Italy. Excelsior.

Venice Lido.

One of the hotels originally responsible for making the Venice Lido such a fashionable summer resort, the Hotel Excelsior has been refurbished to the highest standards. Set squarely on a long stretch of fine sandy beach, its dramatic Moorish architecture, complete with slender minarets, tiled courtyards and splashing fountains, establishes a ‘thousand and one nights’ ambience that makes it ideal for romantic stays. The 193 bedrooms and suites differ in both size and décor, yet the decorative theme of tented ceilings, sculptured arch-ways and vibrant colours remains distinctly Moorish. In-room facilities include air-conditioning, satellite televisions, minibars, 24-hour room service and ensuite bathrooms with both tubs and showers. There are six tennis courts, a heated outdoor swimming pool (open June to mid-September) and a full range of watersports can be enjoyed from the beach. Golf is available on the 18-hole Golf Club Venezia just 15 minutes drive away. Three charming restaurants, La Tropicana, La Taverna, and La Terrazza, open alternately and offer a choice of Italian and regional specialities. The Hotel Excelsior is now part of ITT Sheraton’s Luxury Collection. It is ideal for those wanting to combine a relaxing beach holiday with the fabled sights of Venice.

EXERCISES:

1. Translate and match the two halves of the word combinations correctly.

h ighest minarets

long courtyards

slender ambience

tiled standards

splashing arch-ways

romantic fountains

decorative ceilings

tented restaurants

sculptured theme

vibrant bathrooms

in-room televisions

satellite stretch

ensuite courts

tennis specialities

charming colours

regional facilities

fabled sights

‘thousand and one nights’ stays

2. Translate and match the three words given below correctly.

f ashionable room service

f ine summer beach

24-hour Moorish architecture

relaxing sandy resort

dramatic beach holiday

3. Translate and match the three words given below correctly.

I talian outdoor Club specialities

1 8-hole Golf regional Venezia

heated and swimming pool

3. Insert the missed words in the sentences:

1) One of the ______ originally responsible for making the Venice Lido such a ______ ______ ______, the Hotel Excelsior has been refurbished to the ______ ______.

2) Set squarely on a long stretch of ______, ______ ______, its ______ ______ ______, complete with ______ ______, ______ ______ and ______ ______, establishes a ‘thousand and one nights’ ambience that makes it ______ for ______ ______.

3) The 193 ______ and ______ differ in both ______ and ______, yet the ______ ______ of ______ ______, ______ ______-______ and ______ ______ remains distinctly Moorish.

4) ______-______ ______ include ______-______, ______ ______, ______, ______-______ ______ ______ and ______ ______ with both ______ and ______.

5) There are six ______ ______, a ______ ______ ______ ______ (open June to mid-September) and a ______ ______ of ______ can be enjoyed from the ______.

6) ______ is available on the ______-______ ______ ______ ______ just 15 minutes ______ away.

7) Three ______ ______, La Tropicana, La Taverna, and La Terrazza, open alternately and offer a ______ of ______ and ______ ______.

8) The Hotel Excelsior is now ______ of ITT Sheraton’s Luxury Collection.

9) It is ______ for those wanting to combine a ______ ______ ______ with the ______ ______ of Venice.

4. Food and Drink.

• This is a Mediterranean dish called Moussaka. It has aubergines, onions and tomatoand rice in it, with lamb or beef, and there is also cheese in it.

• Singapore Stir-fried Noodles is a Chinese dish. The noodles are cooked with prawns, pieces of pork or chicken, peppers, garlic, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and spices.

1. Read the two descriptions and find:

   • four kinds of meat

   • nine things that enlisted (a-m)

1. prawns

2. tomato

3. carrot

4. rice

5. garlic

6. potato

7. cheese

8. aubergine

9. sausages

10. spices

11. mushrooms

12. onions

13. peppers

5. Choose a dish you know. What does it have in it? List all the ingredients and tell how to cook it.

Ask your partner about his or her favourite dish, the ingredients and the way of cooking it.

UNIT 14.

Key words: member – ITT Sheraton – Luxury Collection – stately – 16^th century property – Grand Canal – palace – Doge of Venice – mellow red-brick exterior – traditional mullioned windows – to enclose – haven of Venetian opulence and antiquity – classic elegance – perfectly – to reflect – spirit and accomplishments – city’s illustrious history – St. Mark’s Square – shopping centre – easy walking distance – museums – churches – galleries – spacious rooms and suites – to appoint - impeccable taste – to offer – air-conditioning – minibar – television – marble floors and columns – stucco panelling – antiques – oil paintings – Murano chandeliers – to grace – superb public areas – fine dining – Club del Doge terrace restaurant – added pleasures of memorable views – live piano music – romantic Bar Longhi – to offer – live music – nightly – services – to include – hairdresser – car and boat rental – concierge assistance with sightseeing or shopping trips – free entrance – Casino – hotel ‘gold card’ – to play host – distinguished guest list – venue – to confer – true sense of distinction – stay in Venice

TEXT 14. Read and translate the text.