ESL CONNECT

Comparing Holiday Destinations

A B1 ESL CONNECT lesson on comparing holiday destinations, helping learners compare options, justify preferences and reach a group decision.

Section 1
Stage 1 — Warm-up
Talking about holidays in English
5 minutes · Discussion & context setting
Travel English · B1 speaking

Choose the best summer escape and justify your decision in natural English.

Students compare three attractive destinations, weigh up price, climate, culture and travel time, then reach one final decision using clear comparative language.

3destinations to compare
40 mininteractive lesson flow
B1comparatives + discussion

Discuss with your partner:

1. What is your ideal holiday? (beach, city, mountains, adventure?)

2. What factors are most important when choosing a destination? (price, weather, culture, safety...)

3. Have you ever changed your mind about a holiday destination after comparing it with another? What happened?

Lesson focus

Compare destinations confidently, justify preferences, and negotiate a final holiday plan using more natural B1 travel vocabulary.

Comparative forms Decision-making Pair discussion
Teacher note: Review comparative and superlative forms before starting. Write examples on the board: cheap > cheaper > cheapest / expensive > more expensive > most expensive / good > better > best / far > further > furthest. Ask students to give one comparison sentence about two places they know.

Today's scenario — comparing three destinations for a two-week summer holiday:

Lisbon, Portugal
Flight2.5 hrs
Cost/day€90
July temp28°C
BeachesYes
NightlifeExcellent
CultureRich
Kyoto, Japan
Flight12 hrs
Cost/day€140
July temp33°C
BeachesNo
NightlifeModerate
CultureUnique
Costa Rica
Flight11 hrs
Cost/day€110
July temp26°C
BeachesYes
NightlifeGood
CultureNature-focused
5 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary
Key holiday & comparison vocabulary
10 minutes · Gap-fill exercise
Click a word from the box, then click a blank to fill it. Hover over a word to see its definition.
affordable
destination
climate
touristy
off the beaten track
worthwhile
stunning
crowded

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.

Lisbon is far more than Tokyo — the cost per day is almost half as much.

Have you already chosen your , or are you still deciding between a few options?

The in Costa Rica in July is warm but quite humid, with occasional rain.

I want to avoid anywhere too — I prefer to experience local life, not tourist traps.

Kyoto is a bit compared to Tokyo, which is perfect for us.

The flight is long, but I think it is — the experience is unlike anything else.

The scenery in Costa Rica is absolutely — the rainforests are breathtaking.

July can be very in Lisbon — the beaches get extremely busy.

10 min
Stage 3 — Functional language
Phrases for comparing and evaluating
8 minutes · Study & practise

Making comparisons (comparative)

Lisbon is cheaper than Costa Rica.
The flight to Japan is much longer than the flight to Portugal.
Costa Rica is slightly more expensive than Lisbon.
Kyoto is far more culturally unique than either of the others.

Making comparisons (superlative)

Lisbon is the most affordable of the three.
Japan has the most distinctive culture.
Costa Rica is the best option for nature lovers.
The flight to Kyoto is the longest by far.

Expressing preferences

I would prefer Lisbon because it is closer and cheaper.
For me, the most important factor is the weather.
Personally, I think Costa Rica offers the best value.
I am more interested in culture than beaches.

Weighing up pros and cons

On the one hand, Japan is fascinating. On the other hand, it is very expensive.
The main advantage of Lisbon is the short flight time.
The disadvantage of Costa Rica is the long journey.
Despite the cost, I think Kyoto would be the most memorable.

Reaching a decision

Taking everything into account, I think Lisbon is the best choice.
On balance, I would go with Costa Rica.
All things considered, the most sensible option is...
I think we can both agree that...
Use "slightly", "a little", "much", "far", and "considerably" to show the degree of difference. Compare: "Japan is more expensive" vs "Japan is considerably more expensive" — the second is much more precise and natural.
8 min
Stage 4 — Question forms
Comparatives drill
10 minutes · Multiple choice quiz
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
Choosing the holiday
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A prefers Lisbon. Student B prefers Costa Rica. Both want Kyoto as a backup. You must discuss all three options using comparative and superlative forms and agree on ONE destination.
Student A — favours Lisbon

You want Lisbon: shorter flight (2.5 hrs), cheapest option (90 euros/day), warm weather, great food and nightlife. You are worried Costa Rica is too far and too expensive for two weeks.

Student B — favours Costa Rica

You want Costa Rica: stunning nature, wildlife, beaches, and a more adventurous experience. You think the extra cost is worthwhile. You find Lisbon a bit touristy in summer.

Use the destination data from Stage 1 to support your arguments. Try to use at least 6 comparative or superlative forms across the conversation.
Student A
[Start the conversation. Say you need to agree on one holiday destination. Ask Student B which of the three options they are most interested in.]
Student B
Honestly, I think Costa Rica sounds the most exciting. The nature and wildlife are supposed to be absolutely stunning. What about you?
Student A
[Say you prefer Lisbon. Give two comparative reasons: it is cheaper and the flight is much shorter. Ask Student B what they think about the price difference.]
Student B
The price is definitely a factor. Lisbon is about 35% cheaper per day. But I think the experience in Costa Rica is more unique. Lisbon feels a bit touristy in July.
Student A
[Agree that July can be crowded in Lisbon. But argue it is still the most affordable option overall. Ask what Student B thinks about Kyoto as an alternative.]
Student B
Kyoto is fascinating — probably the most culturally unique of the three. But the flight is the longest, and it is the most expensive. I am not sure it is worthwhile for a two-week trip.
Student A
[Agree that the cost and distance make Kyoto less practical. Compare it directly to the other two. Say that between Lisbon and Costa Rica, you think Lisbon offers better value for money.]
Student B
I see your point about value. But for adventure, Costa Rica is far better. The rainforests, the beaches, the wildlife — you cannot find that in Lisbon. Is the extra cost really that significant?
Student A
[Acknowledge Costa Rica is more adventurous. Use a pros and cons phrase. Say: on the one hand, Costa Rica is more exciting. On the other hand, Lisbon is significantly cheaper and more accessible.]
Student B
OK, fair enough. Taking everything into account, perhaps Lisbon is the more sensible choice. Although I would love to go somewhere less touristy. Could we visit Costa Rica another time?
Student A
[Agree with enthusiasm. Confirm Lisbon as the final decision. Use a concluding phrase. Also say what you are most looking forward to about Lisbon and ask Student B the same question.]
Student B
I am most looking forward to the food and the Fado music. Right, so Lisbon it is. Shall we start looking at flights?

Swap and try again with new preferences!

This time, Student A prefers Kyoto and Student B prefers Lisbon. Use the data table from Stage 1 and reach a different conclusion. Try to use 3 superlative sentences this time.

12 min
Stage 6 — Summary
Lesson complete!
5 minutes · Review & feedback

Today's lesson

Comparing Holiday Destinations

B1 level · ~40 minutes

What you practised today:

8 holiday and comparison vocabulary words
Comparative and superlative phrases for 5 functions: comparing, superlatives, preferences, pros and cons, and decisions
6 comparative grammar exercises (comparative -er, superlative, slightly more, as...as, preference structures)
A decision-making role play using a real data comparison table for 3 destinations

Homework ideas:

1. Write a short comparison (100-120 words) of two cities you know well. Use at least 4 comparative and 2 superlative forms.
2. Look at a travel website and find 3 destinations. Write 5 comparison sentences using the information provided.
3. With a partner, compare two films, two restaurants, or two sports teams using the language from this lesson.
Great work! Comparing things confidently in English is one of the most useful everyday skills. The key is using the right form (comparative vs superlative) and adding degree adverbs like "much", "far", and "slightly" to make your language more precise and natural.