Speaking
Practice

An unusual holiday I had was a three-day farm stay in the countryside with two friends. We went there about two years ago instead of taking a normal beach or city trip.

The farm was in a quiet area several hours from the city. The accommodation was simple: a small wooden room, basic meals and very limited entertainment. We chose it because we wanted to get away from traffic, screens and busy tourist places.

Each morning, we woke up early and helped with small chores. We fed chickens, picked vegetables and learned how some herbs were grown. In the afternoon, we walked around nearby fields, read books and talked. One evening, the electricity went off for a short time, so everyone sat outside and watched the stars instead. There were no shopping centres, famous attractions or nightlife. At first, the quiet felt strange, but after a day I started enjoying the slower pace.

The holiday was unusual because it was completely off the beaten track and focused on ordinary rural life rather than sightseeing. It helped me slow down and notice simple things. I returned home feeling more rested than after some much busier holidays.

A place I like to go to relax is a quiet beach about two hours from my city. I do not visit very often, perhaps two or three times a year, but I always feel better after spending time there.

The beach is much calmer than the famous tourist beaches nearby, especially if I go off-season. There are a few small cafés, some trees for shade and a long stretch of sand without too many buildings.

When I visit, I usually walk along the shore, sit with a drink and listen to the waves. I do not plan many activities because the purpose is to slow down. Sometimes I bring a book, but often I simply watch the sea and talk with whoever comes with me. On my last visit, I went on a weekday morning when there were only a few other people. I spent almost an hour walking without checking my phone, and by lunchtime I felt much calmer.

I feel relaxed there because the sound of the sea helps clear my mind and the open space makes everyday problems feel less urgent. It is one of the few places where I can truly get away from it all for a short time.

A place in my home where I like to relax is a small reading nook beside the window in my bedroom. It is probably the simplest part of the room, but I use it almost every day.

The space has a low chair, a soft cushion, a small lamp and a narrow shelf with a few books. During the day, it gets natural light from the window. At night, I use a warm light instead of the bright ceiling light.

I usually sit there after dinner when I want a quiet break. Sometimes I curl up with a book, listen to calm music or write a few notes about the next day. I try not to use the space for work because I want my mind to connect it with rest. If I have had a stressful day, even fifteen minutes there can help. The quiet atmosphere and comfortable chair make it easier to slow down before bed.

I feel relaxed there because the space is private, familiar and free from distractions. Nothing about it is expensive or unusual, but it helps me feel settled. Having one small corner that is only for rest makes my bedroom feel more comfortable overall.

An activity I really enjoyed in my free time when I was young was riding bicycles with neighbourhood friends. I did it very often when I was around ten or eleven years old.

Several children of a similar age lived near my house, so after school or at weekends we used to meet outside and ride around the neighbourhood. The streets were quieter then, and our parents allowed us to stay fairly close to home.

We did more than simply ride in circles. Sometimes we raced around a safe open area, visited a small shop for drinks or made up games where different streets became checkpoints. During school holidays, we could spend an entire afternoon outside. I remember one day when we tried to see who could ride the slowest without putting a foot on the ground. It was a silly game, but everyone became very competitive and we completely lost track of time.

I liked the activity because it felt active, social and carefree. We did not need organised entertainment or expensive equipment. A bicycle, a few friends and some imagination were enough to make an ordinary afternoon exciting.

A leisure activity I often do with my family is playing simple board games. We usually do it on weekend evenings when most people are at home and nobody has an early appointment the next morning.

We normally play at the dining table after dinner. The games are not complicated; we choose card games, word games or simple strategy games that everyone understands. Usually four or five family members join, depending on who is available.

We take turns choosing the game, prepare some snacks and play for about an hour. There is often a little friendly competition, especially between my brother and father, who both hate losing. Last weekend, we played a word game where each person had to describe something without using several obvious words. My mother was unexpectedly the best player, and everyone laughed because she kept winning round after round. Nobody checked phones much because the game required attention.

I enjoy this activity because it is simple, screen-free and brings everyone together without needing to leave home. We talk more naturally while playing, and even a short game can make an ordinary evening feel more lively.