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Tips and inspiration for your trip, top 5 things to see in the middle east.

• When traveling in   Jordan , a visit to the Dead Sea is not to be missed . Float in the surreal waters or enjoy the   therapeutic experience.   Take this one step further and   spend the day in one of the Dead Sea’s famous spas   and pamper yourself in this incredible place. While you’re here, travel the short distance to the Red Sea and see all of the vibrant life in its waters, perfect for   snorkeling and scuba diving.
• At the heart of   Jordan   lies the lunar landscape of Wadi Rum . Trek across its dunes,   camping overnight   and enjoying incredible barbecued meals under the stars in the desert. You may recognize the bizarre rock formations from some of your favorite films, such as Star Wars.
• Explore Isfahan city and its treasures as you travel through   Iran .   See the   ancient Persian history   that is still visible around every corner. Visit   incredible buildings, gardens and mosques   and marvel at the colorful and unforgettable architecture.  
• While you’re in   Iran , you can also see the ancient ruins of Persepolis,   which is one of the world’s most celebrated   UNESCO World Heritage Sites .
• Israel   is a fantastic option for travelers interested in history and culture   here, with sites such as   Nazareth and Galilee   that have enough history and significance for even the most avid history buffs to sink their teeth in to.

Things to know before traveling to The Middle East

For first-time visitors, The Middle-East can seem a little strange, since   many of its customs and culture is different.   Here are a few things to be aware of to make sure that you’re prepared for your trip.

• Since   The Middle East has fairly strict rules regarding modesty and clothes   which are deemed to be revealing, it is advisable to   dress conservatively,   especially if you plan on visiting religious sites. Shorts or sleeveless t shirts are generally to be avoided, whether you’re male or female, as are short skirts for women. Women are not forced to cover up totally by any means, but you should be respectful of The Middle Eastern culture and avoid showing too much skin.
• Throughout your trip, you may be offered coffee by locals, hosts, guides and even shop keepers. In The Middle East, this is seen as a gesture of hospitality and, as such, it is considered rude to decline the offer. Try to always accept, or if you have to decline, do so with grace and understanding.
• Prices in The Middle East are a strange concept, since,   often, prices are by no means fixed . Not only is haggling common, it is usually expected. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing prices in this way, a guide can always assist you, but you may find that you enjoy this tradition that is so different from western custom.
• ’Salamu alaikum’ is the greeting used by almost all muslims - why not learn it and give the people you meet a proper greeting?
• Lastly, Don’t come to The Middle East expecting a glass of wine with every meal.   Alcohol (and pork!) is harder to come by than you may be accustomed to.

Middle Eastern Food

With many Middle Eastern foods having become staples in Western countries, its no surprise   that food here is a hugely enjoyable part of any trip…

• Enjoy traditional foods such as   hummus, falafel or baba ghanoush   made authentically in a local restaurant or a home stay. These are Middle Eastern classics as you’ve never had them before.
• Tabouleh is a vegetarian mixture of herbs, tomatoes, parsley, bulgur and onions   and is seasoned with a traditional mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Enjoy this as a topping, an accompaniment or just by itself!
• Shawarma is a rotisserie meat preparation, rich in flavor and a perfect comfort food.   Eaten with a deliciously fluffy flat bread, local herbs and spices and a sauce of your choice.
• Foul Mudammes is a delicious Middle Eastern breakfast   made from boiled and mashed fava beans with a spicy soup-like sauce. A hearty breakfast, it is traditionally eaten with brad and is sure to fuel a day of Middle Eastern exploration.
• Mujadarra, made of rice and lentils, is a Middle Eastern variation on rice and beans,   which can be found in many cultures. Great for vegetarians, this tasty dish is served as a side dish to accompany any meal but can be served as a main dish too.

Major Cities in The Middle East

• Whilst   Petra in Jordan   is an ancient city, rather than a modern one, it had to make the list. As one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world it is not to be missed. See the massive buildings carved in to red stone and marvel at these stunning remains of a city from many many years ago.
• Tel Aviv in Israel   is one of the world’s most surprising cities. The majority of its population is Jewish and the culture here is everywhere. However, at the same time it is remarkably cosmopolitan, with delicious wine and food. Whilst respect is still paramount, this is a Middle-Eastern city where you can let your hair down.
• Any visit to The Middle-East would not be truly complete with a trip to   Jerusalem in Israel.   This city is truly fascinating and provides an insight into both Jewish and Muslim custom. The food here is also delicious.
• Stop by   Tehran in Iran   and visit its many amazing sites, such as the Golestan Palace Complex or carpet museum showing an ancient craft that is still in practice today.

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Middle East Tours & Vacations

The Middle East is living, breathing proof of an old maxim: you don’t know, until you go. 

Forget the headlines and the hyperbole; this is the cradle of civilizations, an ancient land emerging as a modern power, with the money, culture and panache to back it up. Ride camels with Bedouin tribespeople across the dunes of the Sahara, haggle for gold in the souqs of downtown Amman, marvel at the Blue Mosque on a Turkey trip , cruise the Nile beneath the white sail of a felucca or float forever in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. Wherever you go, three things will follow: the faint scent of cloves and camel, the echoing call to prayer and the smiles of people that call this place home. 

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Articles of Middle East

The best traditional dishes to try in Oman 

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Why you should consider a trekking trip in Jordan (and what it’s like)

What it’s like spending the night in a Qashqai homestay on a women’s expedition in Iran

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Experts in tailor-made vacations to the Middle East

A storied land that can be both sere and fertile, the Middle East exists within a tangle of cultures, religions and empires, both ancient and modern. Here, you’ll find cities from myth that still hum with life as well as people who live in the world’s most extreme climates. We can help you explore colossal monuments that date back millennia, ancient holy sites from many religions and landscapes of otherworldly beauty. Our specialists return regularly to this antique land and can work with you to plan a vacation to the Middle East that takes in the region’s marvels.

Delve into the hospitable soul of the region and uncover new perspectives on places like Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Petra’s hidden city and Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza. You could find yourself slipping into a Bedouin tent to share mint tea in Jordan or watching the sunrise from an Omani dune.

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Where you can travel with us in the Middle East

Our specialists can help you plan your trip, individually focusing on your tastes and interests, to the destinations below.

Trip ideas in the Middle East

These itineraries will give you a starting point for what your trip could entail. They cover routes that we've found work particularly well and feature some of our favorite places to stay. Treat them just as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you and there are many more options available.

Highlights of Egypt: Cairo & Nile cruise

7 days from $3,955pp

Luxury Cairo & the treasures of the Nile

12 days from $15,995pp

Classic Cairo, Luxor & Aswan overland

9 days from $5,055pp

Jordan & a romantic Egyptian Nile cruise

16 days from $10,995pp

Classic Jordan tour: Amman, Petra & the Dead Sea

8 days from $3,595pp

Luxury Turkey tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Bodrum

12 days from $11,930pp

Grand tour of Oman

13 days from $8,595pp

Grand tour of Egypt

15 days from $11,655pp

Huvafen Fushi and Dubai

12 days from $12,505pp

Historic Greece & Turkey

16 days from $11,990pp

Luxury Dubai: beach & desert

8 days from $9,940pp

Highlights of Turkey & Jordan

15 days from $13,315pp

Our expert guides to exploring the Middle East

Capturing our specialists’ extensive travel experience in the Middle East, these guides share inspiration, recommendations and our honest advice for how to enjoy the best of what the region can offer in the most authentic ways. From the wealth of options we describe, you can narrow down the choices and start to shape your own trip.

What to do in Morocco: our highlights guide

Morocco is a destination with fascinating local customs, a rich history and many geological wonders. Immerse yourself in the labyrinth of Medieval souqs, try the local cuisine, go walking in the beautiful High Atlas Mountains, or take a camel trip into the desert and sleep under the stars.

Family vacations in Morocco

A vibrant and diverse country, Morocco is a very family-friendly destination with plenty of hands-on experiences and quirky accommodation options for families. Morocco specialist Kerry explains how to get the most out of your time here.

Luxury Egypt: live like a pharaoh

A room at the foot of the Great Pyramid, an opulent ship on the Nile, and private guides — Egypt specialist Emma outlines the most indulgent ways to enjoy the country’s classic sights.

Nile cruises: the route to ancient Egypt

A Nile cruise is the classic way of exploring Egypt. Drift down the Nile in a comfortable cruise boat, making stops to visit Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs. Egypt specialist Steve outlines how you can make the most of your cruise.

10 min read

Walking and trekking vacations in Morocco

Home to North Africa's highest mountain and the stunning Ourika Valley, Morocco is the perfect choice for a walking or trekking vacation in North Africa. We can advise you on the best places to stay to make the most of these wonderful walking opportunities.

What to do in Egypt: our highlights guide

Home to some of the world's most historical monuments and best dive sites, Egypt's size makes it possible for the first-time visitor to see many of its highlights in a relatively short trip.

Morocco food experiences

Influenced over the centuries by numerous cultures, Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its delicious taste. We recommend dishes you should try and places to eat to help you make the most of your Moroccan food experience.

Family vacations in Egypt

If you're planning a family vacation to Egypt we can recommend family friendly activities as well as suitable places to stay. This captivating country has a very low malaria risk.

Dubai travel guide: our highlights

Though it’s known for dizzying skyline, man-made islands and vast malls, Dubai has plenty to offer besides. Specialist Matt shares his recommendations, from its best beach areas to discovering the hidden traditions of this desert city in its souqs and bazaars.

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How We Started

Our story began with a vision fueled by the Middle East's growing appeal for travel, a trend confirmed by a 20% increase in international arrivals, as reported by the UNWTO. This was in sharp contrast to the World's 16% decline from 2019 numbers, signaling a unique opportunity for growth in a thriving market.

That was coupled with Saudi Arabia's entry into the global tourism scene, revolutionizing connectivity across Middle Eastern destinations. This ushered in a new era of multi-country travel routes, in high demand among travelers. It was a clear gap that the Middle East Travel Alliance was ready to fill, marking our strategic entry into this dynamic and evolving travel landscape.

Tackling  the  Challenges

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Our alliance operates differently from typical global DMCs. We don't add extra fees to the services offered by our DMC members. Instead, all cost for marketing and operations are shared among our members. This approach ensures you are getting the best prices and value for money directly from the local suppliers in each destinations. No middle men or markups involved.

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Our dedicated operation team ensure that your Middle East tour package is expertly handled. They will communicate with you, curate the necessary packages, book and confirm all arrangements, and coordinate with our DMC members. With our team's oversight ensures that every aspect of your journey will be taken care of from start to finish. We understand that your clients' comfort and satisfaction are top priorities, and our team will track their experience to ensure it's enjoyable. Trust us to handle all the details, leaving your guests to relax and enjoy their vacation. Let us create a truly unforgettable experience for you and your clients in the Middle East.

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• 26 Jun 2024

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Palestinian leader Abbas to visit Moscow, Russian agencies report

• TASS said Ushakov did not disclose the timing but said the dates had been agreed

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Russia, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday, citing Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov.

TASS said Ushakov did not disclose the timing but said the dates had been agreed. Another state agency, RIA, said Abbas had planned to come to Russia in November last year, but the visit was postponed at the request of the Palestinian side.

Russia says it wants to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East and that peace will not be possible without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

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Journeys to Legendary Destinations at the Crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

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So do we. Experience freedom from the familiar and let MIR guide you to the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Find trip ideas through our thoughtfully crafted itineraries, or explore the interactive map to discover what MIR can offer. Take a look at your options, from small group escorted tours to independent trips, from luxury rail journeys to custom and private travel.

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Luxury Holidays in Middle East

From the luxurious sands of Dubai , to the breathtaking vistas of Abu Dhabi , to the bustling streets of exciting Israel ; the Middle East has an endless array of delights and once in a lifetime opportunities to help sate any traveller’s appetite for adventure. As an exotic and culturally rich holiday destination, the Middle East is the perfect place to venture if you’re looking for something extraordinary from your vacation. Whether you’re searching for an intimate romantic getaway for two, an exciting and fun filled family holiday or a more adventurous holiday , or simply a quiet holiday for one, the Middle East is the perfect place for you. We partner with the most exclusive and luxurious hotels and resorts in Middle East to offer you the experience of a lifetime.

Al Maha Dubai

Situated deep within the dune and desert landscape of …

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Uniquely situated on the Saiq Plateau on Oman’s fabled Green Mountain in the Al Hajar …

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Set in the heart of the Culture Village, and just minutes away from Dubai International …

Ritz Carlton, Dubai

Nestled amid nearly 400,000 square feet of lush, landscaped gardens and overlooking a large …

Jumeirah Al Naseem

Anchored on a stunning endless stretch of coast sits Jumeirah Al Naseem, bringing a new wave…

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is a symbol of Dubai, rising from the Arabian Gulf on an island 280 …

Armani Hotel Dubai

Armani Hotel is the first hotel from fashion designer Giorgio Armani features spectacular …

Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Set on a pristine, natural beach, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach blends Arabic …

Six Senses Zighy Bay

Six Senses Zighy Bay Resort is located on the northern Musandam Peninsula in the Sultanate …

The Chedi Muscat

Sparkling waters, vibrant gardens and dramatic mountains as seen through the grand windows …

The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya

With a colour palette inspired by the golden sands, deep blue skies and coastal waters of …

St Regis Saadiyat Island

The iconic St. Regis brand extends its legacy to Abu Dhabi, with The St. Regis Saadiyat …

One&Only The Palm Dubai Luxury Holidays

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One&Only Royal Mirage, The Palace, Dubai Luxury Holidays

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump presented with plan to end war if elected - as trial of US journalist to begin

Donald Trump has been presented with a plan to end the war in Ukraine if he is elected to the White House in November, Reuters has been told. Meanwhile, Evan Gershkovich has been seen before the start of his behind-closed-doors trial in Russia.

Wednesday 26 June 2024 09:09, UK

• Trump presented with plan to end Ukraine war if elected
• US journalist seen ahead of trial in Russia
• North Korea missile explodes mid-air after launch
• Your questions answered : Has Western media been honest about Ukrainian military failures?
• Big picture : What you need to know this week
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• Live reporting by Bhvishya Patel 

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Donald Trump has been presented with a plan to end the war in Ukraine if he is elected to the White House in November.

The Reuters news agency reports that two key advisers for the presumptive Republican nominee have put forward the plan, which involves telling Kyiv it will only get more US military aid if it enters peace talks.

At the same time, the US would warn Moscow that refusal to negotiate would result in increased support from Washington for Ukraine, according to retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg.

Lt Kellogg and Fred Fleitzl, who were both chiefs of staff in Trump's National Security Council while he was president and who came up with the plan, said a ceasefire would be based on prevailing battle lines during peace talks.

Mr Fleitzl said Trump showed a positive attitude towards the plan.

"I'm not claiming he agreed with it or agreed with every word of it, but we were pleased to get the feedback we did," he said.

The Kremlin has said any peace plan from a future Trump administration would need to reflect the battlefield "reality" - but that Vladimir Putin was open to talks.

"The value of any plan lies in the nuances and in taking into account the real state of affairs on the ground," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

From the Ukrainian side, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said freezing the war at prevailing front lines would be "strange".

"Ukraine has an absolutely clear understanding and it is spelled out in the peace formula proposed by President Zelenskyy, it is clearly stated there - peace can only be fair and peace can only be based on international law," he said.

A Russian official has suggested publicly whipping disobedient Russians.

In a translated clip shared by columnist at The Daily Beast Julia Davis, State Duma deputy Andrey Svintsov discussed his thoughts on those who spoke out against the Kremlin.

"Those who repent should publicly apologise and publicly receive 20 lashes with a whip in Red Square," he said.

"After that, they could continue their entrepreneurship but with a new tax rate."

He went on to say that if people spoke out against the country they needed to be punished "officially".

"It's mandatory, whipping them is mandatory," he said.

"We have to bring back physical punishment."

If North Korean troops were sent to Ukraine to help the Russian army they would become "cannon fodder", Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder.

In a briefing yesterday evening, Mr Ryder was asked about the possibility of North Korean forces being sent to Ukraine as the country advances its military partnerships with Russia.

Mr Ryder did not say there was any indication of North Korean troops actually being sent into combat, but he cautioned the North against that potential development.

"That's certainly something to keep an eye on," he said.

"I think that if I were North Korean military personnel management, I would be questioning my choices on sending my forces to be cannon fodder in an illegal war against Ukraine."

During a summit in Pyongyang last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin signed a deal requiring each country to provide aid if attacked and vowed to boost other cooperation. 

Observers say the accord represents the strongest connection between the two countries since the end of the Cold War.

Ukrainian shelling destroyed a radiation control post in Velyka Znamyanka in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russia's management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine reports.

"Specialists carried out a number of compensatory measures to control the radiation situation in the area," the management said.

Radiation levels, the management added, do not exceed safe levels.

For context :  Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia plant in the early days of Moscow's invasion on Ukraine in 2022.

Moscow and Kyiv have since routinely accused each other of endangering safety around it.

Evan Gershkovich has been seen before the start of his behind-closed-doors trial in Russia.

Reporters were allowed to briefly film the US journalist today before the start of his trial in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that he denies.

Mr Gershkovich was seen standing in a glass box, with a shaved head.

The Wall Street Journal reporter was first arrested on espionage charges in March 2023 after Russia claimed he had been "gathering secret information" on orders from the CIA.

Mr Gershkovich faces 20 years in prison if convicted and he has spent over a year in Moscow's Lefortovo prison.

A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa has struck civilian infrastructure this morning, regional governor Oleh Kiper reports.

The attack damaged an administrative building in the industrial sector. 

Mr Kiper said there were no casualties in the attack.

Earlier this week, a Russian missile strike damaged a storage facility in the city, injuring three people.

Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian forces in the invasion, with many attacks aimed at the city's port facilities.

Russia denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.

A suspected hypersonic missile launched by North Korea exploded in flight today, South Korea's military has said.

The missile was launched from near the capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's joint chiefs of staff said. 

Japan's defence ministry said the missile flew to an altitude of about 62 miles and range of more than 200km.

Senior officials of South Korea, the US and Japan have held a phone call and condemned the launch as a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and a serious threat to the peace and stability of the region and beyond.

US Indo-Pacific command also issued a condemnation and called on Pyongyang to refrain from further unlawful and destabilising acts.

"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, or territory, or to our allies, we continue to monitor the situation," it said in a statement.

North Korea's last missile launch was on 30 May.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin held a summit and signed a mutual defence pact. 

Seoul, Washington and Tokyo criticised the two countries' deepening military cooperation, with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol calling the pact "anachronistic". 

Welcome back to our live coverage of the Ukraine war.

Yesterday the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two top Russian military figures - former defence minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov - for allegedly directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects in Ukraine.

It brought the total number of warrants against senior Russian suspects to eight since the start of the war - with Vladimir Putin among them.

Kyiv welcomed the move, but Moscow dismissed it as legally meaningless.

Before we get to our live updates, here's a brief rundown of the other main developments from the past day:

• Russia and Ukraine each returned 90 prisoners of war in the latest swap between the two countries;
• The EU officially launched membership talks with Ukraine in what Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as a "historic day" for Kyiv;
• Russia's deputy foreign minister warned of "tragic and fatal" consequences for the West if it underestimated Russia's resolve;
• The European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of committing multiple human rights violations in Crimea since it annexed the peninsula a decade ago;
• The Reuters news agency reported that Trump has been handed a plan to end the Ukraine war if he becomes president in November - including telling Kyiv it would only get more US military aid if it entered peace talks.

The map below shows the latest territorial picture in Ukraine...

That brings an end to our live updates on the Ukraine war for this evening.

We'll bring you any major updates overnight. In the meantime, you can scroll through the blog below to catch up on the day's developments.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a direct message to the two Russian top generals who are the subject of fresh arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court.

The court has accused Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov of war crimes and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts.

In his nightly video address, Mr Zelenskyy said: "Shoigu, Gerasimov – your path to The Hague is open."

The Ukrainian president also said the official start of Ukraine's ascension into the EU today was a "historic result", adding: "We will definitely implement everything necessary to advance through each chapter of our relations with the EU and to create a treaty – a treaty of Ukraine's accession."

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov spoke over the phone today, in what marked the first call between Mr Austin and his Russian counterpart since March 2023.

The two men discussed the importance of open lines of communication, the Pentagon said.

Spokesperson Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder said Mr Austin had initiated the conversation. 

Mr Belousov was appointed to the role of defence minister last month after the shock dismissal of longtime minister Sergei Shoigu by Vladimir Putin.

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Packed with Imperial palaces, domed cathedrals and superb museum collections, the historic cities of Russia cast a seductive spell.

East Russia offers the perfect off-the-beaten-path escape, particularly for nature-lovers hoping to catch sight of the famous black bears.

The pull of its fascinating history is what draws visitors to Russia, lured by the grand architecture, modern cities, luxury hotels, bucolic countryside and the stoic pride of its people. Moscow is the economic, cultural and political powerhouse, and the capital city since the 15th century. Beginning with the famous Red Square, you run the gamut of incredible architecture masterpieces and iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Kremlin and its cathedrals have come to be the visual cue of the nation’s image, as has Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Private luxury tours will take you down pedestrianized Arbat Street with its shops, restaurants and street performers and along Tverskaya Street for some upmarket shopping. The Tretyakov Gallery – the most visited in Moscow – is the supreme spot for absorbing classical Russian art. Many visitors to Moscow also manage the Golden Ring, a route through nine ancient towns in the northeast that have managed to hold onto their 14th-century flavour. Sites here are mainly religious – UNESCO-listed cathedrals and monuments. The cities include Ivanovo, Kostroma, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy, Rostov, Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Uglich, Yaroslavl and Vladimir. St. Petersburg – founded by Peter the Great and commemorated by countless artists and writers – is a seaside paradise. It was only founded in the early 1700s – fairly young compared to some of Eurasia’s other significant cities. Thrillingly, it is Russia’s cultural heart, filled with art museums, opera houses and ballet stages. The State Hermitage Museum is the largest in the world at more than 700,000 square feet, its 120 rooms visited by one million people every year. A visit to Russia isn’t complete without a taste of the fresh air. The Russian countryside is primarily made up of rolling, treeless plains called Steppes. Four climates zones make for an interesting melange of plant and animal species, not to mention the various sporting activities: skiing in Rosa Khutor, mountain climbing in Caucasus, white-water rafting Altai Republic and hiking around Lake Baikal.

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If you’re considering bespoke luxury private travel to Russia, let our expert Travel Designers make your vacation truly customized from start to finish. Having spent the last three decades travelling and experiencing the best luxury offerings first-hand, Tully Luxury Travel has an exceptional understanding of Russia. We have the contacts and the relationships in place to ensure your travel needs are met – milestone celebrations, romantic dinners, private tours, dietary requirements, special room-service requests – all the details curated in step with your every wish. In Russia, our Private Travel Designers have the insider information that will elevate your experience that much more. Skip-the-line tickets for fine-art museums and the Bolshoi Ballet are easy to procure, and the grand balconies of Russia’s finest hotels are your box seats to watching this fascinating world go by. The time to start planning your next luxury vacation is now. Our private luxury travel service also allows us to secure the best amenities and VIP extras at no additional cost. That’s the Tully Difference. Talk with a Private Travel Designer and start planning your bespoke luxury Russian vacation today.

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Moscow travel tips for first-time visitors.

Moscow is a beautiful city filled with impressive architecture and home to some of the world’s best museums. 

Not considering visiting Moscow when planning a European holiday is a bad idea. Back in the past, the entire country of Russia was closed to visitors, but of late, it has opened its doors to people from all over the globe for tourism purposes. And as with any other place you’re traveling to, i t’s always better to be well-informed before visiting. For that reason, we gathered this article with essential tips for first-time visitors to Moscow to help you make your trip to the Russian capital a trip to remember ( after getting a Russian invitation /visa to visit the city). 

So, here is what you need to know:

Table of Contents

Getting around

Moscow is well known for having terrible traffic (after all, there are over 12 million people living in the city), so getting around by car is really not the best idea. And the same goes for buses and trams. The easiest way to get around Moscow is the metro. Moscow’s metro is fast, reliable, and beautiful. In fact, the city’s metro stations are an attraction on their own. Don’t miss checking out Komsomolskaya, Belorusskaya, Kiyevsskaya, Ploschad Revolyutsii, and Arbatskaya. If you’re planning to use the metro a lot (and we do recommend you do), it would be worth getting the Troika card – a contactless and reusable public transportation card that is valid for the metro, buses, trams, and suburban railways. You can also pay with a credit/debit card directly.

Another way to get around Moscow is by bicycle. In recent years, bicycle infrastructure has been created in Moscow, allowing locals and tourists alike to get around the city on two wheels. In winter, it might not be such a good idea, but exploring Moscow on a bicycle in summer is one of the most pleasant ways to see the city.

You can also get around Moscow on foot, but you have to keep in mind that the city is huge. Fortunately, most of Moscow’s tourist attractions and places of interest are located in the same area, more or less, which makes it a little easier to get around on foot. If that’s how you prefer to explore the city, we recommend you make a plan of the places that you want to visit and create an itinerary that will allow you to visit more places within a short walking distance. And then again on the next day, and the next, and so on.

It is also important to note that Moscow’s larger avenues and streets don’t have pedestrian crossings, so you have to navigate through the passageways. Passageways also feature centers of commerce where you can find and buy clothes, groceries, etc.

Say goodbye to Google 

In other places of the world, you could easily survive by making use of the various applications developed by Google but when you’re planning to visit Moscow, you need to download other applications that would help you while visiting the city. 

This is not to say that Google doesn’t work in Russia, it does, it just doesn’t work as well as its Russian equivalent Yandex. Similar to Google, Yandex also has a host of applications that you can download on your phone to help make your time in Moscow stress-free. 

Yandex Metro is an important application you must download while visiting Moscow, as the underground transport system connects the entire city. Yandex Translate could also be useful as it is better for Russian translation than Google Translate. Additionally, you could also download Yandex GO for taxi services (works also in Serbia, Armenia , Belarus, Georgia , Moldova, and the Stans) and Yandex Food for food delivery.

Always carry your passport with you 

It is unlikely that you’ll get stopped by the police, but in case that happens for whatever reason, you better have your passport on you. Passports in Russia are the standard form of identification (Russian citizens typically have two passports-an internal and an external) and could be required if you’re, for example, buying a SIM card or buying train tickets (some people even report their passports have been required in the theaters as well.

Allocate one day for the Kremlin 

No trip to Moscow is complete without a visit to the museum complex and the Presidential residence of the Kremlin.  It takes around six hours (if not more) to visit all the monuments within the complex of Kremlin, so make sure that you allocate a full day to explore the complex so you don’t have to rush your visit. 

There are many people visiting the Kremlin all year round, but especially between the months of May and September – during this period, it is advisable to make your visitation arrangements ahead of time and start your visit early in the morning.

Extra tips for visiting the Kremlin:

• The nearest metro station is Biblioteka Imeni Lenina, on the red line.
• The entrance to the Kremlin is not located on the Red Square. The main entrance is located through the Kutafya Tower, and the second and less-used entrance can be found through the Alexandrovsky Gardens.
• The opening hours are from 9:30 AM till 6 PM.
• The ticket office is open from 9 AM till 5 PM.
• Moscow’s Kremlin Museums do not cooperate with any online ticketing platform. Entry tickets are available online at the museum’s official website – http://tickets.kreml.ru/en/ – and at the official ticket office at the Alexandrovsky Sad (Alexander Garden). The Moscow Kremlin Museums do not guarantee your admission with tickets purchased at nonofficial websites.
• The Kremlin complex is closed on Thursdays.

Money in Russia

The local currency of Russia is the Russian ruble, also spelled rouble. Major currencies such as euros and dollars are not accepted in restaurants and shops, so you’ll need to get some cash in rubles. But don’t make the mistake of stocking up on cash at the airport, where the exchange rates are typically terrible, to say the least. You can exchange a small amount of pocket money for the beginning and then exchange more in the city in both banks and exchange bureaus. Currently, because of sanctions, you cannot use your card from abroad to pay with it or withdraw from Banks and ATMs.

Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops, and literally everywhere. If you have a local bank card, you can easily pay with it and withdraw from it if you need cash. Moscow has a pretty good ATM network, with ATMs located in and near banks, big shopping centers, and tourist areas.

Buy a local SIM card 

Although WiFi is widely available, many Russian WiFi networks require a Russian phone number in order to log on to them and use the Internet.

If you want to stay connected while visiting Moscow, buying a local SIM card would be a good idea. The major Russian telecom companies are Megafon, MTS, and Beeline. When I visited Moscow, I bought a SIM Card from YOTA-50GB of internet for about 4 USD.

NB: Bring your passport when buying a local SIM card, otherwise they won’t sell it to you.

Take the help of a tour agency 

Certain travel agencies help you to plan well ahead. Due to various occasions like state holidays, public holidays, and holiday seasons where the estimated time to complete visiting the place could get a massive change. The tourist operators know the city inside and out, so they could give you a better idea of how to plan a perfect itinerary for visiting Moscow.

A lot of people are very pessimistic about the Russians not being very warm when they visit Moscow, but that isn’t the case. Russians are very friendly and helpful to tourists. Off late, getting a Russian Visa for visiting Moscow has become a very easy process. The state governments are taking many measures to increase tourism in the country. 

*This article has been contributed to Owl Over The World by Visa Express, but since visiting Moscow, I have updated it with more info and some personal tips.

Image credits: Kremlin  3

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Middle East Travel Industry experts convene at Global MICE Congress in Moscow

The congress featured enlightening business sessions, discussions, debates, and b2b negotiations.

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A large-scale international event in the field of business tourism Meet Global MICE Congress took place in Moscow from October 6 to 8, attracting over 300 industry experts from 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, India, and China. This influential gathering served as a pivotal platform for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism discussions. The congress featured enlightening business sessions, discussions, debates, and B2B negotiations.

Topics ranged from the essential qualities cities must possess to attract business tourists to key considerations for this segment and the industry's promising future. Business tourism is vital for Moscow, contributing one-fifth of its total tourist influx. Non-CIS countries leading the tourist arrivals included China, Iran, UAE, Turkey, and India. The UAE ranked fifth in the share of foreign tourists staying in Moscow hotels this summer.

Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, highlighted that, "Moscow is a business centre, which has all the infrastructure required for hosting international business events. In the first half of 2023, two million business tourists visited the capital — this is 10 per cent more than in the same period of last year. The segment of business travel has not only fully recovered to pre-Covid levels, but has also surpassed them."

To enhance its appeal further, Moscow has adopted a multifaceted approach to attract tourists. The Moscow City Tourism Committee has placed substantial emphasis on promoting business tourism, collaborating closely with travel agencies to ensure a steady influx of tourists to the city.

“From the very beginning, our journey to Moscow has been excellent. The city’s infrastructure, innovation and technological sophistication are amazing. Especially worth noting is the possibility of obtaining an e-visa for citizens of many countries. The process takes only a few days and eliminates complicated procedures with documents. Another advantage is the direct flight connection between Moscow and Bahrain. In my opinion, tourists from Bahrain will be very attracted to Moscow in winter time, as well as to the space centre, which shows Russia’s rich past in the field of cosmonautics," shared Deepak Janardanan, general manager of Akbar Holidays.

Russia introduced e-visas for citizens of 55 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, and Kuwait in August. Over 30,000 tourists utilised this streamlined process in its first month, offering a 60-day validity period and a 16-day stay option.

Moscow offers a wide range of services catering to business travelers, with 30 venues capable of accommodating over 40,000 attendees for large events. The city boasts 1.9 thousand hotels, 18.5 thousand cafes, and restaurants of various segments, ensuring comfort and convenience for visitors, with English signage at major locations.

The Meet Global MICE Congress in Moscow showcased the city's commitment to fostering business tourism, its world-class infrastructure, and its appeal to international travelers. With a strong recovery in the business travel sector and streamlined visa processes, Moscow is poised to remain a top destination for MICE tourism in the Middle East and beyond.

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Palestinian leader abbas to visit moscow, russian agencies report.

https://arab.news/9smz4

• TASS said Ushakov did not disclose the timing but said the dates had been agreed

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Russia, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday, citing Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov. TASS said Ushakov did not disclose the timing but said the dates had been agreed. Another state agency, RIA, said Abbas had planned to come to Russia in November last year, but the visit was postponed at the request of the Palestinian side. Russia says it wants to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East and that peace will not be possible without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

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Israeli military confirms death of hostage held in Gaza

1 in 5 in Gaza go days without eating, UN report says

‘iran-backed plot’ to destabilize jordan thwarted.

• Security forces detonate cache of explosives found hidden in commercial warehouse

JEDDAH: Jordanian security forces have detonated a cache of explosives found concealed in a commercial warehouse in an industrial area southeast of Amman, thwarting what authorities said was part of an Iran-backed plot to destabilize the kingdom.

Officials said the material was hidden by the same gang who stored explosives uncovered on Saturday in a crowded residential area close to a military airport.

Security sources said both incidents were terror related based on the quantity of explosives found, and were linked to Iran’s clandestine efforts to recruit agents to destabilize the kingdom with acts of sabotage.

Over the past year Jordan has foiled numerous attempts to smuggle weapons by infiltrators linked to pro-Iranian militias in Syria who have crossed its borders with rocket launchers and explosives.

Some of the weapons managed to get through undetected, and security sources say some of the arms are bound for the occupied West Bank. Several Jordanians linked to Palestinian militants have been arrested.

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Ukmto flags missile near vessel south of yemen’s aden.

CAIRO: The captain of a merchant vessel reported a missile hitting the water near the ship 52 nautical miles south of Yemen’s port of Aden, security information provider the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Wednesday. Citing a report it received of the incident, the UKMTO added that the crew of the vessel were reported safe as it headed for its next port of call. Global trade has been disrupted by Houthi attacks that have forced ship owners to reroute vessels away from the vital Suez Canal shortcut, and drawn retaliatory US and British strikes since February. The Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen have launched dozens of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea region since November, in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas.  

Houthi attack targets another ship off Yemen’s remote Socotra island

UKMTO says crew forced to abandon vessel southeast of Yemen's Nishtun

Israelis’ lawsuit says un agency helps hamas by paying gaza staff in dollars.

• The Israeli government has long assailed the over 70-year-old agency, and scrutiny has intensified during the eight-month-long war, prompting UNRWA to defend itself while grappling with a spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza

NEW YORK: Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack are suing the United Nations agency that aids Palestinians, claiming it has helped finance the militants by paying agency staffers in US dollars and thereby funneling them to money-changers in Gaza who allegedly give a cut to Hamas. But the agency, known as UNWRA, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the staffers were paid in dollars by their own choice. Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank don’t have their own national currency, and primarily use Israeli shekels. The lawsuit, filed Monday in a US federal court in New York, marks the latest challenge to the beleaguered UN agency, which has been the main supplier of food, water and shelter to civilians during the Israel-Hamas war. The Israeli government has long assailed the over 70-year-old agency, and scrutiny has intensified during the eight-month-long war, prompting UNRWA to defend itself while grappling with a spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “UNRWA’s staff, facilities and ability to truck cash US dollars into Gaza formed a potent pillar of Hamas’ plan to undertake the Oct. 7 attack,” the lawsuit says, asserting that the UN agency “systematically and deliberately aided and abetted Hamas and its goals.” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Tuesday that he learned of the case only through the media. “I don’t know what the status of this lawsuit is all about, but for the time being, I see this as an additional way to put pressure on the agency,” he said at a press briefing in Geneva. UNRWA has denied that it knowingly aids Hamas or any other militant group. Israel invaded Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250. The war has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many were civilians or fighters. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of scores of Israelis including Oct. 7 attack survivors, victims’ relatives, and rescued captives. It echoes some complaints their government has raised, ranging from claims that UNRWA employs Hamas operatives to complaints about the content of textbooks in UNRWA-run schools. But the suit also focuses on the agency’s practice of paying its 13,000 Gaza staffers in US dollars. The money is wired from a bank in New York and trucked into Gaza, according to the legal complaint, which says the payroll totaled at least $20 million a month from 2018 until last September. UNRWA employees use local money-changers to convert their dollars to Israeli shekels, the complaint says. Some Palestinians also use dollars or Jordanian dinars, viewing them as stable and trusted currencies. The suit claims that Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, “runs the majority” of the currency exchangers and extracts a 10 percent to 25 percent fee from the rest, “ensuring that a predictable percentage of UNRWA’s payroll went to Hamas” in dollars useful for black-market weapons deals. “Hamas’ ability to carry out the Oct. 7 attack would have been significantly and possibly fatally weakened without that UNRWA-provided cash,” the complaint says. The complaint points to an UNRWA-commissioned 2018 report about delivering aid in cash that noted risks of misappropriation, fraud or other diversion away from the intended purpose. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma said in a message to the AP that Gaza staffers asked that “they are paid in $ because Gaza does not have an official national currency.” Touma said the UN, including UNRWA, and their officials are immune from lawsuits. She declined to comment further on the suit in question, saying the agency hadn’t officially been served with it. One of the plaintiffs’ lead lawyers, Gavi Mairone, said in a statement Tuesday that they didn’t believe the UN and officials named in the suit had immunity, “and certainly not from these claims.” Formally called the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA was established to help the estimated 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were driven out of what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding the country’s creation. Their descendants now number nearly 6 million. The agency operates schools, health clinics, infrastructure projects and aid programs in refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Since the war began in Gaza, over 1.7 million people have taken shelter in UNRWA facilities. At least 500 displaced people have been killed when such facilities came under attack, according to UNWRA statistics released Friday. The agency has lost nearly 200 staffers. Two UN officials said Tuesday that the world body warned Israel that Gaza aid operations would be suspended unless protections for humanitarian workers improve. Israel has accused UNRWA of letting Hamas exploit its aid and facilities, and Israel claimed this winter that a dozen UNRWA employees participated in the Oct. 7 attacks. The allegations prompted the US and more than a dozen other countries to suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions to the agency, though all but the US and Britain have resumed their funding. Lazzarini said Tuesday that new donors also have come on board, but the agency still faces a year-end shortfall of up to $140 million.

What of Gaza’s ‘other hostages’ — the thousands of Palestinians held in Israel without charge?

Us military shows reporters pier project in gaza as it takes another stab at aid delivery.

• Col. Samuel Miller, the commander of a joint task force, US Army 7th Transportation Brigade, said the vessels can ferry aid to the pier at least five times a day

GAZA CITY: With US soldiers within shouting distance of Gaza’s bombed-out coast, the American military is taking another stab at delivering aid to hungry Palestinians by sea. After several fits and starts, a $230 million pier is up and running again. The US military invited reporters for a tour of it on Tuesday, marking the first time international media has witnessed its operations firsthand. International journalists have not been allowed to enter Gaza independently since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7. The project, which first launched in mid-May, resumed operations last week after a recent pause due to rough seas. As journalists looked on Tuesday, US soldiers with machine guns directed the pier’s operations. US vessels carrying trucks loaded with humanitarian aid docked at the pier. Israeli and Cypriot drivers drove the trucks off the vessels and headed down the 400-meter (437-yard) causeway to the beach, where they unloaded pallets of aid. The trucks then returned to the vessels to be ferried to large cargo ships and reloaded. The cargo ships travel across the Mediterranean Sea from Cyprus. Col. Samuel Miller, the commander of a joint task force, US Army 7th Transportation Brigade, said the vessels can ferry aid to the pier at least five times a day. “Our mission out here is to receive those humanitarian assistance pallets offshore from a larger vessel onto that floating pier,” he said, shouting over waves crashing against the pier. “Over time, we are learning organization and we’ve gotten better.” The floating pier was anchored back on Gaza’s shoreline on June 19 after heavy seas and high winds led the military to disconnect it from the beach. In May, similar conditions forced a two-week pause in operations after the pier broke apart and four US Army vessels ran aground, injuring three service members, one critically. Since coming back online, the pier has been delivering hundreds of pallets of aid a day to the shore, Miller said. From the pier, Associated Press journalists could see aid piling up against a backdrop of near-total destruction. Israeli army vehicles slowly moved between blown-out buildings along the coast. Tents stood on beaches in the distance. The US military said about 6,200 metric tons (6,800 tons) of aid have so far been delivered from the project to Gaza’s shore. While aid from the pier is reaching the beach, it’s still difficult to get it to Palestinians in Gaza. The UN World Food Program has suspended aid delivery from the pier due to security concerns after the Israeli military appeared to use the area in a June 8 hostage rescue. Lawlessness around the pier, with hungry Palestinians seizing aid off trucks headed to delivery zones, also is a major concern. The US launched the project to bring relief to Gaza, where Israel’s military offensive against Hamas has displaced over 80 percent of the territory’s 2.3 million people and unleashed a humanitarian disaster. International officials say hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of famine. UN and other international aid officials have voiced skepticism over the pier, saying its effectiveness is limited and it is no substitute for Israeli-controlled land crossings into the territory. UN officials told the AP on Tuesday that they are considering suspending all aid operations across Gaza unless steps are taken to better protect humanitarian workers. That would plunge Gaza into an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe. Palestinians in Gaza are heavily reliant on UN aid, which has only trickled into the territory since Israel’s incursion in early May into Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, shut down a major land crossing and slowed deliveries from another major crossing. Still, the soldiers operating the pier Tuesday were hopeful. “I talk to my sailors on a daily basis,” said US Navy Capt. Joel Stewart. “They understand that our aid is necessary for the people of Gaza that are suffering under the conditions of war.”  

UN warns of ‘catastrophic’ threat to region if Israel-Hezbollah fighting escalates

UN tells Israel it will suspend aid operations across Gaza without improved safety

Turkiye frees german national after 6-year prison term.

• Berlin indirectly confirmed his release in a statement that did not give his name, saying: “The person concerned is receiving consular assistance from our colleagues at the embassy in Ankara”

ISTANBUL: Turkiye has released a German national who was jailed in 2018 for alleged membership in an armed Kurdish group that Ankara considers a “terror” organization, a rights group representing him said Tuesday. Patrick Kraicker “was released and is currently at a repatriation center in Ankara. He will return to Germany tomorrow,” Emine Ozhasar, a lawyer with the rights group, MLSA, told AFP. Kraicker was arrested by Turkish police in March 2018 in the southeastern province of Sirnak and charged with trying to join the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in nearby war-torn Syria. Aged 29, he was convicted of belonging to a terror group and jailed for six years and three months, his lawyer told AFP at the time. Kraicker said he was hiking in the region at the time, and his supporters denied reports he once served in the German army. His mother, Claudia Schmuck, said her son’s confession in police custody was obtained under pressure and without an interpreter. Berlin indirectly confirmed his release in a statement that did not give his name, saying: “The person concerned is receiving consular assistance from our colleagues at the embassy in Ankara.” The YPG is a group of Syrian Kurdish fighters that Turkiye views as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which it has outlawed as a “terrorist” organization. Also blacklisted by Washington and Brussels, the PKK has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. But the YPG dominates the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurds’ de facto army in northeastern Syria, which spearheaded the fight there against the Daesh group.

US and Turkiye target Daesh-linked smuggling network

Turkiye signs deal with US to buy F-16 warplanes

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