Holidays conversation questions

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Holidays

• Are vacations really relaxing? What stressful things are involved in taking a holiday?
• When your holiday is finished are you happy to get back to school/work or not? Why?
• Some people buy and read a guidebook before going on holiday. What do you do to prepare for a holiday?

=Packing

• How much of the clothes that you pack do you actually wear?
• Who packs your things? You? Your parents? Your partner?
• Do you write out a list of things to pack?
• How often do you forget important things?
• What do you think of the following advice? "Take half the clothes and twice the money."

Your next holiday

• Where are you going to go?
• How long are you going to stay?
• Who are you going to go with?
• Where are you going to stay?
• What special things do you plan to do?
• Do you plan to try the local food?

Childhood memories

• Where did you use to go on holiday when you were a child?
• Do you still go back there? If so, has it changed since then? In what ways has it changed?
• What is the most memorable holiday you had when you were a child?

Your country

• What are the most popular destinations for tourists in your country?
  • What makes them popular?
  • Are they popular with both natives and tourists?
  • Have you visited them? Why/why not?
• Is there any special period when tourists visit your country?
• What special provisions does your country make for tourists?
• How important is the tourism industry for your country?

Choosing a holiday

• How far in advance do you like to plan your holidays?
• Which do you prefer: summer holidays or winter holidays? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a holiday with everything organised for you compared with a holiday which you create fully by yourself?
• Do you organise your holiday over the internet or do you use a travel agent? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
• Do you consider environmental issues when you plan and take a holiday? Which issues do you consider?
• What are the differences between a holiday you take with your family and a holiday which you take with friends?

Types of holiday

• Do you prefer holidays which include a lot of activities or more relaxing ones? Why?
• Do you prefer to visit cities, the beach or mountains. Why?
• The Antarctic is a potentially dangerous place to visit. Can you think of any other dangerous parts of the world for tourists? What makes them dangerous? What dangerous places would you like to visit?
• Would you like to go on a long cruise? Why/why not?
• Where would your ideal holiday destination be? You can spend as much money as you like!!
• Who would be your ideal holiday companion? What would you do?

In the mountains

• Do you like to go skiing? If you like skiing tell us what is enjoyable about it. If you don’t like skiing - why not?
• Have you ever been rock climbing? If so describe the experience.
• Do you enjoy trekking? If so, talk about routes you have enjoyed.
• Do you have any GPS equipment? How does it work?
• Have you ever been lost in the mountains? If so, talk about the experience.

Holiday problems

Have you ever experienced any of these holiday problems? If so, talk about them.

• Luggage lost or delayed.
• Flight cancelled or missed.
• Double-booking or overbooking.
• Car accident.
• Illness or personal accident.
• Sunburn.
• Getting lost.
• Problems with the hotel.
• Very bad weather.
• Belongings stolen.
• Running out of money.

Holiday food

• Do you eat more when you're on holiday? Do you put on weight or do you work it all off?
• Do you usually eat out every day when you're on holiday?
• If you're staying at a hotel, do you usually have full board or half board?
• Do you like to try local dishes or do you stick to "international" dishes like pizza, hamburgers, and so on?

Vocabulary

• holiday

BrE: A period in which you are not working, especially if you are away from home. Vacation.^AmE

A day in which one doesn’t have to work.

• vacation

AmE: A period in which you are not working, especially if you are away from home. Holiday.^BrE

A period when universities or courts of law are closed.

See also

• Accessibility conversation questions
• Beach conversation questions
• Camping conversation questions
• Christmas conversation questions
• Easter conversation questions
• Flying conversation questions
• Hotels conversation questions
• Leisure conversation questions
• Theme parks conversation questions
• Travel conversation questions
• Weather conversation questions