- How can travel broaden our mind?
What impact does tourism have on an area?
Eva: Hey, Mark! How are you doing?
Mark: Hi, Eva! I’m doing great, thank you. Just got back from my trip to the Scottish Highlands. It was utterly brilliant!
Eva: Oh, that sounds pretty (1)_______________ (AMAZE)! I’ve always fancied a visit to Scotland. What was it like?
Mark: It was absolutely (2)________________ (BREATH)! I decided to go off the (3)____________ (BEAT) track and explore some of the more (4)___________________ (SECLUDE) areas. The landscapes were so (5)_______________ (SPOIL) and (6)______________(PICTURE), (7)___________ (LIKE) anything I’ve ever seen before.
Eva: Blimey, that sounds like a proper adventure. I’m fed up with touristy spots; they can be so (8)_________________ (CROWD) and (9)_____________ (SOUL).
Mark: Spot on! That’s why I opted for more remote locations. It really allowed me to connect with nature and (10)___________ (CHARGE) my batteries.
Eva: I totally get that. I recently went on a trip to Italy, and while places like Rome and Venice were (11)__________________ (STUN), they were also (12)_______________ (CHOCK) with tourists, which was somewhat (13)______________________ (OVERWHELM).
Mark: I can imagine. It’s a shame when beautiful places become (14)_____________ (RUN) with visitors and lose their charm. Did you manage to find any (15)_______________ (HIDE) gems while you were there?
Eva: Fortunately, yes! I stumbled upon this quaint little village (16)_______________ (NESTLE) in the Tuscan countryside. It was so charming and authentic, in contrast to the more spoilt areas.
Mark: That sounds lovely. It’s those (17)_________________ (FREQUENT) spots that often leave the biggest impression on us, don’t you think?
Eva: Absolutely! They offer a glimpse into the true essence of a place, away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism.
Mark: Couldn’t agree more. So, do you reckon travel has the power to (18)______________ (BROAD) our minds and (19)__________________ (RICH) our lives?
Eva: Definitely. Experiencing different cultures and environments opens our eyes to new perspectives and ways of life. It’s like a journey of self-discovery.
Mark: I couldn’t have put it better myself. Travelling allows us to break out of our comfort zones and embrace new experiences, (20)____________________ (ULTIMATE) shaping who we are as individuals.
Eva: Exactly. And I think it’s important for us to be (21)________________ (MIND) travellers, respecting the places we visit and their communities.
Mark: I think we're on the same page here. Sustainable and responsible tourism is key to preserving the beauty and (22)____________________ (AUTHENTIC) of destinations for generations to come.
Eva: You took the words right out of my mouth, Mark. It’s been great discussing this with you. Thanks for sharing your (23)________________ (SIGHT)!
Mark: (24)________________ (LIKE), Eva! It’s always a pleasure to (25)______________ (CHANGE) thoughts with someone who shares a passion for exploration and discovery
KEY
1. amazing
2. breathtaking
3. beaten
4. secluded
secluded/sɪˈkluːdɪd/ quiet and private.
E.g.
a secluded garden/beach/corner
We managed to find a secluded spot for our picnic
5. unspoilt
unspoilt: beautiful because it has not been changed or built on.
E.g.
unspoiled countryside
It’s a country of stunning landscapes and unspoiled beaches.
6. picturesque
7. unlike
8. overcrowded
9. soulless
soulless: not having any attractive or interesting qualities that make people feel happy. Depressing.
E.g.
They live in soulless concrete blocks.
A soulless city of grey concrete
10. recharge
11. stunning
12. chock-a-block
chock-a-block (with something/somebody) very full of things or people pressed close together.
E.g.
The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments.
It was chock-a-block in town today (= full of people)
13. overwhelming
overwhelming: very great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react. Having such a great effect on you that you feel confused and do not know how to react. Sp. abrumador.
E.g.
She found the city quite overwhelming when she first arrived.
The evidence against him was overwhelming.
The overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of the plan.
an overwhelming sense of loss
She had the almost overwhelming desire to tell him the truth.
You may find it somewhat overwhelming at first.
There was overwhelming support for our policies.
14. overrun
overrun: if a place is overrun by unwanted things or people, they spread over it in great numbers. Sp. infestar.
be overrun by/with something
E.g.
a tiny island overrun by tourists
The house was overrun with mice
15. hidden
16. nestled
nestle: + adv./prep. to be located in a position that is protected, sheltered or partly hidden. Sp. recogerse.
E.g.
The little town nestles snugly at the foot of the hill
17. unfrequented
unfrequented: not often visited by many people.
E.g.
an unfrequented spot
18. broaden
19. enrich
20. ultimately
ultimately: in the end; finally.
E.g.
A poor diet will ultimately lead to illness.
He is ultimately responsible for the actions of the rebels he leads.
Ultimately, you'll have to make the decision yourself.
21. mindful
mindful: remembering somebody/something and considering them or it when you do something
SYNONYM conscious. Sp. consciente.
E.g.
mindful of somebody/something
mindful of our responsibilities
Mindful of the danger of tropical storms, I decided not to go out.
mindful that…
She is mindful that the election result was very close last time.
22. authenticity
23. insights
insight: an understanding of what something is like. Knowledge and understanding. Sp. conocimiento.
E.g.
There are many valuable insights in her book.
His work offers several useful insights.
insight into something
The book gives us fascinating insights into life in Mexico.
I hope you have gained some insight into the difficulties we face
24. Likewise
25. exchange
