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Conversation about Summer Vacation: Essential Vocabulary and 5 Real Dialogue Examples for Perfect Holiday Discussions
Summer beckons with promises of adventure, relaxation, and countless stories waiting to unfold. Whether you're planning your next getaway or sharing tales from recent travels, engaging in meaningful conversation about summer vacation opens doors to deeper connections and shared experiences. This comprehensive guide equips you with essential vocabulary, proven conversation techniques, and realistic dialogue examples that transform casual holiday chatter into memorable exchanges while helping you connect with colleagues, friends, and strangers through shared travel experiences and talking about summer holidays.

I. English vocabulary for the summer vacation
Before diving into English conversation about summer vacation, let's refer to the vocabulary below!
No. |
Word & Pronunciation |
Meaning |
Example |
1 |
Vacation /vəˈkeɪ.ʃən/ (n) |
a time when someone does not go to work or school but is free to do what they want, such as travel or relax |
We're planning a vacation to the beach next month |
2 |
Beach /biːtʃ/ (n) |
an area of sand or small stones near the sea or another area of water such as a lake |
Let's go to the beach and soak up the sun |
3 |
Sunscreen /ˈsʌn.skriːn/ (n) |
a substance that you put on your skin to prevent it from being damaged by the sun |
Don't forget to apply sunscreen before going outside |
4 |
Swim /ˈswɪm/ (v) |
to move through water by moving the body or parts of the body |
I love swimming in the pool |
5 |
Resort /rɪˈzɔːrt/ (n) |
a place where many people go for rest, sport, or another stated purpose |
The resort has a beautiful pool and amazing views |
6 |
Camp /ˈkæm.p/ (v) |
to put up a tent and stay in it for a short while, for example while on holiday |
We're going camping in the mountains this weekend |
7 |
Hike /ˈhaɪ.k/ (v) |
to go for a long walk in the countryside |
Hiking in the national park is a popular summer activity |
8 |
Barbecue /ˈbɑːr.bɪ.kjuː/ (n) |
to cook food on a barbecue |
Let's have a barbecue in the backyard |
9 |
Picnic /ˈpɪk.nɪk/ (n) |
an occasion when you have an informal meal of sandwiches, etc. outside, or the food itself |
We're having a picnic at the park tomorrow |
10 |
Cycle /ˈsaɪ.kəl/ (v) |
to ride a bicycle |
Cycling around the lake is so relaxing |
11 |
Sightsee /ˈsaɪt.siː/ (v) |
to visit interesting places, especially when on holiday |
We did a lot of sightseeing in the city last summer |
12 |
Ice cream /ˈaɪs kriːm/ (n) |
a small, cone-shaped, edible container that holds ice cream |
Let's get some ice cream cones to cool off |
13 |
Relaxation /ˌriː.lækˈseɪ.ʃən/ (n) |
the feeling of being relaxed |
I enjoy the relaxation of lying on the beach |
14 |
Adventure /ədˈven.tʃər/ (n) |
an unusual, exciting, and possibly dangerous activity, such as a trip or experience |
Going zip-lining was quite the adventure |
15 |
Exploration /ˌɛk.spləˈreɪ.ʃən/ (n) |
the activity of searching and finding out about something |
We're planning an exploration of the nearby caves |
16 |
Sunbathe /ˈsʌn.beɪð/ (v) |
to sit or lie in the sun in order to make your skin darker |
She loves to sunbathe by the pool every morning |
17 |
Cruise /kruːz/ (n) |
a holiday on a ship, sailing from place to place |
The Mediterranean cruise visited five different countries |
18 |
Backpack /ˈbæk.pæk/ (v) |
to travel carrying your clothes and other things that you need in a backpack |
We decided to backpack through Europe this summer |
19 |
Souvenir /ˌsuː.vəˈnɪər/ (n) |
something that you buy or keep to help you remember a holiday or special event |
I bought a beautiful souvenir from the local market |
20 |
Itinerary /aɪˈtɪn.ər.ər.i/ (n) |
a detailed plan or route of a journey |
Our travel itinerary includes visits to three national parks |
21 |
Jet lag /ˈdʒet læɡ/ (n) |
the feeling of tiredness and confusion that people experience after making a long journey by plane |
I'm still experiencing jet lag from my flight to Asia |
22 |
Tourist /ˈtʊr.ɪst/ (n) |
someone who visits a place for pleasure and does not live there |
The city center was crowded with tourists taking photos |
23 |
Monument /ˈmɒn.jʊ.mənt/ (n) |
a building, column, statue, etc. built to remind people of a famous person or event |
We visited the famous monument in the city square |
24 |
Festival /ˈfes.tɪ.vəl/ (n) |
a special day or period when people celebrate something |
The music festival attracted thousands of visitors |
25 |
Homestay /ˈhəʊm.steɪ/ (n) |
a visit in which you pay to stay in someone's house rather than in a hotel |
The homestay experience helped me learn about local culture |
26 |
Snorkeling /ˈsnɔː.kəl.ɪŋ/ (n) |
the activity of swimming underwater using a snorkel to breathe |
Snorkeling in the coral reef was absolutely amazing |
27 |
Hostel /ˈhɒs.təl/ (n) |
a cheap place to stay when you are travelling, with beds in shared rooms |
We stayed at a youth hostel to save money |
28 |
Excursion /ɪkˈskɜː.ʃən/ (n) |
a short journey usually made for pleasure, often by a group of people |
The guided excursion to the waterfalls was fantastic |
29 |
Seaside /ˈsiː.saɪd/ (n) |
the area near the sea, especially where people go for holidays |
We spent our weekend at a charming seaside town |
30 |
Photography /fəˈtɒɡ.rə.fi/ (n) |
the activity or job of taking photographs |
Travel photography has become my favorite hobby |
II. English communication phrases for summer vacation
Below, PREP has compiled communication phrases for you to practice effective conversation about summer vacation and talking about summer holidays. Take a look!
-
Hello! Are you enjoying your vacation?
-
Excuse me, do you know where the nearest beach is?
-
Could you recommend any good restaurants around here?
-
What activities do you suggest for a day trip?
-
Is there a local market nearby?
-
How much does a ticket to the museum cost?
-
Do you have any recommendations for outdoor activities?
-
Could you tell me how to get to the nearest bus stop?
-
Are there any boat tours available?
-
What's the weather forecast for tomorrow?
-
Could you recommend any scenic hiking trails?
-
Is there a pharmacy nearby in case of emergencies?
-
Are there any festivals or events happening during my stay?
-
Could you recommend a good spot for watching the sunset?
-
What time does the last train/bus leave?
III. English conversations about summer vacation
Let's refer to the 5 most popular conversation about summer vacation examples compiled by PREP below!
1. Conversation 1: Choosing a summer vacation destination
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Father: Today, let's sit down and discuss our summer vacation.
-
Mother: Right, we need to pick a fun destination for the whole family. Where would you like to go this summer?
-
Son: I want to go to the beach! I heard about this beach with lots of fun activities!
-
Daughter: Yes, and I also want to visit a big city. Can we combine both?
-
Father: That's a great idea! How about we find a resort near the beach but not too far from the city? That way, we can satisfy both desires.
-
Mother: Sounds perfect! Let's start researching and book it right away!
2. Conversation 2: Booking accommodation for summer vacation
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Smith: Hello, this is Smith. Am I speaking with the receptionist of Sunshine hotel?
-
Receptionist: Yes, sir. How may I assist you?
-
Smith: I'd like to inquire about booking a room for the upcoming summer holiday.
-
Receptionist: Of course, sir. When would you like to check in?
-
Smith: We'll be arriving on the 15th of July and checking out on the 20th.
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Receptionist: Let me check for availability. Yes, we have rooms available for those dates. The rate for a standard room is $150 per night.
-
Smith: That sounds reasonable. Do you require a deposit for the booking?
-
Receptionist: Yes, sir. We require a deposit of $50 per night to secure the reservation.
-
Smith: Alright, I understand. Does the room rate include meals?
-
Receptionist: I'm sorry, sir, but meals are not included. However, we do offer dining options at our restaurant.
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Smith: Okay, that's fine. Could you please send me the booking details via email?
-
Receptionist: Certainly, sir. May I have your email address?
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Smith: It's mrsmith123@example.com.
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Receptionist: I'll send the confirmation email right away.
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Smith: Thank you very much for your assistance.
-
Receptionist: You're welcome, sir. We look forward to welcoming you to Sunshine hotel. Have a great day!
-
Smith: You too. Goodbye.
3. Conversation 3: Planning Summer Activity
-
Alex: I'm making my summer bucket list and want to try some new activities this year. What outdoor adventures would you recommend for someone who usually sticks to indoor activities?
-
Emma: That's exciting that you want to branch out! Are you thinking more along the lines of water activities, hiking, or maybe something completely different?
-
Alex: I'm open to anything, though water activities sound appealing since I've never really explored those options. What experiences have you enjoyed?
-
Emma: Kayaking is fantastic for beginners because you can start on calm lakes before tackling rivers. Stand-up paddleboarding is also surprisingly relaxing and gives you a great core workout.
-
Alex: Those both sound manageable. Do you need special equipment, or can you rent everything?
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Emma: Most lake resorts and beach towns have rental shops with all the gear you need, plus they often offer quick lessons for first-timers. I'd definitely recommend starting with a guided tour.
-
Alex: Perfect! What about land-based activities? I'd love something that gets me outdoors but doesn't require extreme fitness levels.
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Emma: Nature photography walks are wonderful because you can go at your own pace while discovering beautiful locations. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt that takes you to interesting places you might never find otherwise.
4. Conversation 4: Describing a summer vacation
-
Jennie: Oh, guess what, my summer vacation was amazing! My family went on a trip to a resort by the beach.
-
Linda: Sounds exciting! What was special about it?
-
Jennie: There was this beautiful beach with lots of fun activities like surfing, kayaking, and even beach volleyball! And the resort had a big swimming pool and delicious restaurants.
-
Linda: Wow, sounds like a dream! Did you have a great time with your family?
-
Jennie: Definitely! We had some memorable moments, and I took lots of amazing pictures to share with my friend.
-
Linda: That's awesome! I hope I can have a summer vacation like that in the future.
5. Conversation 5: Vacation Reflection Conversation
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Michael: This year I chose a peaceful retreat at a lakeside cabin instead of my usual adventure-packed itinerary. The change of pace was exactly what I needed for genuine rejuvenation.
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Lisa: I can relate to needing that balance. My family did a road trip through national parks, which combined outdoor exploration with relaxation time. How did you spend your days at the lake?
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Michael: Most mornings I took leisurely strolls along the shoreline, followed by reading and wildlife observation from the cabin deck. Evenings were perfect for sunset viewing and reflecting on the peaceful surroundings.
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Lisa: That sounds incredibly restorative. Our road trip had similar peaceful moments between park visits. What made you decide to try a different vacation style this year?
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Michael: Honestly, I realized I was returning from vacations feeling more exhausted than refreshed. The constant movement and packed schedules weren't serving my mental health anymore.
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Lisa: It's wise to recognize when you need something different. Did the slower pace give you what you were looking for?
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Michael: Absolutely. I felt genuinely recharged and gained new perspective on what I want from future vacations. Sometimes the best adventures happen when you slow down enough to appreciate your surroundings.
IV. Learn English conversations about summer vacation through videos
Below, PREP has gathered videos of conversation about summer vacation to help you quickly accumulate vocabulary and understand the meaning of words in specific situations when you talk about summer vacation.
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The Seasons Series : Summer | Practice Speaking English Conversation
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[Past tense] How was your summer vacation - Easy Dialogue - Role Play
Through thoughtful vocabulary selection, strategic question asking, and genuine engagement with others' experiences, conversation about summer vacation becomes an opportunity for connection, learning, and inspiration, transforming routine small talk into memorable exchanges that strengthen relationships and broaden perspectives while helping you share authentic travel experiences and discover new destinations through others' stories when talking about summer holidays.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.
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