LECTURE 4.

TYPES AND
CONTENT OF EXCURSIONS

4.1. Classification of excursions

4.2. Subjects and content of excursions
4.3. The alternative classifications
4.4. Overview of Tour Typical Guide Services and Responsibilities
 According to the content, historical excursions are
subdivided into the following subgroups:
 Historical study of the local area – local history study (for
example, "History of Kharkiv", "From the history of the Kiev
Pechersk Lavra", etc.);
 Archeological (for example, excursion to Khersones with the
display of the material of the historical sources-excavation);
 Ethnographic, telling about customs and traditions of the
different nations and nationalities;
 Military-historical, which are held in the places of fighting
glory (for example, “Poltava Battle", etc.);
 Historical-biographic (in the places of life and activity of
famous people);
 Excursions to the historical museums.
 Industrial excursions are divided into subgroups:
 Industrial-historical;

 Industrial-economic (for example, the activity of banks or stock

exchanges, the market of the real estate, etc.);
 Technological;

 Professionally-oriented for pupils.

 Art criticism excursions have subgroups:

 Historical-theatrical (for example, "From the history of Kharkiv

Theatre", “The backstage of KhNATOB", etc.);
 Historical-musical (for example, "Kharkiv musical", etc.);

 On national art crafts (for example, “Motanka dolls”, “Painting

Easter eggs”, etc.);
 In the places of life and activity of art workers (for example, “K.
Shulzhenko (L. Gurchenko) in Kharkiv", “Leonid Bykov as the
symbol of Kharkiv”, etc.);
 In picture galleries and showrooms, museums, in workshops of
artists and sculptors.
 2) By the type and quantity of the participants excursions
can be individual, for locals, tourists, adults and school pupils,
etc. Peculiarities of information perception is different with
every mentioned group therefore changes should be introduced
into content of activities, methodology, their technique as well
as their duration.
 3) The location for excursion can be town, suburban area,
industrial area, museum or it can be a complex of a few
locations (with elements of a few locations).
 4) According to the means of travelling excursions can be: a
walking tour and with the use of different means of transport. The
preference of a walking tour is that it allows creating a necessary
pace and they provide favourable conditions for showing around
and telling a story.
 Excursions with the use of transport (mainly buses) consist of
two parts: analysis of excursion objects (e.g. historic and cultural
monuments) during the bus stops and a description of the
monuments and memorable locations while on the road between
the objects.
 For some excursions, the trolley buses, trams (excursion tram
“Annushka” in Kharkiv), river and sea motor ships, helicopters,
etc. are provided.
 5) Duration of excursion ranges from 1 academic hour (45
minutes) to one day. Short tours (from 1 to 3-4 days) are called
weekend routes which can contain several excursions of different
length.
6) Form of excursions can be different:
o group excursion, when participants follow the route simultaneously on

10-20 buses with a tour guide provided for every bus;   

o excursion-walk containing learning elements with resting on the way

which is done in a forest, park, at the sea or river side; 

o excursion-lecture (description prevails over demonstration); 

o excursion-concert is dedicated to a musical theme with listening to

music compositions while on a bus trip;

o excursion-play – is a form of literary and art excursion prepared on the

basis of certain fiction;

o  excursion-consultation which gives illustrative answers to participants'

questions and is one of the ways of upgrading qualifications; 

o excursion-demonstration is the most illustrative form of familiarization

of the group with the nature phenomenon and production processes;

o  excursion-lesson is a form of knowledge transfer in accordance with a

learning programme of this or that educational institution;

o excursion-advertising (fam tours).
4.3. THE ALTERNATIVE CLASSIFICATIONS (A)
 There are hundreds of different travel excursions (we would
call them trips, not excursions) offered by thousands of
different travel agencies, cruise lines, and other travel outfits.
While every travel company has a different term for the
excursions that are offered, most of these trips provide the same
types of experiences. Essentially, there are four different
types of excursions, including adventure, leisure, romance,
and family.
 While there are varying degrees of adventure, an adventure
excursion involves embarking upon a trip that will require both
mind and body involvement. These trips can include anything
from cycling through great mountains to swinging on vines
(лиана) through a rain forest. Typically, a person must be in
good physical health in order to partake in an adventure
travel excursions; unless, of course, tourists will be transported
through treacherous terrain while riding inside of a vehicle.
 Leisure excursions are just like they sound. People wishing to spend
their vacations relaxing poolside, sitting on a beach, or booking spa
treatments will enjoy leisure vacations. Some travel companies add
extra details to these vacations including meals, special
accommodations, and unique relaxation experiences. People who need
a true escape from everyday life will benefit from a leisure excursion.
 Honeymooners and romantic couples alike may want to sign up for a
romantic excursion. These excursions include all the basic romantic
necessities, champagne, solitude, romantic meals, and some travel
companies even include spa treatments for two people in a romantic
excursion package. Generally, newlywed couples can enjoy deep
discounts on romantic excursions.
 Family excursions are ideal for the whole family. These trips usually
involve activities that both younger and older family members can
enjoy. Frequently, family trips include various options that each family
member can select from. People seeking a family vacation may enjoy
the different family-based trips that travel agencies and cruise lines
offer.