Traveling

The world is getting smaller. It does not mean our globe is shrinking, but if we consider we can travel around the globe within two days, it cannot be a big place. In the past a trip to America by boat took more than three weeks and a trip to Australia took a few months. Therefore visiting far-away destinations was not very frequent. Places in the world were very remote and so were the people. People in general did not know much about countries, nations or cultures on the other side of the globe. I think aircraft, telecommunications and information technologies respectively made the difference. With a few restrictions, we can travel anywhere in the world, having all necessary information about the country we want to visit and we can keeps in touch with anyone. Traveling is getting very common.

Have you ever noticed that people often say traveling is their hobby when they are interviewed? What do they mean by that? Do they mean traveling within their country by car, bus or train, or doing shopping in neighboring countries, or visiting distant and exotic destinations by plane?

For some people traveling is an everyday duty if they do work that requires moving from place to place, attending companies, businesses or sports venues. They visit many countries, but they usually do not learn much about the country, as it is only a trip from the airport to the venue, sleeping in a hotel and going back home or the another place. There is usually no time to enjoy the beauties and places of interest in that country. This may be more exhausting then interesting.

However, for most people traveling means visiting places of interest within their own country or in foreign countries. If the country you want to visit is not very far, you can travel by car, bus or train, but if the country is very distant or overseas, you have to take a plane. In any case you have to have your passport on you. We do not need a visa to visit European countries, but for some countries we do. It is important to apply for visa with time to spare as it can take a few days, even weeks.

Traveling by air is the most convenient and fastest way to go to distant countries, but also the most expensive one. If you travel by air you have to submit to some restrictions, like a weight limit on your luggage or having a strict check at the airport for security reasons, or no smoking on board. People usually travel overseas by plane. Sometimes they even have to change planes, getting from an international flights terminal to the domestic one to get to the locations they want. In that case they have to follow carefully instruction signs at the airport like check – in desk, departure lounge, gate number, baggage reclaim, customs, exit, etc. People have to be aware of some rules and restrictions valid in some countries, so that they do not get into trouble. For example in countries like Thailand or Singapore there is a death penalty for keeping drugs, therefore people are warned not to leave their luggage unattended at the airport to make sure any stranger cannot put any items into their suitcases or bags.

Traveling is often associated with holidays. Nearly all of Europe is on the move in the summer. Some people like to go to the coast, stay in a hotel in seaside resorts where they have half or full board. They spend most of their time on the beach to enjoy sunbathing and swimming. If you are one of them, you should not forget to protect your skin and use suntan lotion, sunglasses and a hat. It is not worth underestimating the wonderful sunshine. It might be dangerous.

The most popular destinations are beaches in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Italy or somewhere more exotic such as the Maldives, Egypt or the Caribbean islands. There are people who enjoy swimming and sunbathing for a few days, but they also want to go sightseeing. Most places have much to offer. It is very useful to buy guidebook or a map if it is a town you stay in. What do tourists usually do on holiday? They go on sightseeing tours of a town, the castle, the cathedral or the art gallery, sometimes they take a boat trip along the coast; they eat in restaurants, buy souvenirs, take photos and spend a lot of money. If they go on a sightseeing holiday only, they visit many different places within one or two weeks, which may be interesting but exhausting, too. But who would not like to wee Rome, Venice or Florence, London, Paris or Berlin?

People who live in large cities often like to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside. They stay in village cottages, enjoy tranquility and occasionally go for a stroll. Other people prefer hiking and camping in the wild.

Young people, especially university students like to go on “work and travel holidays”. This means they travel to a foreign country and, having a work permit, they can over their expenses. They usually work for a few weeks and then they spend part of their money traveling around the country. This is a very good way to learn a foreign language, see new places and make friends.