Travel and Tourism (AQA)
1. Key Vocabulary:
Vocabulary related to travel and tourism.
Lugares de interés (Places of interest)
Castillo (m) – Castle
Catedral (f) – Cathedral
Iglesia (f) – Church
Ruinas (f) – Ruins
Paisaje (m) – Landscape
Zona arqueológica (f) – Archaeological site
Río (m) – River
Isla (f) – Island
Medios de transporte (Transport)
Tren de alta velocidad (m) – High-speed train
Autobús turístico (m) – Tour bus
Coche de alquiler (m) – Rental car
Taxi (m) – Taxi
Moto (f) – Motorcycle
Transporte público (m) – Public transport
Coche eléctrico (m) – Electric car
Vuelo directo (m) – Direct flight
Alojamiento (Accommodation)
Pensión (f) – Bed and breakfast
Resort (m) – Resort
Albergue juvenil (m) – Youth hostel
Cabaña de madera (f) – Wooden cabin
Habitación individual/doble (f) – Single/double room
Apartamento turístico (m) – Holiday apartment
Actividades turísticas (Tourist Activities)
Escalada (f) – Rock climbing
Paseo en barco (m) – Boat ride
Avistamiento de aves (m) – Bird watching
Deportes acuáticos (m) – Water sports
Safari (m) – Safari
Parapente (m) – Paragliding
Esnórquel (m) – Snorkeling
Vocabulario sobre los problemas (Vocabulary about problems)
Robo (m) – Theft
Cancelación (f) – Cancellation
Viajero perdido (m) – Lost traveler
Accidente (m) – Accident
Pérdida de documentos (f) – Loss of documents
2. Grammar and Structures:
The Imperfect Tense Use the imperfect tense to talk about habitual actions or describe things that used to happen in the past.
Example: Cuando era niño, íbamos de vacaciones a la playa cada verano – When I was a child, we used to go to the beach every summer.
Past Perfect Tense Used for talking about what has already happened before another past action.
Example: Ya habíamos llegado cuando empezó a llover – We had already arrived when it started to rain.
Gerund (Present Continuous) for Ongoing Actions You can use the gerund form to describe what is happening at the moment of speaking.
Example: Estoy viajando por Europa – I am traveling around Europe.
Subjunctive for Expressing Wishes, Doubts, and Emotions The subjunctive can be tricky but is important when discussing feelings, recommendations, or hypothetical situations.
Example: Espero que el clima sea bueno durante nuestras vacaciones – I hope the weather will be good during our holiday.
Example: Es importante que los turistas respeten el medio ambiente – It’s important that tourists respect the environment.
Conditional Perfect The conditional perfect is used to express what would have happened if certain conditions had been met.
Example: Habría ido a la playa si no hubiera llovido – I would have gone to the beach if it hadn’t rained.
3. Topics to Cover:
Tourist Experiences
Be ready to describe a variety of experiences you have had during a holiday, such as:
Nature: Describe natural settings and what activities you enjoy doing there.
Example: Disfruto haciendo senderismo en las montañas porque me relaja mucho. – I enjoy hiking in the mountains because it relaxes me a lot.
City breaks: Compare holidays spent in the city versus those in rural areas.
Example: Prefiero las ciudades grandes como Madrid porque hay más cosas que hacer. – I prefer large cities like Madrid because there are more things to do.
Types of Holidays
Active Holidays vs Relaxing Holidays
Active holidays include hiking, skiing, and adventure sports.
Example: Me encanta el turismo de aventura, especialmente el esquí en los Pirineos. – I love adventure tourism, especially skiing in the Pyrenees.
Relaxing holidays are focused on unwinding and enjoying the beach, spa visits, or simply taking in nature.
Example: Este año quiero ir a la playa para relajarme y tomar el sol. – This year, I want to go to the beach to relax and sunbathe.
Planning and Booking Holidays
Talk about how you organize and book your holidays.
Booking a flight: Reservé el vuelo online para asegurarme de conseguir un buen precio. – I booked the flight online to make sure I got a good price.
Accommodation booking: Normalmente, reservo el alojamiento con antelación para evitar sorpresas. – I normally book accommodation in advance to avoid surprises.
Tourism and the Environment
Discuss the environmental impact of tourism, using the subjunctive and other tenses.
Example: Es necesario que los turistas no dejen basura en la playa para proteger el medio ambiente. – It’s necessary that tourists do not leave trash on the beach to protect the environment.
Example: El turismo masivo puede destruir los ecosistemas frágiles. – Mass tourism can destroy fragile ecosystems.
Health and Safety on Holidays
Talk about safety measures when traveling.
Example: Siempre compro un seguro de viaje por si ocurre algún accidente. – I always buy travel insurance in case of an accident.
Example: Es importante llevar protector solar para evitar quemaduras. – It’s important to wear sunscreen to avoid burns.
4. Practice Question Examples (Expanded):
¿Qué hiciste el año pasado durante las vacaciones? Talk about a past trip in detail. Focus on places visited, activities, and people.
Describe tus vacaciones ideales. What would your perfect holiday be like? Where would you go, who would you go with, and what would you do?
¿Qué piensas de las vacaciones en la naturaleza en comparación con las vacaciones en la ciudad? Compare rural holidays and city breaks, mentioning the pros and cons of each.
¿Qué harías para fomentar el turismo sostenible? Suggest ways to promote sustainable tourism. Use the subjunctive and conditional tenses.
¿Qué problemas de transporte has tenido alguna vez durante tus vacaciones? Talk about a transportation problem you have faced (e.g., delayed flights, lost luggage) and how you handled it.
¿Cómo prefieres viajar, en avión, tren, o coche? Explica por qué. Express your preference for traveling by airplane, train, or car, and justify your choice.
5. Cultural Insights (Expanded):
Popular Festivals and Events in Spanish-speaking Countries
La Feria de Abril (Sevilla): A spring fair in Seville, Spain, known for its flamenco dancing, bullfights, and local food.
Carnaval (Río de Janeiro, Brazil): While not a Spanish-speaking country, it's a culturally significant event in the region, known for its parades, samba music, and costumes.
Día de los Muertos (Mexico): A holiday to remember and honor deceased relatives, celebrated with altars, food, and festivities.
Famous Landmarks:
La Sagrada Familia (Barcelona): An unfinished church designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, representing one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks.
Machu Picchu (Peru): Ancient Incan city set high in the Andes mountains, popular with tourists for its historical significance and breathtaking views.
Traditional Foods from Tourist Locations:
Tacos (Mexico): A traditional Mexican dish with various fillings such as meat, beans, and cheese.
Paella (España): A famous rice dish originating from Valencia, typically made with seafood or chicken.
Empanadas (Argentina): Pastry pockets filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.