不少人都喜歡通過度假來放松身心。比起自行搜索、比價並分別預訂機票、酒店和目的地接送等其它服務，由旅行社或旅遊網站提供的打包預訂既方便又實惠。這種包價旅遊受到一些英國旅客的青睞。本期 “隨身英語” 討論這種度假方式的好處。
詞匯：holidays 假期
I’m sure most of us enjoy going on holiday. It’s a break from the routine and a chance to jet off somewhere with friends or family. This might involve sightseeing and soaking up local culture in a new destination, or it could be kicking back and lazing by a pool or on a beach. But, whatever we choose, the most convenient way to do it is on a package holiday.
This type of vacation combines the flight, accommodation, transfers and sometimes the services of a rep, all into one booking. They were traditionally sold by travel agents on the high street, but as a few big-brand names closed, many are now purchased on websites. Travel journalist Simon Calder explains that the benefits of a proper package holiday are that “by booking flights and accommodation in a single transaction from a tour operator, you transfer all the risk to the company.” This means it has to sort things out when things go wrong, and if the operator goes bust, you can get a refund.
This protection can give you peace of mind, but there are other benefits too. A package holiday can also be great value. A tour company can book airplane seats and hotel rooms in bulk which means that they can negotiate better discounts for its holidaymakers. There are often deals on food and drink too, with some companies offering all-inclusive packages – although, this can discourage someone from eating outside the hotel and sampling local cuisine and helping the local economy.
But with no-frills airlines offering cheap flights and websites offering cheap hotel accommodation, some of us have been tempted to be independent travellers or backpackers. While that might suit some, the package holiday offering has evolved, and, in the UK, for example, travel experts say the package holiday is growing in popularity, particularly among younger travellers. The Association of British Travel Agents told the AYYBLOG “there is a greater emphasis on personalisation, where holidaymakers can mix and match what they want to include instead of purchasing a pre-defined package.” The only problem is deciding where to go!
詞匯表
jet off 乘飛機旅行
sightseeing 觀光，遊覽
soak up 充分體驗
destination 目的地
kick back 放松
package holiday 包價旅遊（遊客從旅行社或旅遊網站處打包預訂機票、酒店和目的地接送等其它服務的旅遊方式）
vacation 假期，度假
accommodation 住宿
transfer （兩地之間交通工具的）轉乘
rep “representative” 的縮寫，代表
travel agent 旅行社，旅遊代理商
tour operator 旅行社，旅遊公司
go bust 倒閉，破產
peace of mind 安心，心裡踏實
in bulk 大量地，成批地
holidaymaker 度假者
all-inclusive （費用）全包的
no-frills 隻提供必需品的
independent traveller 獨立旅行者
backpacker 背包客
personalisation 個性化（安排）
mix and match 自行挑選組合
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. Name one of the benefits of a package holiday mentioned in the article.
2. If you buy a package holiday, what happens if the airline, hotel or travel operator goes out of business?
3. How can tour operators get discounts for its customers?
4. True or false? Going on an all-inclusive package holiday isn’t always good for the local economy.
5. Why might it be tempting to travel independently and not on a package holiday?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. It’s the weekend, so it’s time to _______ and relax!
kick up kick back kick start kicks up
2. I always buy travel insurance before I go on holiday to give me _______.
accommodation mix and match peace of mind personalisation
3. The boat trip offers _______ a chance to see the beautiful coastline and visit secluded beaches.
holidaymakers holidayers holidaymakings holidays
4. When I get the chance, I like to _______ to somewhere hot and lie on the beach.
soak up mix and match jet off bust
5. When I go on an _______ holiday, I always eat too much because of the unlimited food on offer!
no-frills all-inclusive in bulk tour operator
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. Name one of the benefits of a package holiday, mentioned in the article.
Package holidays are convenient, can be good value and offer some financial protection.
2. If you buy a package holiday, what happens if the airline, hotel or travel operator goes out of business?
Because of the financial protection the holiday offers, you get a refund.
3. How can tour operators get discounts for its customers?
Tour companies can book airplane seats and hotel rooms in bulk, which means they can negotiate better discounts for its holidaymakers.
4. True or false? Going on an all-inclusive package holiday isn’t always good for the local economy.
True. You may be tempted to always eat in the hotel and not sample local cuisine and spend money in the local economy.
5. Why might it be tempting to travel independently and not on a package holiday?
No frills airlines and price comparison websites can offer cheap prices and allow you to travel independently.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. It’s the weekend, so it’s time to kick back and relax!
2. I always buy travel insurance before I go on holiday to give me peace of mind.
3. The boat trip offers holidaymakers a chance to see the beautiful coastline and visit secluded beaches.
4. When I get the chance, I like to jet off to somewhere hot and lie on the beach.
5. When I go on an all-inclusive holiday, I always eat too much because of the unlimited food on offer!
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