Cross-country Road Trips – B2 English Listening Exercise

9 privacy 10 historic building 11 cooking skills 12 travel blog

13 pine forest 14 cinema room 15 mountain biking

16 pancakes 17 receptionist 18 group discount

Leo: Hi everyone. My name is Leo, and I’m here today to talk about my recent backpacking trip across Europe. For a long time, I actually used to avoid youth hostels. I always assumed they’d be far too noisy for me, and I expected I’d really miss having my own space. But, when I finally gave them a try to save some money, I found that surprisingly, the lack of privacy wasn’t an issue at all. In fact, the communal atmosphere was the best part of the whole journey.

My trip started in a very busy capital city. I had pictured myself staying in a modern high-rise, which is typical for the area. However, my first hostel was actually located inside a historic building. It had these incredible stone arches and original wooden beams, which gave it so much character.

One of the things I loved most about hosteling was interacting with people from all over the world. I initially thought that exchanging travel tips would be the main way to connect with others. But actually, swapping cooking skills with other backpackers in the kitchen was how I made most of my friends. We would all pitch in and make these massive international dinners.

About halfway through my trip, I headed out to a much more rural area. I was looking for somewhere special to stay. I didn’t find out about my absolute favourite hostel from a traditional guidebook, but rather from a travel blog I read online a few weeks prior. The pictures looked amazing, so I booked a bed immediately.

This exceptional place was called The Lakeside. Given the name, you’d naturally think it would be right on the water’s edge. However, it was actually tucked away in a pine forest just a short walk from the shore. The scent of the trees was incredibly relaxing.

The facilities at this hostel were simply incredible and far exceeded my expectations. They didn’t have a swimming pool, which you might expect in that kind of sunny climate, but to my amazement, they boasted a fully equipped cinema room for rainy afternoons. It had huge, comfortable sofas and a massive projector screen.

Of course, I wanted to stay active during my time there. I had initially planned to go kayaking on the lake, which is a very popular activity. But, I ended up doing some mountain biking instead because the local trails were so highly recommended by the other guests. It was exhausting but totally worth it.

Food is always a big deal when you’re travelling on a strict budget. I honestly thought I’d be eating basic pasta every single night to save cash. But to my delight, every Sunday, the hostel owner made massive stacks of pancakes for everyone, completely free of charge! It was such a lovely gesture and brought everyone together.

What really made The Lakeside stand out, though, was the staff. The manager was lovely and always had a smile, but it was the receptionist who went out of her way to help me map out my hiking routes. She even lent me her own personal compass for the day.

I had such an unforgettable time that I’m already planning to return to The Lakeside next summer. I won’t be travelling solo next time, though. I’m taking my university friends so we can take advantage of a group discount they offer. I just know they’ll love it as much as I did.

9 magazine article 10 volcanic region 11 route planner 12 wooden cabins

13 waterproof jacket 14 stair climbing 15 strong winds

16 wild parrots 17 dried meals 18 hot springs

Sarah: Hi everyone. My name is Sarah, and I’m here to talk about an exciting adventure I’m currently planning. Last year, I had the trip of a lifetime exploring the South Island of New Zealand. Recently, my friends and I started discussing our next holiday together. Some of them were really keen on exploring the Australian outback. However, I’d recently been captivated by a magazine article about New Zealand’s North Island, and I managed to persuade them to join me on a trekking expedition there instead.

When it came to picking our exact route, we were initially drawn to a famous coastal path known for its sweeping ocean views. But after looking closely at the terrain, we decided it wasn’t quite demanding enough for us. Instead, we’ve opted to traverse a spectacular volcanic region right in the centre of the island, which promises some truly dramatic landscapes.

Organising a trip like this takes a lot of effort and coordination. We originally had six people interested, but two had to drop out due to work commitments. Because I have the most hiking experience out of the four of us, my friends assumed I would be the route planner for the expedition. I was happy to take on the role, leaving the others to organise our internal transport and budget.

Finding the right accommodation on the trail was another major decision. We briefly considered carrying our own tents to save a bit of money, but the thought of sleeping on the cold, damp ground wasn’t incredibly appealing to anyone. We eventually managed to book a series of wooden cabins that are dotted along the track. They are quite basic, but they’ll provide a solid roof over our heads at the end of a long day.

I’ve also been sorting out my personal gear. My old hiking boots are still in great condition, so I didn’t need to replace those. I was tempted to invest in a lighter, high-tech backpack, but realistically, my current one is absolutely fine. What I absolutely had to purchase was a high-quality waterproof jacket, as the weather over there can change in an instant, even in spring.

Physical preparation has been crucial for all of us. I usually rely on running to keep my general fitness levels up, and my friend Tom prefers cycling. However, because the North Island trails involve a huge amount of steep ascents, I’ve switched my routine entirely to stair climbing at the local gym. It’s exhausting work, but it’s undoubtedly the best way to build the right leg muscles.

We’re heading out in late November, which is late spring in New Zealand. We originally worried about encountering heavy snow at higher altitudes, but local guides have assured us that’s highly unlikely that late in the year. Instead, they warned us that strong winds are the primary hazard we need to be prepared for when we are exposed on the ridges.

I’m really looking forward to the wildlife, too. Obviously, everyone wants to spot the iconic kiwi bird in the wild, though they are nocturnal and extremely shy. While we’ll certainly keep our eyes peeled, we’ve been told we have a much better chance of observing some of the local wild parrots that inhabit the alpine forests.

As for provisions, carrying enough sustenance for a five-day trek is a real challenge. We initially thought about bringing lots of canned food because it’s so easy to prepare, but it’s simply too heavy to carry. We’ve compromised by bulk-buying a large supply of dried meals. All we need to do is add boiling water, which will save us a massive amount of weight in our packs.

Finally, we’ve planned a special treat for when we finish the trek. We considered spending our last two days lounging on the sandy beaches up north, but our tired muscles will probably need some serious recovery by then. So, we’ve booked a relaxing afternoon at some natural hot springs near the trail’s end. I honestly can’t wait to get out there!