Explore travel blogs and guides about Montana and adventure travel — and practise the collocations and vocabulary that make travel writing vivid and engaging.
Read the two travel texts. Then answer the comprehension questions by choosing the correct option.
Day 3 on the road and I am completely hooked on Montana. They call it "Big Sky Country" and now I understand why — the sky here feels enormous, stretching from horizon to horizon over wide-open plains and jagged mountain peaks. Yesterday we drove for four hours and barely passed another car. The silence was extraordinary.
We spent the morning hiking in Glacier National Park. The trails are well-marked and the park rangers were incredibly helpful — one of them told us that the park has over 700 miles of trails but only about 25 glaciers left, down from 150 a century ago. Climate change is having a real impact here. In the afternoon, we stopped at a tiny diner in a town of about 300 people. The locals were so friendly — a retired cowboy named Jim showed us photos of the valley from fifty years ago and said it looks completely different now.
Tomorrow we are heading to Missoula, which has a surprisingly lively arts scene for a city of its size. A friend recommended a bookshop there that sells nothing but used books and has a cat sleeping in every corner. I cannot wait.
Montana is one of the last truly wild places in the contiguous United States. With its vast national forests, crystal-clear rivers and majestic mountain ranges, it offers some of the best outdoor experiences on the continent. Whether you are an experienced hiker, a keen fly-fisherman, or simply someone who wants to escape the noise of the city, Montana has something for everyone.
Getting around: A car is essential. Public transport is extremely limited outside the main cities of Billings, Missoula and Great Falls. Distances between towns can be vast — plan your fuel stops carefully and always carry emergency supplies.
Best time to visit: Summer (June–August) offers the best weather for outdoor activities, but also attracts the most visitors. For a quieter experience, consider visiting in early September, when the crowds have thinned and the autumn colours are beginning to appear.
Top tip: Montana has strict rules about campfires during dry periods to prevent wildfires. Always check local fire regulations before lighting a fire, and pack a portable stove as a backup.
1 The blogger says Montana is called "Big Sky Country" because .
2 How many glaciers does Glacier National Park have today?
3 The retired cowboy Jim told the blogger that the valley .
4 What does the blogger plan to visit in Missoula?
5 According to the travel guide, what is essential for getting around Montana?
6 The travel guide recommends visiting in early September because .
7 Why does Montana have strict rules about campfires?
8 The travel blog is written in a style that is .
Collocations are words that naturally go together. Choose the verb that best completes each travel writing expression. All of these collocations are commonly used in travel blogs and guides.
1 We decided to early in the morning to avoid the heat.
2 After a long drive, we finally at the hotel and dropped off our bags.
3 Don't miss the chance to the stunning views from the mountain summit.
4 The best way to Montana is by car, as public transport is very limited.
5 We were lucky to a beautiful hidden waterfall while hiking off the main trail.
6 I tried to the atmosphere of the tiny diner in my travel journal.
7 We want to every day of our trip and see as much as possible.
8 After breakfast, we decided to the national park and spend the day on the trails.
Complete this travel guide entry with the correct word. Use the reading texts and the word box for help.
1 Montana is one of the last truly wild places in the United States — the lower 48 states that are connected.
2 The state is home to mountain ranges that attract hikers and climbers from around the world.
3 The landscapes here are truly — wide plains, glaciers and dense forests stretch as far as the eye can see.
4 Many areas are extremely — you may not see another person for hours on some trails.
5 A reliable car with good fuel range is for exploring the state, as distances between towns are enormous.
6 The distances between towns are — always carry extra water and a map.
7 By early September, the summer crowds have out, making it a wonderful time to visit.
8 Always check local fire before lighting a campfire, especially during dry weather.
Write a short travel blog entry (80–120 words) about a real or imaginary trip. Use collocations from Exercise B, adjectives from Exercise C, and at least one descriptive detail that makes your writing vivid.
Idea 1 — A day trip: Write about a day trip you have taken (or would like to take). Describe where you went, what you saw and how you felt. Use travel collocations like set off, take in, come across, head to.
Idea 2 — Your dream destination: Imagine your perfect travel destination. Describe what makes it special — the landscape, the people, the food or the activities. Use vivid adjectives like stunning, majestic, vast, remote.
Idea 3 — A travel tip: Write a short travel guide entry for your hometown or region. What should visitors see and do? What practical advice would you give? Use the travel guide style from the reading texts.
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