When you're on holiday, you might want to find out about places of interest from the Tourist Information Centre.
Here are some ways you can ask questions to get information.
Do you have any information about … (local places of interest)?
Can you recommend … (places to see in the area)?
Are there any … (special events planned this week)?
What are the … (opening times of the X museum)?
If you're not sure about how best to ask questions, take a look at our page on direct and indirect questions.
You can also say what you're looking for.
We're interested in … (local museums and art galleries).
I'd like to get … (some walking maps of the area).
We need to find … (some activities for the kids).
We've been told you … (can organise day tours of the area).
Some useful vocabulary for places of interest
opening times = when a place is open or closed
admission cost = how much it costs to get in a place
special deals = offers, reductions: "The waxwork museum has a special deal for adults accompanying more than two children."
wheelchair facilities = special arrangements for wheelchair users, such as special ramps
guided tour = a tour of a place with a guide to explain
You might hear a lot of different phrasal verbs at the airport and here's a review of the most common ones.
Match the phrasal verb in List A with the correct definition in List B
List A
bump off
bump up
carry on
check in
get off
get on
go through
set off
sit back
take off
List B
activate
board the plane
disembark from the plane
have your luggage put into the hold
make yourself comfortable in your seat
pass through
take onto the aeroplane
when the plane leaves the runway
when you are taken off the flight because there are too many passengers
when you get moved up a class on the flight
Plenty of things can go wrong at the airport. Review useful vocabulary for airports by linking the problem in List A with what happens next in List B.
List A
Due to security alerts, the checks have become more thorough.
The airport is extremely busy at this time of year.
The baggage handlers are on strike.
The incoming flight was delayed.
You arrive late at the airport.
You didn't check in online for your Ryanair flight.
You left your belongings unattended.
You set off the security alarm as you passed through the machine.
Your bag is too heavy
Your hand luggage showed something suspicious.
List B
Allow extra time to go through security.
As a consequence, your outgoing flight is delayed.
Expect to be frisked and searched.
Go to the excess baggage check-in and pay an extra fee.
Now you'll be asked to open your hand luggage.
The check-in desk may have closed, and you may have missed your flight.
You can expect delays for your baggage to arrive on the carousel.
You need to contact a member of staff / security.
You will have to pay a €40 penalty.
Your plane may have to wait longer on the tarmac before it gets clearance to take off.
Are you planning to go on holiday this summer? Will you go to a place where you'll need to speak English? Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for new blog posts on using English when you're on holiday. From holiday plans to solving holiday problems – check out the useful vocabulary and phrases.
The first in the "fit for summer" series is a new page on talking about your holiday plans in English.
There's also a page of useful vocabulary to talk about different types of holiday.
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