For most people there is no problem in deciding how they are going to spend the money they earn - it all goes on housing, food, clothess, transport and, if they are lucky, leisure and some holidays. Many of us have spent our lives without doing anything out of the ordinary and now I have got a marvellous opportunity of doing something exciting and I will. If I win the prize of 20,000 dollars, I will spend it in the world round trip.
To travel round the world has long been my dream and with this sum of money behind me this dream is likely to be realized. I am going to take a trip round the world. I am going to do a lot of sight seeing. I am goung to put up at expensive hotels and spend much money on entertaiment and other exciting things.
My travel experience would begin in New York, known as one of the world's most modern cities because of its high buildings and its dynamic spirit. From New York I would cross the Atlantic Ocean to England. In London I would explore the British Museum and visit the shops and pubs along King's Road in Chelsea. My next stop would be Amsterdam, an attractive city because of its steep narrow houses and canals lined with trees. Flying on to Coppenhagen I would eat Danish open-faced sandwiches and be entertainde at night clubs in Tivoli Gardens. Having seen enough cities by this time I would head South to the Italian Riviera. Portofino, a handsome fishing village resembling an opera setting, is one of the most charming vacations sports in Europe. Of course, a serious traveller could not leave Italy without visiting Florence, Venice, Naples and Rome, for all these cities are living museums. Continuing South, I would trace the beginning of Western civilization. I would make stops in Athens and Cario. Certainly a chance to see the pyramids should not be missed. Next, I would fly east to visit the shimmering island of Ceylon. Here, the traveller finds many precious gems for sale, but the brightest jewel of all is Ceylon itself. Leaving this island I would travel to Bangkok, an Oriental city of many charms. Then, like mane other travellers, I would be drawn to Hong Kong, the shopper's paradise.
Leaving Asia, I would load my over stuffed suitcase on a plane bound for Acapulco. In this Mexican resort, I would swim, sunbathes and eat spicy foods.
At this time it would be necessary to count my remaining travellers checks.
If a tour of Latin America were still possible, I would want to stop in Peru, Argentina, Brazil. But by that time mu funds would probably have run low. So, where would my round the would trip end? For me there is only one answer: Moscow, the city I will never tire of calling home.
My First Journey
For some people there is nothing so exciting as traveling, and I’m not an exception. And I’m happy that I have traveled a lot and I hope that my first journey wasn’t the last one.
First I bought a ticket for plane. Many people think, that nothing can be compared with traveling by air, because it is the most comfortable, and, of course, the quickest way of moving. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway or car journey, none of the trouble of changing from train of another to streamer and then to another train. But booking tickets in summer is a problem. The air-fare is quite expensive and not all people can afford it.
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Then I continued my way by the train. This kind of transport has also many advantages. With a train you have a comfort and speed combined. From a comfortable corner seat of a railway carriage you have a splendid view of a countryside. If you are hungry you can have a meal in the dinning-car and if the journey is long one can have a bed in a sleeper.
But I believe that there is no travel so fine as by ship. It’s wonderful to feel the deck of the ship under the feet, to see the rise and fall of the waves, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in the face, hear the cry of the sea-gulls. Of course, the voyage isn’t exciting for those who are sea-sick when the sea is a little bit rough.
Many people say: “Give me a walking tour any time”. And it is not surprising. The walker leaves the dull, broad highway and goes along little winding lanes where cars can’t go. He takes mountain paths through the heather, he wonders by the side of quiet lakes and through the shades of woods.
He sees the real country, the wild flowers, the young birds in their nests, the deer in the forest, he feels the quietness and calm of nature. And besides, you are saving a lot of money by traveling on foot. No one can deny that walking is the cheapest method of traveling.
Saint Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a city of magic beauty, a city of white night, broad straight avenues, green parks, countless bridges and canals. The greatest architects of the 18-th and 19-th centuries created magnificent ensembles in our city. St.Petersburg reminds some visitors of Rome others of Paris, Vienna or Amsterdam. But really there is no city in the world like St. Petersburg It s bridges, canals, granite embankments, railings, museums make our city one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
If you come to the Neva embankment you will certainly see St.Peter and Paul Fortress, Which is considered to be the birthplace of the city. The city started from the small Zayachy Island. It attracted Peter'sattention because of its strategies position. It was here that on the 27th of May 1703 Peter the First laid the foundation of the Fortress. The Fortress has six bastions connecting with straight walls but this fortress has never play a military role. Even in Peter'stime it was used as a political prison. And among its first prisoners was Peter'sown son Alexey who plotted against his father. For this reason Alexey was sentenced to death. But on the eve of the execution he was found dead in his own cell. Many famous people were prisoners in St.Peter's And Paul Fortress, among them- Dostoyevsky, Chernyshevsky, Corky. In 1924 the Fortress was turned into museum. The cathedral inside the Fortress has also been turned into museum. The cathedral was built by the architect Domenico Trezini between 1712-1733. The Cathedral is 122,5m high. The spire is 40m high. It is crowned with a cross. The wings of the angel spread about 40m high. It is crowned with a weathercock in the form of an angel with a cross. The wings of the angel spread about 4m. Inside the cathedral you can see a beautiful icon stand designed by Ivan Zarubny. After the death of Peter the Great, the cathedral became the pantheon for the royal family. 42 members of Romanoff s family including 11 ruling tzars are buried there.
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Another place, which is certainly worth seeing, is St.Isaak s cathedral. It took 40 years to build this cathedral. It is 101,5 m high. It is the third highest cupola cathedral in the world. The first is the St.Peter'scathedral in the world. The first is the St.Peter'scathedral in Rome and second is St.Pauls in London. The total area of the interior of the cathedral is 4000 sq m. The cathedral was named after St.Isaaks because Peter'sbirthday coincided the day of monk of Dalmatia who was canonized. The first church of St.Isaak was built on Peter'sorder soon after St.Petersburg was founded. It was a small wooden building, which was destroyed soon, and then a stone building was erected. It was built close to the river and because of the weak ground it began to sink. Then finally it was destroyed by the fire. Then it was decided to build a new church of St.Isaak father from the Neva. It was built by architect Rinaldy. But it was not impressive enough to be a main church of the capital. So a competition was announed and the French architect Monferran won it.
In St. Petersburg there are а lot of places то enjoy. Among them the Kazan Cathedral, Nevsky Avanue, the Summer Garden, the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, Palace Square, the Trimpluar Arch, the Alexander Column, the Academy of Arts, the Smolny Convent, the Trinity Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Decembrist s Square the Bronze Horseman, the Field of Mars, the Church of Savior on the Spilt Blood, Alexander Pushkin Museum- Flat, the Spit of Vasiliyevsky Island, the Rostral Columns. Alexander Pushkin loved our city very much and wrote many beautiful poems, devoted them to St. Petersburg One of then I d like to recite. I love you, citadel of Peter s I love your elegant austerity of line, Your broad Neva, whose gracious waters Mid- granite- clad embankment shine. I love your traceries iron of gate and railing, The moonless brilliance of the light That sheds a beauty never paling Upon your meditative night. When, neither lamp or candle hiding I sit composing verse or reading, And slumbering mansions towering high, Stand clear against the lucid sky.
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If a foreigner comes to St. Petersburg, he can't miss the Hermitage. It s a brilliant place. Nowhere in the world, you can find a place like the Hermitage. The Hermitage occupies several buildings, which are all connected. The largest of them is the Winter Palace. It was designed by the architect Rostrelly for the Russian empress Elizabeth and it was completed in 1762. Elizabeth died in 1762. So the first Russian empress who lived here was Cathrin the Second. Up to revolution it was the winter residence of Russian tzars. Next to the Winter Palace is the Little Hermitage. It was designed by the architect Vallen de la Monthe. It was built on Catherine s the Second order to house her collection of pictures. At first it was her private. Very few people could see this collection, hence the name The Hermitage which means an isolated place. Next to the Little Hermitage is the old Hermitage, designed by Yuri Felton and it was specially built to house the growing collection. The light-green and white buildings is the Hermitage. Theatre which was erected by Jiacomo Quarengi. It is the former court theatre and now it is the Lecture Hall. On the outside of the old Hermitage, facing Millionnaya street there is the New Hermitage. It was a model museum building for that time.
I believe every citizen has his favorite place in St. Petersburg I also have my favorite place. It is the Summer Garden. I like walking there and wanting to tell you something about history of the Summer Garden. It is the oldest in the city, it was laid out in 1704 Peter the Great planted its first trees himself. There are a lot of trees, flowers and sculptures and there is one of the oldest building in St. Petersburg It is The Palace of Peter the Great designed by the architect Domenico Trezini. It is more like a small house than a palace. In 1874 the famous railing was erected along the Neva Side. It was designed by the architect Yuri Felton. It was told that a 19-th centuries English lord, a patron of arts stopped in his boat in the Neva by the Summer Garden. He admired the black-and-golden railing (grille) and then set sail for England without going ashore. When asked the reason for this action the lord replied that the goal of this voyage had been achieved and nothing could surprise him more then the railing. But of my mind in St. Petersburg there is more places, which is certainly worth seeing.
Useful phrases
Music shop – Музыкальный магазин
Can I help you? – Могу я Вам помочь?
Are you ready to order? – Вы готовы заказывать?
How much does it cost? – Сколько это стоит?
I’m afraid I’m not able to buy it – Боюсь (к сожалению), я не могу купить это
Expensive – дорогой
Discounts – скидки
I’m sorry, I’m afraid, not – Извините, боюсь, что нет
A special offer – специальное предложение
It will cost you – это будет стоить
Restaurant – ресторан
Welcome – добро пожаловать
Menu – меню
I’d like – я хочу, хотел бы
Could I offer – Могу я предложить
Beverages – напитки
I’d like…, please – Я бы хотел…, пожалуйста
Here is your order and your receipt – Вот Ваш заказ и Ваш чек
Bon appetite – приятного аппетита
Travel agency – турагентство
Alex is speaking – Алекс (говорит/ у телефона)
How can I help you? – Чем могу помочь?
I’d like to go – Я хочу поехать
Which resort would you like to visit? – Какой курорт Вы хотите посетить?
I think I’ll go to – Я думаю, (я поеду) в
4-star – 4-х звездный
Double room – Двухместный номер
Sea view – Вид на море
Type of board – Тип питания
Do you prefer? – Вы предпочитаете?
Half-board – Полупансион
Extra service – Дополнительные услуги
Excursions – экскурсии
Rest – отдых, отдыхать
Sea beach – морское побережье, пляж
I can recommend – могу порекомендовать
Open swimming pool – открытый плавательный бассейн
You should come to our office – Вам нужно прийти в наш офис
Passport – паспорт
Agreement – договор
Pay – платить
Cost – стоимость
Trip – поездка
Total cost – общая стоимость
If something changes, don’t hesitate to call us and let us know –
если что-то изменится, позвоните нам и дайте знать
Confirm you trip – подтвердите Вашу поездку
Cancel it and get your money back according to our agreement –
отмените ее и Вы получите деньги обратно согласно нашего договора.
I’ll drop in – Я зайду (заскочу)
To book – Бронировать
In advance – заранее
There won’t be any places left – не останется мест
Is it suitable for you to come? – Вам удобно прийти?
A part-time payment – частичная оплата
See you tomorrow – До завтра
See you – До встречи