April 21, 2023 [Yasin Akgul /AFP]

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

Palestinian Muslims perform the morning Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gaza City on May 2, 2022 [Mahmud HAMS / AFP]

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

Interactive_Eid_2024-How is Eid celebrated-1712214441

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Children ride a swing on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the rebel-held town of Maaret Misrin in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, on April 21, 2023 [Abdulaziz Ketaz / AFP]

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

A girl shows her hand decorated with henna at a market area ahead of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy festival of Ramadan, in Srinagar, on April 20, 2023 [Tauseef Mustafa / AFP]

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

A general view shows the Alif Ki mosque illuminated during the holy month of Ramadan, ahead of Eid al-Fitr, in Ahmedabad on April 19, 2023 [Sam Panthaky/AFP]

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.

Jordan to temporarily close airspace, state media says

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Israeli military vehicles manoeuvre, near the Israel-Gaza border

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PM Lee shake hands with Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in Singapore

Incoming Singapore PM says incumbent Lee to serve as senior minister in next cabinet - media

Singapore's prime minister-designate, Lawrence Wong, on Tuesday said the city-state's incumbent leader Lee Hsien Loong would serve as a senior minister in his cabinet after he takes power on May 15.

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Biden is canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers. Here's who is eligible.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 3:29 PM EDT / CBS News

The Biden administration on Friday said it's canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers, with the recipients scheduled to receive emails today to alert them to their loan discharges.

The latest effort extends the debt relief provider under President Joe Biden after the Supreme Court last year blocked his administration's plan for broad-based student loan forgiveness. With the latest batch of loan cancellations, the White House said it has forgiven about $153 billion in debt for 4.3 million student borrowers.

Biden, who had made student loan relief a major campaign pledge, is tackling an issue that affects about 43 million Americans with a combined $1.7 trillion in student debt. It's a burden that some borrowers and their advocates say has harmed their ability to save for a home or achieve financial milestones, an issue that was echoed by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a conference call with reporters.

"I talked to a teacher in New York this week who took out a loan for $30,000," Cardona said Friday, "and after over a decade of paying and being a teacher the debt was $60,000, and she was saying that the interest was so high that the payments that she was making wasn't even touching her principal."

He added, "We are fixing a broken system. We're relentless and taking steps to transform a broken system into one that works people across the country."

Here's what to know about who is eligible for the latest round of forgiveness.

Who qualifies for the student loan forgiveness?

Three groups of people qualify under the latest round of debt relief, the White House said.

$3.6 billion for 206,800 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan.

About $3.6 billion will be forgiven for nearly 207,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, an income-driven repayment program, or IDR, that the Biden administration created last year.

The White House said borrowers who are getting their debt discharged under SAVE had taken out smaller loans for their college studies. The plan allows people to receive forgiveness after they made at least 10 years of payments if they originally took out $12,000 or less in loans to pay for college; borrowers with larger loans are eligible after 20 or 25 years of repayment, depending on what types of loans they have.

"You sacrifice and you've saved for a decade or more to make your student loan payments, and you originally borrowed $12,000 or less, you're going to see relief," Cardona told reporters. "An overwhelming number of those who qualify for SAVE were eligible for Pell grants and come from low- and middle-income communities."

$3.5 billion for 65,700 borrowers in income-repayment plans.

These borrowers will receive forgiveness through "administrative adjustments" to repayment plans where loan servicers had made it tougher for some borrowers to qualify for relief.

"These are people who paid for a long time but were being deprived of relief because of administrative and servicing failures," Cardona said. "These people met the contract of their loan" and will receive forgiveness.

$300 million for 4,600 borrowers through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

The PSLF program is designed to help public servants like teachers and government employees achieve debt forgiveness after 10 years of repayment. It's a program that started in 2007 but had been plagued with complex rules that effectively hampered people from getting their debt discharged, with only 7,000 receiving loan forgiveness prior to the Biden administration.

With the latest round of discharges, the Biden administration has forgiven $62.8 billion in loans for 876,000 borrowers through PSLF.

Are there legal challenges to Biden's debt forgiveness plans?

In two separate lawsuits, Republican attorneys general in 18 states are pushing to have the SAVE plan tossed and to halt any further student debt cancellation. They say the SAVE plan oversteps Biden's authority and makes it harder for states to recruit employees. They also contend the plan undermines a separate cancellation program that encourages careers in public service.

It's unclear what the suits could mean for loans that have already been canceled. A court document filed by Kansas' attorney general says it's "unrealistic to think that any loan forgiveness that occurs during this litigation will ever be clawed back."

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

Biden Administration
Student Loan

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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Man on terror watchlist was released by Border Patrol

SAN ANTONIO — An Afghan migrant on the terrorist watchlist spent nearly a year inside the U.S. after he was apprehended and released by Border Patrol agents last year, U.S. officials told NBC News. The man was arrested in February and then released last month again by an immigration judge who was not told he was a national security threat.

Mohammad Kharwin, 48, was freed on bond as he awaited an immigration hearing in Texas, scheduled for 2025, U.S. officials said. There were no restrictions on his movements inside the U.S.

Late Thursday, Kharwin was taken into custody again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, a Homeland Security spokesperson said. A source familiar with the matter said that, "based on the information currently available, there is no reason to believe this individual entered the country as part of a terrorist mission."

Kharwin was initially apprehended on March 10, 2023, near San Ysidro, California, after having crossed the Mexico-U.S. border illegally.

Border agents suspected he was on the U.S. terrorist watchlist when he was apprehended because one piece of information matched a person on the list. But the agents lacked corroborating information, which officials declined to describe, that would confirm Kharwin was the person they suspected, U.S. officials said.

After it processed Kharwin and took his biometric data, Customs and Border Protection released him as it would any other migrant, without alerting Immigration and Customs Enforcement about possible terrorism ties, U.S. officials said.

Kharwin was referred to ICE’s Alternatives to Detention Program, requiring him to check in periodically by phone with an ICE officer. He was able to apply for asylum and work authorization and fly domestically in the U.S., the officials said.

Kharwin is on the national terrorist watchlist maintained by the FBI, which includes the names of 1.8 million people considered potential security risks. The database indicates he is a member of Hezb-e-Islami, or HIG, a political and paramilitary organization that the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization.

According to the national intelligence director’s office , HIG is a “virulently anti-Western insurgent group” that sought to overturn the Western-backed Afghan government before its fall in 2021.

HIG was responsible for attacks in Afghanistan that killed at least nine American soldiers and civilians from 2013 to 2015. The group is not seen as a top threat in terms of attacks inside the U.S.

The Biden administration has said it prioritizes migrants considered threats to national security for detention and deportation. After this article was published, a DHS spokesperson said CBP did not “knowingly” release a person on the terrorist watchlist.

“At the time of the initial encounter, the information in the record could not have provided a conclusive match," the spokesperson said. "As soon as there was information to suggest that this individual was of concern, he was taken into custody by ICE. Law enforcement has been tracking the matter closely to protect against public safety risks.”

In February, the FBI passed information to ICE indicating that Kharwin had potential terrorist ties and might pose a risk to national security. Soon after, nearly a year after he was released near the border, ICE agents conducted an operation and arrested Kharwin in San Antonio on Feb. 28, according to sources familiar with the case.

Kharwin was held in ICE detention until his court hearing March 28, when he appeared before an immigration judge in Pearsall, Texas. Immigration judges decide whether migrants can stay legally in the U.S., continue to be detained or be deported.

When ICE prosecutors appeared in court, they did not share some classified information with the judge that purportedly showed Kharwin's ties to HIG, two U.S. officials said. Prosecutors argued that he should be detained without bond because he was a flight risk, but they did not say he was a national security risk, according to sources familiar with the case.

The judge ordered Kharwin released on bond. The Justice Department, which oversees immigration judges and courts, declined to name the judge or respond to a request for official comment.

On March 30, ICE released Kharwin after he paid the $12,000 bond mandated by the immigration judge, which is higher than most bonds for migrants awaiting immigration court dates.

The judge placed no restrictions on his movements inside the U.S. but required him to appear for his next court hearing in a year. ICE has not appealed the judge’s decision, sources familiar with the case said.The case illustrates the challenges U.S. officials face in identifying migrants who may pose national security threats. Kharwin’s case is the third incident in two years in which Customs and Border Protection has released migrants with suspected terrorist ties.

A migrant with ties to the Somali terror group al-Shabaab was arrested this year in Minnesota after having lived in the U.S. for nearly a year, the Daily Caller reported .

In that case, the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center made a “redetermination” that he should be placed on the watchlist after he was released, the Daily Caller reported.

A report from the DHS inspector general in June reviewed an incident from April 2022 in which a migrant was released because information that would have linked him to the watchlist was not properly gathered. The report, which did not disclose the migrant's nationality, found that CBP sent a request for more information to the wrong email address.

In both cases, however, the migrants suspected of terrorist ties were taken into custody.

Jason Houser, former chief of staff for ICE in the Biden administration and a senior adviser for counterterrorism for CBP in the Obama administration, said it is rare for terrorists to cross the border and even more unusual for CBP to release someone who turns out to be a threat.

“We need to make sure we have processes in place to handle them, make sure they’re detained and we know exactly where they are,” he said.

Houser said that DHS is now better equipped to detect terrorists and that the number of them trying to enter the U.S. is still very low, even with record numbers of crossings at the border.

“Any terrorist or terrorist-linked individual trying to come into this country is unacceptable,” Houser said. “But we have built across the U.S. government federal law enforcement, the intelligence community, the ability to identify these individuals.”

Jason Houser, former chief of staff for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said that it’s rare to see people with terrorism ties come across the U.S. border but that more resources are needed.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump has repeatedly turned to the threat of terrorism at the border as a reason he should be elected president again.

“Terrorists are pouring in, unchecked, from all over the world,” Trump wrote on Truth Social this year.

An NBC News analysis found that the percentage of migrants on the terrorist watchlist as a proportion of the total number of CBP encounters across U.S. borders was slightly lower during the Biden administration than during the Trump administration. It remained an average of 0.02% during the Biden administration, lower than the 0.05% under Trump.

In fiscal year 2023, which ended in late September and included a surge in border crossings, CBP had 736 encounters with migrants on the terrorist watchlist at U.S. borders, the most in the past six years. The second highest year was 2019, during the Trump administration, when CBP had 541 encounters with migrants on the watchlist.

It is not known whether any migrants on the watchlist were released into the U.S. during the Trump administration.

The vetting systems used to screen migrants at the border during the Biden administration are virtually the same as those used under Trump. When a migrant comes across the border between legal ports of entry, a Border Patrol agent collects the migrant’s name, date of birth, nationality, biometric information (like fingerprints) and photos. An agent then checks a series of national security databases to see whether there is a criminal background or whether the migrant is on the terrorist watchlist.

Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said in a letter to DHS late last year that the terrorism watchlist is overly broad. They said having too many people on the list who pose little or no threat to the U.S. can erode the rights of travelers and prove ineffective at stopping those who mean to do harm on U.S. soil.

With a bipartisan immigration reform package blocked in Congress by pro-Trump Republicans, additional border security funding that might address the problems shown by the recent cases is unlikely.

There are fears, meanwhile, that tens of thousands of migrants are evading agents as they cross the southern border.

“That is a national security threat,” Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens recently told CBS News . “They’re exploiting a vulnerability that’s on our border right now.”

This article was updated after publication to include statements from a DHS spokesperson and a source that Kharwin had been taken into custody, that there was no reason to believe he was on a terrorist mission, and to clarify the procedures CBP followed during his release.

Julia Ainsley is homeland security correspondent for NBC News and covers the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Didi Martinez is an associate producer with the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. She is based in Washington.

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