IELTS® Speaking 2 Practice 74

Have you gone on vacation recently?

Yes! Last month, my family and I went on a vacation to Paris. We took a sightseeing tour of the entire Paris.

Yes! My family and I went to Japan last month. Because we were afraid that there were going to be some language barrier problems, we decided to sign up for a guided tour. It was a good decision, as the entire trip was very smooth.

Where will you go on vacation next?

Not sure. I don’t have a plan at this moment, but my friend has told me many times that he wants to go on a cruise with me sometime.

Where do you usually travel?

I usually try to avoid tourist traps and prefer going somewhere off the beaten track or heading for somewhere with a pristine/unspoilt landscape. For example, I went on safari in Africa a few years ago. It was the holiday of a lifetime.

I like to take it easy when I go on holiday, and I’m really not interested in seeing all the tourist attractions. I always try to get away and go somewhere with the family once a year, as the children really look forward to a holiday.

I am different from other people. I like to go to places that are not for the fainthearted, like somewhere where there used to be people dying and other morbid things.

What do you like to do when you’re on holiday?

Well, when I am on holiday, I definitely go sightseeing to check out all kinds of iconic landmarks. I might visit a few local places of interest if I have time. I am also a history buff, so if there are any historical and heritage sites, I would not miss them.

I have quite a sense of adventure and like to spend my holidays in remote locations interacting with local people. Just last month, my friends and I went to a famous backpacking destination. We rented a cabin in the mountains, and on the third day of the trip, we found a place that had a pristine landscape. It was really beautiful. I don’t think many people know about this place.

What kind of accommodation do you like to stay in on holiday?

I prefer bed-and-breakfasts and youth hotels, as they are more affordable, compared with hotels and holiday resorts. 

I like both bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering apartments, but my favorite type of accommodation is self-catering apartments, as I like to cook. 

Are there many tourists visiting your country?

Yes, we have a lot of holiday resorts in the mountains. Many tourists go there to enjoy their holidays. I think many of them come on package holidays.  

When do you prefer to take your holidays?

I would have to say I prefer to take my vacation in summer because I prefer to travel light. I take as few clothes as possible so I haven’t got lots of heavy suitcases to carry.

I would prefer to travel during the off-season just so I could save money and avoid crowds. If I can get a cheap last-minute deal somewhere, I might take the opportunity to have a holiday.