Writing an email

Writing an e-mail about your holiday experiences 

1

Subject: My Amazing Holiday Adventure in Italy!

Hi Mike,

I hope you're doing well! I just got back from my vacation and I couldn't wait to tell you all about it.

I went to Italy for a week and it was an incredible experience. The weather was perfect, sunny but not too hot. I spent most of my time exploring the local sights and enjoying the beautiful scenery. One of my favorite places was the Colosseum, where I got to learn about its fascinating history. It was so exciting!

The food there was delicious. I tried authentic pasta carbonara, and it quickly became my favorite meal. The people were really friendly too, which made my trip even more enjoyable.

I took lots of photos and can't wait to show them to you. Let's catch up soon so I can tell you more about everything I did.

Take care!

Best,  

Jessica

2

Subject: Greetings from Barcelona!

Hi Sarah,

I hope you're doing well! I'm writing to you from Barcelona, and I just had to share how amazing it is here.

So far, the trip has been fantastic. I've been here for a few days now, and each day has been an adventure. Yesterday, I visited Park Güell and saw some breathtaking views. I also tried paella, which was absolutely delicious!

The local markets are vibrant and full of interesting things. I even bought a few souvenirs for you—can't wait for you to see them! Tomorrow, I plan to go on a guided tour of the Sagrada Família, which I’m really looking forward to.

The weather has been lovely, perfect for exploring and taking in all the sights. I’m taking lots of photos, so I’ll have plenty to show you when I return.

I’ll keep you updated on my adventures. Hope to hear from you soon!

Take care,

Emily

TUTORIAL 

Writing an email about your holiday is a fantastic way to practice your English. It allows you to use different tenses (past, present, and future) and descriptive adjectives to share your experiences.

This tutorial will guide you through the structure of an informal holiday email, provides useful vocabulary, and gives you a template to use.

1. The Structure of Your Email

An informal email usually follows this simple 5-part structure:

1. Subject Line: A short title to tell them what the email is about. 

Example: Greetings from Italy! / Having a great time in Tokyo! 

2. Greeting: A friendly way to start. 

Example: Hi [Name], / Hello [Name], / Hey! 

3. The Opening: Ask how they are or mention why you are writing. 

Example: How are you? I hope you're doing well. I'm writing to tell you about my trip. 

4. The Body: The "meat" of the email. Describe the place, the weather, and what you did. 

Example: The weather is amazing. Yesterday, we visited the museum... [link]

5. Closing & Sign-off: End with a wish to see them soon and your name. 

Example: See you soon! / Take care, / Best, [Your Name]

2. Useful Vocabulary & Phrases

To make your email sound natural, try using these descriptive phrases:

Describing the Place: "It’s a beautiful city," "The scenery is breathtaking," or "The atmosphere is very relaxing."

Describing the Weather: "It's boiling hot," "It's sunny and clear," or "It's a bit chilly but nice."

Talking about Activities: "We’ve been doing a lot of sightseeing," "I tried the local food," or "We've spent most of our time on the beach" [link].

3. Step-by-Step Writing Guide

Step 1: Use the Present Continuous for the "Now"

When you write an email while you are still on holiday, use the Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing) to describe what is happening around you.

Example: "I am sitting in a small café right now, watching the people go by."

Step 2: Use the Past Simple for Completed Actions

Use the Past Simple to talk about specific things you did yesterday or earlier in the trip.

Example: "Yesterday, we went to the ancient ruins and took so many photos."

Step 3: Add "Wish You Were Here"

This is a classic English holiday phrase. It tells the person you miss them and want them to share the experience.

4. Sample Email Template

You can copy and adapt this for your own holiday:

Subject: Greetings from [Location]! 🌴

Hi [Friend's Name],

I hope you’re having a great week! 

I’m writing this from a lovely little hotel in [Location]. I’ve been here for three days now, and I’m having an amazing time. The weather is perfect—it’s sunny and very warm every day.

So far, I’ve visited the [Famous Landmark] and walked around the old town. The food is delicious; I tried [Local Dish] yesterday, and it was incredible! Tomorrow, we are planning to go on a boat trip to the islands.

I wish you were here to see this view! I’ll show you all the photos when I get back.

See you soon,

[Your Name]

[link] 

💡 Teaching Assistant Tip:

When you write, try not to just list facts. Use adjectives to express your feelings. Instead of saying "The food was good," try "The food was “tasty" or "delicious." This makes your writing much more interesting for the reader!

Practice Question: If you were on holiday right now, what is the first thing you would tell your friend about the weather?