Modern life is impossible without travelling. Thousands of people travel every day either on business or for pleasure. They can travel by air, by rail, by sea or by road.
 Of course, travelling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way, but it is the most expensive too. Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Modern trains have very comfortable seats. There are also sleeping cars and dining cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains and planes. That is why many people prefer them to all other means.
 Travelling by sea is very popular. Large ships and small river boats can visit foreign countries and different places of interest within their own country. As for me, I prefer travelling by car. I think it's very convenient. You needn't reserve tour tickets. You needn't carry heavy suitcases. You can stop wherever you wish, and spend at any place as much time as you like.
 Every year my friend and I go somewhere to the South for holidays. The Black Sea is one of the most wonderful places which attracts holiday-makers all over the world. There are many rest-homes, sanatoriums and tourist camps there. But it is also possible to rent a room or a furnished house for a couple of weeks there. Sometimes, we can place ourselves in a tent on the sea shore enjoying fresh air and the sun all day long.
 As a rule, I make new friends there. In the day-time we play volleyball, tennis, swim in the warm water of the sea and sunbathe. In the evening I like to sit on the beach watching the sea and enjoying the sunset. I'm fond of mountaineering. So I do a lot of climbing together with my friends. Time passes quickly and soon we have to make our way back. We return home sunburnt and full of impressions.
 
 Questions:
 1. Why is modern life impossible without travelling?
 2. What is the fastest and the most convenient way of travelling?
 3. Why is travelling by sea very popular?
 4. Why is travelling by car very convenient?
 5. Where do you go every year?
 6. Where do you make new friends?
 

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

   I like to travel. First of all, the members of our family usually have long walks in the country. Such walks are called hikes. If we want to see countryside we have to spend a part of our summer holidays on hikes. During such hikes we see a lot of interesting places, sometimes we meet interesting people. It's useful for all members of our family. We take our rucksacks. We don't think about tickets and there is no need to hurry up.
 As for me, it's more comfortable to travel by train and by plane. But it's difficult to buy tickets for the plane. That's why we buy our tickets beforehand. When I travel by plane, I don't spend a lot of time going from one place to another. I like to fly. If I travel by train or by plane my friends see me off at the railway station or in the airport.
 I like to travel by car. It's interesting too, because you can see many things in a short time. When we go by car, we don't take tickets. We put all things we need in a car. We don't carry then.
 Sometimes we go to the seaside for a few days. As usual the weather is warm and we can swim. It's a pleasure to watch white ships. So I can say that I enjoy all kinds of travelling very much.
 
 Questions:
 1. Do you like to travel?
 2. How do you like to travel?
 3. Do you prefer to travel by sea or by plane?
 4. Whom do you like to travel with?
 5. Why do we buy tickets beforehand?
 

   If we are fond of travelling we see and learn all sorts of things we can never see or learn at home. Though we may read about them in books and newspapers and see pictures of them at the cinema.
 The best way to study geography is to travel and the best way to get to know and understand the people is to meet them in their own houses. When I was a little girl every holiday that I had seemed to be perfect. In those far-off days the sun seemed to shine constantly and the water was always warm. All day I played on the sands with my friends. We made sandcastles with huge yellow walls. Sometimes we left the beach and walked in the country. Although I am now an adult, my idea of a good holiday is much the same as it was. I still like the sun and the warm sand and the sound of waves breaking on the beach. I don't want to build sandcastles any longer but still I like sunbathing and the feeling that sand is running through my fingers. I like travelling. And I want to smell different smells. I want to see different kinds of trees, flowers and plants. When I spend a holiday in travelling I always take a camera with me and photograph everything that interests or pleases me: the sights of a city, views of mountains, lakes, valleys; the ruins of ancient buildings. Some years later that will remind me the happy time that I had.
 
 Questions:
 1. Do you like to travel?
 2. What is the best way to study geography?
 3. What do you do during your vacation?
 4. Discuss the qualities of an ideal vacation?
 5. What do you call "a good vacation"?