Travel & Tourism vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
- 16 words
- Band 6 to 9
- Every word and sentence read aloud
Study all 16 words
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accommodation
/əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃn/nounB2
A place to stay, such as a hotel, hostel, or rented room.
A room ready for the night: accommodation is the place you stay.
- “We booked our accommodation months in advance.”
- “Budget accommodation is easy to find here.”
Similar: lodging, housing, board
A Band 6 word. Try it in a phrase: “find accommodation”.
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Travel & Tourism
16 words
Travel & Tourism
16 words
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16 words
Band 6accommodationəˌkɒməˈdeɪʃnnounA place to stay, such as a hotel, hostel, or rented room.
A room ready for the night: accommodation is the place you stay. A place to stay, such as a hotel, hostel, or rented room.
We booked our accommodation months in advance.
Budget accommodation is easy to find here.
Watch out
accomodationaccommodationTwo c's and two m's.
Goes with
Words that go with accommodation: book accommodation; budget accommodation; self-catering accommodation; find accommodation. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- lodginghousingboard
Word family
The accommodation family: accommodation (noun), accommodate (verb), accommodating (adjective). 
Band 6getawayˈɡetəweɪnounA short holiday or escape from everyday life.
A cabin far from the city: a getaway is a short escape from everyday life. A short holiday or escape from everyday life.
We booked a weekend getaway to the coast.
A quiet getaway was exactly what they needed.
Goes with
Words that go with getaway: weekend getaway; romantic getaway; quick getaway; a weekend getaway. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- breakholidayescape
Band 6sightseeingˈsaɪtsiːɪŋnounThe activity of visiting places of interest as a tourist.
A camera, a map and a landmark: sightseeing is visiting the famous places. The activity of visiting places of interest as a tourist.
We spent the morning sightseeing.
There's plenty of sightseeing to do in the old town.
Goes with
Words that go with sightseeing: go sightseeing; sightseeing tour; do some sightseeing; a sightseeing trip. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- touringexploring
Band 7breathtakingˈbreθteɪkɪŋadjectiveAstonishingly beautiful or impressive.
A view that makes you stop and stare: breathtaking means amazingly beautiful. Astonishingly beautiful or impressive.
The view from the summit was breathtaking.
We watched a breathtaking sunset.
Watch out
breath takingbreathtakingThe adjective is normally written as one word.
Goes with
Words that go with breathtaking: breathtaking views; breathtaking scenery; absolutely breathtaking. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- stunningspectacularawe-inspiring
- Opposite
- dullunremarkable
Word family
The breathtaking family: breathtaking (adjective), breathtakingly (adverb). 
Band 7broaden your horizonsˈbrɔːdn jɔː həˈraɪznzidiomTo increase the range of your knowledge, experience, or interests.
The view keeps widening: learning and travel broaden your horizons. To increase the range of your knowledge, experience, or interests.
Studying abroad really broadened my horizons.
Reading widely is a great way to broaden your horizons.
Watch out
broaden the horizonbroaden your horizonsThe established idiom normally uses plural 'horizons' and a possessive.
Goes with
Words that go with broaden your horizons: broaden your horizons; broaden your mind; broaden your horizons. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- expand your outlookwiden your experience
- Opposite
- narrow your outlook
Band 7excursionɪkˈskɜːʃnnounA short trip made for pleasure, usually returning the same day.
Packed for a day out and back: an excursion is a short trip for pleasure. A short trip made for pleasure, usually returning the same day.
We went on a day excursion to the islands.
The hotel arranges guided excursions.
Remember it
From Latin excurrere, “run out,” an excursion is a short trip out, usually returning the same day.
Goes with
Words that go with excursion: go on an excursion; guided excursion; day excursion; a day excursion. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- outingday tripjaunt
Band 7expeditionˌekspəˈdɪʃnnounAn organised journey undertaken for a specific purpose, such as exploration.
Kit packed for a serious journey: an expedition is an organised trip with a purpose. An organised journey undertaken for a specific purpose, such as exploration.
They joined an expedition to the Arctic.
The scientific expedition lasted six months.
Goes with
Words that go with expedition: mount an expedition; scientific expedition; join an expedition; set off on an expedition. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- journeyvoyagetrek
Band 7hospitalityˌhɒspɪˈtælətinounFriendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
Tea and biscuits waiting for guests: hospitality is a warm welcome, and the industry that gives it. Friendly and generous treatment of guests; also the industry that serves travellers.
We were touched by their warm hospitality.
She works in the hospitality industry.
Remember it
Hospitality comes from Latin hospes, meaning “host” or “guest,” linking it to welcoming visitors.
Goes with
Words that go with hospitality: warm hospitality; hospitality industry; show hospitality; extend hospitality to. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- welcomefriendlinessgenerosity
- Opposite
- hostilityinhospitality
Word family
The hospitality family: hospitality (noun), hospitable (adjective). 
Band 7itineraryaɪˈtɪnərərinounA planned route or schedule for a journey.
Pins and thread marking each stop: an itinerary is the planned route of a journey. A planned route or schedule for a journey.
Our itinerary includes three cities in five days.
She drew up a detailed itinerary for the trip.
Remember it
From Latin iter, “journey,” an itinerary is a planned route or schedule for travelling.
Goes with
Words that go with itinerary: detailed itinerary; travel itinerary; plan an itinerary; a packed itinerary. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- scheduletravel planroute
Band 7unwindˌʌnˈwaɪndverbTo relax after a period of work or tension.
A hammock at the end of the day: to unwind is to relax after work or stress. To relax after a period of work or tension.
A holiday is the perfect chance to unwind.
He unwinds by walking on the beach.
Watch out
unwindedunwoundThe past form is irregular.
Goes with
Words that go with unwind: unwind after work; a chance to unwind; unwind and relax. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- relaxde-stresswind down
- Opposite
- tense up
Band 8cosmopolitanˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtənadjectiveIncluding or influenced by people and cultures from many parts of the world.
The whole world on one street: a cosmopolitan city is full of different cultures. Including or influenced by people and cultures from many parts of the world.
London is a truly cosmopolitan city.
The area has a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Remember it
Cosmopolitan combines Greek kosmos, “world,” and politēs, “citizen”: a world-minded, culturally diverse person or place.
Goes with
Words that go with cosmopolitan: cosmopolitan city; cosmopolitan atmosphere; a cosmopolitan outlook. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- multiculturalinternationalworldly
- Opposite
- provincialinsular
Word family
The cosmopolitan family: cosmopolitan (adjective), cosmopolitanism (noun). 
Band 8immerseɪˈmɜːsverbTo involve yourself deeply in an activity or environment.
Right under the surface: to immerse yourself in something is to get deeply involved in it. To involve yourself deeply in an activity or environment.
Travelling lets you immerse yourself in a new culture.
She immersed herself in the local language.
Remember it
From Latin immergere, “plunge into,” immerse means become deeply involved, as if submerged in an experience.
Watch out
immerse yourself into a cultureimmerse yourself in a cultureImmerse takes 'in'.
Goes with
Words that go with immerse: immerse yourself in; fully immerse; immersive experience; immerse yourself in the culture. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- absorbengrosssteep
- Opposite
- detach
Word family
The immerse family: immerse (verb), immersion (noun), immersive (adjective). 
Band 8off the beaten trackɒf ðə ˌbiːtn ˈtrækidiomIn a place away from where people usually go; remote and unfamiliar.
Off the main road onto the small path: off the beaten track is somewhere few people go. In a place away from where people usually go; remote and unfamiliar.
We prefer destinations off the beaten track.
The village is well off the beaten track.
Remember it
Imagine leaving a well-used track: off the beaten track means away from usual tourist routes.
Goes with
Words that go with off the beaten track: get off the beaten track; off the beaten track. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- remotesecludedout of the way
- Opposite
- touristymainstream
Band 8picturesqueˌpɪktʃəˈreskadjectiveVisually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way.
Pretty as a painting: a picturesque place is charming to look at. Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way.
We stayed in a picturesque fishing village.
The route winds through picturesque countryside.
Goes with
Words that go with picturesque: picturesque village; picturesque scenery; picturesque setting; a picturesque landscape. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- sceniccharmingquaint
- Opposite
- unattractivedrab
Word family
The picturesque family: picturesque (adjective), picture (noun). 
Band 9pristineˈprɪstiːnadjectiveIn its original, unspoilt condition; spotlessly clean.
Not one footprint: pristine means in perfect, original condition. In its original, unspoilt condition; spotlessly clean.
The reserve protects a stretch of pristine coastline.
The rainforest remains largely pristine.
Remember it
Pristine comes from Latin meaning “original” or “former,” like something untouched from the beginning.
Goes with
Words that go with pristine: pristine environment; pristine wilderness; pristine condition; in pristine condition. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- unspoiltuntouchedimmaculate
- Opposite
- pollutedspoiltdegraded
Band 9wanderlustˈwɒndəlʌstnounA strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Packed and looking out at the mountains: wanderlust is a strong wish to travel. A strong desire to travel and explore the world.
Her wanderlust took her across five continents.
The documentary sparked my wanderlust.
Remember it
Literally German for 'wander' + 'lust', a craving to roam.
Goes with
Words that go with wanderlust: fuel your wanderlust; a sense of wanderlust; a case of wanderlust. Similar and opposite
- Similar
- itchy feettravel bug
- Opposite
- homesickness