In this advanced English conversation, two friends in Paris disagree about whether to visit the Eiffel Tower or find somewhere more local. It’s written for C1 learners and full of natural travel idioms like “off the beaten path,” “hole in the wall,” and “on a shoestring.” Watch Camille and Calvin read it at natural speed, then study the vocabulary, the real-life tip, and the quiz.
Level: C1 (advanced)
Reading time: About 1 minute
Topic: Travel, sightseeing, budgets
From the book: 50 Advanced English Conversations, page 89 (“Out and About” section)
How to use this lesson
First, read the conversation on your own. Then watch the video to hear how it sounds at natural speed. Next, study the vocabulary breakdown and the real-life tip. Finally, practice the conversation out loud, by yourself or with a friend, and take the quiz.
The conversation: Paris Adventures
London: Jack, I know the Eiffel Tower is cliché, but we’re in Paris. We have to at least see it. It’s iconic. I would kick myself if I went to Paris and didn’t see it.
Jack: It’s a total circus over there right now. You’ll spend two hours dodging selfie sticks just to get a mediocre view.
London: It’s worth it, don’t you think?
Jack: Maybe. I just want something that actually feels Parisian.
London: How does the Eiffel Tower not feel Parisian? Are you delirious?
Jack: No, I feel you, Lon. It’s just that after, maybe we can find something off the beaten path. Maybe hit up a local place or two.
London: Okay, agreed. I was checking out this local blog that talks about some hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cafés. We can hit one of them up after.
Jack: Deal. You know, I’m doing this trip on a shoestring. We gotta go where the locals go.
London: I’m with you, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We gotta at least see the main sights. After that, I’m okay just tagging along with you.
Jack: Sweet.
Advanced vocabulary from the conversation
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example from the conversation |
|---|---|---|
| cliché | too common or overused to feel special | I know the Eiffel Tower is cliché. |
| iconic | very famous and recognized as a symbol | It’s iconic. |
| kick yourself | be very annoyed with yourself for missing a chance | I would kick myself if I didn’t see it. |
| a total circus | extremely busy, crowded, and chaotic | It’s a total circus over there right now. |
| dodge | move quickly to avoid something | You’ll spend two hours dodging selfie sticks. |
| mediocre | only average, not very good | …just to get a mediocre view. |
| delirious | not thinking clearly, confused | Are you delirious? |
| I feel you | I understand how you feel (informal) | No, I feel you, London. |
| off the beaten path | away from the popular tourist places | Maybe we can find something off the beaten path. |
| hit up | go to or visit a place (informal) | Maybe hit up a local place or two. |
| hole in the wall | a small, simple restaurant or café that’s often very good | …some hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cafés. |
| on a shoestring | with very little money | I’m doing this trip on a shoestring. |
| the main sights | the most famous places to see | We gotta at least see the main sights. |
| tag along | go somewhere with someone, joining their plans | I’m okay just tagging along with you. |
From Camille and Calvin’s travels
Off the beaten path: “We love off-the-beaten-path places because they’re usually not as discovered. They might not be on Instagram, so they’re not popular. In both Italy and Portugal, locals have actually asked us, ‘Please don’t post this on Instagram.’ So we didn’t, because we want those places to keep their charm.”
Hole in the wall: “We love hole-in-the-wall restaurants! It’s almost always a restaurant or café. It might not have the best interior or decoration, and it’s usually cheaper, but the food is excellent.”
Tag along: “You don’t want to tag along if you’re the third wheel, the single person out with a couple. Well, sometimes you can. It depends on the relationship!”
Real life English tip: once-in-a-lifetime
Something once-in-a-lifetime is so special or rare that you’ll likely never do it again. People often use it to justify spending extra money or visiting “tourist traps,” because they don’t want to have regrets later.
- This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We gotta at least see the main sights.
- Skydiving in the Swiss Alps was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- We splurged on the luxury hotel because this trip is once-in-a-lifetime.
- Calvin just got back from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Switzerland with our son.
Notice the hyphens: a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Try it: What’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ve had, or one you dream of having?
Listen and speak: “taggin’ along”
Listen to how “tagging along” sounds in the video. In casual speech, the g is often dropped, and the n links right into the next word, so it sounds like “taggin-along.” You’ll also hear “gotta” instead of “got to” in “We gotta go where the locals go.”
Read the conversation out loud at natural speed, then try it again with a partner.
Check your understanding
- Why does London want to see the Eiffel Tower?
a) She’s been there before b) It’s iconic, and she’d regret missing it c) It’s free - What is Jack’s problem with the Eiffel Tower?
a) It’s too expensive b) It’s closed c) It’s crowded and the view isn’t worth it - What does London find on a local blog?
a) Hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cafés b) Cheap hotels c) Museum tickets - What does “on a shoestring” mean?
a) In a hurry b) With very little money c) Without a plan - What does “off the beaten path” mean?
a) Lost b) Away from popular tourist places c) Very far from the city - What do they agree to do?
a) Skip the Eiffel Tower b) See the main sights, then go somewhere local c) Go back to the hotel
REVEAL THE QUIZ ANSWERS
Answers:
1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b, 5-b, 6-b
Discussion questions
- When you travel, do you prefer famous sights or places off the beaten path?
- What’s the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant you’ve ever found?
- Have you ever traveled on a shoestring? What did you do to save money?
- Which famous tourist attraction do you think is worth the crowds?
Practice with 49 more advanced conversations
“Paris Adventures” is one of 50 conversations in 50 Advanced English Conversations, organized into ten real-life sections: the workplace, solving problems, friends and drama, love and dating, digital life, wellness and self-care, out and about, money matters, social and small talk, and the academic life.
Each conversation includes bolded vocabulary with definitions, a real-life English tip, a listening tip, and free audio of Camille and Calvin reading at natural speed.
More from this book:
The Nomadic Life
Tinder Date
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What does "off the beaten path" mean?
It means a place away from the popular tourist areas. For example: “We found a quiet beach off the beaten path.”
What is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant?
It’s a small, simple restaurant or café that doesn’t look special, but usually has great, affordable food.
For Example: “Let’s try that hole-in-the-wall thai place next Saturday!”
What does "on a shoestring" mean?
It means doing something with very little money. People often say “on a shoestring budget.”
What level is this English conversation?
It’s for advanced learners (C1). The challenge is the idioms and natural speed, not just the grammar.
Where is this conversation from?
It’s from 50 Advanced English Conversations by Camille Hanson, page 89.
Your turn!
Would you rather see the Eiffel Tower or find a hole-in-the-wall café? Tell us in the comments on the YouTube video!
