© CNN Travel
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you traveled abroad? Please tell me more about it.
- Please describe the most beautiful place you have been to.
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- leisurely /LEE-zher-lee/
- perch /purch/
- fortune /FAWR-chuhn/
- lane /leyn/
- picture-perfect /PIK-cher-PUR-fikt/
[adverb] – used to describe an action that is done in a relaxed way, without hurrying
After lunch, we went on a leisurely walk in the park.
[verb] – to be in a high position or in a position near the edge of something
You can see the old castle perched on the hill from here.
[noun] – a large amount of money, goods, property, etc.
You can make a fortune out of these antiques.
[noun] – a narrow road in the countryside or in a town
Please stay on the pedestrian lane to avoid any accidents.
[adjective] – perfect in appearance
I was able to see the picture-perfect sunset from my hotel room.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
When we hear “Europe”, we immediately think of its grand cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. However, the continent is full of small wonders worth seeing. Let’s have a look at five of the most beautiful cities in Europe:
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Enjoy a leisurely boat trip across the moss-filled island in Giethoorn, the Dutch version of Venice. And if you get hungry, don’t worry: the Hollands-Veneti restaurant will fill your stomach with its Michelin-starred menu.
Guimarães, Portugal
This “sleepy town” was once the capital of Portugal. Convents, large medieval palaces, and a ruined castle perched on a mountaintop exist in this sheltered city of historical importance.
Roscoff, France
This small but lovely port town in France’s Brittany region built its fortune through marine trade, including shipments of its famous pink onions to the UK. It’s also a thalassotherapy center, which treats medical ailments with seawater.
Anghiari, Italy
Anghiari is a maze of alleyways and up-and-down lanes located on the hillside near the Tuscan-Umbrian border. You may wonder who built the gigantic palaces in this network of streets. They are none other than the “men of arms” who resided here throughout the Renaissance.
Reine, Norway
If you’re looking for a secluded waterside village, then Reine is perfect for you. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the Lofoten archipelago, with a breathtaking view of the islands and picture-perfect surroundings.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Enjoy a leisurely boat trip across the moss-filled island in Giethoorn, the Dutch version of Venice. And if you get hungry, don’t worry: the Hollands-Veneti restaurant will fill your stomach with its Michelin-starred menu.
Guimarães, Portugal
This “sleepy town” was once the capital of Portugal. Convents, large medieval palaces, and a ruined castle perched on a mountaintop exist in this sheltered city of historical importance.
Roscoff, France
This small but lovely port town in France’s Brittany region built its fortune through marine trade, including shipments of its famous pink onions to the UK. It’s also a thalassotherapy center, which treats medical ailments with seawater.
Anghiari, Italy
Anghiari is a maze of alleyways and up-and-down lanes located on the hillside near the Tuscan-Umbrian border. You may wonder who built the gigantic palaces in this network of streets. They are none other than the “men of arms” who resided here throughout the Renaissance.
Reine, Norway
If you’re looking for a secluded waterside village, then Reine is perfect for you. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the Lofoten archipelago, with a breathtaking view of the islands and picture-perfect surroundings.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Which city is known as the Dutch version of Venice?
- What was once the capital city of Portugal?
- How did the port town of Roscoff build its fortune?
- Who built the palaces in Anghiari?
- Where is Reine located?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What places do you like visiting?
- Based on your experience, what are the best and worst things about traveling?
- If you were a tour guide, what place in your country would you recommend and why?
- For you, are small cities better tourist destinations than grand ones?
- Which among the five places listed in the article would you like to visit and why?