Travel & Culture - Planning a Simple Independent Excursion (Intermediate)

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up)

Let's discuss organizing your own day trips while traveling!

What are the first steps you typically take when planning a day trip to a nearby attraction or town on your own while traveling?
What kind of information do you consider essential to gather before setting out on an independent excursion to ensure it goes smoothly?
Describe a time you planned an independent trip. What research did you do? What aspects of your planning were most successful, and what might you do differently next time?

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some key terms and phrases for planning independent excursions at an intermediate level.

1. Itinerary (noun): A planned route or journey, including the sequence of places to be visited.

Example: "She drafted a detailed Itinerary for her day trip, including travel times and museum visits."

2. Transportation options (noun phrase): The various means of travel available, such as bus, train, taxi, or ride-sharing.

Example: "Before deciding, he compared different Transportation options based on cost and convenience."

3. Budget (noun / verb): An estimate of income and expenditure for a set period. / To plan or provide for the use of (money, time, etc.) in detail.

Example: "It's important to set a realistic Budget for your day trip to cover transport, food, and entrance fees." / "She needed to Budget her time carefully to see all the sights."

4. Contingency plan (noun phrase): A plan designed to take account of a possible future event or circumstance that might cause problems (e.g., bad weather, transport delays).

Example: "Having a Contingency plan, like knowing an alternative route, is wise when relying on public transport."

5. Landmark (noun): An object or feature of a landscape or town that is easily seen and recognized from a distance, often used for navigation or as a point of interest.

Example: "The old clock tower is a prominent Landmark in the city center, making it easy to orient yourself."

6. Research (verb / noun): To investigate systematically. / The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

Example: "She decided to Research the opening hours and ticket prices online before her visit." / "Her Research revealed some hidden gems not mentioned in the main tourist guides."

Activity 3: Reading - Alex's Day Trip Plan 📖

Read this story about a traveler meticulously planning an independent excursion.

Alex was keen on an independent excursion to a historic castle located about an hour from the city where he was staying. His first step was to Research the destination thoroughly. He looked up the castle's official website for opening hours, entrance fees, and any special exhibitions. Then, he investigated Transportation options: a direct bus seemed most convenient, but he also noted train times as a backup. He jotted down a loose Itinerary, allocating time for travel, exploring the castle grounds, visiting the interior, and having lunch. He also set a day trip Budget to cover all anticipated expenses. He wanted to ensure he had enough cash for smaller purchases where cards might not be accepted.

An important part of his planning was creating a Contingency plan. What if the direct bus was full or significantly delayed? His backup was the train, even though it involved a short taxi ride from the station to the castle. He also checked the weather forecast; if it rained heavily, he had an alternative indoor Landmark in mind in the same town. He downloaded an offline map of the area and marked the castle and bus stop. Finally, he made sure his phone was fully charged and he had the details of his accommodation with him. With his Research done and a flexible Itinerary, Alex felt well-prepared and excited for his independent adventure, confident he could handle minor disruptions thanks to his Contingency plan.

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

What was the first step Alex took in planning his excursion, and what kind of information did he look for?
What different Transportation options did Alex consider?
Why did Alex create a Contingency plan, and what did it involve?
Besides the castle itself, what other type of place did Alex consider as part of his planning (hint: related to orientation)?
How did Alex's thorough Research and Itinerary planning make him feel about his upcoming trip?

Activity 4: Role Play - Seeking Advice for a Day Out 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Ms. Lena Hanson (Traveler), and the other is Mr. Carlos Rossi (Hotel Concierge).

Ms. Lena Hanson: Good morning, Carlos. I'm hoping to plan an independent excursion to the nearby fishing village tomorrow, and I'd appreciate your advice.

Mr. Carlos Rossi: Good morning, Ms. Hanson! That's a lovely choice. It's quite picturesque. What kind of information are you looking for to build your Itinerary?

Ms. Lena Hanson: Primarily the best Transportation options. I've done some initial Research, and it seems there's a local bus, but I'm unsure of its reliability.

Mr. Carlos Rossi: The local bus is indeed an option, quite scenic too. It runs hourly. Alternatively, a taxi would be quicker but significantly more expensive, which might affect your Budget. We can provide a bus schedule.

Ms. Lena Hanson: The bus sounds good. Do you recommend any particular Landmarks to look out for there, or a good place for lunch?

Mr. Carlos Rossi: Absolutely. The old lighthouse is a must-see Landmark, and there's a wonderful seafood restaurant called "The Anchor" right on the harbor. It's wise to have a Contingency plan for lunch, as small village restaurants can sometimes have unexpected closing times.

Ms. Lena Hanson: That's a very useful tip about the Contingency plan for food! I'll add that to my Itinerary notes. My Budget for the day is fairly modest.

Mr. Carlos Rossi: The bus and "The Anchor" are quite budget-friendly. Just make sure to Research the last bus time back to the city to avoid any issues.

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What two Transportation options did Mr. Rossi mention, and what were their respective pros and cons according to him?
Why did Mr. Rossi suggest Ms. Hanson have a Contingency plan for lunch?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Outlining a Trip ✍️

Help Chloe (Traveler) complete her part of a conversation with her friend, David, about planning a day trip. Use words and phrases from Activity 2!

David: So, Chloe, any exciting plans for tomorrow? I heard you wanted to visit the botanical gardens.

Chloe (Traveler): Yes! I'm trying to finalize my . I've done some on opening times already.

David: Smart. How are you getting there? Have you looked into the different ?

Chloe (Traveler): I have. The train seems best. I also need to figure out my for the day, including the ticket and lunch.

David: Good thinking. What if the weather turns bad? Do you have a ?

Chloe (Traveler): That's a good point! Maybe I should identify an indoor nearby, just in case.

David: Sounds like a well-thought-out plan. Enjoy your excursion!

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨