Decisions, decisions. Life is full of them. Decisions such as: where and when shall I travel? What do I really want to see and do on my holiday? Who do I want to go with? Make sure you can discuss some options with your friends and colleagues…
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(i) To debate some alternative options when planning a trip
(ii) How to talk about the benefits and disadvantages of certain ways of travel
Dialogue:
Two people are planning a sightseeing trip:
（在家看电视）
(zài jiā kàn diàn shì)
(watching TV at home)
A:咱们今天最好把这次行程定下来。
Zán men jīn tiān zuì hǎo bǎ zhè cì xíng chéng dìng xià lái.
It’s best for us to finalise the schedule today.
B:好。如果自由行的话，咱们时间上会比较充裕，景点儿的选择上也会比较自由。
Hǎo. Rú guǒ zì yóu xíng de huà, zán men shí jiān shàng huì bǐ jiào chōng yù, jǐng diǎn er de xuǎn zé shàng yě huì bǐ jiào zì yóu.
Okay. If we travel by ourselves, we will have plenty of time. Our choice of places to see is more flexible as well.
A:对。但要是找旅行社的话，我们会比较省心。
Duì. Dàn yào shì zhǎo lǚ xíng shè de huà, wǒ mén huì bǐ jiào shěng xīn.
Right. But if we find a travel agency, we have less to worry about.
B:是。如果你很想跟团，我觉得我们应该找个可靠的旅行社，参加纯玩儿无购物的团。
Shì. Rú guǒ nǐ hěn xiǎng gēn tuán, wǒ jué de wǒ mén yīng gāi zhǎo gè kě kào de lǚ xíng shè, cān jiā chún wán er wú gòu wù de tuán.
Yes. If you really want a group tour, I think that we can find a trustworthy travel agency and join one of their sight-seeing only, no shopping, tour groups.
A:好我同意！
Hǎo wǒ tóng yì!
Yes, I agree.
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
咱么最好：we’d better
把……定下来：finalise
行程：schedule
如果……的话：if
自由行：self-planned and funded trip
自由：free
行：travel
充裕：ample/abundant
时间上：regarding/in terms of time
景点：sight
旅行社：travel agency
自由：flexible
省心：have nothing to worry about
跟团：join a group tour
可靠：reliable
参加：join
纯玩无购物的团：a type of tour group that offers 100% sightseeing and has no shopping destinations, literally means pure play non-shopping group
同意：agree