Planning a holiday
English is often useful on holiday. Here are some handy expressions…
Conversation about holiday plans
Natalie: Have you and Alice got your summer holiday planned, yet?
Simon: No, we're saving up so we can take six months off next year and go travelling. How about you and Ian?
Natalie: Well, Ian wants to get a last-minute package holiday but I don't fancy self-catering... I want a bit of luxury!
Simon: Not ail packages are at the budget end of the market. You can choose from some really smart all-inclusive resorts these days. And you often get extras thrown in, like a mom upgrade or free car-hire.
Natalie: You're starting to sound like a travel agent! I keep fantasizing about escaping to a tropical island retreat...
Simon: But Ian isn't into beach holidays, is he?
Natalie: Only if there are enough water sports to do. He likes a bit of action!
Simon: How about going on safari, then? There are some fantastic deals on offer.
Natalie: Nice idea, but there's not enough time to organize the visas. Ian's left all the planning to me, as usual.
Simon: What about a two-centre holiday in Thailand with a stopover in Singapore? Or you could go for a fly-drive fortnight in Florida. Or how about a tour of the "real" Spain?
Natalie: The trouble is there are too many options. One thing's for sure ... when I do get this trip sorted, I'll need a holiday!
Conversation
Vocabulary and idioms
summer holiday (GB), summer vacation (US) = grandes vacances
save up = économiser
go travelling = voyager
package holiday = voyage organisé
fancy = avoir envie de
self-catering = indépendant
at the budget/luxury end of the market = pour petits/importants budgets
all-inclusive = tout compris
resort station = destination
extras thrown = in bonus
room upgrade = chambre surclassée
car-hire = voiture de location
travel agent = agent de voyages
fantasize = rêver
escape = s'évader
be into = être fana de
beach holiday (GB)/vacation (US) = vacances de plage
water sports = sports nautiques
go on safari = faire un safari
two-centre = à deux destinations
stopover = escale
fly-drive holiday (GB)/vacation (US) = vacances en formule avion plus voiture
fortnight = deux semaines
trip = voyage
sorted = ici, réglé
More holiday idioms
activity holiday = vacances actives/vacances à theme
back-packer = routard
bed and breakfast = chambre et petit déjeuner
bed and breakfast places (B&Bs) = chambres d’hôtes
city break = court séjour dans une ville
cruise = croisière
double room = chambre pour deux personnes
en suite = avec salle de bains
family room = chambre familiale
full board = pension complète
go back-packing = voyager sac à dos
go island hopping = aller d'île en île
go trekking = faire du trekking/de la randonnée
half board = demi-pension
holiday home = maison secondaire
holiday rep = représentant de vacances (dans une station)
long-haul = long-courrier
make a round-the-world trip = faire le tour du monde
on holiday(GB)/on vacation (US) = en vacances/en congé
out of season, off season, low season = basse saison
peak season, high season = pleine saison
repatriation = rapatriement
room service = service des chambres d'hôtel
scheduled flight = vol régulier
short break = court séjour
single room = chambre simple
spa = centre de cure/thalasso, etc.
travel insurance = assurance voyage
vacancy = chambre libre
youth hostel = auberge de jeunesse