Ways of travelling

WAYS OF TRAVELLING

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, and to listen to different musical rhythms. Those, who live in the country, like to go to a big city and spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea, or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk, bathe and laze in the sun.
People travel by train, by plane, by boat, by coach, by motorcycle and by car. For most people, speed is a very important factor when they are travelling. They want to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Travelling by plane is the fastest and the most convenient way. When you reach your place of destination in a few hours you realize all the advantages of travelling by air.
Whenever you want to go somewhere by plane you should book a seat on a flight to your destination for a certain date. You may book a single, return or open return ticket. When booking a ticket you should mention what class you are going to travel: first, business or economy class. You may ask the travel agent what time the coach leaves the airport terminal for the airport and what is the latest time of check-in at the airport.
Before boarding the plane, you should register your luggage at a check-in desk. Here you are required to have your luggage weighed, and then a uniformed attendant attaches a special label to it and gives you a boarding pass. There is no need to worry about your luggage any longer. It will be put in the luggage compartment of the plane. If your luggage weighs more than allowed, you are supposed to pay for the additional weight. Then

you must go through the security check where your hand luggage is checked.
Before the flight you have to spend some time at the airport. You may wait in the departure lounge. Then you hear your flight announced, and the passengers are invited to board the plane and take their seats. The announcer says when and at what gate your flight is boarding, or he/she may announce a delay of your flight. It often happens that a delay of a flight is due to adverse weather conditions. In this case you can obtain a voucher for refreshments. These vouchers are accepted at the cafeteria, and you can have your meal free of charge till you hear the announcement that your flight is boarding.
The stewardess greets the passengers and shows them to their seats. The airplane armchairs are very cosy, and they are equipped with safety belts, which must be fastened during both take off and landing. Sometimes the order to fasten the belts may be given during the flight.
When the plane takes off, the stewardess gives the passengers all the information about the flight, the speed and the altitude at which the plane will be flying. She asks the passengers to fasten seat belts and not to smoke during the flight. Then she offers them some mineral water, lemonade and sweets. The stewardesses are usually very amiable and cater for the passengers’ wants and needs. If you want anything during the flight, you are to press a button with a pictogram of a stewardess, and she will immediately come to your help. During the flight the passengers do whatever they like.