Holidays conversation questions

Holidays

 * Are holidays really relaxing? What stressful things are involved in taking a holiday?
 * When your holiday is finished are you glad to get back to work (or school) or do you dread it? Why?
 * Some people buy and read a guidebook before going on holiday. What do you do to prepare for a holiday?
 * What are some holiday traditions that you do?

Packing

 * How many suitcases do you usually take with you on holiday?
 * Do men take more clothes and suitcases than women?
 * 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 vital things?
 * What do you think of the following advice? "Take half the clothes and twice the money."

Your last holiday

 * Where did you go?
 * How long did you stay?
 * What did you do there?
 * Who did you go with?
 * Where did you stay?
 * What was the food like?
 * What were the people like?
 * Were you able to speak English?
 * What was the weather like?
 * How did you get there?

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 environment 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.
 * 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.
 * A period when universities or courts of law are closed.