Describe an Unusual Holiday You Had - IELTS Cue Card

Holidays are always a fun time; whenever I think of holidays, either I go to my childhood, visiting my grandma’s place and having a fantastic time over there or now when I’m much older, I think of places where I can have a good relaxing time in between the nature or someplace fun. 

One such holiday I very clearly remember was when I went to Gir National Park in Gujarat. My whole family and I had been planning to visit the national park for a long time, which is famous for its pride in Asiatic lions and many other wild animals. It was believed that catching the pride of lions was a very difficult task, and very few lucky people got a chance to see them, making it more exciting.

On this trip, I went with my mother, father, sister, uncle, aunt, and cousins. All of us travelled in a car and made several pit stops in between. The trip with family was even more fun because we also enjoyed the whole journey. The journey was filled with lots of laughter, food, makeshift beds, and fun. It was even more fun because this was the first time we all travelled together.

The most unexpected and unusual thing about this entire holiday for me was when we reached our destination, a farmhouse. At night, the first thing we saw was the pride of lions. We wanted to find the pride for which we had already booked a jungle safari the next day.

Our motto was to enjoy the trip thoroughly, try to find the lions on the safari ride, and make the most of it.

At the end of the trip, I understood that if I had been fixated on seeing the lions, I would have wasted my time as there was a possibility that I wouldn’t have caught their sight, which would have destroyed my entire trip. Focusing and living in the present made the entire holiday unusual and special for me.

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Holidays are an expression that always brings a smile to everyone’s face, including mine. Every person has a different memory relating to a holiday and the modes of enjoying them. Like every individual, I have a distinct memory of the holidays I have taken over the years.

This was a very recent holiday when I went to Punjab to experience the ambience and pious environment of the Golden Temple. It was a short trip of only two days, and our motto was to travel to Amritsar and experience the culture, food and lively environment of Punjab. 

On this trip to Amritsar, I went with my childhood and college friends. I am a resident of Delhi, so I travelled to Amritsar by car. It was winter, and winters in the north are the best time to explore the various food options and Punjabi cuisine. 

The plan was to visit the Golden Temple and then have a good meal at a famous restaurant, ‘Kesar da Dhaba’, known for its dal makhani and paratha. This is one of the Indian delicacies known around the world. After that, we planned on visiting the Jallianwala Bagh, famous for the massacre that happened under British rule. 

The most unusual thing about this holiday was how unplanned and sudden it was. This made me realise that sometimes, unplanned things work the best. Surprisingly, our friends took time from our busy schedules and travelled together, reminiscing about our childhood memories. 

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Holidays are the best way to decompress from your busy life and recharge yourself by travelling with your loved ones, such as friends and family; every trip has a different fun element. As a working adult, holidays increase productivity and help clear all the negativity from the mind.

I remember this holiday very distinctly. It is Diwali, a largely celebrated festival in India. It is a festival of lights, with the significance of light always winning over darkness. The festival is celebrated with great zeal over five days, for which we get a holiday. 

As an adult working in another city, celebrating any festival with your family and enjoying it with them is the best holiday you could ask for. The same happened to me when I travelled back to my hometown to celebrate this festival with my family and friends.

Usually, festivals are very hectic, with all the preparations for worship, food, decorations, and much more. I helped my family with a little bit of decoration and cooking whenever I could. Amongst all the hassle, what stood out for me were the crackers and how much people still enjoy it. No matter what anyone says, these little things bring smiles to everyone’s hearts and faces.

In moments like these festivals, we understand the importance of family and time spent with them, lighting the crackers, eating good food and doing all the elementary things that seem extraordinary. As we grow up, we understand the importance of these holidays.

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1. How do unusual holidays contribute to personal growth and understanding of different cultures?

In my opinion, unusual holidays contribute to our personal growth to the extent that we understand how we adapt ourselves to different situations and react to them. Although there are people who believe that these do not contribute at all, the interpretation is subjective. 

2. Would you recommend your holiday to others? Why or why not?

Indeed, a vacation is necessary for everyone. It helps us unwind. I would always advise others to organise a holiday in Amritsar, Punjab, to have a big experience that they will never forget and to make priceless memories. My stay there was a great time for me.

3. In what ways did an unusual holiday challenge your expectations or perceptions about travel?

My expectations were exceeded by an uncommon vacation that deviated from the typical tourist spots. It helped me realise that travelling to unusual locations frequently yields the most rewarding experiences. It dispels stereotypes about travel by highlighting the fact that there is more to learn than just the well-known locations.

4. What was the most interesting part of your holiday?

The most interesting part of my holiday was when I travelled with my friends to Amritsar and how unexpected and unplanned it was. That day, I realised it is not necessary that the planned trips are always best executed.

5. How do you describe a holiday?

I believe a holiday is when you can get away from your hectic daily schedule and decompress. It can be when you get time for a festival or go to a certain destination. 

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‘Describe an unusual holiday you had’ is a chance to reflect on the experiences you had in your life. These are the experiences we tend to forget due to our busy schedules. With the help of this IELTS topic, you can describe and remember the incident and the experience while explaining it for the speaking cue card. 

We hope you know how to answer the “Describe an unusual holiday you had” cue card questions in your IELTS speaking test. But, if you want to get further details or would like to prepare for IELTS, you can contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011