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Best all-inclusive holidays in Europe for 2023

We’ve rounded up the best deals where everything’s included in cyprus, spain, greece and italy, article bookmarked.

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When it comes to booking a holiday abroad, all-inclusive accommodation is the ultimate treat, and can actually end up saving you money depending on what deal you manage to snag.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be sorted, and you can sip drinks by the pool to your heart’s content.

If you’re looking to travel in Europe this summer, destinations to discover include Cyprus , Spain , Greece and Italy. You may be seeking seaside relaxation or fancy enjoying some sporting activities. Either way, there are different options to explore, from affordable deals to luxury resorts.

Whether you’ve got a favourite holiday location or fancy heading to somewhere new this year, we’ve rounded up a list of all-inclusive ideas. From a family-friendly trip to Mallorca to soaking up a seafront view in Madeira and enjoying a deluxe break in Gregolimano, all you’ll need to do next is plan your summer holiday packing list .

So keep scrolling to see our pick of holidays in Europe for 2023 where you can leave the wallet at home and indulge to your heart’s content.

• Independent Traveller guide to best hotels and short breaks
• Best UK hotels 2022
• Best hotels in Paris for 2023

Read more on Europe travel :

• Six best holiday destinations in Spain to visit in 2023
• The best things to do in Malta
• Family-friendly Paris guide

Mallorca, Spain

An ever-popular summer holiday pick, the Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca is known for its gorgeous sandy beaches, historic architecture and warm weather. The island’s capital Palma has a gothic cathedral, designer shops and marina boasting plentiful yachts. Meanwhile, smaller town Palma Nova is a 25-minute drive away, offering bars and a beach with sun loungers. Jet2 Holidays is offering a seven-night all-inclusive holiday to Globales Palmanova, situated 10 minutes from the sandy Palma Nova beach, for £972pp, including return flights departing from Manchester on Saturday 15 July. The resort has two freshwater pools including one for kids; additional family-friendly elements cover a children’s club and playground.

Sorrento, Italy

Italian coastal town Sorrento is on the Amalfi Coast and boasts a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples. The historical spot’s main square, Piazza Tasso, is packed with lively bars and restaurants. Meanwhile, nearby Sorrento Cathedral dates back to the 11th century and is worth a visit to see its impressive interior featuring marble pillars and artwork. Stay in Hotel Parco Del Sole for seven nights and enjoy an all-inclusive Tui deal costing £985pp, including return flights departing from Glasgow on Friday 9 August. It’s in Sant Agnello, which has cafes, shops, and restaurants, and is a 10-minute bus journey from Sorrento. Enjoy live music throughout the summer months, and a dip in the outdoor pool.

Larnaca, Cyprus

Take a summer trip to Cypriot district Larnaca, and head to the capital city with the same name for scuba diving, a seafront lined with palm trees and a vibrant nightlife. Meanwhile, quieter resort town Protaras is situated 41km away and famous for its stretch of sandy beach. Book a trip to Atlantica Aqua Blue in Protaras with easyJet Holidays and soak up the coastal location. There are three restaurants and four bars, plus a kids’ club, splash park and a pool. Fly from London Gatwick on Wednesday 19 July and enjoy an all-inclusive seven-night break for £1,198pp.

Gregolimano, Greece

Gregolimano in Greece is renowned for its blissful white sand, mountains, and pine trees. For a luxury all-inclusive holiday, Club Med is offering a seven-night stay on the region’s island of Evia. The breath-taking resort provides an array of watersports, from wakeboarding to diving. Partake in beach Pilates, take a nap on a hammock situated in the forest, or relax on the idyllic resort’s sandy beach. Fly from Manchester Airport on 29 July from £6,475, based on two adults sharing a superior room.

Gocek, Turkey

Gocek is an island in Fethiye, Turkey, which has six marinas, turquoise sea, and a jaw-dropping view of the Toros Mountains. The upmarket area is home to glorious beaches, and Calis Beach is a 25-minute car journey from Gocek. Meanwhile, you can reach the mainland by water taxi from Gocek harbour. Book an all-inclusive seven-night stay at Rixos Premium Gocek with Kuoni for £5,785pp, based on two adults sharing a deluxe garden suite, with flights departing London Gatwick on Saturday 22 July. The five-star resort has a pool, waterfall, spa and secret beach.

Madeira, Portugal

Pretty Portuguese island Madeira features a clear blue sea, sandy beaches, mountain trails and a breath-taking clifftop viewpoint. Book an all-inclusive seven-night holiday to Riu Madeira Hotel with First Choice, priced at £1,217pp for a family of four sharing a twin room, including flights departing from London Gatwick on Wednesday 9 August. The recently refurbished hotel overlooks the Calico waterfront and has a view of the Atlantic Ocean. There are three pools, a restaurant and poolside snack bar.

Corfu, Greece

Greek Island Corfu overlooks the Ionian Sea and is best known for its lush, mountain greenery and whitewashed coastal villages. For a deluxe way to explore Corfu, Sovereign has a seven-night stay at Ikos Odisia on an all-inclusive basis for a family of four, priced from £2,500pp, including flights departing from London Gatwick on Friday 1 September and private transfers. This upmarket resort is set in gorgeous gardens, including pine and olive trees. It’s located on a secluded peninsula bay, and has 10 heated pools, terrace restaurants and bars and tennis courts.

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Our Europe travel guide for 2023 & 2024

Are you looking to travel Europe in 2023 or 2024? Or maybe you’re a little unsure? Having travelled the continent multiple times, including 6 months in Europe full-time in 2022, we urge you to go for it! We didn’t regret it and it’s likely you won’t either! This blog will cover some key considerations for those looking to travel Europe in 2023 and 2024, along with some of our top recommendations for places that you might not even know exist!

Where should you travel in 2023?

Let’s start with the good stuff, planning what beautiful European destinations you might visit in 2023! The following recommendations are some of our top picks for your 2023 Europe trip , however it isn’t an exhaustive list. Additionally, we have numerous blogs providing further information on travel destinations if you are interested. If you have further questions, please comment below, email us, or engage with us on our Instagram channel.

OUR TOP EUROPE PICKS:

Southern italy:.

The south of Italy was delightful, and somewhere we just can’t wait to return back to! Particularly, Puglia and Sicily , and both destinations that we think are underrated (compared to the popular central/northern Italy) and deserve more attention.

The gem of Puglia is definitely the stunning Polignano a Mare, a seaside town that will always hold a special place in our hearts. Puglia also has numerous charming small inland and seaside towns that you could easily spend weeks exploring.

Sicily is one of the most southern points of Europe, and offers an excellent ‘shoulder season’ destination to prolong your summer. We visited in late September and were treated to excellent weather. The food is exceptional and whilst touristy, we found it less chaotic than the bigger cities in the north of Italy.

Read more about the south of Italy here:

• Take a look at our visit and road trip through Puglia!
• See our thoughts and recommendations on the stunning Polignano a Mare!
• Take a look at our shoulder season visit to Taormina in Sicily.

Portugal remains one of our favourite trips to date! The country offers so much, with highlights and attractions for all types of travellers. Boasting incredible old cities you could spend days wondering, top shelf cuisine (including the delightful Pastel de Nata), stunning beaches, charming small towns and much more! We urge you to consider Portugal for your 2023 travels!

• Check out 14 things we think you MUST DO when you visit Lisbon!
• Take a look at our day trip to the ‘fairy-tale like’ Sintra!
• Porto remains one of our favourite cities in Europe, see why here!
• Keen on visiting the beaches? See our Algarve adventures here!

Croatia is no longer the underrated gem it was in the past, however the popularity is definitely justified! Boasting world-best beaches, delightful seaside towns, and lots of historic towns to explore, Croatia definitely deserves a place on your Europe 2023 travel itinerary. We would strongly recommend you visit the Croatian Islands, and after visiting many of the popular ones, we recommend Vis Island as our favourite! A trip to Croatia also isn’t complete without checking out Dubrovnik (think Game of Thrones). We spend almost 3 weeks in the beautiful country in 2022!

• See our thoughts on our favourite island in Croatia, Vis!
• See our guide to the historic city of Dubrovnik!

Jungfrau region in Switzerland:

The entire country of Switzerland is beautiful, however the Jungfrau region (and surrounding towns/lakes/mountains) was particularly enthralling. Think stunning views, incredible hikes, mountain-top chalets, and lots more! Whilst not a ‘budget friendly’ travel destination, we feel like Switzerland is worth the money, particularly if you are an outdoor/hike lover.

• See our thoughts and guide for your visit to the Jungfrau region.
• Where to stay in the Jungfrau? Consider staying in Wengen!
• Don’t miss Oeschinensee when you travel to the region!

SOME DESTINATIONS TO CONSIDER:

Turkish riviera:.

We visited the stunning Turkish coastline in September 2022, visiting the delightful Kaş . This small seaside town sits a few hours away from Antalya or Fethiye. It offers stunning beaches and crystal clear water, lots of wonderful restaurants, and a definite ‘holiday feel’. See more about one of our favourite places in Europe, Kas!

TRANSYLVANIA:

Transylvania is a picturesque region in central Romania that completely exceeded our expectations. Filled with charming small towns waiting to be explored, Transylvania is definitely an under-rated region of Europe we think you should consider visiting in 2023. We would highly recommend basing yourself in Brasov , and checking out the numerous towns and attractions nearby (like the Transfagarasan Highway). Take a look at our Transylvanian adventures here!

Scandinavia:

Scandinavia commonly refers to the northern European region consisting of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. However, typically countries like Iceland, Finland and Faroe Islands are also included as part of Scandinavia. We have only briefly sampled this region, visiting Denmark and Sweden, and already we know we want to return. Think clean cities, impressive architecture, beautiful nature, friendly locals and everything that runs on time. Wanting to do something a little different in summer? Consider spending time in Scandinavia, where you will be treated to some of the longest summer days in the world! Take a look at our visit to Copenhagen here!

If you have been following our blog/social media for awhile, you will know we just can’t stop raving about Lake Bled . Situated in Slovenia, this lakeside region is stunning! We will endeavour to return in the future, as Lake Bled provided us with stunning views, great hikes, good food and more! Our visit to Lake Bled and recommendations can be found here!

Southern France:

The south of France is so beautiful! Think rolling hills, charming old towns, great wine and lots to explore! We visited the Luberon/Provonce regions, basing ourselves in Avignon. Whilst we loved all of the towns in the region, our highlight was definitely the stunning Gordes ! Take a look at our South of France adventures and recommendations here!

The medieval Scottish city of Edinburgh was seriously impressive! We loved the old architecture, the great food, the charming streets, and the stunning views. Whilst maybe not your top summer pick for Europe, Edinburgh is perfect to add on to the end of your travels. See our thoughts on Edinburgh here!

Please note, this list does not include many of our favourites like Bruges, Leiden, Mostar, Kotor, Antiparos , Gjirokaster, Tuscany, Prague, Budapest, Lake Ohrid, Cappadocia, and more!

A few key considerations, recommendations, and tips for travelling Europe in 2023:

Don’t forget to think about:.

This is a little checklist of things you need to consider when planning your trip. Each of these topics could easily be a blog themselves, however this list is designed to get you thinking.

• Passport! This is a MUST DO! You need to have at least 6 months on your passport from the date you plan to RETURN home! Don’t get caught out here! Check your passport now and plan early!
• Travel insurance – Make sure you get it! Buy your travel insurance early so if you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, you might be covered. If you have health issues or things to include in your policy, make sure your policy will cover this and mention it when booking. We often use and recommend Safety Wing as we find it is very reasonably priced, and geared travelers like us, especially those doing extended periods of travel.
• Travel credit card and/or debit card. Get a card that will minimise your oversees bank fees. It is very easy to spend $20 or more on a single ATM withdrawal overseas if you don’t have a good card. We use the 28 Degrees Credit Card, however need to look into better debit card for our next trip (yes, we got stung a bit by transaction fees).
• Saving – earlier is better! We we able to save in advance for our Europe trips, and avoid going in to debt to travel. However, we know many people have have put themselves in reasonable amount of debt with a Europe holiday. Whilst we don’t give financial advice, we urge you to think about saving as early as you can to minimise your debt.
• Travel days take longer than you think. If a flight says 1 hour, be prepared that the total journey will take at least half a day. Travel days end up taking more time than you think and we advise you to plan for this. Read more about travel days and our tips to ‘beat them’ here!
• Book “cheap flights” early. In peak season, flights from carriers like RyanAir between popular destinations will book out!
• Check that your destinations ‘link up’. Even if the itinerary makes sense in your head, you might not be able to get a flight/train etc between them. Depending on the length of your trip, spending a day (rather than a 1 hour flight) to get between locations might not be feasible.

Take a look at our thoughts on more things to know when you are planning your trip!

Planning a 6 month Europe trip – What to know

Our favourite places & where we want to visit in 2023 and beyond:

While we may not be heading back to Europe in 2023, we have a few destinations that are top of our list next time we return. These include Malta, Scandinavia, Puglia, Portugal, Sardinia, Poland and more! Our favourite places from our 6 month European travels in 2022 can be found here! Want to see our 6 month travel itinerary from 2022? See the itinerary and destinations here!

What time of year should you travel?

Not every destination will be perfect for every climate. For example, Seville, a vibrant food lovers paradise in southern Spain, becomes almost unbearably hot in peak summer (sometimes >40 degrees). This is also similar for locations like Turkey, Sicily and more. These destinations are perfect pre/post the peak summer months. Additionally, big cities like Rome and Paris are perfect destinations to visit on the fringe of summer (or in colder months), when the weather is more temperate, and possibly less crowds. If you want to be walking around the cities a lot, consider what the weather might be when you visit. Furthermore, think about what you want to do in each of the locations you visit. E.g., there may be not much point visiting a beachside town in the middle of winter. Thus we recommend you check the average temperatures for the destinations you are thinking of visiting. Take a look at our thoughts on the best destinations for shoulder season in Europe!

Slow vs Fast Travel?

What kind of travel do you prefer? Do you know the difference? Have a read of our blog on slow vs fast travel as you plan the best way to structure your trip. See more here or click below.

Slow Travel vs Fast Travel

Look into your travel destinations a little more..

• See some of the ‘best of’ awards from our travels in Europe with this guide!
• How expensive are the cities you want to visit? Take a look at our thoughts on the most expensive cities in Europe.
• Are the cities you want to visit overrated? Are they overrun with tourists, especially in peak season? See our thoughts here!
• See our picks for the alternative Europe destinations you should consider!
• Have a read of some things you might not expect when travelling Europe!
• See the places in Europe that we would return back to!
• Take a look at our top 6 ‘big cities’ in Europe that we loved!
• See 16 of our favourite small towns around the world!
• Are you a coffee lover? See our list of the BEST Coffee’s in Europe!
• See our Favourite beaches in Europe!
• Check our some of our top day trip locations in Europe!
• Can you drink the tap water in Europe? See our recommendations here!
• Beware of the busiest cities in Europe. Take a look here.
• Proposing in Europe? See some top proposal locations here!
• Trying to save money? See some of the cheapest destinations in Europe!

Europe Itineraries:

• 1 week Europe itineraries: see here!
• 1 month Europe itineraries – take a look!
• 3 month Europe itineraties: see our guide!
• 6 month Europe itinerary? See what we did!

Plan and prepare!

• See our tips on how to save money when travelling full time!
• Download some travel apps to make your life a whole lot easier! See our top picks here!
• Where to stay? See some of our top accommodation picks in Europe here! Research further with these incredible unique accommodation stays to fuel your travel inspiration.
• Travel days suck! See our top travel day tips and advice here!
• How to navigate travel destinations ‘off the tourist path’! Key tips and considerations here!
• See our thoughts on how to maximise a short stay or quick visit to a city!

A bit of perspective?

• Travel can have a big impact on us as people! Have a read about how travelling for 6 months influenced and changed our lives!
• Thinking of travelling and taking a career break? See Ky’s insightful thoughts on the topic here!
• Stay in shape on holidays can be tough. See our thoughts on how to stay in shape on holidays!

Booking Accommodation in Europe in 2023:

Top Tip: get in early! The good stuff often gets booked out fast! This is particularly true for ‘cheaper’ gems in popular locations.

Further Tips:

• Stay close to the action! Depending on how long you are staying, we would urge you to avoid lengthy transportation in/out of the cities.
• Research where to stay beforehand – staying in the ‘centre’ of the city isn’t always the best call. In some cities where you stay makes a massive difference, e.g. we recommend staying the Le Marais in Paris (vs the touristic heart).
• How far away is your accommodation from the train station (or transport options)? This may not stop you from booking somewhere, but it’s definitely a consideration.

Our Favourite Stays: See some of our top accommodation picks from Europe in our blog here!

Support Us: book you hotels through our Booking.com link . This will help fund the running of the website at no extra cost to you.

Should you book a tour?

There are a multitude of tour options out there depending on the type of activity or experience you want. A few of the options below are good to consider:

• Free walking tours: we were a huge fan of “free” walking tours. Most cities have them running multiple times per day in many languages. We found generally the guides we passionate, knowledgeable, and it was a great way to see the city. The tours aren’t really free, as the guides are paid based upon tips. Typically, a normal tip amount is around $10-20 per person, but that varies depending on currency and location.
• Paid private tours: Many cities offer paid private tours from local guides. You can source these through operators like TripAdvisor, Viator and more. Hotels/Airbnb hosts will often also be able to recommend guides for you.
• Viator tours: We have booked tours before through Viator , with this operator providing a variety of different tours in many areas around the world. Private, small group or larger group settings. See more here.
• Intrepid Tours: Offering group tours in many countries, Intrepid are a big brand and generally have great tours. We did an Intrepid tour in Morocco. You can see our pros and cons of a tour in Morocco here.
• Top Deck, Contiki, Sail Croatia, Yacht Week : If sailing around picturesque beaches and partying sounds like your kettle of fish, then there’s a lot of options like Sail Croatia (younger crowd) or Yacht Week. Group tours like Contiki (generally younger crowd, more party focus) and Top Deck are great options. Note that these tours limit your flexibility, and aren’t as cost effective as booking it yourself, however they allow you to see a lot and meet new people.
• Cruises, Luxury Options? This isn’t our area of expertise. In Europe there are a multitude of luxury options like river cruises, train tours and more.

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Tags: 2023 , beach , blog , copenhagen , croatia , drone , Europe , italy , itinerary , portugal , puglia , summer , turkey

Comments (7):

Travel Tips

January 23, 2024 at 5:54 am

This is a really nice post. It’s very informative and well organized. I’ll check back for more posts like this one.

2CupsofTravel

January 23, 2024 at 9:48 am

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Improved rights and better information for travellers

The European Commission today adopted a series of proposals designed to improve the experience of passengers and travellers by strengthening their rights. The new rules will build on lessons learned, including the recent experiences of the COVID-19 crisis and the bankruptcy of the travel group Thomas Cook in 2019, which had a major impact both on travellers and on the travel market. In particular, they will clarify rules on reimbursement when flights or multimodal journeys are booked via an intermediary, so that passengers are better protected against cancellations. They will also provide for smoother journeys, especially those involving different travel services or transport modes, ensuring that passengers have access to direct support, and enhanced real-time information, for example on delays and cancellations. Special attention is paid to the needs of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility to address and facilitate the switch between transport modes and improve quality assistance where needed.

The proposals adopted today focus on 3 aspects:

1. Stronger passenger rights

Passengers travelling by air, rail, ship or bus already enjoy world-renowned protection by EU passenger rights. They are, for example, entitled to rerouting, reimbursement, compensation and/or assistance (depending on the circumstances) if travel is disrupted. Nevertheless, some gaps in today’s rules still remain while shortcomings in implementation and enforcement are preventing passengers from fully benefiting from these rights. The proposal for a revision of the Regulations on Passenger Rights addresses these problem areas by strengthening the enforcement mechanisms and introducing rules for air passengers who booked their flights via an intermediary, including on reimbursement. The proposal on passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys also sets out for the first time, new rules to protect passengers using different types of transport, like buses, trains, and planes, all in one trip. Passengers will enjoy better information rights before and during such travels, including on minimum connecting times between different transport services. In addition, where they bought the multimodal journey under one transport contract, they will be entitled to assistance by the carrier in the event of missed connections. Special attention is paid to the needs of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Persons with reduced mobility who switch from one transport mode to another during their journey will be assisted at connecting points by carriers and terminal operators when they travel under a single contract of carriage or when they travel through multimodal passenger hubs. If an airline obliges a passenger with disabilities or a person with reduced mobility to travel accompanied by someone because the passenger needs assistance to comply with aviation safety requirements (e.g. to fasten the seatbelt), the airline will be obliged to transport the accompanying person free of charge, and when practical, seat this person next to the passenger they are assisting. This right already exists when travelling by rail, ship or bus/coach.

2. Protection of package travellers

With the revision of the 2015 Package Travel Directive , the protection of package travellers will in the future be more effective, in particular, during crisis situations, learning the lessons from the Covid19 pandemic. The proposed amendments will provide stronger and clearer rights for travellers and clarify the obligations and responsibilities of the service providers.

Some of the new rules relate to:

• When it comes to refunds, there is a chain of service providers, package organisers and travellers. Thanks to the new rules, travellers will be refunded within 14 days. This will be facilitated because package organisers, most of whom are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will have the right to a refund from service providers within 7 days. The fact that they get their refund within one week, enables them to in turn to refund their clients within two weeks in total.
• Downpayments made by travellers for packages may not be higher than 25% of the package price, except for when organisers face costs justifying a higher downpayment, for example, because they have to pay the full ticket price to the airline upfront. Organisers may not ask for the total payment earlier than 28 days before the start of the package.
• Travellers who are being offered a voucher will receive clear information that they may insist on a refund and will be informed on the characteristics of the voucher before accepting it. Such vouchers will be refunded automatically if not used before the end of their validity period. Moreover, vouchers and refund rights will be covered by insolvency protection.
• Clearer Information: Holidaymakers will receive clear information on whether a combination of travel services constitutes a package, who is liable if there are problems, and on their rights as package travellers.

3. Better multimodal travel information services and the creation of a common European mobility data space

Multimodality, or the combination of transport modes, can reduce overall transport emissions by allowing travellers to choose the most efficient and sustainable mode of transport. The revision of Delegated Regulation on EU-wide multimodal travel information service (MMTIS) will make it easier for passengers to find via travel information services real-time information on different transport modes and access real-time updates during their journey, for example on delays and cancellations. New types of information will also be available, such as whether bikes can be taken onto a train, and on accessibility, including for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.

In line with the European Strategy for Data and supported by the Connecting Europe Facility and the Digital Europe Programme , the initiative on a common European mobility data space (EMDS) also adopted today will facilitate access, pooling and sharing of data from existing and future transport and mobility data sources. It will allow access to and sharing of real-time data, enabling the travelling public to stay up to date with the transport situation and traffic conditions, allowing them to plan their journeys better. It will also enable public and private actors for developing innovative transport services and data-driven transport policy-making.

Automation and digitalisation are creating many new challenges as well as opportunities for the transport workforce. A smooth transition is in the interests of transport users and workers alike. Today’s Recommendation on means to address the impact of automation and digitalisation on the transport workforce invites transport stakeholders, including social partners and national authorities to consider the impact of automation on transport workers, and to promote upskilling and reskilling. It calls for change to be managed in a proactive and participatory manner, and emphasises the importance of social dialogue. The sector should make full use of EU funding opportunities to support the transition and ensure inclusiveness and accessibility for workers, especially those at higher risk of exclusion.

Some 13 billion passengers who travel by plane, train, coach, bus or ferry in the EU every year are covered by EU passenger rights, and many more use local transport. This figure is expected to reach 15 billion by 2030 and almost 20 billion by 2050.

The EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy is the Commission’s roadmap to achieving the green and digital transitions. The two go hand-in-hand, as digitalisation increases efficiency and flexibility, which reduces transport emissions. The Strategy sets out how to achieve a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050, and sets key milestones, such as deploying automated mobility at large scale by 2030.

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Enjoy afternoon tea in London

Sample over 300-years of history in the simplicity of homemade scones with whipped cream and jam. This deliciously British treat is best enjoyed in the afternoon, complete with a hot cup of Earl Grey, cucumber sandwiches and a tower of sugary delights.

Explore ancient Athens

You don't need to be a historian to appreciate the significance of Athens. Your love affair with the city might begin with goddess Athena’s Parthenon temple and the ruins of Acropolis, but it’s likely to end in a quaint alleyway getting a glimpse at daily life in this ancient capital. The story of Athens continues to unfold.

Catch a flamenco show in Spain

Discover the soul-stirring emotion of a Flamenco show in Spain. This expressive art-form has an intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO, merging song, dance and musical instruments into a performance that has to be experienced at least once. Finish with dinner of paella or tapas to round off your perfect evening.

View the Northern Lights in Iceland

Mother Nature’s wonders come to life with the Aurora Borealis or ‘Northern Lights’. In the frosty landscapes of Iceland, this light display offers viewers a genuine pinch-me moment as vivid colours dance across the night sky.

Spend a night at the opera in Vienna

Hear the talents of traditional opera with the ghosts of Mozart and Strauss in your presence. Though there are more than few places to catch the opera in Vienna, none can compare to the State Opera House (Staatsoper).

Our top 5 things to do in Europe & Britain

There are endless pinch-me moments to be found across the many countries that make up our Europe travel packages. But where to even begin? Perhaps a Flamenco show in Spain, afternoon tea in London or a Northern Lights viewing in frosty Iceland? Here are some of the highlights of our Europe and Britain trips that you're sure to love. 

Paris, France

The world’s largest gallery and the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre is without rival in the art world and is a must see when in Paris. Allow an entire day to explore its eight departments, not missing the Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art and various halls of sculptures. End your day with sunset by the Louvre Pyramid.

London, England

The British Museum

With some eight million works within its permanent collection, The British Museum is an illustrious European landmark. Admire objects brought back from the voyages of Captain James Cook and walk in the controversial presence of the Parthenon Marbles.

Florence, Italy

Uffizi Gallery

The Tuscan capital is home to Uffizi Gallery, where the brushworks of art’s true masters can be found. Names like Raffaello, Leonardo, and Michelangelo fill Uffizi’s grand pink walls, whilst internal courtyards leading to the Arno River reveal the building’s architectural brilliance.

Best museums in Europe & Britain

When traveling Europe with Trafalgar, museum hopping is one of the best ways to understand the culture and history of the places you visit. You’ll find yourself critiquing ancient art and staring in awe at some of the world’s most prominent works. Here are some of our favorites.

Paella Valenciana

Saffron, snails, butterbeans and bomba rice are just some of the ingredients you might find in traditional Spanish paella. Despite originating from the coastal town of Valencia, Paella Valenciana is a variety without seafood. You'll love sitting back to enjoy a steaming plate over the sounds of Spanish jazz in a lively alfresco restaurant.

Beef Stroganoff

Now a staple dish in many parts of the world, beef stroganoff is best enjoyed in its birthplace in Russia with a vodka in hand. This simple dish of beef strips sauteed in a sour cream sauce offers a heart-warming taste of this country’s culinary heritage.

Bouillabaisse

The Mediterranean city of Marseille is where a French culinary icon can be found and devoured. The fragrant stew of bouillabaisse, commonly served with crusty white bread, boils up the finest local seafood and seasonal vegetables with the flavors of fennel, saffron and cayenne pepper.

Best food in Europe & Britain

Our trips to Europe gravitate around indulgent local mealtimes. With new cuisines and cooking methodologies found at every turn, this continent is simply delicious. 

What to pack for a tour in Europe

With such a large expanse of space to explore on a European travel tour, on some days, long journeys are unavoidable. The scenery will provide plenty of visual entertainment, while headphones can be used to listen to some local music or enjoy podcasts about European history, culture and politics when you're not enjoying the storytelling from your Travel Director.

A good book

Exploring Europe is best done at a relaxed pace with ample opportunity to absorb your surroundings. Dedicate a few days to sitting in a park or a cafe, alternating between reading and watching the world go by.

Versatile shoes

Within the space of one outing you may experience all kinds of terrain when in Europe. Pack shoes that can see you walking from an elegant restaurant to a cobbled footpath, with a stroll along the soft grass of a park in between.

A blank journal

With the wealth of inspiration tucked into every corner of Europe, you may find yourself compelled to write down notes or memories. At the very least to share recommendations with friends when you return home.

All climate clothing

No matter the time of year you travel, Europe can deliver a myriad of temperatures. From frosty cities of Scandinavia to the temperate hills of Portugal, layered clothing best suits the varying micro-climates across this continent.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

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Planing a trip to Europe? You are at the right place if you are looking for Europe tour packages. Our Europe tour packages suitable for all type of age range. With our packages, you are total worry free and much easy to travel to Europe without having headache to do a lot of homework where to stay, how to get around, guide and so on. Our service include tours to multi cities in Europe cover more than hundreds routes and thousands of departure dates.

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Europe tour packages cover Western Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Balkans, Spain, Italy, Greece and England, Turkey, etc. Get your Europe vacation packages now.

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Istanbul-Cappadocia Tour By Plane (Private Tour)-6 Days 5 Nights

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Evergreen London & Paris-6 Days 5 Nights Tour Package

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Istanbul-Cappadocia By Plane Tour Package-6 Days 5 Nights

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European country tour package 2024/2025.

Are you dreaming of a European vacation? From the iconic cities of London and Paris to the stunning landscapes of Greece, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, Europe has something to offer for every type of traveler. With so many destinations to choose from, planning a trip to Europe can feel overwhelming. That's why tour packages can be a great option - they take care of the logistics and allow you to focus on enjoying your trip. In this post, we'll explore some of the top tour packages that will take you to some of the most popular destinations in Europe, including London, Paris, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Istanbul.

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Our Europe tours connect you with the emotion and camaraderie of day-to-day life as you travel throughout its vibrant cities and along the Yellow Roads... those smaller back roads that immerse you on a deeper level offering that authentic sense of place.

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Welcome to Europe

Experiential, culturally diverse, and filled with timeless art, Europe is a true melting pot of cultures on a grand scale. Whether you are traveling along our off-the-beaten-path Yellow Roads on a land journey, or aboard a small ship cruise or river cruise... you are connected to day-to-day European life, with its many historical sites and culinary treasures. The finest handpicked hotels add a luxurious sense of place... making you feel right at home.

Yellow roads of europe, land journeys, join us along the "yellow roads of europe"....

Whether you're planning your first journey to "the Continent," or want to add a new set of European experiences to your collection, our "Yellow Roads" land journeys will take you to the Europe you want to see... in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Great Britain and Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Central Europe, the Balkans and Russia.

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Cruising Europe's inland waterways on a Tauck River Cruise...

Many of our river cruise guests tell us that they believe there's no better way to explore Europe than aboard one of Tauck's custom-designed riverboats. While riverboating may not be for everyone, it may be for you... and there's no better way to find out than by joining us aboard a Tauck river cruise along the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Rhône, Saône or Seine rivers.

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Discover the best of Europe by sea...

Tauck small ship cruising began more than a quarter-century ago in European waters, with a Mediterranean cruise crafted to delight our guests with the best of land and sea, aboard a ship selected especially for the destination. This holds true today as our small ships cruises set off for European destinations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Adriatic and the Dalmatian Coast, Greece and the Aegean, Russia and the Baltic , Iceland, the fjords of Norway, and Mediterranean cruises to Italy, Sicily, Spain and Portugal.

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Small group departures transform your travel experience throughout europe.

Small Group departures averaging 24 guests and even Smaller Group departures averaging 15 guests are available on Tauck's Europe land journeys.

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Exciting adventures await your family on our tauck bridges trips throughout europe.

Scavenger hunts in famous museums like the Louvre in Paris... bicycle tours, train trips, boat and gondola rides... culinary adventures like a cooking class in Ireland, truffle-hunting in Italy, chocolate art in Paris... a day in gladiator school, a night in a castle, and so much more awaits on our Tauck Bridges family trips and river cruises to fun destinations including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia.

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Many of our Europe journeys and cruises explore some of the continent's greatest cities in one trip – Venice, Florence and Rome on a family adventure in Italy... Amsterdam, Köln and Budapest on one Danube cruise, Berlin, Vienna and Krakow on another... Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Basel on the Rhine...

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Blinken Offers New US Aid as Kyiv Reels From Renewed Russian Attacks

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hold a joint press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, May 15, 2024. REUTERS/Alina Smutko

By Simon Lewis

KYIV (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced a $2 billion fund to help Ukraine build up its defense industrial base, as he concluded a two-day visit aimed at reassuring the country reeling after Russia opened up a new front in its war last week.

Blinken said the United States was working to quickly get more ammunition and weapons to the front lines to help Ukrainian forces fight a new Russian ground incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region, which provided a gloomy backdrop to his fourth visit to Kyiv since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion.

Blinken said the new funding, in the form of a "first-of-its-kind defence enterprise fund," was coming at a "crucial time" and would help Kyiv get weapons it needs now.

It would also "strengthen even more (Ukraine's) capacity to produce what it needs for itself," he said. Kyiv can also use the funding to buy arms from other countries, he added.

The $2 billion in foreign military financing (FMF) draws mainly from $61 billion appropriated for Ukraine last month, a U.S. official said. It also includes $400 million of FMF that had not yet been allocated to a specific country and will now be going to Ukraine, the official said.

The move follows a U.S.-Ukrainian agreement signed in December to speed weapons co-production and data sharing to help Ukraine's defence industry.

"We will continue to back Ukraine with the equipment that it needs to succeed, that it needs to win," Blinken said in a news conference on Wednesday before departing Kyiv by train.

The Latest Photos From Ukraine

Blinken earlier visited Brave1, part of a Ukrainian government initiative to promote collaboration in the defence sector. In one facility that makes single-use drones capable of surveillance and carrying small payloads of explosives, a briefer explained to Blinken the constant need for advances to keep ahead of Russian efforts to down or sabotage the drones.

The U.S. top diplomat was given a brief lesson in flying a drone, and said the United States was learning about the fast-evolving technology from Ukrainians who are "testing this in ways no one else is."

He also visited a company that makes high-tech prosthetics for amputees. At a grain transhipment facility, he praised Ukraine's success pushing back the Russian Black Sea fleet that has helped to restore grain exports hit by Russian attacks on infrastructure and shipping.

'RUSHING' MILITARY AID

Kyiv has been on the back foot on the battlefield for months as Russian troops have slowly advanced, taking advantage of Ukraine's shortages of troop manpower and artillery shells.

Blinken said during his visit that Ukraine's move to mobilise more of its population for the war was "a difficult decision but a necessary one."

Military aid from Washington, Kyiv's main backer, was held up for months, blocked by Republicans in the U.S. Congress until they finally allowed a vote last month, when it passed with support from both parties.

"We're rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defences - rushing them to get to the front lines to protect soldiers, to protect civilians," Blinken said.

Washington was "intensely focused" on making sure Ukraine gets Patriots and other air defense systems that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told him are urgently needed to protect people in Kharkiv, Blinken added.

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmitro Kuleba told Blinken his visit "sends a message of encouragement not only to the people of Ukraine but most importantly to the troops, to our soldiers, who are heroically defending Ukraine" including in Kharkiv.

Blinken stayed overnight in the Ukrainian capital that faces frequent air raids and power shortages as Russia targets energy infrastructure.

The first senior U.S. official to visit since the new military aid was approved, Blinken sought to focus on Ukraine's future, which he contrasted to Russia's "strategic defeat" - the costs of the war to Moscow in terms of casualties, military hardware and international isolation.

In a speech to university students, Blinken pledged enduring U.S. support not only for Ukraine's defence, but for it's efforts to become "a free, prosperous, secure democracy – fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community – and fully in control of its own destiny."

(Reporting by Simon Lewis; ; additional reporting by Dan Peleschuk and Anastasiia Malenko; Editing by Alex Richardson, Alexandra Hudson)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Blinken, in Kyiv, vows unwavering US support as Russian attacks intensify

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Long air raid alert lifted in Kharkiv after drone strikes, missile warning

A protracted air raid alert in most of Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region was lifted early on Friday after officials reported Russian drone strikes and a missile warning in the city of Kharkiv.

Ukraine's getting more longe-range missiles that leave the Russians with 'nowhere to hide'

• Ukraine's Western allies have promised to send it more long-range missiles.
• Kyiv has already demonstrated it can use ATACMS and Storm Shadows to hit high-value Russian targets.
• Former US military officers say more of these missiles will expose Russia on the battlefield.

NATO countries are outfitting Ukraine with additional long-range precision missiles that have already been used by the country to strike Russian airfields, naval headquarters, bridges, and other high-value targets.

These Western-provided missiles give Ukraine's deep-strike capability a major firepower boost. Former US military officers told Business Insider that the munitions could help Kyiv go after locations that are essential to Russia's operations, and leave its combat and support forces with "nowhere to hide."

Ukraine is facing Russian offensives that may get more intense going into the summer, but these weapons could help hamstring Moscow's efforts.

"If you're worried about Russian forces overrunning your defenses, you want to go after the headquarters and you want to go after the logistics that would enable Russian attacks," said Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general and former commander of US Army Europe.

The US last month acknowledged that it had secretly shipped Ukraine a number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS — earlier this spring as part of a $300 million weapons package it announced in March. The number of missiles isn't publicly known, but ATACMS missiles average about $1.3 million each.

Jake Sullivan, the Biden administration's national security advisor, said in late April that the US would send Ukraine more ATACMS after passing a $61 billion aid package that spent months held up by Republicans in Congress. The legislation required that Washington transfer the munitions.

ATACMS are tactical ballistic missiles that come in several variants. Ukraine previously received ones that have a range of 100 miles and can disperse nearly 1,000 submunitions over a large area, making them particularly damaging to airfields . Last fall, Kyiv used the missiles for that exact purpose.

The US also has ATACMS that can travel up to 190 miles; one variant has a unitary warhead, while the other can scatter some 300 submunitions. Ukraine has long pressed Washington for these extended-range missiles, though it's unclear what Kyiv has actually obtained.

Around the same time, in late April, the UK announced it would send Ukraine additional Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of the country's largest-ever weapons package (£500 million, or $633 million), which included over 1,600 strike and air-defense munitions.

Days later, Britain's defense minister Grant Shapps disclosed for the first time that Italy had, at some point, also supplied Kyiv with Storm Shadow cruise missiles (France has sent Kyiv its own version of the munition called SCALP-EG).

These air-dropped missiles can fly at low altitudes to avoid detection and have been used to strike Russian naval headquarters and vehicle-repair depots in the occupied Crimean peninsula. Their 155-mile range puts them in between the ATACMS variants.

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It's unclear exactly how many ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles have already arrived in Ukraine this spring, nor is it known how many more the country can expect to receive in the coming weeks as it tries to stall Russia's momentum on the ground. Kyiv previously obtained a limited number of both munitions from the US and its European allies.

A larger arsenal of missiles could strip Russia of its ability to stage crucial assets within 100 miles of the front lines, said Dan Rice, a former US Army artillery officer who previously served as a special advisor to Ukrainian military leadership. "That puts tremendous pressure on all of their key high-value targets."

"You have a 600-mile front and then you've got a hundred miles deep — where do you hide everything?" said Rice, a longtime advocate for sending cluster munitions to Ukraine and now the president of American University Kyiv. "Your transportation nodes, your railway stations, your supply depots, command and control — most importantly, your anti-aircraft systems."

Ukraine's battlefield reach has steadily grown throughout the full-scale war. What started out with short-range artillery improved over time with the arrival of US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. These game-changing weapons suddenly put Russian logistics centers, ammunition dumps, and command and control nodes within firing range.

Russia adapted to the HIMARS by moving its critical assets out of reach and jamming the munitions. The arrival of Storm Shadow missiles — and, several months later, ATAMCS — presented new challenges for Moscow , but Ukraine has received so few it has had to bee choosy over what to target.

Hodges and Rice say a larger arsenal of ATACMS and Storm Shadows can give Ukraine both the reach and inventory to smash the high-value targets that sustain Moscow's war efforts like supply depots and maintenance facilities. Indeed, Kyiv has used the American missiles in recent weeks to strike Russian airfields and troop gatherings .

"When you start taking those off the board, then it doesn't matter how much untrained, mass infantry — cannon fodder — that the Russians have," Hodges said. "I think long-range precision strike is becoming the dominant factor on the battlefield."

Missiles like ATACMS and Storm Shadow "will enable Ukraine to neutralize Russia's advantages and eventually enable them to regain the initiative," he added. Ukraine has also long sought Germany's Taurus missile, whose range is more than a 100 miles farther than ATACMS, but Berlin has so far declined to provide them.

The increased arsenal comes at a critical point. Russia is making gains on the battlefield as its bigger war industry shifts to mass-producing the drones and glide bombs that are pounding Ukraine's defenses.

Ultimately, however, the effectiveness of Kyiv's long-range strike regime depends on how many munitions it receives — and how it uses them. Ukraine had long been restricted to using ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles only inside occupied territory, although the UK recently agreed to let Kyiv use its weapons to strike inside Russia .

Whether or not the US follows suit remains to be seen. Analysts and officials have said that US restrictions went on to prevent Ukraine from putting up an effective defense and have essentially allowed Russia to conduct a new assault in the northeastern Kharkiv region .

The advances appear to be the start of Moscow's anticipated summer offensive, as Ukrainian forces are increasingly stretched out across the front, Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, warned in an analysis this week.

"The outlook in Ukraine is bleak," Watling said. "However, if Ukraine's allies engage now to replenish Ukrainian munitions stockpiles, help to establish a robust training pipeline, and make the industrial investments to sustain the effort, then Russia's summer offensive can be blunted, and Ukraine will receive the breathing space it needs to regain the initiative."

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Ukraine war latest: Frontline city of Kharkiv 'under missile attack', mayor says

The northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv is under attack tonight, according to its mayor, following repeated Russian attacks in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin is in China, where he has met with president Xi Jinping.

Thursday 16 May 2024 23:39, UK

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• Kharkiv 'under missile attack' - mayor
• Putin in China: Leaders warn against nuclear war - and agree to expand military drills
• Were Putin and Xi really pictured with their 'nuclear footballs'?
• Russia expels British defence attache
• Analysis: Great power politics on display in China visit
• The latest from the battlefield - as Russia launches fresh attacks on border area
• Russia claims to arrest Ukrainian agents carrying out Crimean bridge reconnaissance

Ask a question or make a comment

That's it for our live updates on the Ukraine war this evening.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on what happened.

This map shows much of eastern Ukraine is under an air raid alert currently.

"Air defence is working, do not leave shelters and be careful," Kharkiv governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.

Following on from our previous post, Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov has now said that Kharkiv is "under missile attack".

This was also reported by regional governor Oleh Synehubov, who has urged citizens to move to air raid shelters.

Mr Synehubov said on Telegram that there is no information about victims currently.

A journalist in Kharkiv says he has "lost count of the number of explosions" shaking the city.

At least five Russian drones have hit the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and a fire has broken out, according to officials.

Regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported the drone strike and said the city remained at risk.

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said the Osnovyanskyi district has been struck, sparking a fire.

Neither official has reported any casualties.

Kharkiv city has come under frequent fire in recent weeks, while thousands of people have been forced to flee the wider Kharkiv region after Russian troops launched a surprise incursion last week.

The relationship between Russia and China is under scrutiny as Vladimir Putin visits the country in what is largely a symbolic visit.

For Xi Jinping, this visit is about power, says our Asia correspondent Nicole Johnston .

You can watch Nicole's full report here...

"Nothing new."

That's what the US has to say of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping signing a joint statement on deepening the strategic partnership between their two countries.

"The statement is nothing new," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a briefing this evening, adding that Washington has been "very clear" where it stands on the issue.

"We find it unacceptable that Chinese companies are helping Putin wage this war against Ukraine. We've been very clear about that. And if China purports to support peace in Europe, it cannot continue to field the biggest threat of European security," she said.

Ms Jean-Pierre dismissed a question over whether the US had any power to persuade China away from supporting Russia.

Vladimir Putin has arrived in the Chinese city of Harbin for day two of his state visit after spending Thursday in Beijing meeting Xi Jinping (a reminder that China is several hours ahead, meaning it's early morning there now).

The northeastern city, which borders Russia's far east, has cultural and historic ties to Russia.

While there, Mr Putin is expected to attend trade and cooperation forums and meet students at the Harbin Institute of Technology.

Earlier, the Russian president and Mr Xi reaffirmed their "no-limits partnership and criticised US military alliances in Asia and the Pacific.

Mr Putin also thanked the Chinese leader for Beijing's peace proposal for the Ukraine war, which Kyiv and the West rejected.

Six people have been injured in a fresh Russian attack on the eastern town of Vovchansk, including the head of its military administration, an official has said.

Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram that the ages of the wounded people ranged from 28 to 50.

He claimed Russian forces attacked the town using cluster munitions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the head of Vovchank's administration was injured.

In his evening address posted to social media, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian counterattacks continue in the key frontline town in the northeast, which has been heavily targeted in Moscow's new offensive.

"Our results in repelling assaults and destroying the occupier should increase," said the Ukrainian president.

G7 finance ministers are preparing to back an EU plan to use profits from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine in the war.

An Italian treasury official said the announcement will be made when ministers meet in Stresa next week.

Some $300bn (£237bn) worth of financial assets were frozen by the G7 after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Earlier this month, EU nations agreed a deal in principle to provide Kyiv with additional funds for military supplies using Russian asset profits.

It followed weeks of tough negotiations among member states.

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps has branded the expulsion of British defence attache Adrian Coghill from Russia a "desperate move".

Moscow announced earlier it had made the move in retaliation to the UK kicking out his Russian counterpart over spying allegations last week.

Mr Coghill was reportedly called to the Russian embassy, where he was told of his expulsion (seen 16.25 post).

In a post on social media, Mr Shapps said Vladimir Putin's issue with Mr Coghill was that he "personified the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine".

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