Tips for writing a guidebook entry
When writing a guidebook entry try to create a visual picture. Remember that you are writing a description. Use adjectives and adverbs.
Include some specific examples to bring the description to life.
Give lots of facts that will interest the potential tourist.
You
may want to include:
How to get there, places to visit, things to do,
what and where to eat, places to stay, information about the history of
the place, hidden places and off-the-beaten-track sights, culture, traditions, celebrations, myths,
politics, religion, stories,
languages spoken, free time activities, arts and crafts, transport,
shopping, sports or any other piece of information that you consider relevant.
Useful language for brochures and guidebook entries
Introduction
Without doubt, ...
It is generally understood that...
One of the most impressive places/buildings/cities...
To date, ___________ is one of the greatest examples of...
Drawing in the reader
if there's one place that really..., it is...
This is not just another..., but a...
If you want a different kind of experience,...
If you have a few hours to spare,...is well worth seeing.
If you love the sea and the peacefulness, then you will for sure love Es Molinar.
If you're looking for the latest twists on classic
American cuisine, London's the place to be. With different restaurant
chains and independent eateries all around the city, you're never far
from a taste of the USA.
And don't think that London restaurants aren't staying abreast of the latest US food trends either; the burgers, fried chicken,
barbecue, hot dogs and deli sandwiches served in the UK's capital are
served with as much creativity and flair as in their sister restaurants
in the States
Describing location
Located/Situated (just a few miles away from/outside...)is...
Built (by the side of/just next to...) is...
Just beyond (the...)is...
Some (...) minutes from... stands...
To give the
reader a more vivid picture of the place at the moment you are describing,
you can refer to the senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch):
E.g.
Visitors
can watch the moonrise over the mountains, or hear the sound of church bells
ringing, enjoy a freshly-ground cup of coffee, remember the aromas of exotic
herbs and spices, or relax in the soothing warm waters of the river
Giving background information
Throughout history, ...
...is by far the oldest...
...was the first...
...is the best-known...
Originally a..., but now...
In recent years,...
Known locally as..., ...
From Japanese Izakaya cuisine to Spanish tapas, the small plates movement has taken L.A. by storm
Describing attractions
What is particularly (spectacular) is...
Recent additions/changes include...
Making qualifying comments
Naturally, children will absolutely adore..., but...
...whereas...(is really intended for younger people)
..., however, will require much more time to take in.
In fact,(both)are best avoided if...
Commenting on positive aspects
(The school/hotel/sports centre) boasts (a large indoor swimming pool/a wide range of facilities/five tennis
courts).
No trip to (Paris) would be
complete without (a visit to the Louvre).
(The restaurant) is noted for (its excellent cuisine).
The perfect neighbourhood for a night out! Here you will find a vast selection and variety of restaurants, bars and cafés.
Good for the person who appreciates village life, being close to nature but also close to the city.
Fall in love with the truly amazing views over the sea and overlooking Palma.
Fall
in love with The cosy feeling in the Catalina market with heaps of
fresh produce; it’s such a nice place to have a lunch break.
Commenting on negative aspects
Admittedly, (this is a rather expensive option,) but ...
(The quality of service) leaves a great deal to be desired.
Be warned, though: (delays are not uncommon).
Giving advice
It is always wise to check ...
This is a point worth bearing in mind if ...
If price/location/class size is a major factor when choosing (your school), you might want to consider ...
... is certainly an option worth looking into.
Adjectives to Describe Places
Unspoilt, plain, quiet, tranquil, clean, pristine, dirty, ancient, modern,
industrial, mountainous, low-lying, flat, tropical, overcrowded, cosmopolitan, quaint, picturesque,
agricultural, fertile, rough, barren, bleak, busy, temperate, narrow, polluted,
contaminated, humid, dry, lively, monotonous, varied, cultural, traditional, developed,
developing, urban, rural, foreign, local, outdoor and indoor, secluded, desolate, uninhabited, hidden, remote, bustling, breathtaking, idyllic, stunning, picture-perfect, splendid ...
Superlatives: some of the loveliest landscapes on earth, easily the best, by far the most popular,...
Combination of adjective: bright and cheerful, dark and dingy, spick and span, cramped and cluttered, light and airy, neat and tidy, warm and cosy, cheap and cheerful.
Adverbs
Conveniently/ centrally/ ideally/ pleasantly situated/ located, lavishly/ richly/ tastefully/ newly decorated, elegantly/ comfortably/ simply/ sparsely furnished, hugely
popular, perfectly safe, totally/ entirely different, wholly unexpected, badly/newly/poorly/ solidly built, brightly/ dimly/ poorly/softly lit, bitterly cold, hugely expensive, extremely tranquil, incredibly/ extremely/ really/ fairly beautiful, absolutely/ utterly/ completely/ thoroughly amazing/ stunning, severely/ extremely overcrowded, extremely/ really/ terribly busy, badly/ heavily/ highly/ seriously/ severely polluted, very/ wonderfully/ fairly/ pretty secluded, completely/ quite desolate, extremely/ very/ rather/ relatively/ somewhat remote, absolutely/ quite/ truly breathtaking, really/ absolutely/ perfectly/ quite/ simply/ truly splendid...
Mention the variety of things to do, see or experience.
Variety is common in travel texts. This is because they add an element of persuasion. Guidebooks try to sell a
destination, make it seem appealing. The more people they can attract,
the better. The more varied the experience the destination is seen to
offer and the more they can make the destination sound like it will
appeal to as many people as possible, the better.
E.g.
Holiday accommodation in Mallorca comes in many shapes and forms, providing the kind of variety and versatility that caters for anything from a quietly relaxing break for two to a vacation for all your family and friends.
With a wide range of restaurants on the island, there will definitely be something for everyone, as it caters to all tastes: from the more conservative and classic environments to the more modern and trendier places.
Conclusion
For the visitor, Mallorca offers/provides...
To local people, the cathedral symbolises...
For these reasons a visit to this island should not be missed.
Samples:
Another sample:
Live Mallorca: Food Trends and Sightseeing
Santa Catalina: bohemian life style and busy restaurants
Low built houses and a bohemian feeling characterize the popular area of Santa Catalina. Here you are close to the centre of Palma and the shopping street Jaime III, as well as the night clubs and luxurious yachts in Paseo Marítimo.
On the well known Calle Fábrica you will find many restaurants, from easy going tapas places to exclusive a la carte. Also Calle Cotoner and Calle San Magin offer a lot of restaurants and bars in different styles, from typical Mallorquin to trendy and minimalistic.
The low buildings that are typical for the area gives a green, luminous and open feel - Santa Catalina is like a little village in the city.
The food market, Mercat de Santa Catalina, is very popular. Here you can find daily fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and spices from Mallorca and mainland Spain. You can also find ready-made dishes to bring with you, or enjoy the food on a stool by the bar. If it’s really crowded you can also just step outside and enjoy your bite on the sidewalk- Spanish style.
During the day time, the rhythm in Santa Catalina is calm and you can really feel the artistic atmosphere. You will find designer studios, interior design shops, clothing boutiques and yoga studios next to bars, nightclubs, bakeries and massage parlours. At night the area really comes to life and the busiest streets become crowded with people looking for great restaurants and bars.
If you like the bohemian vibe and living where the action is, Santa Catalina is the place to be
Génova: scenic mountain village famous for it's many restaurants
Génova is a beautiful mountain village, surrounded by nature and views to the bay and to Palma.
The location with its views and charm has attracted around 20 restaurants. This is where many Palma residents go themselves when they want to enjoy genuine and good Spanish food. Try for example the great lamb dishes, pulpo a la gallega, pimientos de padrón or the typical pa amb oli. For dessert, you have to try the crema catalana.
From Génova you can walk to Bonanova. It´s a pleasant hike of around 30 minutes with lemon trees, forest and fields with grazing sheep.
Living in Génova is really perfect if you are looking for the genuine Spanish village feel, living close to nature, but at the same time close to Palma and the city vibe.
La Lonja: the heart of the action in the Old town
La Lonja is located in the Old Town of Palma. Before the airport opened up in Mallorca, this would be the place where you would arrive. The ferries and boats came into the pier just south of La Lonja. From the harbor you would go to the hotels (took out area), via Plaza de la Reina, and all the restaurants in the area.
Today you will find a huge selection of all kinds of restaurants and art galleries in La Lonja. Many of the best restaurants in Palma can be found here.
In September, La Lonja plays the main part in one of the coolest events in Palma - Nit de Arts - the art night. All of the galleries are open late and its purpose is just to enjoy the evening and let yourself get carried away in the crowd and the energy, from one art exhibition to the next.
You’ll fall in love with La Lonja if you love the Old Town feeling and like being where all the action is, close to shopping, culture and restaurants.
Molinar: Relaxed atmosphere by the sea close to the center of Palma
The name Molinar comes from the many windmills, los molinos, that used to be in the area. Most of them are now gone, but some remain that you can see.
Molinar is the continuation of Portixol, before Ciudad Jardin. The big and beautiful obelisque next to the sea is almost a trademark for the area.
Long ago there were only fishermen and farmers living in Molinar but it is now, together with Portixol, one of the most sought after areas to live in.
There are many good restaurants and nice cafés, but also grocery shops, fruit and vegetable shops and a pharmacy that is open at night.
Just like Portixol, Molinar is also an active area where many people are doing sports – swimming, bicycling, running, walking, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Here you will also see many surfers, as the waves break nicely in the winter time. In the summer evenings you will see families and friends gather on the beaches along the boardwalk having dinner together. It is truly a charming and genuine area.
If you are looking to live in a quiet and charming area where the Mediterranean Sea is around the corner and fully present, then Molinar is a dream location. The prices here are quickly increasing, but it is still possible to find a good project to turn into a true gem, where you have the clear blue sea close enough to enjoy a late evening swim.
Portixol: small town vibe by the sea
Portixol is an old fishing harbour which has become one of the most trendy and sought after areas around Palma. The name itself means ”port and sun” in the Mallorquin language. Here you will find some superb fish restaurants, great tapas places, and modern style cafés one after the other.
Many of these places are along the water front and have spectacular views over the small beach and the Club Nautic in Portixol. There is always plenty of activity happening; you will see people practising SUP or enjoying an early morning canoe trip in the calm waters. On the board walk you will see people fishing, running, riding a bike, skateboarding or rollerblading. It is also perfect for a long walk in the sunshine or to enjoy a coffee and people watch at one of the many cafés.
Other than restaurants and cafes, Portixol has the conveniences of a great gym, pharmacy and food stores. In Portixol you can live by the sea with just a 30 minute walk to Palma. There are also great bus connections into the centre.
Puerto Portals: luxurious marina with a lot to offer
Puerto Portals is a vibrant and popular marina, located in Portals Nous, just 10 minutes from central Palma. With its unique setting, it combines a lively atmosphere with a peaceful, surrounding nature. During the day you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, relax at one of the beach clubs or why not get the pulse pumping with water sports or some tennis at one of the best tennis clubs in Mallorca.
Puerto Portals is also a very popular scene at night when people come to enjoy a lovely dinner or just to have a glass of cava with an extraordinary view. This area has a lot to offer, whether you prefer to take a walk along the pier and watch the beautiful yachts, eat at one of the well known restaurants next to the water or have a stroll among the many exclusive shops and designer boutiques.
In Puerto Portals you have everything you need close at hand, such as supermarket, pharmacy, banks and gym, which makes this area ideal for living on both permanent and holiday basis.
Other samples:
More Vocabulary
No-frills:
including only the basic features, without anything that is
unnecessary, especially things added to make something more attractive or
comfortable. E.g. a no-frills airline
built-up:
(of an area of land) covered in buildings, roads, etc. E.g. to reduce the speed limit in built-up areas.
skyline:
the outline of buildings, trees, hills, etc. seen against the sky. E.g. the New York skyline. Ugly tower blocks dominate the skyline.
skyscraper:
a very tall building in a city.
bustling:
/ˈbʌslɪŋ/ full of people moving about in a busy way. E.g. a bustling city. Bustling with something The market was bustling with life. The town is bustling with tourists and workers.
teem with something: (also be teeming with something)
to be full of people, animals, etc. moving around. E.g. The streets were teeming with tourists. A river teeming with fish.
the back of beyond:
(informal) a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc. E.g. We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond. They live in some village in the back of beyond. He lives in some tiny, remote village in the back of beyond.
deserted:
/dɪˈzɜːtɪd/ (of a place) with no people in it. E.g. deserted streets. The office was completely deserted.
secluded:
/sɪˈkluːdɪd/ (of a place) quiet and private; not used or disturbed by other people. E.g. a secluded garden/beach/spot, etc. We managed to find a fairly secluded spot for our picnic.
idyllic:
/ɪˈdɪlɪk/ peaceful and beautiful; perfect, without problems. E.g. a house set in idyllic surroundings. To lead an idyllic existence. The cottage sounds idyllic.
unspoilt:
(of a place) beautiful because it has not been changed or built on. E.g. unspoiled countryside. It’s a country of stunning landscapes and unspoiled beaches.
pristine:
/ˈprɪstiːn/ not
developed or changed in any way; left in its original condition.
Something that is pristine looks very clean, tidy, or new. E.g. pristine, pollution-free beaches. Pristine snow/beaches/lawns. In pristine condition: The bike was in pristine condition.
tranquil:
/ˈtræŋkwɪl/ quiet and peaceful. E.g. a tranquil scene. The tranquil waters of the lake. She led a tranquil life in the country.
stunning:
extremely attractive or impressive. E.g. a stunning view of the lake.
breathtaking:
very exciting or impressive (usually in a pleasant way). E.g. a breathtaking view of the mountains. The scene was one of breathtaking beauty.
In-flight:
happening
or provided during a journey on a plane. E.g. In-flight movies
Unwary:
/ʌnˈweəri/ not
aware of the possible dangers or problems of a situation and therefore likely
to be harmed in some way. Sp. incauto. E.g. Exams are not designed to set traps
for unwary students. Unwary traveller.
Off the beaten
track:
far away from other people or areas popular with
tourists. E.g. They live miles off the beaten track
Single-handedly:
on your own with nobody
helping you. Alone. E.g. She single-handedly saved the
town from disaster.
rough it
(informal) to live in a way that is not very comfortable for a short time. E.g. We can sleep on the beach. I don't mind roughing it for a night or two. Let's rough it and go camping.
in the lap of luxury:
in easy, comfortable conditions, and enjoying the advantages of being rich. E.g. We spent two weeks in the hotel living in the lap of luxury.
Inveterate:
/ɪnˈvetərət/ always doing something or enjoying something, and unlikely to
stop. Sp. empedernido, incurable. E.g. an inveterate liar. He soon became an
inveterate traveller.
Seasoned:
/ˈsiːznd/ (when used of a person) having a lot of experience of a
particular activity. E.g. a seasoned campaigner/performer/traveller, etc. A seasoned
traveller is a person who has travelled a lot.
Intrepid:
/ɪnˈtrepɪd/ very brave; not afraid of danger or difficulties. Fearless.
E.g. an intrepid explorer. Intrepid travellers always enjoy interaction
with the locals.
Get by (on/in/with something):
to manage to live or do a particular thing using the money, knowledge, equipment, etc. that you have. E.g. How does she get by on such a small salary? I can just about get by in German (= I can speak basic German).
on a shoestring:
(informal) using very little money. E.g. In the early years, the business was run on a shoestring.
Weary:
/ˈwɪəri/ very tired, especially after you have been working hard or doing
something for a long time. E.g. a weary traveller. She suddenly felt old and
weary. A weary sigh. This airport is facilitated with good runways, waiting
rooms, refreshment and cargo handling so that a weary traveller is never
disappointed.
Chill out:
to spend time relaxing; to relax and stop feeling angry or nervous about something. E.g. They sometimes meet up to chill out and watch a movie. Sit down and chill out!
Discerning:
/dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ/ able to show good judgement about the quality of
somebody/something. Sp. exigente. E.g. The discerning customer will recognize
this as a high quality product. Marble bathrooms with plenty of soft towels, a
sauna and an authentic hammam provide all the modern amenities a discerning
traveller is used to.
culture vulture:
a person who is very interested in serious art, music, literature, etc.
Armchair:
[only before noun] knowing about a subject through books and television, rather
than by doing it for yourself. E.g. an armchair critic/traveller. A
generation of armchair athletes who prefer to watch sports on TV rather than
play. Some armchair travellers surf YouTube for trip-planning research,
or for broadening their horizons without leaving the house.
Lose your bearings:
to become lost or confused.
all-inclusive:
/ˌɔːl ɪnˈkluːsɪv/ including everything or everyone. E.g. Our trips are all-inclusive—there are no hidden costs.
unwind
unwind /ˌʌnˈwaɪnd/ unwound /ˌʌnˈwaʊnd/ unwound /ˌʌnˈwaʊnd/
to stop worrying or thinking about problems and start to relax. E.g. Music helps me unwind after a busy day.
