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Traveling Spirits

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A Traveling Spirit is a Seasonal Spirit from a past Season who appears in Home and in Aviary Village for a few days. These visits are the only way for players to purchase Expression upgrades, cosmetics , and a Wing Buff from past-Season Spirits, alongside Returning Spirits . One randomly-selected Traveling Spirit returns every two weeks , arriving on Thursday and departing 96 hours later on Sunday.

• 1 Current Traveling Spirit
• 4 Friendship Tree Information
• 5 Historical Appearances
• 6 Visit Randomness
• 8 References

Current Traveling Spirit

The current Traveling Spirit is the Leaping Dancer .

Overview [ ]

Traveling Spirits were introduced to provide players with an opportunity to trade with Seasonal Spirits from past Seasons and acquire Expression upgrades and cosmetics they may have previously missed. [1] Even players who completed the Spirit's Season can benefit from Traveling Spirits, because one Wing Buff is available from each new Traveling Spirit. Also, new items are occasionally added to a Spirit's offerings; in particular, several new Props for Shared Spaces have been introduced. [2]

Traveling Spirits provide an opportunity for new players to (eventually) acquire all of the collectibles offered by Seasonal Spirits. None of the Ultimate Gifts from past Seasons are available (all of which were offered by the Season Guides, not the Seasonal Spirits). [3]

Traveling Spirit at Home

Only players who have completed Valley of Triumph can see the Traveling Spirit at Home . This means you must have been to the Valley Temple and must have meditated at its altar; you do not have to find any Spirits, unlock any Expressions, or buy any cosmetics. Players will see the Traveling Spirit even if they have never relived the Spirit's memory, however if they try to interact with the Spirit, new players are told "This Traveling Spirit is passing through the Realms of Sky. Find their lost memories and become their friend before they leave!" Meaning that in order to access their Friendship Tree, the player must find and relive the Spirit's memory and collect their Expression .

Traveling Spirit at Aviary Village

Players must have started the third Seasonal Quest from Season of Revival to be able to see the Traveling Spirit at Aviary Village . This means you must have unlocked the Map Shrine there to find any Spirits, unlock any Expressions, or buy any cosmetics in Aviary Village.

Players who have previously purchased items from the Traveling Spirit (whether in-Season or on a previous visit) will see those as unlocked items in the Spirit's Friendship Tree . This includes cosmetics, higher Level Expressions , Hearts , Wing Buffs , and some Blessings .

Only Seasonal Spirits return as Traveling Spirits , but TGC has mentioned that Season Guides [3] , Shattering Light and Darkness [4] , and the Revival Mannequins will return in some form, bringing their cosmetics. While there is no confirmation about the Revival Mannequins, Shattering Light and Darkness were included in the Steam Wishlist Goal vote for a future visit, but TGC has yet to confirm if they will function as typical Traveling Spirits like all other standard Seasonal Spirits.

Schedule [ ]

One Traveling Spirit appears every two weeks (even when there is no active Seasonal Event ). The Traveling Spirit appears in Home , standing on the small island in the middle of the koi pond (near the closets ) and in Aviary Village , standing behind the Friendship Constellation Statue in the village plaza area. They appear at server reset Thursday morning, stay for 96 hours, and leave at Sunday night's reset. More specifically:

• The Spirit appears Thursday at 00:00 PST/UTC-8 (during Standard Time) or at 00:00 PDT/UTC-7 (during Daylight Saving Time).
• The Spirit leaves Sunday at 23:59 PST/UTC-8 (during Standard Time) or at 23:59 PDT/UTC-7 (during Daylight Saving Time).
• The next Traveling Spirit will arrive two weeks later at the same times above. Using a time zone converter is advised to determine the local time when the Spirit appears/leaves based on your local time zone.

During their visit, clicking on the Spirit in Home or Aviary Village will always show a countdown with the remaining time before their departure.

The order used for Traveling Spirits is randomized. There is no way to know which Spirit will appear next, nor to know when a specific Spirit will appear. Guidelines provided by thatgamecompany are:

• The same Traveling Spirits can, and will, appear more than once.
• Spirits from the current Season and previous Season are not eligible to be Traveling Spirits: "Spirits are tired after a particular Season has passed, and will not return as Travelers until another Season is over." Therefore, Season of Revival cosmetics won't be available as Traveling Spirits until Season of the Nine-Colored Deer concludes.
• Traveling Spirits appearing in the Mainland China server (NetEase) differ from those in the global release.

Inferences based on past patterns are detailed below .

thatgamecompany starts to release information about the identity of the next Traveling Spirit a few days before the Spirit arrives.

• The complied list of all the Traveling Spirit hints can be found on a subpage, Traveling Spirits/Hints .
• All of the hints provided to date, categorized by Season, have been complied by Koame. (Note: This site can occasionally be out-of-date.)
• A teaser image (silhouette only) is released roughly 36 hours before the Spirit arrives (i.e., midday Tuesday server time). This image is released in the #news channel of the official Discord server , Sky Facebook page , Twitter page and Instagram profile .

Friendship Tree Information [ ]

To read more about the Friendship Tree, visit the Seasonal Spirits page.

Historical Appearances [ ]

See Spirit Visits for all Spirit appearances and statistics based on them.

Visit Randomness [ ]

Although the "order Traveling Spirits appear in is random," older Spirits tend to visit before newer Spirits, and Spirits that have just visited wait a while before they visit again.

Never in the history of Traveling Spirits has a Spirit from a newer Season visited before at least one Spirit from each of the past Seasons has visited, even with the growing number of new Seasons with Spirits that 'could visit' because "another Season is over", and usually more than one. This means that as Spirits that haven't visited before a certain Season decrease it becomes more likely for a Spirit from that Season to visit because a Spirit from after it won't until one from that previous Season has. I.E. a Spirit from Remembrance won't visit until one from AURORA has, so as Spirits that haven't visited from before AURORA approach 0 it will become much more likely for one from it to visit, since one from Remembrance won't before then, but a Spirit from AURORA could still visit any time.

Never in the history of Traveling Spirits has a Spirit visited twice in the same Season and usually not without a whole individual Season between. Also, even though Spirits that have already visited make up a large portion of the total Spirits, a disproportionate number of new Spirits appear. This is seemingly a necessary deviation from randomness to slow the increase in the growing number of new Spirits that haven’t visited in coordination with the addition of Seasons with only 4 Spirits.

Traveling Spirits do appear randomly, but there are limitations and precedents that inform this randomness. It is not 100% random. There are patterns that haven’t been broken for a long time.

• Traveling Spirits were first introduced with the Season of Rhythm update (Patch 0.8.0 ) in January 2020.
• The first two Traveling Spirits were from noon on Friday to the end of Sunday and visited for 60 hours. The duration was extended to 96 hours in Patch 0.8.4 , starting with the third Traveling Spirit, they visited from Thursday through Sunday.
• On May 27, 2020, thatgamecompany announced a change in future pricing for Traveling Spirits' Friendship Trees to balance the pricing of items. All Traveling Spirits affected by this change have since returned at least once.
• The very first Traveling Spirit to receive a hint was Provoking Performer , for their second appearance on October 1, 2020.
• Traveling Spirits were removed from Home after Patch 0.24.5 and exclusively appeared at Aviary Village but that change was reverted with 0.25.0 and they currently appear at both Home and Aviary Village .
• Before the switch, some players were able to see Traveling Spirits in both Home & Aviary Village due to special A/B group testing. [5]

References [ ]

• ↑ thatgamecompany official Support website: “What is a Traveling Spirit?”
• ↑ Sky News - System Update: Traveling Spirits (July 9 2021)
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 thatgamecompany has mentioned future plans to bring Ultimate Gifts using some other mechanism , but details have not been announced.
• ↑ Sky News - Shards of the Past Arrive in Season of Shattering (July 5, 2022)
• ↑ In-game Announcement: Inbox:12-21-2023
• 1 Leaping Dancer
• 2 Thoughtful Director
• 3 Days of Nature

What are Traveling Spirits?

Traveling Spirits offer players new and old alike another chance to acquire offerings from previous Seasonal Spirits. A new Traveling Spirit will appear in Home every two weeks, and their memories will become available to relive for players who may have missed their stories. Traveling Spirits’ friendship trees will also have other items for players who have already collected their expressions or cosmetics. You will only be able to interact with the Traveling Spirits in-person while they are currently visiting for the weekend, so make sure to develop your friendship with the Spirits before they move on.

Returning Spirits may occasionally appear with a larger group of Spirits from previous events. We plan on doing these events over the course of the year while gathering player feedback, so be on the lookout!

How can I see the Traveling Spirit? I can’t see the Traveling Spirit. Players must have completed the Valley of Triumph in order for the Traveling Spirit to appear in Home.

When do Traveling Spirits appear in Home? Traveling Spirits will appear every two weeks, whether or not there is an active Seasonal event.

Traveling Spirits will be available beginning on Thursday 00:00 PST/UTC-8 (PDT/UTC-7 during Daylight Saving Time) and will depart the following Sunday at 23:59 PST/UTC-8 (PDT/UTC-7 during Daylight Saving Time) for a total of 96 hours. A countdown will reflect how much time is remaining before their departure when you interact with the spirit in Home.

How much will items cost from Traveling Spirits? Currency costs will be different from their original Season’s appearance, and require more effort to obtain. The items will use the following currencies: Candles (non-seasonal), Hearts, and Ascended Candles.

What can I get from Traveling Spirits if I already have their cosmetics, expressions, etc? An additional Wing Buff may be obtained from these Traveling Spirits with Ascended Candles.

Why can’t I see the new Wing Buff rewards? How can I acquire Wing Buffs from Traveling Spirits? You will need to complete the Eye of Eden at the finale of the main Sky story to receive these Wing Buffs. This does not need to take place before the Traveling Spirit departs.

Can I purchase items again? Do I have to purchase items again? If you already own an item offered by the Traveling Spirit, it will appear unlocked in the Spirit’s friendship tree. This includes Hearts and some Blessings.

How will I know which Traveling Spirit will appear next? The order Traveling Spirits appear is random. We will tease on Discord and Social Media which Spirit is arriving next.

When will a Seasonal Spirit be eligible to return as a Traveling Spirit? Seasonal Spirits won’t be eligible to return as Traveling Spirits until the  next full Season has passed.

How many times will a Traveling Spirit appear? Traveling Spirits can, and will, appear more than once.

Can I unlock Seasonal Pendants and/or Ultimate Gifts from Traveling Spirits? I missed getting these items from the store or the Seasonal Pass. Seasonal Pendants and Ultimate Gifts will not appear on the Traveling Spirits in exchange for in-game currency. We plan to bring these items back in another capacity but we have not settled on what that will look like or the costs associated with it.

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Where is the Traveling Spirit in Sky: Children of the Light

Part of playing a live service game is coming to terms with the fact that you’re probably gonna miss out on some nifty stuff. You can’t always be online, ready and able to play the game during every single major and minor event. As such, some limited-time items, even if they aren’t vital gameplay changers, will probably escape you. It’s unfortunate, but thankfully, some games, Sky: Children of the Light , provide a means to obtain at least a couple of things you might’ve missed: the Traveling Spirits. So, where is the Traveling Spirit in Sky: Children of the Light ?

Traveling Spirits are, as the name suggests, Spirits that travel the land at particular intervals, bestowing certain items that were given by the Spirits of previous seasons. While you can’t get every single seasonal item from a Traveling Spirit, they’ll at least dispense a couple of nifty things like Expressions and cosmetic items, provided you’ve got the candy to trade for them. If you did get all of the stuff from their season, they’ll also sell you Wing Buffs and Blessings. Traveling Spirits of a particular season will usually appear after the season that followed their season. In other words, you gotta wait two seasons before you can get the older stuff. 

Where is the Traveling Spirit in Sky: Children of the Light (June 2024)

However, befitting their title of “Traveling” Spirits, these guys can be a bit tricky to pin down. It’s impossible to know which Spirit will show up, as well as where it’ll show up until it actually happens. Traveling Spirits appear every other Thursday and stick around until the following Monday. Here is the schedule for when and where to find Traveling Spirit in Sky: Children of the Light:

We can’t tell you exactly where to find a Traveling Spirit until it shows up in the game. However, we’ll do our best to keep this updated so you know the exact location. Bookmark this page and check back every other Thursday for updates!

Keep an eye on the game’s official Facebook and Discord channels, as odds are good that as soon as one player finds the Spirit, they’ll spread the word to everyone else.

Sky: Children Of The Light - All Spirit Locations In Hidden Forest

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Spirits are very important in Sky: Children Of The Light as they have become trapped and it's your job to free them all. You need to free them to be able to progress in the story and to be able to unlock the next Realm. There are many Spirits in Hidden Forest and this is the Realm this guide is focusing on.

RELATED: How To Play With Friends In Sky: Children Of The Light

Finding the Spirits in Hidden Forest is different from finding all of the Spirits in Daylight Prairie as you now have rain to contend with. Rain can extinguish your Light so you need to be extra careful here and try to stay as dry as possible. This makes getting the Spirits that bit harder.

Spirit One - Shivering Trailblazer

When you enter the realm you will need to walk ahead of you through the first stone archway. This will bring you to the first opening in Hidden Forest. Directly across from you there will be a stone building with an intricately patterned door.

Walk over to this. To unlock it , you will need to light the diamond on the right-hand side of the door. When you are in, head directly across from you again so you are facing the next door.

Look directly to your left — the spirit should be clearly visible, sitting on their knees. Walk up to them and interact with them using Y. You need to follow their memories. The memory trail of t his Spirit will take you through the gate you encountered a few seconds ago. To unlock this gate you will need to light the diamond on the right-hand side of the door.

Follow the rest of the Spirit's memories until you come to the trapped spirit. All you need to do now is set them free.

Spirit Two - Blushing Prospector

This is where Hidden Forest starts to become tricky. It's now raining in the Forest so you need to be careful about how long you're exposed . Keep an eye on your light meter, it will show you how much the rain is affecting you.

RELATED: Sky: Children Of The Light - All Spirit Locations in Isle Of Dawn

After rescuing Spirit One, you should be sheltered inside the base of a tree. If you look out and to your right , you will see another gate. Keep moving through this area towards the gate whilst trying to stay as dry as possible.

When you're through the gate, walk past the trees with the mushrooms on them and run for the shelter with the messaging area in it.

Stand in this shelter and look around you (to your left) and you will see a glowing blue light through the trees . Head for this, flying if possible as it's faster. This is your Spirit.

Tip: To help improve your flight abilities, you should try to collect all Winged Lights from Daylight Prairie before coming here.

Interact with them and follow their memories. Their memory trail will take you across a few gorges so take your time to limit the chances of you falling in. Eventually, you will reach the trapped spirit in a sheltered area and you can now set them free.

Spirit Three - Pouty Porter

As you head out from this area , move slowly to your left as though you are heading to leave the area. As you come out into the open again, there will be a tree with a hollow in its base to your right.

Keep going past this and immediately afterward, there will be an opening in the rock on your left. The Spirit should be sitting right at the front of this opening so they'll be hard to miss.

Interact with them and follow their memories through the tunnel so that you can release them.

Spirit Four - Hide 'N' Seek Pioneer

From here, go back on yourself towards the lowest level of the Forest (you should currently be on the higher level of Forest) . Look around you until you see a hole in the rock with a mushroom above it.

If you're the first person there, then you will need to burn off the Darkness so that you may enter the cave . To do this, press Y when you are stood in front of the opening.

When it's burned off, you can head through. The first cave has creatures in it , you need to get through this one and go to the next cave on your right.

Be careful: there are creatures in here that can hurt you, so try to avoid them as they're a bit crabby.

The Spirit will be in full view as you enter the second cave. Interact with them with Y then follow their memory trail so you can eventually release them.

Head to the next area.

Spirit Five - Apologetic Lumberjack

As you enter this area you need to keep walking forwards but look to your left . You're looking for a structure with mushrooms growing on the sides of it (it stands out among the rest of the mushrooms don't worry).

Head up to this and if you follow around the structure (should you not see the spirit instantly), the Spirit will come into view.

Interact with them and follow their memories. You will be brought to their trapped Spirit and when you set them free, they will join the rest of the Spirits that are waiting for you at the temple.

Spirit Six - Dismayed Hunter

Head back on yourself to where you started this area.

As soon as you enter this area , look slightly ahead of you, and to your right will be a Spirit. You need to head to them, fortunately, they are sheltered so you can interact with them without receiving damage.

Follow their memories through the tunnels until you are brought to their trapped Spirit. All you need to do now is let them free!

Go to the next area.

Spirit Seven - Whale Whisperer

In this next area, there is a bridge that will lead you up to The temple. Before you walk onto the bridge, stop and look to your left, you should see a small grey building .

Head over to here , you will lose some light but not too much.

When you are over here, you should see a giant skeleton that has been infected with Darkness. Grab your candles folks, it's time to burn it all away!

RELATED: Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Sky: Children Of The Light

Walk up to the skeleton and stand there. Press Y to burn off parts of the darkness. To burn properly, you need to stand still and not move until that entire part has been destroyed.

It may take a while but eventually, all of the darkness will be burned off and you will be rewarded with your seventh Spirit. This Spirit is actually a call noise that you can make.

If you press X to bring up your side menu, you will be able to access it . The actual Spirit will be available in the constellation at the end of the game at the Temple.

Spirit Eight - Tearful Light Miner

When you have gotten past the third structure on the bridge , you need to stand in the middle of the bridge and look righ t. There will be an area across from you that looks like nothing, but the Spirit is hidden over there. It should look like this:

The Spirit is hidden in the cave , you will need to brave losing some light to get there. When you initially fly over it will look like nothing is there, the entrance to the cave is very hard to see.

When you are in there, interact with the spirit and follow their memories.

This one is a bit special, when you are following their memories there will be one that you cannot pass through. You will need to use Y to burn the darkness off of one of the memories before you can continue. Once you have done this, you can finish following the memories then you can free the Spirit.

NEXT: Sky: Children Of The Light - Everything You Need To Know About Your Home

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40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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This Arizona city is getting a new nonstop flight to a prime vacation spot. Here's where

Air travelers in Flagstaff will soon have more convenient access to the West Coast.

American Airlines announced on Friday, June 7, that it would introduce seasonal nonstop flights between Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and Los Angeles International Airport this fall.

“The addition of the LAX route offers more choices for travelers in northern Arizona,” Brian Gall, director of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, said in a statement. “This new route provides hundreds of one-stop destinations, making travel even more convenient for the Flagstaff region.”

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

The new route will be American's third in Flagstaff; it also flies to Phoenix and Dallas from the northern Arizona city.

Other new routes out of Arizona airports coming this year include JSX's new route to Dallas ,  American Airlines' new flight to Provo, Utah ,  expanded flights to Mexico  and  JetBlue Airways' expanded East Coast routes  with business class seating.

Travel: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is getting a new terminal — in 12 years. Why it'll take so long

When will American Airlines add Flagstaff to Los Angeles flights?

American Airlines' new Flagstaff-Los Angeles flight will begin Oct. 12. Flights will operate on Saturdays through March 29, 2025.

The one-hour, 40-minute flights will use CRJ-700 regional jets that can seat 65 passengers.

Airlines: Spirit is cutting some flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Here's where and why

How much are American Airlines' Flagstaff-Los Angeles flights?

We found fares from $553 for roundtrip flights. Book at www.aa.com .

Most days, American's Flagstaff-Los Angeles nonstops are about $88 more expensive than the same flight with a layover, but layovers on the cheaper flights range from five to 18 hours.

What airlines fly out of Flagstaff Airport?

American Airlines is the only airline that operates commercial flights at the Flagstaff Airport.

United Airlines once had a flight to Denver from the airport, but those flights were cut in October 2022 .

Why do people go to Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is synonymous with the entertainment industry. Movie studio tours, strolling the Hollywood Walk of Fame and seeing the famed handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre are just a few experiences that immerse travelers in its cinematic legacy.

The city and its surrounding areas have something for everyone, whether it's arts and culture at the Getty Center, searching for stars (not celebrities, but the celestial kind) at Griffith Observatory, theme park thrills at Universal Studios Hollywood, and the beaches in Santa Monica, where historic Route 66 ends.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: This Arizona city is getting a new nonstop flight to a prime vacation spot. Here's where

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Stephen Hiltner/The New York Times

The sculpted facade of a 2,000-year-old tomb glows in the late-afternoon sun at Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Crowds of Muslim pilgrims gather outside the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

Camels march through the desert on the outskirts of the Empty Quarter, the world’s largest sand sea.

For many years these Saudi Arabian scenes, including the lively open-air markets in Jeddah, were off limits to most travelers.

But not anymore. As it undergoes a profound transformation, Saudi Arabia is spending lavishly to lure tourists with its luxe new resorts ...

... its rich cultural heritage ...

... and its sublime natural beauty.

Can the Saudi government persuade would-be visitors to look past — or reconsider — its longstanding associations with religious extremism, ultraconservatism and human rights abuses?

Will the kingdom’s $800 billion bet on tourism pay off?

Supported by

Surprising, Unsettling, Surreal: Roaming Through Saudi Arabia

To witness the kingdom’s profound transformation and assess its ambitious tourism projects, a Times journalist spent a month on the road there. Here’s what he saw.

By Stephen Hiltner

An editor and photojournalist for the Travel section, Stephen Hiltner drove 5,200 miles and visited all 13 of Saudi Arabia’s provinces while reporting and shooting this story.

Wandering alone along the southern fringes of Saudi Arabia’s mountainous Asir Province, some eight miles from the Yemeni border, in a nondescript town with a prominent sculpture of a rifle balanced on an ornately painted plinth, I met a man, Nawab Khan, who was building a palace out of mud.

Actually, he was rebuilding the structure, restoring it. And when I came across him, he hadn’t yet begun his work for the day; he was seated on the side of the road beneath its red-and-white windows — cross-legged, on a rug, leaning over a pot of tea and a bowl of dates.

Two weeks earlier, on the far side of the country, a fellow traveler had pointed at a map and described the crumbling buildings here, in Dhahran al-Janub, arranged in a colorful open-air museum. Finding myself nearby, I’d detoured to have a look — and there was Mr. Khan, at first looking at me curiously and then waving me over to join him. Sensing my interest in the cluster of irregular towers, he stood up, produced a large key ring and began opening a series of padlocks. When he vanished through a doorway, I followed him into a shadowy stairwell.

This, of course, was my mother’s worst nightmare: Traveling solo, I’d been coaxed by a stranger into an unlit building in a remote Saudi village, within a volatile border area that the U.S. Department of State advises Americans to stay away from .

By now, though, more than halfway through a 5,200-mile road trip, I trusted Mr. Khan’s enthusiasm as a genuine expression of pride, not a ploy. All across Saudi Arabia, I’d seen countless projects being built, from simple museums to high-end resorts. These were the early fruits of an $800 billion investment in the travel sector, itself part of a much larger effort, Vision 2030 , to remake the kingdom and reduce its economic dependence on oil.

But I’d begun to see the building projects as something else, too: the striving of a country — long shrouded to most Westerners — to be seen, reconsidered, accepted. And with its doors suddenly flung open and the pandemic behind us, visitors like me were finally beginning to witness this new Saudi Arabia, much to Mr. Khan’s and all the other builders’ delight.

Few countries present as complicated a prospect for travelers as Saudi Arabia.

Long associated with Islamic extremism, human rights abuses and the oppression of women, the kingdom has made strides in recent years to refashion its society and its reputation abroad.

The infamous religious police, which upheld codes of conduct based on an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam, were stripped of their power. Public concerts, once banned, are now ubiquitous. Women have been granted new rights — including the freedom to drive and to travel without permission from a male guardian — and are no longer required to wear floor-length robes in public or to cover their hair.

These changes are part of a broad set of strategies to diversify the kingdom’s economy, elevate its status in the world and soften its image — the last of which is a tall order for a government that has killed a newspaper columnist , kidnapped and tortured dissidents , precipitated a humanitarian crisis in Yemen and imprisoned people for supporting gay rights , among a number of other recent abuses .

Central to the transformations led by 38-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, is a major push for international visitors. It represents a sea change in a country that, until 2019, issued no nonreligious tourist visas and instead catered almost exclusively to Muslim pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. In February, by contrast, my tourist e-visa was approved online in minutes.

Saudi Arabia has already transformed one of its premier destinations — Al-Ula, with its UNESCO-listed Nabatean tombs — from a neglected collection of archaeological sites into a lavish retreat with a bevy of activities on offer, including guided tours, wellness festivals, design exhibitions and hot air balloon rides.

Another project will create a vast array of luxury resorts on or near the Red Sea.

Still more projects include the development of Diriyah , the birthplace of the first Saudi state; the preservation and development of the coastal city of Jeddah ; an offshore theme park called the Rig ; and Neom , the futuristic city that has garnered the lion’s share of attention.

All told, the country is hoping to draw 70 million international tourists per year by 2030, with tourism contributing 10 percent of its gross domestic product. (In 2023, the country logged 27 million international tourists, according to government figures , with tourism contributing about 4 percent of G.D.P.)

At-Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the birthplace of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is now the centerpiece of the $63 billion Diriyah project, a new center of culture just outside Riyadh.

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on a remote island in the Red Sea, opened in late May. (A one-bedroom villa costs about $2,500 per night, excluding taxes and fees.) It is one of 50 properties scheduled to open in the area by 2030.

The preservation and development of Jeddah, a coastal city famous for its historic district built largely from blocks of coral, comes with a price tag of some $20 billion.

Al-Ula is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions. Part of the city’s Old Town, long crumbling in neglect, has now been painstakingly restored.

To get a sense of these projects and the changes unfolding in Saudi society, I spent a month exploring the kingdom by car. I traveled alone, without a fixer, driver or translator. Per New York Times ethics guidelines, I declined the government’s many offers of discounts and complimentary services.

Much of the time I felt I’d been tossed the keys to the kingdom. But there were moments, too, when I faced a more complicated reality, one epitomized by a road sign that forced me to abruptly exit the highway some 15 miles from the center of Mecca. “Obligatory for Non Muslims,” it read, pointing to the offramp.

To me, the sign broadcast the lines being drawn to compartmentalize the country, which is now marketing itself to two sets of travelers with increasingly divergent — and sometimes contradictory — expectations: luxury tourists at ease with bikinis and cocktails, and pilgrims prepared for modesty and strict religious adherence. It’s hard to know whether the kingdom can satisfy both without antagonizing either.

My trip began in Jeddah, where, after spending two days exploring its historic district, I rented a car and drove eight hours north to Al-Ula, a benchmark for the new Saudi tourism initiatives.

Saudi Arabia

Reporter’s route

Dhahran al-Janub

Wadi al-Disah

Red Sea Resort

The name Al-Ula refers to both a small city and a broader region packed with attractions: Hegra , the kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage site and its biggest archaeological draw, is a 30-minute drive north of Old Town, a maze of crumbling mud-brick buildings now partly restored. Between the two, and fanning out to the east and west, are several other archaeological sites, as well as a smattering of resorts, event spaces and adventure outfitters. Farther northeast, beyond Hegra, is the Sharaan Nature Reserve , a vast protected zone used for conservation efforts.

My first priority during my five-day stay in Al-Ula was a visit to Hegra.

Like Petra , its better-known counterpart in Jordan, Hegra was built by the Nabateans, an ancient people who flourished 2,000 years ago. The site contains more than 100 tombs that were carved from solid rock, their entrances adorned with embellishments. Most impressive among them, set apart and standing some 70 feet tall, is a tomb colloquially called the Lonely Castle.

Not long ago, visitors could hire private guides and wander the area on foot, climbing in and out of — and no doubt damaging — the many tombs. Not anymore: I boarded an air-conditioned tour bus and zipped past most of them, stopping at just four locations.

At the penultimate stop, we exited the bus and trudged several hundred feet along a sandy path to the front of the Lonely Castle. Even in the late afternoon, the heat was stifling. I craned my neck to take in the details of the sculpted facade, which emerged like a mirage from one side of a massive boulder: its four pilasters, the rough chisel marks near the bottom, its characteristic five-stepped crown. Ten minutes evaporated, and I turned to find my group being shepherded back onto the bus. I jogged through the sand to catch up.

A few miles north of Hegra, I hopped in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser — accompanied by an Italian graduate student and his mother — for a drive through the sandy expanse of the Sharaan Nature Reserve.

The scenery was sublime: Slipping through a narrow slot canyon, we emerged into a vast, open desert plain, then settled into a wide valley enclosed by an amphitheater of cliffs. Occasionally our guide stopped and led us on short hikes to petroglyphs, some pockmarked by bullet holes, or to lush fields of wildflowers, where he plucked edible greens and invited us to sample their lemony tang.

Gabriele Morelli, the graduate student, had first come to Al-Ula a few years ago — a different era, he said, given how quickly the place had transformed. He described a version that no longer exists, rife with cheap accommodation, lax rules and a free-for-all sensibility.

Some of the changes, of course, have been necessary to protect delicate ecosystems and archaeological sites from ever-growing crowds. But several people I met in Al-Ula — Saudis and foreigners alike — quietly lamented the extent of the high-end development and the steady erosion of affordability. Many of the new offerings, like the Banyan Tree resort, they pointed out, are luxury destinations that cater to wealthy travelers.

These hushed criticisms were among my early lessons on how difficult it can be to gauge the way Saudis feel about the pace and the pervasiveness of the transformations reshaping their society.

I got a taste of Al-Ula’s exclusivity — and of the uncanniness that occasionally surfaced throughout my trip — at a Lauryn Hill concert in an event space called Maraya . To reach the hall, I passed through a security gate, where an attendant scanned my e-ticket and directed me two miles up a winding road into the heart of the Ashar Valley, home to several high-end restaurants and resorts.

Rounding the final bend, I felt as if I’d stumbled into a computer-generated image: Ant-size humans were dwarfed by a reflective structure that both asserted itself and blended into the landscape. Inside, waiters served hors d’oeuvres and brightly colored mocktails to a chic young crowd.

The surreality peaked when, midway through the show, I left my plush seat to join some concertgoers near the stage — only to turn and see John Bolton, former President Donald J. Trump’s national security adviser, seated in the front row.

Where else, I wondered, could I attend a rap concert in the middle of the desert with a longtime fixture of the Republican Party — amid a crowd that cheered when Ms. Hill mentioned Palestine — but this strange new corner of Saudi Arabia?

The mirrored facade at Maraya, a vast event space in Al-Ula, warps and reflects the surrounding desert landscape.

The building is in some ways a precursor to the kingdom’s most ambitious architectural design: the project at Neom called the Line, a 106-mile linear city that will also feature a mirrored surface.

Lauryn Hill performing in front of a large crowd at Maraya.

After Al-Ula, I drove to another of the kingdom’s extravagant schemes: the Red Sea project, billed as the “world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destination.” After weaving through a morass of construction-related traffic, I boarded a yacht — alongside a merry band of Saudi influencers — and was piloted some 15 miles to a remote island, where I disembarked in a world of unqualified opulence at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort .

I was chauffeured around in an electric golf cart — past 43 beachside “dune” villas and onto two long boardwalks that connect the rest of the resort to 47 “coral” villas, built on stilts over shallow turquoise water. Along the way, I listened to Lucas Julien-Vauzelle, an executive assistant manager, wax poetic about sustainability. “We take it to the next level,” he said, before rattling off a list of facts and figures: 100 percent renewable energy, a solar-powered 5G network , plans to enhance biologically diverse habitats.

By 2030, he said, the Red Sea project will offer 50 hotels across its island and inland sites. Citing the Maldives, he mentioned the kingdom’s plans to claim a share of the same high-end market.

Another prediction came by way of Keith Thornton, the director of restaurants, who said he expects the resort to legally serve alcohol by the end of the year. (While a liquor store for non-Muslim diplomats recently opened in Riyadh, the Saudi government has made no indication that it plans to reconsider its broader prohibition of alcohol.)

The hotel was undeniably impressive. But there’s an inescapable irony to a lavish resort built at unfathomable expense in the middle of the sea — with guests ferried out by chartered boat and seaplane — that flaunts its aspirations for sustainability.

Toward the end of my several-hour visit, I learned that every piece of vegetation, including 646 palm trees, had been transplanted from an off-site nursery. Later, reviewing historical satellite images, I found visual evidence that the island — described to me as pristine — had been dramatically fortified and, in the process, largely remade. Its footprint had also been significantly altered. It was, in a sense, an artificial island built where a smaller natural island once stood.

Something else struck me, too: The place was nearly empty, save for the staff and the Saudi influencers. Granted, the resort had just opened the month before — but the same was true at the nearby Six Senses Southern Dunes , an inland Red Sea resort that opened in November. Fredrik Blomqvist, the general manager there, told me that its isolated location in a serene expanse of desert — part of its appeal — also presented a challenge in drawing customers. “The biggest thing,” he said, “is to get the message out that the country is open.”

Since the country began issuing tourist visas, influencers have been documenting their experiences in places like Jeddah and Al-Ula, their trips often paid for by the Saudi government. Their breezy content contributes to the impression that the kingdom is awaiting discovery by foreign visitors with out-of-date prejudices. To an extent, for a certain segment of tourists, that’s true.

For many travelers, though, the depiction of the kingdom as an uncomplicated getaway could be dangerously misleading.

Speech in Saudi Arabia is strictly limited; dissent is not tolerated — nor is the open practice of any religion other than the government’s interpretation of Islam. In its travel advisory , the U.S. Department of State warns that “social media commentary — including past comments — which Saudi authorities may deem critical, offensive, or disruptive to public order, could lead to arrest.” Punishment for Saudi nationals has been far worse: In 2023, a retired teacher was sentenced to death after he criticized the ruling family via anonymous accounts. As of late 2023, he remained in prison.

Other restrictions are harder to parse. L.G.B.T.Q. travelers are officially welcome in the kingdom but face a conundrum: They might face arrest or other criminal penalties for openly expressing their sexual orientation or gender identity. As recently as 2021, an independent U.S. federal agency included Saudi Arabia on a list of countries where same-sex relationships are punishable by death , noting that “the government has not sought this penalty in recent years.”

When asked how he would convince a same-sex couple that it was safe to visit, Jerry Inzerillo, a native New Yorker and the group chief executive of Diriyah, said: “We don’t ask you any questions when you come into the country or when you leave.”

“Maybe that’s not conclusive enough,” he added, “but a lot of people have come.”

Female travelers might also face difficulties, since advancements in women’s rights are not equally distributed throughout the kingdom.

The changes were more visible in big cities and tourist centers. Ghydda Tariq, an assistant marketing manager in Al-Ula, described how new professional opportunities had emerged for her in recent years. Maysoon, a young woman I met in Jeddah, made extra money by occasionally driving for Uber. Haneen Alqadi, an employee at the St. Regis Red Sea, described how women there are free to wear bikinis without fear of repercussions.

Outside such places, though, I sometimes went for days without seeing more than a handful of women, invariably wearing niqabs, let alone seeing them engaged in public life or tourism. My photographs reflect that imbalance.

As an easily identifiable Western man, I moved through the country with an array of advantages: the kindness and cheery curiosity of strangers, the ease of passage at military checkpoints, and the freedom to interact with a male-dominated society at markets, museums, parks, restaurants, cafes. Not all travelers could expect the same treatment.

Roaming in the far north and south, I often found the earlier version of the kingdom — with lax rules and less development — that had been described to me in Al-Ula.

I trekked to the northern city of Sakaka to see an archaeological site promoted as the Stonehenge of Saudi Arabia: a set of monoliths called the Rajajil Columns thought to have been erected some 6,000 years ago but about which little is definitively known.

My heart sank when I pulled into the parking lot after a five-hour drive and found the columns blocked by a tall fence. Approaching on foot, though, I noticed that a section of the fence had been peeled back and that visitors were wandering freely among the stones, which protruded from the earth like isolated clusters of crooked teeth. I joined the small crowd, if hesitatingly, and was surprised to find no footpaths, nor anything to keep us a safe distance from the columns. In the end I wondered if our access had been officially approved or informally arranged.

My travel experiences were sometimes awkward in other ways, too.

Standing just outside the grounds of the central mosque in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad is buried, I was detained by a stern member of the Special Forces. (Even after 2019, non-Muslim tourists remained barred from Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest cities. The ban was relaxed in parts of Medina in 2021.)

The guard interrogated me and, after calling a colleague to confer, demanded that I leave the area. “Go,” he said threateningly. Another traveler who witnessed the encounter scurried away to avoid a similar fate.

The unsettling exchange cast a pall over my time in the city, which few non-Muslims have seen. As far as I knew, I’d abided by the rules by staying outside the grounds of the Prophet’s Mosque — a boundary line that I’d confirmed with tourism officials beforehand.

Peering through the perimeter fence — the boundary line for non-Muslims — at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.

The Mosque of Al-Ghamamah, one of the oldest in the holy city.

A sprawling maze of ramshackle residential buildings sits less than a mile from the Prophet’s Mosque.

A guide speaking to a group of visitors near the Hejaz Railway Museum, visible in the distance. (The museum was closed for renovations at the time.)

A group of young men, most of whose families emigrated from Sudan, playing soccer in a field just outside the center of Medina.

More than anything, family and friends wanted to know if I felt safe on my trip — and I did, almost without exception. Petty crime in Saudi Arabia is exceedingly rare. And while parts of the country are under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory , even my rambling itinerary was approved by a security expert.

Instead of fearing for my safety, I was often preoccupied with how I’d fairly portray a place that elicited such a range of conflicting emotions: joy and distress, excitement and apprehension, sincerity and doubt. So much lay hidden from public view — like the collective anguish over the war raging in Gaza . And so little was easy to categorize, in part because the warmth of everyday Saudis was strikingly at odds with the ruthlessness of their authoritarian government.

In Riyadh, a young man warned me not to speak openly with strangers. “People get arrested here for a tweet ,” he said. “Can you imagine?”

I could, actually. The Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi had chronicled his government’s increasingly draconian responses to criticism. “Repression and intimidation are not — and never should be — the acceptable companions of reform,” he wrote in The Washington Post in 2018, just months before he was killed and dismembered at his country’s consulate in Istanbul.

Were we to travel only where we feel comfortable and unchallenged, we’d all be poorer for it. But the question of whether to travel to Saudi Arabia is thornier than that.

It’s easy to see one response, “No,” as yielding to closed-mindedness at the expense of ordinary people — like the kindly vendor Abdullah, who served me local honey at his shop in the southern mountains.

But it’s easy, too, to see “Yes” as an affirmation that might makes right, that amusement outweighs morality, that princely wealth can wipe a stained slate clean.

Sunrise over the mountainous village of Fayfa, some six miles from the Yemeni border.

Abdullah Ghaleb Zaid, a honey vendor, at his shop atop a mountain pass near the southern city of Abha.

Sunset near Jabal Soudah, the kingdom’s highest peak.

Ten days into my trip, I ventured to Wadi al-Disah, a steep-walled valley where I’d booked a tent at a campsite I found on Airbnb. For an additional 300 riyals ($80), my host, Faisal, led me on a four-wheel-drive tour, departing the paved road and weaving through a path along the bed of an ephemeral river. Continually jolted by the uneven terrain, we eased past thick reeds, lofty palms and small bands of visitors who’d nestled into clearings.

As we left, I met a group of young men gathered for a picnic, their sandals scattered around a carpet on which they were preparing their dinner. Delighted to meet an American with a camera, they asked if I’d take a group portrait, then exchanged information with me so I could send them a copy — a scenario by then so familiar that I hardly thought anything of it.

A full day later, some 200 miles away, I was cruising along a lonely highway near the Jordanian border when a Land Cruiser blew past me at an astonishing speed. I felt my compact car rock from its turbulence — and then I watched with a twinge of dread as the car abruptly braked, slowing hard in the left lane until our front ends were aligned. It held steady there.

For a moment I stared straight ahead, hoping to avoid a confrontation. When I finally turned to look, I saw a group of boys grinning wildly and waving through an open window. Then I realized: Improbably, it was three of the young men I’d met the day before. Somehow we’d all followed the same route. And somehow, in the split second it took them to fly past, they’d recognized me. I lifted my camera from the passenger seat and snapped a photograph.

The picture shows three young Saudis on a precipice: endearing, erratic, captivating. I have a sense of where they came from but no certainty about where they’re going. Two are flashing peace signs, and none appears to be wearing a seatbelt. No one is watching the road as their car drifts out of its lane, careening a little recklessly into a hopeful and uncertain future.

Stephen Hiltner’s recent work includes a photo essay about his childhood in Budapest , an examination of A.I.-generated guidebooks and an investigation into the deaths of Russian soldiers in Ukraine . You can follow his travels on Instagram .

Got a question about this story? Drop a note in the comments section. Got a tip? Send him an email .

Stephen Hiltner is an editor, writer and photographer for the Travel section of The Times. More about Stephen Hiltner

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England's Euro 2024 fixtures, dates and potential route for tournament in Germany

Euro 2024 starts in Munich on Friday, June 14 and runs to Sunday, July 14; semi-finals take place in Munich and Dortmund on July 9 and 10; Euro 2024 final is in Berlin; England in Group C with Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia; Serbia vs England first up on June 16

Wednesday 5 June 2024 16:03, UK

Track England's Euro 2024 fixtures, as well as their potential route through the knockout stages of the tournament in Germany.

England will face Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in their Euro 2024 group.

Their first game on Sunday June 16 sees them travel to Gelsenkirchen to take on Serbia , who finished second in qualifying Group G behind Hungary, and whom they have not faced since the country's split with Montenegro in 2006.

• Euro 2024 news and latest updates
• Euro 2024 fixtures in full
• Euro 2024 kits - who's wearing what?

Gareth Southgate's side take on Denmark - whom they beat in the Euro 2020 semi-finals, before losing to Italy - four days later in Frankfurt.

They then round off their group on Tuesday June 25 in Cologne against Slovenia , whom they previously beat in a must-win final group game at World Cup 2010 to reach the knockout stages.

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How far will England go this time? Here's how their tournament could play out - and which heavyweight opponents could lie in wait...

Euro 2024 groups in full

• Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
• Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
• Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
• Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
• Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
• Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

England's potential Euro 2024 route

Group stage.

The top two in each group plus the four best third-placed teams go through

Euro 2024: England drawn with Denmark; Scotland face Germany in opener

Euro 2024 latest news

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Sunday June 16 - Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - kick-off 8pm UK time)

Thursday June 20 - Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt - kick-off 5pm UK time)

Tuesday June 25 - Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne - kick-off 8pm UK time)

What if teams finish level on points in group stage?

UEFA rules say that if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points, the following criteria are applied in given order: - Higher number of points obtained in the matches played among teams in question - Superior goal difference from matches played among teams in question - Higher number of goals scored in matches played among teams in question

Round of 16

If England finish first in Group C:

Sunday June 30 - Group C winners vs third-placed side in Group D/E/F (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - kick-off 5pm UK time)

If England finish second in Group C:

Saturday June 29 - Group A winners vs Group C runners-up (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund - kick-off 8pm UK time)

If England finish as one of four best third-place teams:

Monday July 1 - Group F winner vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C (Waldstadion, Frankfurt)

Tuesday July 2 - Group E winners vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C/D (Allianz Arena, Munich)

How are four best third-placed teams decided?

According to UEFA regulations, the following criteria are applied, in the order given: - Higher number of points - Superior goal difference - Higher number of goals scored - Higher number of wins - Lower disciplinary points total based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in group matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points) - Position in the overall European Qualifiers rankings or, if hosts Germany involved, drawing of lots

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Quarter-finals

If England finish first in Group C and win round of 16 game:

Saturday July 6 - England vs Winner of 2A vs 2B (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf - kick-off 5pm UK time)

If England finish second in Group C and win round of 16 game:

Friday July 5 - England vs Winner of 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (MHPArena, Stuttgart - kick-off 5pm UK time)

If England finish as one of four best third-place teams and win round of 16 game:

Friday July 5 - England vs Winner of 2D vs 2E (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg - kick-off 8pm UK time)

Saturday July 6 - England vs Winner of 1D vs 2F (Olympiastadion, Berlin - kick-off 8pm UK time)

Semi-finals

If England finish first in Group C, win round of 16 game and win quarter-final:

Wednesday July 10 - Berlin semi-final winner vs Dusseldorf semi-final winner (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund - kick-off 8pm UK time)

If England finish second in Group C, win round of 16 game and win quarter-final:

Tuesday July 9 - Stuttgart semi-final winner vs Hamburg semi-final winner (Allianz Arena, Munich - kick-off 8pm UK time)

If England finish as one of four best third-place teams, win round of 16 game and win quarter-final:

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And finally, the Euro 2024 final...

Sunday July 14 - Munich semi-final winner vs Dortmund semi-final winner (Olympiastadion, Berlin - kick-off 8pm UK time)

Which route is best for England?

England might be favourites with Opta's 'supercomputer' but they will have to overcome several European heavyweights whichever way they qualify, if they are to go all the way.

Using the current FIFA world rankings to plot a possible route, England would have a seemingly easier route to the quarter-finals were they to win their group.

But Euro 2020 conquerors Italy could be a formidable last-eight hurdle, with France - who knocked them out of the last World Cup in Qatar - likely to stand in their way again in the semi-finals.

England’s potential route to the final as group winners…

If all results at Euro 2024 go with the world rankings England’s opponents in the knockout rounds would be… Round of 16: Sunday June 30 - England vs Austria/Romania/Turkey (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen) Quarter-final: Saturday July 6 – England vs Italy (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf) Semi-final: Wednesday July 10 – France vs England; kick-off 8pm (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund) Final: Sunday July 14 – Spain vs England; kick-off 8pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)

Should England finish second in their group, they could delay meeting Kylian Mbappe's World Cup finalists until the very last hurdle, but a sterner round-of-16 test would likely await in the shape of hosts Germany .

England’s potential route to the final as group runners-up…

If England finish second in Group C but all other results at Euro 2024 go with the world rankings, the Three Lions’ opponents in the knockout rounds would be… Round of 16: Saturday June 29 - Germany vs England (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund) Quarter-final: Friday July 5 – Spain vs England (MHPArena, Stuttgart) Semi-final: Tuesday July 9 – England vs Netherlands; kick-off 8pm (Allianz Arena, Munich) Final: Sunday July 14 – England vs France; kick-off 8pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)

Correctly predict six scorelines for a chance to win £250,000 for free. Entries by 3pm Saturday.

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Spirit Airlines races to revamp the travel experience, makes 2 customer-friendly changes

At this rate, it seemingly won't be much longer until Spirit Airlines' punitive policies are history.

On Tuesday, the Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier announced two customer-friendly changes that will bring the airline closer to its larger legacy airline peers.

The first is that standard checked bags can now weigh up to 50 pounds apiece. This has long been the industry standard, but ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit historically charged (sky-high) overweight fees for bags over 40 pounds.

Note that Spirit isn't becoming Southwest Airlines. It'll continue charging for checked bags, but the standard bag fees will now cover up to 50 pounds per bag before overweight luggage fees kick in.

Furthermore, Spirit will extend the validity of all new travel vouchers issued on or after June 3. Going forward, Spirit credits will be valid for 12 months — a massive increase compared to the especially punitive 90-day window that Spirit has long offered.

These two changes join Spirit's recently unveiled new travel experience that includes no change or cancellation fees on all fares. This no-change-fee policy began May 17, and travelers now only have to pay the difference in fare or receive a credit if the new trip is less expensive when modifying a trip.

Plus, as part of Tuesday's changes, if passengers choose to cancel a flight, their travel credit will be good for 12 months from the time it was issued.

"Spirit has changed the game before and we're doing it again with this first round of initiatives that will lead the way to a new era of low-fare, high-value flying. These enhancements provide each and every one of our Guests unparalleled flexibility and peace of mind, and it's just the beginning of our pursuit to make affordable travel easier and more seamless than ever," Spirit's chief commercial officer Matt Klein said in a statement about the news.

Interestingly, Spirit's big ultra-low-cost rival, Frontier Airlines, made a similar announcement last month . That carrier said it would extend credit validity to 12 months, up from 90 days. Note that Frontier continues to charge overweight fees for bags heavier than 40 pounds.

Spirit has been bleeding money for years , and now that the airline's proposed merger with JetBlue is dead, the carrier is doing whatever it can to turn the ship around. This includes removing many of the punitive policies that were once integral to Spirit's ultra-low-cost brand.

Since this former strategy hasn't turned a profit in recent years, Spirit is moving to a passenger experience that looks more like flying on American Airlines than on the Spirit of yesteryear.

"It is clear we need to introduce some changes to reflect the new dynamics in the industry, and make Spirit a more compelling option for the traveling public," Spirit CEO Ted Christie said on the carrier's recent first-quarter earnings call.

These changes are clearly part of the airline's return-to-profitability strategy, but it remains to be seen if they'll work. Furthermore, Spirit continues to tweak its network by cutting unprofitable routes and adding new ones — including plenty of one-stop connecting flights — to appeal to travelers.

Even more changes are on the horizon, so watch this space.

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THE 10 BEST Dzerzhinsky Sights & Historical Landmarks

Dzerzhinsky landmarks.

• Monuments & Statues
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Sacred & Religious Sites
• Architectural Buildings
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• District South-Western (YuZAO)
• Butovo North
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

2. Church of the Savior Transfiguration of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

3. Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in the Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

4. Temple of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist of Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

5. Chapel of Phenomena Image of St. Nicholas in Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

6. Temple of the Mother of God of All Who Sorrow Ugresh Nicholas Monastery

7. Monument to Dmitriy Donskoi

8. Peter and Paul Church in Ugresh Monastery of St. Nicholas

9. Cathedral of St. Nicholas

10. Monument to Creators of Missile Shield of Russia

11. Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

12. Sculpture Crying Boy

13. Chapel of the Passion of Nikolo-Ugreshskiy Monastery

14. Monument to Dzerzhinskiy

15. Dmitriy Donskoi's Temple

16. temple of holy spirit.

17. Temple of Makariy Nevskiy

18. Palestinian wall of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky monastery

19. Chapel of Our Lady of the Perishing

20. Pamyatniki A. S. Pushkinu

21. Memorial of the Great Patriotic War

22. Monument to Veterans of Local Wars

23. Monument-bust to academician B.P. Zhukov

24. Monument to St. Nicholas

25. Tserkov' Pitmana Ugreshskoy

26. pamyatnik prepodobnomu antoniyu kiyevo-pecherskomu.

Boeing’s Starliner finally launches with NASA astronauts on board

The mission — a test flight for NASA — comes after years of delays and setbacks for the beleaguered company.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft finally carried a pair of astronauts into orbit Wednesday, a key milestone in the company’s troubled quest to provide NASA with a spacecraft capable of flying crews to the International Space Station.

An Atlas V rocket, operated by the United Launch Alliance , a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, lifted off from its pad at 10:52 a.m., lighting up the sky of Florida’s Space Coast in what was heralded as a triumphant beginning to a test of how the spacecraft operates with a crew on board.

The successful launch — after a month of delays — marks only the beginning of the journey. The autonomous spacecraft will have to catch up to the space station, traveling at 17,500 mph, and park itself at one of the orbiting laboratory’s docking ports. Along the way, NASA astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, the first to ever fly on Starliner, will take manual control of the vehicle to see how it performs.

After docking with the space station, which is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Thursday, the capsule will spend about a week or more attached to the orbiting laboratory. Then crews will inspect the capsule to determine whether it could serve as a safe haven in the event of an emergency on the station, as well as how it operates in the vacuum of space.

The launch came after two canceled attempts, as engineers had to delay a few weeks to resolve a valve and computer issue with the rocket as well as a helium leak affecting the spacecraft’s propulsion system. While the mission is far from complete, officials from NASA and Boeing said after the launch that they felt a sense of relief — and redemption.

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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the launch “another milestone in this extraordinary history of NASA. And I want to give my personal congratulations to the whole team that went through a lot of trial and tribulation. But they had perseverance.”

Officials said the countdown proceeded very smoothly and that no major issues had come up. “So far, we’re really not tracking hardly anything,” Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, said after the launch.

A few hours after liftoff, Wilmore and Williams were able to radio to the ground and were in good spirits. "It’s just fun to be in space again,” said Williams, a veteran of two previous space missions with 322 cumulative days in space. “I got to unstrap first, and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m floating. That’s pretty awesome.’”

During the liftoff, the rocket was “really smooth,” Wilmore said. “We were off and running.”

The end of the mission is a fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere , testing whether the spacecraft’s heat shield and parachutes work as expected before a planned landing at one of five remote sites in the Western United States. The earliest opportunity for landing would be June 14, Stich said, adding that it could come later because of activity on the space station. “There’s nothing magic about that date,” he said. “A few days later, we have another set of opportunities as well.”

Boeing’s Mark Nappi, who oversees the Starliner program for the company, said that the launch “is just the first part of this,” and that the teams won’t celebrate until the capsule is back on Earth with the crew safe: “Our team is really focused on that.”

After years of criticism, he said he talked to his “team a lot about just ignoring a lot of the stuff that you read. We focus on the positive. We focus on the accomplishments, and we learn from the setbacks that we’ve had.”

If all goes well, NASA would certify Starliner for regular crewed rotation missions, carrying a full contingent of four astronauts to the space station. That would, for the first time, give the space agency two American-made vehicles to ferry astronauts there. Since 2020, Space X has been flying those missions alone, but NASA has long wanted two spacecraft for its “commercial crew” program so that if one went down it would have a backup. Russia also flies crews to the orbiting laboratory.

NASA and Boeing originally hoped to launch the mission May 6 but were forced to delay because of a malfunctioning valve on the rocket. Since then, they also discovered a small helium leak in the spacecraft’s propulsion system but determined it was so small it would not pose a risk to the flight. On Saturday, a computer aborted the launch sequence with less than four minutes to go.

From the beginning of the program, Boeing was favored to fly first, and many wondered whether NASA would even bother offering a contract to SpaceX. In 2014, NASA awarded Boeing $4.2 billion; SpaceX won $2.6 billion for the same number of flights.

Since then, SpaceX has become the dominant commercial rocket and spacecraft manufacturer. It flew astronauts first, completing its first crewed test mission in May 2020. That flight was a major coup for NASA that finally gave it a way to get its crews to space. In 2011, the space shuttle was retired , forcing NASA to rely on Russia to fly people to the station until SpaceX started flying.

Boeing’s Starliner, meanwhile, faced a series of challenges , from software that wasn’t fully tested to stuck valves, as well as a parachute system that needed to be redesigned. Along the way, it had to fly two test flights without crew on board, instead of one as had been anticipated — because of the problems. Its first attempt, in late 2019, was cut short because the spacecraft’s onboard computer was off by 11 hours and the spacecraft never reached the station. Finally, on its next flight in 2022, it reached the space station .

But after that flight, the company discovered that tape used to cover electrical wiring in the capsule was flammable and that its parachutes needed an upgrade.

NASA officials publicly supported Boeing and worked steadily to help it get Starliner to the point where it could fly astronauts safely. But they also said they should have exerted more vigorous oversight over the company as it worked to develop the spacecraft.

The mishaps have cost the company about $1.4 billion. Boeing executives have said that while the company would complete its contract with NASA to fly as many as six operational missions to the station, the future of Starliner is uncertain , given the losses.

Boeing hopes the successful liftoff will mark a turning point for the program — and the company’s ambitions. The flight comes as its commercial aviation division faces probes related to how a door plug blew off a 737 Max airplane in January shortly after takeoff of an Alaska Airlines flight. The company is also shuffling its leadership and replacing CEO Dave Calhoun, who took over the company after another disaster — the crashes of two 737 Max airplanes that killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019.

Williams, a veteran NASA astronaut who had waited years for the flight, said in an interview that since it was a test flight she expected issues to crop up that would be fixed for future flights. Still, she said, NASA and Boeing would not fly unless they were convinced they could do so safely.

“We do anticipate everything’s going to go as planned,” she said in an interview. “But if it doesn’t, we’ll take a moment and analyze it and talk about it, and we’ll be okay. So our confidence in the mission is high.”