catching up after a trip

Recovering After a Vacation: A Complete Guide to Bouncing Back

I used to struggle with reality when I returned from holidays. From work to nutrition to fitness, everything was off balance. There’s no question – recovering after a vacation is hard.

The transition back to routine can be jarring, leaving us exhausted, disoriented, and even a bit sad. Often, we return feeling like we need a vacation from our vacation. But why does this happen? And, more importantly, how can we bounce back quickly and effectively?

Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to make it easier.

Best Tips for Recovering After a Vacation

Here, I offer practical tips and strategies to help you ease back into your routine after a vacation. Let’s start by understanding the root of post-vacation fatigue.

Understanding Post-Vacation Fatigue

Imagine you’ve spent a week in a tropical paradise, basking in the sun, exploring new cultures, and breaking away from your routine. It’s been an extraordinarily blissful time , but now you’re back home, and reality hits hard. Been there, done that!

This jolt, often accompanied by a sense of exhaustion and disorientation, is what we refer to as post-vacation fatigue. Some people think of it as post-vacation depression. Neither is wrong.

Recognizing the signs

• Feeling lethargic or unmotivated
• Difficulty focusing on work or daily tasks
• Longing to go back to vacation mode

Why Is Coming Back from a Vacation Hard?

Understanding these factors is the first step in reducing their effects. 

Change in Routines

Humans are creatures of habit, if nothing else. Our bodies and minds thrive on routine. Travel disrupts our regular sleep patterns, eating habits, and exercise routines. This disruption can lead to serious physical and mental fatigue.

Reality Feels Over-rated

On vacation, our usual stressors are miles away. We’re immersed in new, exciting experiences that stimulate our senses and emotions. Returning home means facing the mundane aspects of daily life again, which can feel particularly dreary after the highs of a holiday.

Physical Exhaustion

Traveling can be physically demanding. Long flights, changes in altitude and climate, and being more active than usual can all take a toll on our bodies.

Emotional Fatigue

Vacations often come with their own stressors – navigating unfamiliar places, language barriers, and even the pressure to make the most out of our vacation time can leave us emotionally drained.

How to Recover after a Vacation

Pre-vacation planning for recovering from vacation.

Planning ahead to reduce post-vacation stress. Addressing potential issues and organizing your affairs before you leave can ensure a smoother transition when you return.

• Completing or delegating most of your pending tasks before you leave can significantly reduce the workload waiting for you upon your return.
• Setting up an out-of-office email and informing colleagues of your absence helps manage expectations. It also reduces the likelihood of returning to overwhelming urgent issues or emails.
• Leaving your home clean and organized means returning to a stress-free environment. Returning to a space that doesn’t immediately demand cleaning or organizing is unbelievably relaxing.
• Arranging for someone to look after your pets or plants in your absence means you won’t return to any neglected home responsibilities.
• Ensuring all bills are paid and setting a vacation budget can prevent financial stress upon returning.
• Having a well-planned itinerary, including transportation and accommodation details, minimizes last-minute rushes and uncertainties, both of which can be sources of stress post-vacation.
• Planning a light, manageable fitness routine for the vacation can help maintain your physical health, making it easier to resume normal activities later.

Being mentally prepared for the transition back to routine can lessen the shock of re-entry. Acknowledging that adjusting might take a few days can make a world of difference.

What you can do to catch up after vacation, during vacation

These practices enhance the vacation experience and prepare you mentally and physically for the return to everyday life.

Stay Partially Connected to Work (If Comfortable)

If (and only if) completely disconnecting from work causes anxiety, consider checking in briefly, but limit this to a specific short time each day or every few days. This can prevent the buildup of stress about a massive workload awaiting your return.

Maintain Some Routine Elements

While vacation is a break from routine, maintaining certain elements, like waking up regularly or continuing a light exercise regimen , can make the transition back to your daily routine less jarring.

Mindful Relaxation and Enjoyment

Practice mindfulness to fully engage and appreciate your vacation moments. This presence can help in mental rejuvenation, making you more prepared to face routine challenges upon return.

Balanced Scheduling

Avoid over-scheduling your vacation with activities. This is a work in progress for me. When it works, it’s a game-changer. Balancing planned events and free time reduces exhaustion and allows for spontaneous enjoyment.

Healthy Eating and Sleeping Habits

While it’s tempting to indulge, maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate sleep can energize you and prevent post-vacation fatigue.

Physical Activity

Incorporating light to moderate physical activity, like walking, swimming, or yoga, can boost mood and energy levels, making the post-vacation transition smoother.

Journaling or Reflective Practices

Keeping a travel journal or engaging in reflective practices can help process experiences, allowing for a more profound and meaningful vacation that can leave you feeling more fulfilled and less likely to experience post-vacation blues.

Planning for Return

Toward the end of your vacation, start shifting your mindset to prepare for your return. I usually do this on the plane and actually look forward to it. Consider making a list of tasks to tackle once you’re back so you have a clear action plan.

Savoring and Gratitude

Practicing gratitude during your vacation can enhance your overall experience. Reflect on what you enjoy and savor these moments, which can boost your mood and overall well-being.

Stay Hydrated and Rested

Keeping yourself hydrated and getting enough rest during the vacation helps maintain your energy levels and reduces the risk of returning home feeling depleted.

Connect with Home

A brief check-in with friends or family back home can be comforting and can help you feel less overwhelmed upon returning.

Integrating these practices into your vacation allows you to enjoy your time off fully while setting the stage for a smoother, less stressful transition back to your regular life.

Remember, the goal of a vacation is not only to provide an escape but also to rejuvenate you for the challenges and routines of everyday life when you return from vacation.

How can I readjust to my regular routine after a vacation?

Returning to a regular routine after a vacation involves a gradual transition. Start by resetting your sleep schedule to align with your usual way. This might require going to bed and waking up earlier than you did on vacation.

Secondly, organize and prioritize your tasks. Make a to-do list for the week ahead, starting with the most urgent tasks. This helps in regaining focus and reducing post-vacation stress. Lastly, give yourself time to readjust.

Only schedule a few activities or tasks immediately after your return. Allow a day or two to transition back into your regular life smoothly.

Returning from Vacation

• Give yourself a day or two to readjust before returning to work or taking on significant responsibilities.
• Make a list of tasks that need immediate attention. Prioritizing helps manage time and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.
• Unpack your bags as soon as possible.
• Ensure you get enough rest.
• Stay hydrated and eat well to boost your energy levels and well-being.
• Take time to reflect on your experiences.
• Engage in light exercise to revitalize your body.
• If returning to work, start with less demanding tasks and gradually take on more as you readjust.
• Sharing memories and experiences with your travel companions can be a great way to transition back to everyday life.
• Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve focus.
• Start planning your next vacation or a fun weekend activity.
• Return to your regular sleeping, eating, and exercise routines as soon as possible.

Recognize that feeling out of sorts for a few days is normal. Allow yourself time to adjust without self-criticism. Find joy in returning to your own space. Remember, the key is to transition gently and give yourself time to adjust.

How can I deal with post-vacation blues?

Post-vacation blues are standard and can be managed by several strategies. First, try to relive your vacation memories by looking at photos or sharing stories with friends and family. This can help prolong the positive feelings from your trip.

Secondly, plan something to look forward to, like a weekend outing or a new hobby. This helps shift focus to future enjoyable activities. Also, practice self-care hobbies or relaxation techniques such as meditation, exercise, or a spa day to ease the transition.

Finally, maintain a positive attitude by reflecting on the good experiences from your vacation and how they enriched your life.

How can I maintain a healthy lifestyle after indulging on vacation?

Gradually incorporate healthy eating habits to return to a healthy lifestyle after vacation indulgences. Avoid drastic dietary changes; instead, aim for balanced meals with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Reestablish your exercise routine, beginning with lighter activities and gradually increasing intensity. Also, stay hydrated and get enough sleep to help your body recover.

Remember, it’s okay to indulge occasionally on vacation, and returning to a healthy routine shouldn’t be a punishment but rather a return to a lifestyle that makes you feel good.

FAQs: Catching up after vacation

To get back to work after a vacation, prioritize your tasks, reset your sleep schedule to match your work routine, and give yourself a buffer day to plan your upcoming week and catch up on emails. Transition smoothly by breaking down work into manageable parts and easing back into your routine.

To recover from jetlag, gradually adjust your sleep schedule to the new time zone before you go, if possible. Stay hydrated, avoid caffeine and alcohol, get plenty of sunlight during the day, and try to sleep during nighttime in your new location. Short naps and melatonin supplements may also help.

Final Thoughts on Recovering after a Vacation

Returning from a vacation requires a balanced approach, focusing on the transition’s practical and emotional aspects.

By preparing in advance, easing back into your routine, and caring for your mental and physical health, you can overcome the post-vacation blues and return to your daily life with renewed energy and perspective.

Give yourself grace and time to adjust, and soon, you’ll find yourself back in the groove of your everyday life, cherishing the memories of a well-spent vacation.

Dr. Tammi Kaeberlein is the owner and author of Wander Healthy, a longevity lifestyle blog that helps people incorporate healthier options into their daily lives. She's also a scientist in the biology of aging and has earned certification as a sports nutritionist and personal fitness trainer. When she isn’t writing about health and wellness, she is usually outside somewhere.

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5 Tips to Get Back in the Groove after a Trip or Extended Weekend

• by Dani Koch
• September 10, 2018 January 22, 2020

5 tips to Get Back in the Groove after a Trip or Extended Weekend

Do you ever return home from a trip and feel like your mind is still off on vacation somewhere?

The past couple of months I’ve traveled nearly every week. In the midst of it, I’ve found it difficult to get back in the groove and focus on work between trips. Often, I’ll return from a trip both mentally and physically exhausted, wanting to do nothing for at least a day or two. By the time I feel like I’ve mentally recovered from the last trip, it’s time to leave again.

As I mentioned in my post about creating a travel routine , our body and mind take time to adjust to the changes we experience while traveling. This goes the same for getting back in the groove after returning from a trip.

It’s normal to feel like we have an endless list of to-do’s to catch up on after traveling. We’re out of our routine, likely bummed to be home rather than on vacation, and find it difficult to focus on work. From catching up at home, getting back to our regular exercise routine, to re-focusing on our business. We’re in limbo between feeling like we need to rest, even though we were just on vacation, and feeling like we’ll never catch back up with everything we’ve put off for the past week.

Not only can this result in overwhelm, but our mind and body aren’t fully ready to focus on these things just yet.

That’s exactly why I’ve spent the past few weeks creating a routine to get back into the groove after a trip or particularly demanding weekend. These tips will help you ease back into reality, focus on work, and appreciate the amazing trip you just experienced.

5 tips to get back in the groove after returning from a trip or extended weekend:

Get a good night’s sleep.

As I described above, returning from a trip often requires some sort of recovery time. That recovery begins with sleep. Often during travel, we sleep less, or not as well, whether because we’re busy or simply less comfortable. The best way to get back into the groove quickly is to get a good night’s sleep.

Give Yourself Time to Reflect

It’s important to allow yourself time to not only physically recover from the trip, but also mentally. For me, this means giving myself time to reflect on my trip before easing back into work. Giving yourself an extra day, or at least a morning, to ease back into the grind can make all the difference.

I personally like to allow myself a slower morning before getting to work. I’ll make a homemade latte to sip on my front porch, journal, and allow myself the time to process and reflect on the events of the weekend. This is essential for me when it comes time to get back to work.

Oh my goodness, I can’t tell you how much unpacking actually helps me mentally return from a trip! I’m normally horrible at unpacking my bag (just ask my husband). At the beginning of August, I decided it needed to be done. That was the first time I unpacked my bag and actually PUT IT AWAY since…March?…January?…It honestly may not have ever been put away since we moved in December (yikes!).

These past couple of trips, I’ve unpacked my suitcase and put it away in the closet during the first day after returning home. Something about the physical act of unpacking helps me mentally return from vacation. I appreciate myself for taking the 3 minutes to put away my suitcase instead of leaving it on my bedroom floor. Plus, I feel like I’ve accomplished something, which helps get the momentum going for the week.

If you read about my travel routine , you’ll know that I like to incorporate regular movement and stretching during my travels. However, my normal routine involves longer yoga routines and weight lifting. If I haven’t done those in a few days due to travel, my body aches to be pushed and stretched.

The real secret to this is the mental impact. It’s like a total mind and body refresh. On this first day back home, I usually don’t feel like doing much. I find exercise does two important things for me to get back in the groove: 1) It proves that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to, and 2) It makes me feel energized and ready to take on the rest of my day. Just make sure to get good warm-up in as you may be stiff from travel.

Exercise is my way to recommit to my goals and schedule for the week.

Most often, travel results in some sort of dehydration. Dehydration is known to affect concentration, memory, mood, plus so much more! In order to get back into the groove with energy and focus, you must rehydrate.

I’m a stickler for trying my best to stay hydrated during a trip. However, I’m also guilty of purposely drinking less to avoid adding an extra stop during road trips, or to not disturb the person sitting next to me on a flight.

So there you have it, my 5 tips to get back in the groove after a trip or draining weekend. Hope these tips help you to appreciate your adventures and come home ready to jump back into work.

What do you find helps you get back in the groove after a trip or long weekend?

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• 101 English Conversations
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LINDA: Hey! How did your physics exam go?

FRANK: Not bad, thanks. I’m just glad it’s over! How about you … how’d your presentation go?

LINDA: Oh, it went really well. Thanks for helping me with it!

FRANK: No problem. So … do you feel like studying tomorrow for our math exam?

LINDA: Yeah, sure! Come over around 10:00, after breakfast.

FRANK: All right. I’ll bring my notes.

============

LANGUAGE NOTES • Hey! is a friendly expression meaning “hello.” • How did your physics exam go? is a way of saying “How was your physics exam?” • I’m just glad … Notice the stress on “glad.” “Just” is used for emphasis before an adjective here. • How about you … Notice the intonation falls here because the speaker is going to follow it up with a detailed question. • How’d your presentation … Notice the contraction for “How did” sounds like /howdj/ and “your” sounds like /yer/. • Do you feel like here has the meaning of “do you want to.” Notice “do you feel like” is followed by an “-ing” verb (studying). • Come over here has the meaning of “come to my house.” • Notes Students take notes about what the teacher says during a lecture.

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English speaking practice (3 steps): topic: talk about the relationship, english speaking practice (3 steps): topic: meet your friends, english speaking practice (3 steps): topic: talk about your parents, helena daily videos.

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Real-Life Conversations in English: Learning From Authentic Situations

Having a conversation with a friend might sometimes be even more challenging than small talk with a stranger. And don’t get us wrong – we believe you and your bestie can discuss things for hours. But in some cases, you can simply run out of  discussion topics , especially if you spend a lot of time with the same person. Luckily, there is no need to worry. In today’s article, you will find an example of a conversation in English and many valuable tips to help you master it.

Common Challenges in Daily Conversations and Ways to Overcome Them

Communication is an essential part of our daily life, and conversation between two friends in English can be both fun and challenging. And how can it be difficult, you may ask? After all, who can be more engaged in a conversation than friends? Well, no matter how much you know the person, therestill might be some challenges. Here are some of them:

• Language barriers. If English is not your first language, you may struggle to keep up with the conversation or express yourself fluently. One way to overcome this is by practicing your English skills through reading, writing,  listening , and  speaking .
• Differing opinions. Your friends may have polar thoughts on certain topics, leading to disagreements and tension. To overcome this, it’s essential to listen to your friends’ opinions without judging or dismissing them. You can also share your view respectfully and seek common ground.
• Distractions. In today’s digital age, getting distracted by your phone or other devices during a dialogue is easy. Such situations can hurt the conversation flow. Stay present and focused during the discussion, keep your phone silent, and avoid multitasking to prevent this.
• Awkward silences. Sometimes, a conversation between two people may halt, leading to uncomfortable quietness. The best way to overcome this unpleasant challenge is to ask open-ended questions, share a personal story, or discuss a common interest or hobby .
• Dominating the conversation. One person dominating the dialogue can make others feel left out or disinterested. If you don’t want this to happen, try to listen actively and give others a chance to speak. You can also redirect the conversation to include everyone’s interests.

Also, if you feel anxious even when talking to your friends due to a lack of fluency, you need to try practicing at home to boost your  confidence . And remember that your real friends won’t judge you for mistakes, pauses, or  stumbling on words. Instead, they will do their best to help you and make you feel comfortable.

10 Informal Conversation Examples Between Friends

The tips provided above can be helpful in any conversation. But we believe that nothing is better than actual practice. Therefore, we’ve collected some casual and simple dialogue examples for 2 people. You can use them to practice your reading and speaking skills or learn interesting ideas to discuss with your friends.

Catching Up After a Long Time Apart

James: Hey, buddy! Long time no see!

Jordan: Hello, James. Can’t believe we’ve finally met. How long has it been since the last time?

James: Oh, I can’t even remember. A year? Two? Maybe even more. 

Jordan: Well, I’m glad to see you right now. What’s new?

James: I can assure you there are many things to discuss. Did you know that I got married?

Jordan: Shut up! I don’t know what else to expect if you start with this fantastic news. Congratulations.

James: Thank you very much. Why don’t we go to this small bar down the street and share a beer or two?

Jordan: Great idea. Let’s go.

Discussing Recent Movies or TV Shows

Nicole: Did you finally see that movie I told you about?

Jane: I’m sorry, which one? You tell me about new movies every day, geek!

Nicole: I’ll just ignore that. Anyway, I’m talking about  The Menu .

Jane: Oh yeah, I indeed saw this one. And honestly, I’ve been pretty impressed. 

Nicole: Well, not gonna lie – I’m impressed that you’ve watched it. But what did you like about the movie?

Jane: Firstly, as a huge Harry Potter fan, I was thrilled to see  Ralph Fiennes and his new role. 

Nicole: I agree – his acting skills are fantastic!

Jane: And also, you know that I like everything dark – humor, style, etc. I can tell you that this movie is now officially on my top-five list.

Planning a Trip Together

Keira: Oh, I can’t wait for this vacation. I’m so tired; these two weeks will be a blessing.

Jessica: I believe you, girl. We are in the same boat.

Keira: So, where do you think we should go?

Jessica: Okay, according to our budget and all the nuances, I’ve narrowed it down to three options.

Keira: Wow, I’ve expected much less. Tell me!

Jessica: For starters, we always have Florida – we both need to relax, and some lazy beach time won’t hurt. And I’ve already asked Mom – we can’t stay at her hotel for free. 

Keira: That sounds fantastic. I’ll stick with this option for now. 

Jessica: Yeah, I’ve started with my favorite one. Do I have to tell you about the last two options?

Keira: Actually, no. I was thinking about a beach vacation. And when I heard the hotel room would be free – I immediately knew we should go there. 

Discussing Future Goals

Mark: I can’t believe we are already so old. Do you have any plans?

Sarah: Well, I have a few goals in mind. Firstly, I want to finish my degree and graduate with honors.

Mark: Oh, wow! It sounds wonderful, and I’m sure you will do it.

Sarah: Yeah, I hope so. After that, I want to start my own business in the beauty industry.

Mark: Wow, that’s a big goal. Do you have any specific ideas or plans for the business?

Sarah: I want to create a brand focused on sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products. I think there’s a gap in the market for that, and I’m passionate about positively impacting the environment.

Mark: That’s cool. Have you started working on any business plans or research yet?

Sarah: Not yet, but I’ve been reading and researching online. I’m also considering taking some courses or workshops on entrepreneurship to help me develop my ideas and skills.

Mark: That’s a smart move. Learning as much as possible before diving into a new venture is always good. I’m excited to see where this takes you.

Asking a Friend Out

Alex: Hey, do you have any plans for this weekend?

Emma: Not really, why do you ask?

Alex: I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me on Saturday night. There’s a new Italian restaurant that I’ve been wanting to try, and I thought it would be great to have some company.

Emma: That sounds like fun. I’d love to go with you.

Alex: Great! I’ll make a reservation and pick you up at 7 pm. Dress nicely!

Emma: Okay, I’m excited about it. Thanks for inviting me.

Alex: No problem. I’m sure we’ll have a good time.

Meeting in a Restaurant

Rachel: Hi, Alex! Thanks for meeting me here.

Alex: Hey, Rachel. It’s great to see you. How have you been?

Rachel: I’ve been good, thanks. How about you?

Alex: Not bad. So, what are you thinking of ordering?

Rachel: I’m not sure yet. I’m deciding between the chicken Caesar salad and the grilled shrimp.

Alex: Both sound good. I think I might go for the burger, though.

Rachel: Oh, that sounds tempting. Maybe I’ll go for the same.

Alex: Great. And do you want anything to drink? They have a good selection of craft beers here.

Rachel: Hmm, I think I’ll just stick with water for now. I have an early morning tomorrow.

Alex: Sure, I understand. I might try one of the IPAs they have on tap.

Waiter: Hi, what can I get for you today?

Alex: I’ll have the burger with a side of fries and an IPA, please.

Rachel: And I’ll have the same, but with water instead of beer.

Waiter: Okay, great. I’ll get those orders in for you right away.

Conversation Example for Unexpected Meeting

Sarah: Hey, Emma? I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you doing?

Emma: Hi, Sarah. I’m doing well, thanks. It’s great to see you too. What brings you here?

Sarah: I just needed to grab a few things from the store down the street. What about you?

Emma: I was just on my way to meet a friend at a coffee shop nearby.

Sarah: That sounds fun. Mind if I join you guys?

Emma: Not at all. The more, the merrier, right? Let’s go.

Sarah: Great, thanks. So, how have things been with you lately?

Emma: Pretty good, actually. I just started a new job a few weeks ago, and it keeps me pretty busy.

Sarah: That’s exciting. What kind of job is it?

Emma: I’m working at a marketing agency as a content writer. It’s been challenging, but I’m enjoying it so far.

Sarah: That sounds like a perfect fit for you. You’ve always been great at writing.

Emma: Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate the support. So, why don’t you tell me more about you over a coffee?

Supporting a Friend During a Difficult Time

Samantha: Hey, how are you holding up?

Emily: To be honest, not great. My mom just got diagnosed with cancer.

Samantha: Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear that. What do you feel about it?

Emily: I’m just really scared. I don’t know how to handle this.

Samantha: It’s completely understandable to feel scared and overwhelmed right now. Just know I’m here for you and will support you through everything.

Emily: Thank you, that really means a lot. I just don’t know how to be strong for my mom.

Samantha: You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to let yourself feel the emotions and process everything. And when you’re ready, we can talk more about ways to support your mom and family.

Emily: Thank you, I appreciate it.

Debating Current Events

Nina: Hey, did you see the outfits at the Met Gala last night?

Sara: Yeah, I did. Some were impressive, while others were too weird for my taste.

Nina: I know what you mean, but I loved the bold and avant-garde looks. It’s supposed to celebrate fashion as art, after all.

Sara: I see your point, but I also think some outfits were impractical. Can you imagine yourself in that Jared Leto’s horrendous  cat suit?

Nina: Well, that’s part of the fun, right? And also, Karl Lagerfeld was the theme of this year’s Met Gala. Jared had just worn a costume of Choupette, Karl’s cat.

Sara: Oh, I didn’t know that. But most were still trying too hard to be edgy and outrageous.

Nina: Fair enough, but I still think pushing boundaries and taking risks is better than playing it safe and boring. It’s a once-a-year event, after all.

Sharing Personal News

Mike: Hey, Emily, I have some news to share with you.

Emily: What’s up? You sound serious.

Mike: Well, you know how I’ve been working on my startup for the past year, right?

Emily: Yeah, I remember. You’ve been putting in a lot of hours and hard work into it.

Mike: Yes, and it finally paid off. We got an offer from a venture capital firm, and they’re willing to invest $1 million in our company!

Emily: Wow, that’s terrific news! Congrats, Mike! I’m so happy for you.

Mike: Thank you, Emily. It’s been a long and tough journey, but this is a huge step forward for us. And you know what the best part is? We can finally start hiring more people and expanding the business.

Emily: That’s awesome. I’m excited to see where this takes you and your startup.

Mike: Yeah, me too. It’s a dream come true, and I couldn’t have done it without your support and encouragement.

You Can Nail Any Informal Dialogue With Promova

The best way to practice conversations with friends is to talk to them. But what if English is not your mother tongue, and you don’t have any friends who can practice it with you? You can try to do it by yourself – read books aloud or exercise by repeating lines after movie characters. And we invite those who seek help to our international language-learning platform Promova . Here you can find enough options to nail any conversation.

• Free Conversation Club . If you are satisfied with your fluency level but still need a company to practice spoken English, this is the best option. Here you can discuss dozens of interesting topics with students from all over the world.
• Speaking classes .  For those who might need some help, Promova offers special speaking classes to practice your conversational skills with professional tutors. You can start by passing a quick fluency test to determine your English level, and immediately start studying. And if you are not sure about that, you can book a free trial lesson.
• Personal and group lessons . This option is great for students who want to practice not only speaking but other essential language skills. Our team of professional tutors always do their best to create a safe and engaging environment for people with different levels and needs.

Of course, that’s not all! If you prefer studying alone, you can install a convenient Promova application on any iOS or Android device and access dozens of unique and valuable lessons. And don’t forget about our free blog. Here, you can regularly read interesting articles about anything related to English – from the latest trends to learning the language with your favorite TV shows. The choice is up to you – give Promova a try and find what’s best for you.

To sum up, we can say that there is nothing better than seeing two friends talking. Such conversations always include loud voices, shining eyes, and expressive gestures. And we hope this article will help you feel more confident in such situations and always have topics to discuss with someone. By the way, what was the last thing you discussed with your friends? Spill the tea in the comments!

What are some common topics friends can discuss in their conversations?

We can say that friends can talk about a wide range of discussion ideas. Some general topics include movies, careers, food and cooking, the latest news, current events, business, politics, hobbies, etc. And for more deep conversations, you can talk about personal goals, motivation, dreams, love, etc.

How to initiate a conversation with a friend?

There are many ways to start a dialogue with a friend, depending on different circumstances. For example, if you haven’t seen the person for a while, you can start by asking them about their life in the past few years/months. If you regularly see the person, you can start with a simple “What’s up?” and follow the natural flow of the conversation. The same words you can use as a dialogue writing between two friends examples – they are also a great way to start an online conversation.

How can I politely disagree with my friend’s opinion without offending?

Firstly, you need to remember that it is okay to have polar views on the same things. The best way to stay polite is to accept the differences in your opinions and be respectful no matter what. You can say that you have another perspective. Yet, don’t try to convince your friend they are wrong (because there is no right or wrong in personal thoughts and experiences).

Is it rude to interrupt two people having a conversation?

Yes, it can be considered rude in some situations, especially, when you interrupt someone who is deeply engaged in a conversation without any reason. Yet, sometimes it might be okay. For example, when there is an emergency or professional situation. Also, it might be alright to interrupt a rude person, or someone being offensive. But you need to remain polite and respectful. 

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Catching up after a trip

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Catching up after a trip

Listen to two friends talking about a recent trip abroad to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Dave:  Jean, hi!

Jean:  Hi, Dave. How are you?

Dave:  Good, good.

Jean:  Wait a second, I'm not calling you in Canada, right? You're back now, aren't you?

Dave:  Yeah, I got back two days ago.

Jean:  Oh good, phew. Because I wouldn't want to be calling you long distance without realising it and suddenly ...

Dave:  You've spent a fortune on a long-distance call. No, I know, it's OK. I actually wouldn't answer the phone while I was over there if I saw the call was coming from England. But no worries, we're in the same country now.

Jean:  Yeah. So, how was the trip? Did you meet your long-lost uncle?

Dave:  I did, actually. It was very good. I flew to Toronto and stayed there for a few days. At first I was really worried about my accommodation because I kept reading these appalling stories about rental flats going all wrong. 

Jean:  Oh, was it one of those?

Dave:  Yeah.

Jean:  My friend had a disastrous experience in Barcelona with one of them. The place didn't look anything like the photos, and all the neighbours hated that there was a holiday flat in their building. Awkward situation. Urgh.

Dave:  Right. So, as I was saying, I was really worried because I heard these stories. And at first I couldn't find the place. Turns out I was in the wrong building. It was next door, and on the top floor, and … wow. Jean, this place was fabulous! Really spacious, with these floor-to-ceiling windows and the most scenic views of the city. I could see the lake and the whole city skyline and skyscrapers from my bedroom. I had to pinch myself to prove I wasn't dreaming.

Jean:  Sounds pretty cool. So, what's it like? The city, I mean. I've always wanted to go to Canada.

Dave:  It's nice. I mean, it's another big, vibrant, modern city. But it's really clean, and there's lots of parks. One of the things I liked was the multiculturalism. We visited Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Little India … umm, I can't remember the others but it was sort of a new area every three or four blocks, you know?

Jean:  Hey, is it true that there's a whole part of the city that's underground? I read that somewhere about Toronto, or saw it on some TV show.

Dave:  It's true! I asked about that. They call it the PATH. There's, like, almost 30 kilometres of restaurants, shops, cinemas and stuff all underground. In the middle of the downtown area.

Jean:  Amazing!

Dave:  Yeah, but actually once you're down there it's not that noticeable. There's actually a lot of natural light. I forgot we were underground. It's mostly useful to get out of the cold weather.

Jean:  What temperature was it while you were there?

Dave:  It was still only November, but it was getting cold. We had at least a day where it was less than zero. My uncle told me that in January and February it can go down to 20 below zero.

Jean:  Oh, wow. I think I'd die!

Dave:  Yeah, and the worst thing was what they call the 'wind-chill' factor. So they say the temperature is zero degrees, but minus eight with the wind chill. So it feels like minus eight. And my uncle said the wind-chill factor can go down to minus 40.

Jean:  Stop it! You're making me feel cold just thinking about it. So, how was meeting your uncle? The famous Uncle George.

Dave:  That was great too. He lives outside of Toronto, in a cottage by a lake. Really tranquil and unspoiled nature.

Jean:  I'm dying to see photos. You want to meet up soon? Or are you too jet lagged still?

Dave: Yeah, I'm actually free tomorrow if you like.

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What was the last place you travelled to? Would you recommend it to a friend?

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8 Norwegian Cruise Passengers Stranded on African Island Catch Up to Ship After Traversing 7 Countries

The group of stranded American and Australian passengers included four elderly people, one with a heart condition and a pregnant woman

Natalia Senanayake is an Editorial Assistant, Lifestyle at PEOPLE. She covers all things travel and home, from celebrities' luxury mansions to breaking travel news.

Sipa via AP

• Nine Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were reportedly left behind on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe on March 27 
• The group was on a guided excursion that got delayed, leading them to miss the ship’s "all aboard" call 
• A statement from Norwegian Cruise Lines noted that all guests are responsible for returning to the docked ship at the designated call time 
• Eight people were able to catch up to the ship on Tuesday morning after reportedly traversing seven countries.
• One, who had fallen ill before the incident, has safely returned to the U.S.

Multiple passengers were stranded on an island in Africa after their Norwegian Cruise Line ship reportedly left them behind. After several days of uncertainty and a trek across seven countries, they're now back on board the vessel.

On Wednesday, March 27, South Carolina couple Jill and Jay Campbell were enjoying a guided tour on the island of São Tomé and Príncipe located off the continent's western coast, ABC15 News reported at the time. The pair was with six other American and Australian passengers when they realized they wouldn’t make it back to the ship on time due to their tour taking longer than planned.

Though the tour operator contacted the cruise ship’s captain to inform them of the delay, the captain refused to let them back on the still-anchored ship when they arrived at the port because it was after the "all aboard" call, per the outlet. 

The São Tomé and Príncipe Coast Guard allegedly then took them by boat directly to the ship where the captain again did not permit them to board. 

The group later encountered another stranded passenger, an 80-year-old woman, who was hospitalized on the island after a cruise line tour, the outlet stated. The woman reportedly experienced memory and vision loss due to a medical emergency. 

In addition to the ill passenger, the group also includes one person who is pregnant, one with a heart condition and four elderly travelers. 

The majority of the group left their medications and credit cards on the ship except for the Campbells, who have reportedly paid over $5,000 for food, accommodations, and other necessities for their fellow passengers. 

On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Angola allegedly arranged for the group to fly to the West African country of Gambia, the ship's next planned port of call, so they could reboard. 

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Unfortunately, the group discovered the cruise ship wasn’t docked at the port in Gambia as planned because it had to spend another day at sea due to low tides. ABC News 4 reports the passengers spent fifteen hours traveling through six countries to make it to the port on Sunday. 

“We have to cross the ferry to get into Senegal,” Campbell told the outlet on Monday, marking their seventh country. “We just learned from the gentleman that the ferry hadn’t been working, but he said no problem, if the ferry is not working we will get another little boat and then pick up a car on the other side. And then once we get on the other side of Senegal, it’s another four-hour drive.” 

In a statement to PEOPLE, Norwegian Cruise Line said, “On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3 p.m. local time."

The statement continued, “While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

The cruise line added that guests are “responsible for any necessary travel arrangements” to meet the ship at the next port and that they had each of their passports “delivered to the local port agents to retrieve” when they missed their all aboard call.

The group was finally able to catch up to the vessel. They reached Dakar, Senegal, its next port, on Monday night, PEOPLE confirmed.

After what they'd been through, Jill told NBC News in a story published on Tuesday, "We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us." While she allowed that Norwegian technically followed protocol, she says, "I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority."

On Tuesday morning, the eight passengers, less the person who had fallen ill and later safely returned home to the United States, chose to board the cruise. Norwegian confirmed the news to PEOPLE in a statement.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available,"

The Norwegian Dawn departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day trip that will end in Barcelona on April 10.

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Indonesian authorities are preparing to enforce a new visitor levy after catching tourists behaving badly

Australians in Bali for holidays have been left confused by a new $15 tourism tax and efforts by police to enforce payment.

The levy, which is intended to help the island cope with millions of visitors each year, was announced last year after a series of incidents involving visitors desecrating holy sites and behaving badly.

It came into effect on February 14 and could bring in more than $80 million of revenue a year in Bali, which the government says will go towards cultural preservation and environmental measures — such as beach clean-ups.

But most holiday-makers are not paying it, with 60 per cent of tourists in the first month not forking over the money for the levy.

Staff are not forcing arrivals at the airport to pay the fee up-front, and some Australians the ABC spoke to were unaware of how to pay for it.

"I knew about the tourist tax, but nobody asked us to pay it — $15 is not much and if it goes to good use, it's fine to pay," said Rachel Fisher, who regularly travels to Bali.

Another regular visitor, Damien Tout from Melbourne, paid the tax online in advance but was surprised nobody checked the receipt when he entered at the airport.

"It could be another $50, we wouldn't care. We'd still come to Bali," he said.

But others weren't so ambivalent about the fee. On the first day of random spot checks by tourism police at the famous Uluwatu temple, some visitors were left visibly angry by the shakedown for money, as many others walked by.

Among them were families with children who had to stump up $15 for each person.

The ABC observed some tourists struggling to connect to a payment app to pay the fee, while many visitors showed officers their visa-on-arrival receipt, unaware of the separate fee.

The new levy comes after authorities introduced a "dos and don'ts" list at the airport last year , designed to remind visitors to be more respectful towards the island's predominantly Hindu culture.

Bali's plan to crack down on badly behaved tourists

The "dos and don'ts" list told visitors not to climb sacred trees, misbehave in public or wear inappropriate clothing around religious places.

The list was announced after authorities deported a Russian influencer for dropping his pants at a sacred mountain and a Russian woman for posing naked on a 700-year-old sacred tree.

A German woman was also placed in a medical facility after she roamed around naked and busted in the doors of a temple during a traditional dance performance last year.

Australians have also been accused of bad behaviour, with a woman caught on camera berating a local police officer who stopped her for not wearing a helmet while riding her motorbike.

An Australian man was also caught stealing a box of erectile-dysfunction medication from a pharmacy, while more recently, two Australians were hospitalised after they were involved in a vicious street brawl in Kuta.

The measures to improve tourist behaviour are also targeting visitors overstaying their visas or running businesses in breach of the rules.

Many are Russians who have flocked to the island since the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, with Indonesia a relatively welcoming destination for them.

"[For bad behaviour] we have the list on what tourists can do and what they cannot do in Bali," said I Ketut Yadnya, the head of promotions for the Bali government's tourism office.

"But the levy is different. We want our tourism to be sustainable, and to sustain it, we need to conserve the culture.

"So for that, we need, of course, some money."

New levy designed to help Bali cope with influx of visitors

The gentle rollout of the new levy has been designed not to spook foreign tourists from coming.

Before the COVID pandemic, Bali received more than 6 million foreign tourists in 2019. Post-pandemic, the numbers are creeping back up, with 5.25 million arriving in 2023.

Domestic visitors from other parts of Indonesia last year numbered more than 9 million.

Tourism officials want the economic boost of more visitors, even though locals on the island say it worsens traffic and the amount of garbage washing up on the famous beaches.

"Tourists of course [increase] rubbish, but a clean destination is part of what draws them to Bali in the first place," said Wayan Puspa Negara, a local politician who volunteers with a beach clean-up group.

"So the more rubbish that washes up on the beaches means our destination is less appealing."

To better manage the tourism influx, Ketut Yadnya from the tourism office says the levy will help fund programs like beach clean-ups, including buying better beach cleaning equipment, so that volunteers don't have to do it by hand.

"There's no fine if you don't pay, and tourists can still leave Bali at the airport, there's no problem," he said.

"We just need their awareness when they come to Bali, they have to know that Bali needs something to protect their tourism."

With the scheme still in its infancy, tourism police are offering some leniency to those who have failed to pay.

They have facilitated instant payment for visitors who have not paid, and even allowed them to pay later if they can not provide the cashless payment on the spot.

Locals fear the fee will deter travellers

Some Bali locals dependent on the tourist trade oppose the levy, believing it sends the wrong message.

Hamid Isnaini, a vendor in Kuta, believes $15 a person on top of a 500,000 rupiah ($50) visa-on-arrival fee might drive some visitors to rival destinations.

"They should let people come to Bali for free," he said, as a handful of tourists idled past his store, which displays Bintang beer singlets and boardshorts.

"Before the COVID pandemic, many tourists came to Bali because it was free to enter, but after the borders reopened, they introduced a visa-on-arrival fee."

He believes a second levy on top of that might deter a full rebound of pre-pandemic tourist numbers.

"We should be like Thailand, where tourists can enter without paying a fee," he said.

Other vendors selling clothes nearby agreed with him.

Mr Yadnya acknowledges there have been some teething problems with the new levy, but says the troubles are all part of "socialising" the idea of the fee.

The hope is that in the future, people coming to Bali will know about the fee and be willing to pay it.

"We need their awareness that they also have to be involved in conservation to preserve our culture," he said.

"If in future tourists come to Bali and the culture's been ruined, they won't see anything."

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Travelling to bali this year a new tourist tax means you'll pay an extra $15 for your getaway.

Bali tourists to receive 'dos and don'ts' card on arrival as part of crackdown on unruly behaviour

Bali is fed up with badly behaved Russians who fled Putin's war. Now they're calling for a crackdown

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Eight passengers stranded on African island after Norwegian cruise ship left without them

A dream cruise vacation has turned into a nightmare for eight passengers left stranded on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe after their ship left without them because they were late to return from a private tour.

The tourists — six from the U.S. and two from Australia — were aboard the Norwegian Dawn, a Norwegian cruise line ship , which departed from Cape Town, South Africa, on March 20 for a 21-day voyage up the coast of Africa set to end in Barcelona, Spain, on April 10.

But on Wednesday, the group of eight tourists was late to return to the ship by more than an hour for the all-aboard time of 3 p.m. from a private excursion on the island, which was not organized by the cruise line.

Jay and Jill Campbell of South Carolina were part of the group that was left behind.

They said that their tour’s operator notified the cruise captain that they were going to be late to rejoin the ship and that the local Coast Guard tried to get them on the vessel but that they weren’t allowed to board.

As a result, the couple and the rest of the group have been stranded for days on the island off Nigeria, grappling with language, currency issues and complicated travel to catch up with the ship.

“The lovely people of São Tomé were very gracious, very hospitable. They had reached out as much as they could to help us find hotels,” Jay Campbell said on NBC's "TODAY" show Tuesday morning.

“We were able to get to a tour agency there to arrange flights to the next port of call. ... Very difficult process — you’re dealing with multiple languages, language barriers, you’re dealing with different currencies ... finding someone that even has dollars ... trying to get an agent to understand where we need to get to.

"It’s one of those ‘You can’t get there from here,’" he added.

A Norwegian spokesperson called the incident a “very unfortunate situation” and said, “Guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time.”

The cruise line said that after the guests failed to return, their passports were delivered to local port agents, in line with protocol. The company said it was working with local authorities to understand “the requirements and visas needed for the guests to reboard the ship at the next available port of call.”

On Monday, the guests had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia, but the ship was unable to safely dock there because of “adverse weather conditions” and “tidal restrictions,” Norwegian said. The guests were then contacted and provided with information to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday. 

Jill Campbell said they traveled through seven countries in 48 hours to arrive in Senegal on Monday night.

But the couple was reconsidering whether they even wanted to return to the cruise.

"We are considering whether or not we are going to board the ship. It is in dock here in Senegal," she said. "We believe there was a basic duty of care that they had forgotten about, so it does concern us."

"After what we witnessed, we truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship may have followed, they followed those rules too rigidly. I believe that they really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and really the safety and well-being of the customers should be their first priority," she added.

Ultimately, the eight passengers did rejoin the cruise before 8:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, Norwegian told NBC News in an e-mail Tuesday evening, after this story originally published.

Norwegian said the passengers were responsible for making their own travel arrangements to rejoin the ship.

"Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal," a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement. "We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available."

A silver lining of the catastrophe was that the Campbells were able to connect with another Norwegian Dawn passenger — Julia Lenkoff, 80 — who was also left on the island, but for a medical reason.

Lenkoff was on a different day tour Wednesday. She had "medically disembarked" from the cruise to seek local treatment on that day, Norwegian said.

Norwegian said that its care team tried to call Lenkoff several times and was unable to reach her and that it worked with its port agent in São Tomé and Príncipe for updates on her health.

The Campbells met Lenkoff and were able to put her in contact with her family in California, who flew her home — a move Lenkoff's daughter said "saved her life."

"She's a world traveler. She travels all the time. So this was going to be one of her bucket list trips, because she's been to 120 countries so far, and she wanted to get to 130," her daughter, Lana Lenkoff Geis, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on "TODAY."

Norwegian said Lenkoff was escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, then put in the care of airport staff members to continue her journey back to the U.S., where she has safely returned.

Breaking News Reporter