Travelling by air and by train

It is very interesting to travel. You can see other countries, continents; you get acquainted with other people, their traditions and customs. You can travel by car, by train, by air, by sea. If you like to see the nature, enjoy the process of travelling and have a route it will be easier if you travel by car. Travelling by train is usually chosen by people who have enough time to get from one place to another. Travelling by air usually preferred by people who haven’t got much time and want to get to another city, country or continent as quickly as possible. Nowadays there are a lot of businessmen who have to communicate with people from other countries. Every day they must sign a lot of contracts. Sometimes they have to sign several contracts within one day, for example in France and in Spain. And if there are no planes it will be impossible. Each of us has a lot of relatives and friends. Some of them live in other countries. For example you live in Russia, Moscow and you have some relatives in France or in Britain. You certainly can get to GB by train or by sea but it will take you a lot of time. It would be easier if you choose a plane. Imagine that something has happened to your friends and you are needed immediately. The plane will help you in such a case.

Nowadays we try to use fast means of travelling such as a modern high-speed railways and planes. As for trains there are railway stations, for planes there are airports. In every airport there are some formalities without which you cannot come or leave the country. First it is Customs. Every country has it’s regulations. Then you are given luggage tags and boarding passes. The last is the Passport control. When you decide to travel by air you can buy first and economy class tickets. “First” class is more comfortable than “economy” and it is always more expensive. In spite of first class tickets being very expensive they have some advantages over economy. At first it’s more comfortable seats. The dinner is much better then in economy class, and if you have bought a first class ticket you can have 30 kg luggage free of charge. Also you have a private emergency exit for the first class passages only. You have one more advantage: you can take any drinks free. Although flying by plane is very fast it has some inconveniences. It is difference between the time you are accustomed to and the new time. At first you won’t be very well because of it, but don’t worry – it won’t take you long to get used to it. On the whole to travel by planes is pleasant and convenient

AT THE CUSTOMS-HOUSE

The moment a traveller crosses the border his luggage is taken to the customs-house by porters. Every country has its own customs regulations, which stipulate what articles are liable to duty and what are duty-free. Sometimes an article which falls under customs restrictions and is liable to duty is allowed in duty-free if the traveller does not exceed a certain fixed quota. These are listed in a duty-free quota list. Customs restrictions also include a prohibited articles list. This is a list of items which may not be brought into a country or taken out of it. An official paper (from the proper authorities) giving permission to take items, which fall under special customs restrictions, in or out of a country is known as an import or export licence.

If the traveller has any item which comes under customs restrictions he is asked to declare it. That is, he is asked to name the item, stating its value and other particulars. The declaration is made either orally or in writing on a special form. The practice seems to vary in different countries. Upon payment of duty the traveller is given a receipt. A£a rule personal effects are duty-free.

It sometimes happens that a passenger's luggage is carefully gone through in order to prevent smuggling.

The formalities^ the customs^house usually take some time. Only after passing through the customs(Only when one's luggage has been cleared by the customs) does one realize that the journey is drawing to an end(or beginning, as the case might be).

HOTEL

Nowadays people travel on business and as tourists much more than in the past. Accommodations as well as rates vary from hotel to hotel There are deluxe hotels, the most luxurious and more expensive. There are resort hotels used for entertain­ment or recreation. There are also a lot of motels which grew with the development of highways in America. They provide accommodation with parking space near the guests' rooms. There are hotel chains, consisting of several hotels controlled by one company having its own trademark, or logo.

Most hotels offer single and double rooms, for one and two people respectively. Of course rollaways (collapsible beds on rollers) can be placed in a room for other family members. If a guest requires more than one room, some hotels have fine suites consisting of several rooms.

In the lobby there is a registration, or front desk where guests check in and check out, pick up and deposit keys, and so on. The check-in procedure takes a few minutes. The guest is given a registration card to fill out: the name and address, the passport number for foreign nationals. The desk clerk, or re­ceptionist, enters the guest's room number, the room rate, and the arrival and departure dates into the computer.

When the formalities are over, the bellman shows the guest to their rooms and assists them with their baggage. He shows them where the light switches are and explains the use of the room appliances, such as the television set, cooking facilities, if any, and the air conditioning. He can also run errands for you. For each service rendered the bell-man will expect a tip.

Service is supposed to begin at the door. So another em­ployee who is important during the reception procedure is the doorman. He is stationed at the entrance to the hotel and assists the guests in and out of taxis and cars, calls for cabs, etc. Very often guests will ask him for directions to restaurants, night­clubs, cafes, shops, or other hotels.

If any information is required, it can be received at the ho­tel's information desk which is supervised by 9. concierge. Con­cierges are always ready to help the guests. They can make res­ervations for theatres or flights, arrange sightseeing tours, mail letters and, in general, provide all kinds of useful information.

A hotel bill can be paid in several ways. Besides cash, credit cards are universally accepted. In fact, many hotels require their guests to produce a credit card when registering. Other­wise, a cash deposit is required. The guests may also pay with traveler's checks when checking out.

Hospitality is of great importance for a hotel. Hospitality is not an abstraction - it is a clean room, a comfortable bed, a hot shower, a good meal, a courteous doorman and - last but not least - a good profit!

RESTAURANTS

There are two main types of restaurants in the U.S.: fast-food and ftill-service restaurants. Fast-food restaurants are called so because little time passes between the time a patron orders a meal and the time he receives it. The style of fast-food restaurants is much like that of a cafeteria. In a fast-food restaurant, patrons go up to a counter to order their meal. It is then placed on a plastic tray which patrons bring to a table. Fast food tends to be mass-produced. Items such as hamburgers, hot chicken sandwiches, pizza, and salads are typical of fast-food fare. Eating in a fast-food style restaurant is also much less expensive than eating in a full-service restaurant. A typical dinner in a fast-food restaurant costs from $ 3,00 to $ 6.00. It is expected that patrons will finish eating arid¹ leave the fast-food restaurant within 30 to 45 minutes. In full-service restaurants, patrons are seated at tables and a waiter conies to take the patrons' orders. Food is then brought to the patrons by the waiter. Dinner at full-service restaurants can vary from $ 10.00 in a less expensive restaurant to $ 50.00 in a very expensive restaurant. It is expected that patrons will finish eating and leave full-service restaurant within an hour or an hour and a half. Usually patrons give the staff at full-service restaurants a tip of 15 % of the bill. It is not customary to tip in fast-food restaurants.

At breakfast coffee shops are popular, reasonably priced restaurants are popular for breakfast, lunch, dinner and just a snack.

Lunch is usually served between noon and 2:00 p.m. Sandwiches are a very popular quick lunch in both the U.S. and Canada.

Fast-food restaurants are popular in the United States for quick, inexpensive meals or snacks. You order your food and take it to a table yourself. If you order your food "to go", you take it out of the restaurant. Tipping is not necessary in this kind of restaurants.

Dinner time varies somewhat in the U.S. In small towns it may be as early as 5:00 p.m., while in large cities it may be as late as 9:00 p.m. It's best to call for a reservation in expensive or well-known restaurants.

Dinner, being often the most substantial meal of the day, usually includes a main course of meat, poultry or fish, accompanied by side disches such as soup, salad and vegetables. Lunch in the U.S. tends to be a lighter meal (often a sandwich, yoghurt, or a light entree). Breakfast meals can vary from cereal and milk to eggs and pancakes or French toast. Brunch, a common Sunday meal, served between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., is really a combination of traditional "breakfast" and "lunch" dishes.

Cocktail parties are popular for both business and social functions. They may be casual or formal and are often held between 6:00 and 8:00 in the evening. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres or snacks are usually served.

You'll find restaurants for every situation in the U.S. If you're in a hurry, you may just want to grab some "junk food" at a grocery store or a candy counter, or you can get a bite to eat at one of the many fast-food chains, like McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or Taco Time. Or you can get a sandwich "to stay" or "to go" from a sandwich shop or deli. Some of these places have tables, but many don't. People eat in their cars or take their food home, to their offices or to parks. If you prefer siting down but still don't want to spend time, you can try a cafeteria. At all of these places, you sit down, and you don't have to tip anybody—but you usually have to clear the table you finish!

Coffee shops are less expensive and less dressy than fine restaurants. So are pizza places, pancake houses, sandwich shops and family restaurants. But the name of a restaurant won't necessarily tell you much about the kind of place or the food it serves.

Like most fast-food restaurants and cafeterias, many restaurants don't serve alcoholic beverages. This is often because they want people to feel comfortable bringing their children. Minors can eat at restaurants that serve beer and wine, but they are not allowed to enter pubs, taverns, cocktail lounges or bars, You may be asked to show some ID that prove your age before you go into a bar.

If you stay at a hotel, rates at hotels, especially in resort areas, are sometimes quoted with or without meals. Under the European plan, meals, if available, are extra. Under the American plan, the price includes both meals and lodging, and guests take those meals in the hotel dining room. A modified American plan consists of lodging and two meals (usually breakfast and dinner in the evening).

Amtrak is the major national train company in the U.S. It serves many cities, towns and rural areas throughout the continental U.S. If you are planning travel on your own, you may call Amtrak for information about train service and rates.

All passengers should be at the station at least 30 minutes prior to boarding (if you need to purchase a ticket, you should allow at least an additional 30 minutes). There are announce­ment boards in the station which advise passengers to which track the train they wish to board will arrive. Train arrivals may also be announced on a loud speaker. As you board the train, you will choose between smoking and non-smoking cars. After the passengers are seated, the conductor of the train will begin to collect tickets. The^conductor will take your ticket and place a seat marker (with your destination written on it) above your seat. You should take this with you any time you get up from your seat. If yofu have a round-trip ticket, the conductor will rip out the appropriate portion of the ticket and give the xtfher.por­tion to you, as wellas place a seat marker above your seat. Just before you arrive at your destination, the seat marker will be removed by the conductor. If you have a porter carry your lug­gage, it is appropriate to give him/her a tip.

At a Hotel

The Grand Hotel "Europe"

Welcome to the Grand Hotel Europe — one of the world's truly "Grand Hotels". Located in the very heart of St. Petersburg's historic central shopping and business district, the Hotel combines all the charm of a bygone age with deluxe modern facilities, and the highest international standards of service.

We are delighted to offer you the very finest in Russian hospitality. From the moment you arrive, we promise to envelop you in our time-honoured traditions of gracious Russian luxury. With a history that dates back to the 1820's the Grand Hotel Europe has played a central role in the City of St Petersburg since the time of the Tsars. Great care was taken in the renovation of the Hotel, completed in 1991.

The Hotel's fully equipped Business Centre and support facilities and services, make it an ideal base from which to do business in St Petersburg. The Grand Hotel Europe can provide youwith secretarial assistance, interpreters, translators, a private meeting room extemporary office. International communications including postal and courier service are all available through the Hotel. Our Concierge will be happy to arrange transportation, make onward travel .arrangements, reconfirm airline tickets and advise on restaurants for corporate entertainment.

Our private function rooms are ideal for important meetings, discreet negotiations, presentations, seminars and training sessions. Our Banqueting _y Department will be happy to assist you with all arrangements including the supply of audio-visual aids and simultaneous translation equipment.

Throughout its history, the Grand Hotel Europe has been the venue for many grand occasions. Today our Banqueting team upholds this fine tradition. Whether it is for a small private dinner, a conference, product launch Qr an elaborate dinner dance, they are on hand to provide the careful organisation, considered advice and the attention to detail essential 4o a successful event.

Organisti& have a choice of the elegance of the Krysha Ballroom with its glass roof to let in the spectacular summer spell of the White Nights, the cosy warmth of the Billiard Room, the traditional charm of the Lidvall Room and Caviar Bar or the light and airy meeting rooms in the Conference Centre. In addition, the Grand Hotel Europe can also organise and cater special events at the many palaces and other historic venues in St Petersburg and the surrounding countryside.

Variety and quality are in the heart of the Hotel's dining options. Restaurant Europe offers the finest in modern Russian and international gourmet cuisine amid breath-taking turn of the century decor. The Brasserie is an informal Bistro-style restaurant, while SADKO's is the place to meet in St Petersburg. This American style bar/restaurant also features nightly performances by live local bands. For a spicy alternative try Chopstiks, the Hotel's authentic Chinese restaurant. Enjoy a leisurely traditional Afternoon Tea on The Mezzanine or unwind before dinner over a quiet drink in The Lobby Bar.

The Grand Hotel Europe has played host throughout its lifetime to the great names of Russian history and to celebrities from over the world. A favourite haunt of Tchaikovsky, Anna Pavlova and Maxim Gorky, the hotel continues to this day, to attract the rich, famous and talented from around the globe.

As the City of St Petersburg reawakens to its vibrant history and its tradition as one of the cultural centres of Europe, the Grand Hotel Europe will help you discover a unique blend of the City's new-found vitality and its natural warmth, while guaranteeing the very standards of hospitality and service.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Hotel and to our beautiful City.

MAKING A COMPLAINT

Read the letter and answer the questions below.

23 CHICHESTER DRIVE TAN6MERE

chichester

West Sussex -

P02G6FA

0973 616421

THE GENERAL MANA6ER TOWER HOTEL FO 0 BOX 53

SF-535G1 LAFPEENRANTA FINLAND

Dear Sir,

The Beefeater Restaurant is very poor and I feel very damaging to the hotel in general. On our first visit, the service was slow, the atmosphere fair and the food fair We would not have gone back however had it not been for the fact that the restaurant Tower was closed on Sunday evening. However what happened on Sunday evening (29th March 1998) was unbelievable.The restaurant was not busy. The service was nan existent. After a wait of 15 minutes with nothing except the bread, the wine and water we had ordered arrived. The wine was poured and taken away, the order was taken. We were unable to attract any attention to get more wine poured, one waiter looked straight through us, and when my companion waved his napkin in total frustration to get some service, we watched as the staff ridiculed us by mimicking the action. Eventually we got some more wine poured, then they would not stop and every time we had a sip they refilled the glass. After nearly an hour the starter arrived. It would appear that it had been around awhile. The snails were inedible, not a hint of garlic, the other starter was dried out on the top. We walked out, and went straight to the front desk to register our complaint, and later that evening the manageress of the restaurant provided a half hearted apology. We went out to eat elsewhere.

Although we were quite happy to pay for the drink, we were somewhat amazed that the following day the front desk had no knowledge of our complaint and when I paid our account had charged us for the food.

I am sure that you will agree that this is a poor reflection on an otherwise excellent hotel, and wasted a lot of our valuable time.

Despite the problems encountered in the Beefeater restaurant and to a lesser degree at the front desk, we had an extremely enjoyable stay.

Theatre. Cinema.

By the way in which a man uses his leisure his character can be told -more surely in all probability than by the way he does his work. For most men work is necessity in order to gain a living. Vast numbers of men have not even been able to choose what work they would do, but have been forced by economic necessity to take the first job that came their way. But in their leisure time they do what they really want to do and their real selves are reflected in their actions.

Some people are completely passive during leisure hours [... ]. If such people go out they go to some place of entertainment where no effort is required by them, a cinema or a dancing hall, and if the latter, they do not dance but simply sit and watch others dancing.

A different type of person hurries home from work full of eagerness to begin on some scheme which he has been planning for his leisure time. Perhaps his hobby is carpentry or model engineering, or gardening-, or he might wish to write, or to study some subject in which he is interested. This is the creative type of character. For him, his leisure hours are full of promise and he can look back on them with satisfaction when he reviews what he has achieved in them.

Leisure should be refreshment; it should send a man out with fresh spirits to battle with the problems of life. Sometimes this freshness comes not from doing anything, but by filling one's mind with fresh springs of beauty. Many a man gets full value from his leisure by contemplating nature, listening to music, or reading noble books. By this sort of occupation he may not have made anything that he can show, but he has none the less recreated his own source of inspiration and made his own mind a richer and fuller treasure house. This is the true use of leisure.