IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Travel
Describe a holiday you enjoyed
Describe a holiday you enjoyed
You should say:
- where you went
- who you went with
- what you did there
and explain why you enjoyed this holiday so much.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
where you went
Where: Visited a peaceful coastal town called Seabrook last summer.
- 2
who you went with
Who: Traveled with my two closest friends from university days.
- 3
what you did there
What: Walked along rugged cliffs, swam, and ate fresh local seafood daily.
- 4
and explain why you enjoyed this holiday so much.
Why: Disconnected completely from work and recharged through quality time with friends.
Sample answer
about 241 words · 2 minutesI would like to talk about a memorable holiday I took last summer when I went to a quiet coastal town called Seabrook. It is located about a three-hour drive from where I live, nestled between rolling hills and the ocean. I traveled there with my two closest friends from university. We had not seen each other in quite a while because of our busy work schedules, so we decided to rent a small cottage near the beach for a week. While we were there, our days were wonderfully slow-paced. In the mornings, we usually went for long walks along the rugged cliffs, taking in the fresh sea breeze and breathtaking views. During the afternoons, we spent hours relaxing on the beach, reading books, and taking occasional dips in the ocean. In the evenings, we explored the local village, trying out small family-run restaurants that served incredible fresh seafood. One night, we even rented bicycles and cycled to a nearby lighthouse to watch the sunset, which was truly unforgettable. The main reason I enjoyed this holiday so much was that it gave us a rare chance to step away from our screens and daily stresses. It was not about packed sightseeing itineraries; instead, it was all about catching up with good friends, living in the moment, and fully recharging our batteries. By the time we headed home, I felt completely refreshed and deeply grateful for the wonderful memories we made together.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
nestled between rolling hills
The hotel was nestled between rolling hills and a crystal-clear lake.
wonderfully slow-paced
I prefer a wonderfully slow-paced weekend over a hectic sightseeing tour.
taking in the fresh sea breeze
We spent the morning standing by the shore, taking in the fresh sea breeze.
step away from our screens
It is essential for mental health to step away from our screens during vacations.
recharging our batteries
A short getaway to the mountains was perfect for recharging our batteries.
Common mistakes
I go to a very nice beach last year.
I went to a very nice beach last year.
Use past simple for completed past events, not present simple.
I enjoyed because the weather was nice.
I enjoyed it because the weather was nice.
The verb 'enjoy' requires a direct object like 'it'.
We made many activities on the vacation.
We did many activities on the vacation.
Use the verb 'do' with 'activities', not 'make'.
Tips for a higher band
- Use a mix of past continuous and past perfect tenses alongside past simple to show strong grammatical range.
- Describe feelings and atmosphere using descriptive adjectives rather than just listing activities.
- Maintain natural pauses and connect ideas with spoken fillers like 'looking back' or 'as a matter of fact'.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- Why do you think some people prefer active holidays while others prefer relaxing ones?
- How has the way people plan their holidays changed compared to the past?
- Do you believe tourism always brings positive economic and cultural benefits to local communities?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.