You have to buy a visa at the airport

Work in groups of three. Each of you reads a different text. Do the True or False exercise for your text.

A Travelling to Kashmir.

Visas for India are necessary for travellers from all countries. Travellers have to have two photographs and go to an Indian embassy - not more than six months before the visit. With a visa, travellers can stay for six months in any year. In India, however, no special permission is necessary to visit Kashmir or the Ladakh region.

It is easy to exchange traveller's cheques anywhere in Indian cities. Away from the main cities, however, it can be more difficult, if not impossible. Tourists should take a good supply of the local currency with them.

B Travelling to Turkey.

It is not necessary for visitors from most countries to get a visa before going to Turkey. But they have to buy a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival. After 90 days, tourists have to leave the country for a few days at least. They can then re-enter and buy another tourist visa.

Tourists should get some local currency at the airport or entry port. These services are efficient and the exchange rates are good. Some large post offices (but not small ones) accept traveller's cheques. It is a good idea to travel with some cash for emergencies.

C Travelling to Japan

To enter Japan, visas are not required for tourists or business - visitors of many nationalities for stays of not more than 90 days. Travellers from some countries, for example Germany, Ireland, Mexico and the UK can stay up to six months without a visa, Travellers from some countries, for example Canada, France, Italy, Malaysia, Spain and the USA can stay up to three months. Visitors from Australia and South Africa cannot enter without a visa. Visas are free, but passport photos and return tickets are required.

Foreign currency or traveller's cheques can be exchanged at "Authorised Foreign Exchange Banks". It is usually safe to carry money in the from of cash.

1 True or False? Write T or F.

A. Travelling to Kashmir

1. Most travellers don't have to have a visa to enter India.

2. Travellers have to go to an Indian embassy to get a visa.

3. Tourists don't have to have any photos for their visa.

4. Travellers with Indian visas don't have to have special per- mission to visit Kashmir.

5. It's not a good idea to take any local currency.

B. Travelling to Turkey

1. Visitors from most countries have to get a visa before travelling to Turkey.

2. When you arrive in Turkey, you have to buy a visa.

3. Tourists with a visa have to leave after 30 days.

4. It's a good idea to get local currency when you arrive.

5. It isn't a good idea to travel with cash for emergencies.

Tell the others in your group about travelling to the country you read about. Have any these conditions changed, do you think?

2 You don't have to have a passport

What do people from other countries have to do before visiting your country? Complete the sentences to tell a partner what you know.

People from ................................. have to ................................. .

People from ................................. don't have to ........................ .

All visitors have to ........................... .

Are things changing? Is it getting easier to go from one country to another?

Read these sentences. With a partner rewrite the sentences you don't agree with.

A good tourist is someone who doesn't eat the local food.

A good tourist is someone who doesn't go to quiet places because it encourages tourism.

A good tourist is someone who spends a lot of money on souvenirs.

A good tourist is someone who tries to use a few words of the local language.

A good tourist is someone who collects bits of rock and flowers.

A bad tourist is someone who takes a lot photos of local people working.

A bad tourist is someone who respects the history and culture of the country they're visiting.

A bad tourist is someone who sits in the sun and doesn't go anywhere.

Which sentences are the most important? Discuss them with other learners.

Discover the North Pennines

The North Pennines, as the name suggests, are at the Northern tip of the Pennine Hills, the backbone of England. A spectacularly beautiful and undiscovered area, some of the wildest open landscape left in England.

Read through the passage below and inform your friend about this place.

Northumberland is a paradise for everyone who enjoys the open air. There are magnificent walks over hills, moors and dales, including a rugged stretch of the Pennine Way, and in summer you can bathe from miles of smooth sandy beaches. The streams and rivers of Northumberland provide some of the finest trout and salmon fishing in Britain, and there is excellent sport along the coast for sea anglers. With the sea or the moors for a background, you can play golf on superb courses, and there are good facilities for other sports and pastimes, including pony-trekking, sailing, gliding, tennis and bowls. Horse-racing, Association and Rugby football can be enjoyed in nearby Newcastle.

If you are thinking of a motoring holiday, there's no better place than Northumberland, where parking problems are few, and you can drive for miles without seeing another car. In fact there are several roads where you are more likely to surprise a pheasant or a hare than to pass another vehicle. Wherever you decide to stop you can always be sure of finding comfortable accommodation, a good meals, and a real warm-hearted Northumbrian welcome - Northumbrians have a reputation for being the most hospitable folk in Britain. There's plenty, of entertainment too, especially in the larger towns. National ballet and opera companies visit the region regularly, and there are first-class theatres in Newcastle...

FINDING THE WAY

a) How to ask someone the way:

b) How to say you are unable to give directions:

c) How to give directions:

d) How to give an idea of distance: