Travel and Places

It's typically a good idea to begin with what interests you. What is your favourite vacation destination or resort? Is there a popular tourist destination or vacation area in your country that you could talk about? In your nation or area, when is the busiest holiday season? Which tourist attractions are the most popular on national holidays?

It is critical to have proper knowledge about the subject you are going to discuss, because it has been observed that sometimes just command of the language is insufficient, so reading novels, magazines, or documentaries, or watching TV shows that discuss cities, tours, culture, and different places are equally important. Viewing such TV-shows will increase not only your understanding of the language from many viewpoints, but also your use of words in the appropriate context. To make things easier, below is a list of common words that may be used in speech or writing.

IELTS Vocabulary to talk about Cities

  • add to (its) attraction:  make it more attractive 
  • thriving:   lively and successful 
  • hustle and bustle: full of movement and noise
  • a craze: an activity that suddenly becomes very popular
  • a (holiday) resort: a popular destination for holidays
  • a fascinating mix: different elements that go together really well
  • steeped in history: full of history
  • ultra-modern:  very recent and new
  • know like the back of (your) hand: be very familiar with, know everything about 
  • a home from home: a place where you feel very happy and comfortable
  • tourist hot spots: places very popular with tourists
  • soak up the atmosphere: observe and enjoy what’s happening around you
  • a bit pricey: quite expensive 
  • easy going: relaxed, without pressure 
  • blend in: easily fit in with other people

IELTS Vocabulary about Travel

  • Affordable destinations – Places within a reasonable price range
  • Affordable travel – Travel which is within your price range
  • Around the world – In all corners of the globe
  • Arts and culture – The art, music and other cultural aspects of an area
  • Craft markets – Stalls where goods made by the local people are sold
  • Do as the locals do – Enjoy the activities as the local people do
  • Efficient public transport – A functioning transport system intended for the use of residents and visitors
  • Exotic destinations – Unusual or strange holiday destinations
  • Get around – Get from place to place
  • Guided tours – Walking, hiking or driving visits led by a guide who knows the area
  • Holiday brochures – Pamphlets advertising holiday destinations
  • Holiday destination – Place to which you leave on holiday
  • Long-haul flights – Long distance flights
  • Lush rainforests – Luxuriant equatorial forests
  • Magnificent landscapes – Impressive scenery
  • Make advance reservations – Booking ahead of time
  • Memorable experiences – Activities that you will remember for years
  • Off the beaten track – A place that is not on the main thoroughfare
  • Out of season – Outside the most popular holiday period
  • Packaged deals – Travel deals that are put together by an agency and sold as a package
  • Quaint villages – Old-fashioned or charming small towns
  • Scenic views – Lovely scenes
  • Self-catering accommodation – A Place to stay where you see to your own food
  • Spectacular beaches – Impressive sandy shorelines
  • Stunning architecture – Magnificent buildings
  • Swarming with tourists – Full of holidaymakers
  • Time on their hands – Available time to do as you choose
  • To get away from it all – To get away from everyday routines
  • To go sightseeing – Take a trip around an area to see what it has to offer
  • Travel abroad – Travel to overseas destinations
  • Travelling light – Travelling with little luggage
  • Value for money – A good return on investment
  • Visa regulations – Laws that relate to entry into a country
  • Wildlife safari – A guided tour through a game park