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This Black Women’s Luxury Travel Community Is Bringing 300 Ladies To The ESSENCE Festival Of Culture

Black Women deserve luxury. Recognizing this, Shanterria Earley founded the Travel Divas – a premier award-winning group travel company that caters to Black women. “She brought all of this together to showcase Black women traveling, but on an upscale level,” beams Michelle Thames, Travel Divas Community Director. “We do upscale travel. It is a five-star experience. What [Shanterria] puts together is an experience for Black women.”

Though “upscale” and “ luxury ” are often tossed around haphazardly, the Travel Divas show and prove. “The experiences are all-inclusive. You don’t have to think about anything. When you travel with the Travel Divas, everything is taken care of for you,” gushes Thames. “It’s like white glove service. I think that it is a luxury for you to go somewhere and not have to do anything.”

Past and future destinations include Senegal, Ghana, Singapore, Jordan, Milan, and more.

“Dubai is a top trip for us,” Thames said when speaking on the company’s luxury experiences. “We host high tea parties. We visit the Burj Khalifa. They have six and seven-star hotels in Dubai. We stay at the best hotels.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Divas® (@traveldivas)

But Travel Divas was birthed in New Orleans . In 2007, Earley began organizing bus trips to The Big Easy that were a hit with Black women travelers. This summer, the Divas will return to the city that started it all. On July 4, over 300 Divas will touch down in New Orleans for the 30th ESSENCE Festival of Culture for what’s sure to be the ultimate girls’ trip.

“It’s one of the largest festivals for our community. When you go to New Orleans, it’s just a different space,” says Thames. “We’re excited to be back. ESSENCE Fest is the culture. It is the Black community. When you go to the store and see ESSENCE Magazine, it’s the nostalgia. The Travel Divas have been a part of the experience, and we want to continue to be part of the experience.”

Since its inception in 2007, the company has executed 500+ trips, domestically and abroad, serving that rich auntie vibe wherever they land. The added value of their experiences is that members have the privilege of exploring the world with other travel-minded Black women.

“Many Black women have not had the experience to go to Rome, to go to the Almalfi Coast, Greece, and Africa, and to be able to do that safely with a group of people,” shared Thames. “I think that’s important. You want to be protected, and Travel Divas gives that safe, inclusive environment.”

Further, women with the travel bug who prefer not to travel solo can participate in the Travel Divas roommate match program.

“If you’re afraid to go on a trip by yourself, you don’t have to be alone,” explains Thames, who shared that many women who meet via the match program have become lifelong friends. “We will match you up with the best possible roommate, and it will be the best experience for you.”

During ESSENCE Fest, the Travel Divas will host an exclusive Welcome Party featuring NOLA-based rapper and performer Big Freedia, an old-school hip-hop brunch, and a series of health initiatives, including group walks and panels featuring guest fitness experts. “We’re not only showcasing travel, but lifestyle. Health and wellness are important,” shares Thames. “[It’s really about] creating an experience.”

If trips of spectacular opulence with fellow Black women sound like your vibe, look no further than Travel Divas. The community has over 50 trips planned for 2024, and they’ve already begun announcing 2026 excursions. “We have so many trips planned. [If you really] sit down and think about your dream destination, Travel Divas probably has that place for you,” says Thames. “As we always say, ‘Book the trip, sis.’”

To learn more about Travel Divas, visit www.thetraveldivas.com or click here to join their Facebook group.

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Luxury travel is my passion and I design incredible luxury vacations. But my very favorite moments as a travel advisor are when I get to introduce a client to the wonders of remote expeditions and soft adventure. I get to see their perspectives and outlooks change as they realize that there is an entirely new world within the realm of luxury travel. Read more About Me .

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2023 Travel Noire Awards: Favorite Black-Owned Tour Operator 

The 2023 Travel Noire Awards highlights three nominees for Favorite Black-owned Tour Operator. Check out this year's nominees.

Nurah Rossini • Jul 19, 2023

Sometimes doing your own travel research just isn’t enough, and you need the professionals to step in. For Black travelers, knowing where to go, where to stay and the cultural norms of the countries we travel to is important. That’s where this 2023 Travel Noire Awards category comes into play: Favorite Black-Owned Tour Operator.

These people-led companies show us where and how to travel with ease, and they may even come along for the ride. We narrowed it down to three picks in this year’s Travel Noire Awards.

Travel Divas

Travel Divas is a Black female-owned travel company that specializes in group travel management. The brand has over 100,000 Instagram followers. The group was founded by Shanterria, a travel agent, who had a vision to create unforgettable, luxurious travel experiences.

Travel Divas mission is “to offer destinations and travel events that many women in our community would not imagine.”  Their website is organized by trips and by year, so interested travelers can easily access information and view photos. So far in 2023, the group went to Ethiopia, Paris, Switzerland and South Africa. Next year’s trips are already planned and posted on the website. We recommend the Travel Divas if you want a professional, organized trip with experienced agents.

Kultured Travels

Kultured Travel is self described as “luxury group travel experiences.” Their mission is for you to focus on enjoying, while they take care of the planning. The group traveled to places, like Portugal, Brazil, Cuba and Greece. Kultured Travel’s Instagram page, with over 30,000 followers, highlights its 2023 trips. Each trip shows lively activities, such as boating, hot air balloon rides and local drumming lessons.

Turkey has been a hot spot for Kultured Travels, where they facilitated numerous trips abroad. While in Istanbul, the group spent the day doing a tour of the city, attended the Great Bazaar, tasted Turkish teas and made some delicious Turkish dishes. If you want a fully immersive cultural experience where you’re sure to have a good time, then check out Kultured Travels. They’re currently booking trips for 2024.

Black Travel Worldwide

Black Travel Worldwide is an “unapologetically” Black-owned and operated travel agency with over 20,000 followers on Instagram. The company was founded by Aleah and Kiera Coy, two cousins, who began blogging about their travel experiences, and grew it into a full-fledged business.

“It is important for us to use Black Travel Worldwide as a means for people of color to access travel in a way that they would have never imagined,” the pair states on their website.

Black Travel Worldwide is a bit different from other tour groups. They help you create your own trip rather than leading it for you. They give you the knowledge, tips and information to curate a personalized travel experience, which is why this group topped our list.

As far as favorite Black-owned tour operator goes? These three companies make a strong case. Click the link below to vote.

Read more about the Travel Noire Awards and vote for the finalists ! 

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Welcome to Diva's Luxury Travel-where we believe luxury is lifestyle. Luxury is self-care, and  exploration. I believe that travel keeps us vibrant. New experiences keep us humble, and the wanderlust of travel awakens our creativity.

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Moscow: Wow….

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• POSTED September 22, 2016

Moscow is WOW…

The first time I visited Moscow was October 1993 and the overwhelming impression of the city wasn’t great: my memories were of angry people, drab surroundings and a proliferation of the colour brown. I must point out that I did arrive right in the middle of the coup brought about by Boris Yeltsin, so this probably didn’t help! It also meant no goose-stepping guards outside of Lenin’s tomb and the Kremlin and Armoury in lock-down. There was security stationed at the end of the hotel corridor to watch our comings and goings and men were riding around on dragster bikes with machine guns slung across their chests. When I left the following day, there were tanks out front of the Russian White House nd a gaping hole in the middle of it. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time, history in the making, but to be honest I was glad to leave.

Flick forward 23 years and Moscow is spectacularly different. I don’ t really know where to start! Let’s just say I was totally un-prepared for the change.

The city is mind blowing: elegantly dressed women, sweeping boulevards. Luxury cars everywhere. Sidewalk and open-air cafes are the choice du jour and the wine I sipped at the Bosco Cafe overlooking Red Square, was chilled and delicious. The food is unrecognisable with fresh produce, a choice of any cuisine and so many restaurants!

But most of all it is the colour. Everywhere I look there are leafy green squares filled with colourful markets and seating areas serving drinks and offering a place to relax. At time it is a little Alice in Wonderland, but there is such a sense of lightness and relaxation that you can’t help but be happy.

t really know where to start! Let’s just say I was totally un-prepared for the change.

Gum Department Store (divine….)

Retail Therapy is beyond expectations. If you want to drop some cash in designer-heaven then this city delivers in spades. The Tsum Department Store (which is housed is an extremely ugly, grey building) used to be the state-run Central Department Store, but is now one of the biggest shopping meccas in Europe. Bursting at the seams with every high-end brand you can think of, plus many I wasn’t even aware of, it would be easy to get lost in here for a day. It is the same at Gum and throughout many streets in the old City. Bentley Moscow, surrounded by Ferrari, Maserati and Docle & Gabbana, Armani and many more, sits proudly on the main drag – yes ladies, capitalism has well and truly arrived in the capital of the former Soviet Union.

The architecture is incredible, with marshmallow-coloured 18th & 19th century buildings lounging decadently next to communist bloc style apartments and offices. Stalin’s Seven Sisters, massive towering edifices that are now incredibly expensive hotels, offices and apartments hover over the city and remind me of elaborate ice-cream cakes. Further out new skyscraper developments of glass and steel dominate the skyline. Restored to its former glory the Gum Department store haughtily surveys the reds and greens, yellows and gold of Red Square and the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral. Again there is the overriding feeling colour and light everywhere.

One of the Seven Sisters

Of course remnants of the old regime still exist – the security that is still around, the demeanour of the people working for the state, the lack of warmth in the people in some places we go to, but work through this and most end up being happy to see you. The need to be bigger and better than the USA still permeates many discussions, and the nostalgia for the old days for some is also still there, but that is to be expected as it is only just over two decades ago that Communism disappeared, although it is obvious this country still operates under a dictatorship.

Our hotel, the National, is in a perfect location offering immediate access to the Kremlin and its surrounds. A 5-star beauty it is a great place to stay. Our room is standard category and is excellent – large, extremely comfortable, Elemis bathroom products (and a bath – a big deal for me), plus it is at the back of the building so it is incredibly quiet.

We were in Moscow for such a short time and ate on the run most of the time. However, there is one place that deserves a mention and that is Cafe Pushkin. Traditional, world-renowned and gorgeous on the inside, it is a pleasure to dine here. The wine list is good, the staff are lovely and the mushroom and meat dumplings are to die for.

St Basil’s

Avoid the traffic as much as possible as it is horrendous. We did the hop-on hop – off bus (suggest red line only) and a walking tour which was enough to let us find our way around the city and provide some context, but there is much to explore and we didn’t have enough time. This city is made for walking and I think it is the best way to see the architecture, get lost and enjoy your surrounds!

There are definitely must-sees including The Kremlin, The Armoury, too many museums to mention, Red Square and Gum, plus the underground stations. There is much to do here and you could easily spend a whole day in the Kremlin/Red Square area alone. Private tours are the way to go but be prepared, there are thousands of people discovering Russia!

So that is it in a nutshell. I can’t wait to bring a tour here in September 2017 and explore more and more…… lookout for ‘To Russia With Love’ coming very, very soon.

Have a great weekend and chat soon….

Andrea, Chief Diva xx

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7 Super-Luxe Trips for the Traveler Who Has Seen Everything

When you have everything in the world except time, putting your travel plans in the hands of someone you trust is a recipe for slowing down., nick hendry, nick hendry's most recent stories.

• What It’s Like to Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, a Intimate Hotel in London’s Hanover Square
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Time is luxury, and having it all means squat without the calendar space to enjoy it. For ultra-high-end travel operators, the search for lost time has led to demand for a product that may sound slightly down market: package itineraries.

“More and more, travelers are looking for immersive, personalized, and worry-free travel experiences,” says Marc Speichert, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at the Four Seasons .

There is, however, one massive difference between these package itineraries and the geriatric-themed bus tours of yore: They’re by private jet, yacht, and Bentley.

For years, the Four Seasons has offered a Private Jet Experience , which Speichert says is about creating “a seamless end-to-end journey with our legendary comfort, service, and amenities.”

In a similar vein, White Desert speeds up Antarctic exploration by replacing the multi-day southward cruise with a private jet, a luxury whip.

“Many of our clients are company owners or entrepreneurs with highly pressurized jobs,” says Mindy Roberts, the company’s CMO. “When it comes to leisure travel, they’ve said they enjoy that the decision-making has been taken away from them and they can completely relax and be on holiday.”

Another factor driving growth in ultra-luxury, pre-planned, package bookings is their ability to facilitate slow travel. Both the Four Seasons and White Desert offer tours lasting upwards of three weeks, leaving plenty of time to explore each stop thoroughly.

Kalindi Juneja, CEO of U.K. firm PoB Hotels , says its guests are increasingly opting for longer stays in fewer destinations—its longest curated itinerary is 12 days. The brand is “prioritizing depth over breadth in their exploration,” says Juneja. “‘Authenticity’ drives guests to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, engage with local artisans, savor traditional cuisine, and participate in cultural activities unique to each location on their itinerary.”

Below is a look at some of the most extravagant planned holidays on the market today and all the wild perks they offer.

Around the World in 24 Days

Four Seasons offer a wide range of itineraries using the private-jet service it launched in 2015, with eight tours taking place each year and varying between 13 and 24 nights in duration.

The World of Adventures tour begins in Seattle, spending a couple of days exploring the city and getting to know your jet-mates for the next three weeks, before heading to Kyoto for the first of eight stops. Along the way you will experience an immersion in Japanese tea culture, unwind in the incredible tropical nature of Bali and the Seychelles , and re-energise amidst the buzz of Bogotá. 

The stand-out experiences, however, are the time spent among wild mountain gorillas in Rwanda, observing these extraordinary animals at breathtakingly close quarters, and sailing on a specially chartered yacht around the Galápagos Islands. This trip has it all, from vibrant cities to truly remote wilderness—and by the time you reach your final leg in Fort Lauderdale, consider extending for a couple of days more to catch your breath and reflect on all you’ve seen.

From $215,000 per person

Seven Continent Completist

Having seen huge success with its South Pole trips—including its Echo Camp being named as one of Robb Report’s Top 50 Luxury Hotels in 2023—White Desert has created an expanded tour dubbed White Desert World that takes guests to all seven continents. 

Meet your group in Mexico City for a day before shoving off for 21 days of flying gradually eastwards. You’ll take in the majesty of Easter Island, the orangutans of Borneo and tigers of Jaipur, and the eclectic buzz of Istanbul before heading south through Namibia and South Africa and eventually arriving at Wolf Fang runway for a day spent on the planet’s most southerly continent. Those with more of an appetite for cold can opt to spend a further five days in Antarctica (there won’t be any nighttime there at that point in the year), exploring the whole of the landscape, meeting the local penguins, and witnessing some of the most astounding beauty our world has to offer.

From $188,000 per person; optional Antarctica extension $37,500

Britain by Bentley 

You may not immediately associate a luxury car brand with travel bookings, but that’s exactly why Bentley wanted to create this Extraordinary Journeys experience.

Bentley has led trips in destinations across the world, but the flagship route is in its home country, the United Kingdom. The week begins with a tour of the factory in Crewe followed by a dinner on the very line where each Bentley is handmade, with the models currently in production suspended above your head. An early start the next day lets a fleet of Bentleys—all provided by the brand, with the option for you to swap models each morning—begin the journey to the Highlands of Scotland and the home of partner brand the Macallan . Lunch and refreshment stops call in at some of the finest properties in the U.K., and routes are specifically plotted to provide maximum driving enjoyment. The crescendo is an incredible whisky tasting and dinner inside Macallan’s distillery—don’t worry, the chauffeurs will drive you afterwards.

From roughly $18,900 per person, based on double occupancy

A Gracious Grand Tour

A few hundred years ago it was customary for the wealthy young men of Europe to complete a Grand Tour after their education. They traveled to the most cultured cities on the continent with the goal of expanding their horizons and becoming more well-rounded, “worldly” individuals. 

Rocco Forte Hotels , taking inspiration from that period, have leveraged its network of luxury hotels across Europe to create an itinerary that reflects the most popular spots of the 17th century, from Scotland to Sicily. The trip begins in Edinburgh at the legendary Balmoral hotel. You’re invited to spend two nights first in the Scottish capital and then in London before heading through the channel tunnel to Brussels. From there, you’ll travel through Germany and Italy to eventually arrive in Sicily. 

In total, eight of Europe’s most cultured cities are on the menu, with experiences arranged in each to showcase the local art scenes. Travel from point-to-point is on first-class rail, catering to the taste for slow travel and allowing you to enjoy not just the cities you’ll stop in, but the landscapes between them as well.

From roughly $8,600 per person

Best of British

The PoB Hotels group has more than 50 properties all across the British mainland in its portfolio. Members include country retreats, like the Fife Arms and Glenapp Castle in Scotland, as well as city spots such as west London’s the Hari. The group’s PoB Breaks tour allows you to join up stays at multiple hotels, creating a road map for exploring the hidden pockets of Scotland, England, and Wales. 

Options range from a short four-day tour of northern England based on the recommendations of a local celebrity chef to an extended 12-night exploration of the west coast of Scotland. And if the line-ups PoB have chosen don’t completely meet your requirements, simply use the interactive map on its booking site to create your own bespoke itinerary from scratch.

Rates depend on properties chosen

Fjord Like a Nord

The utter seclusion of the Norwegian fjords make them an ideal destination for those looking to escape the stresses of modern life. Local experts 62 Nord have curated a series of Drive the Fjords trips around the most opulent hotels in the region.

You’ll drive between each hotel along some exceptionally exciting roads in a Porsche Taycan . Dramatic scenery, world-class accommodation, and the chance to drive the legendary Trollstigen are among the attractions of this itinerary, but there is plenty more to discover along the way.  

From roughly $9,000 based on double occupancy

The Set Collection Grand Tour

Another tour based on the wanderings of the aristocracy is the Set Collection Grand Tour . It’s a condensed version of the historic tour that visits the three founding members of the luxury hotel group.  

The trip begins in London at the magnificent Hotel Café Royal before heading to Paris and Amsterdam. At every stage, the best of the art and culinary scenes in Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities is highlighted. You’ll spend three nights in each city, and the concierge team in each hotel— Hôtel Lutetia in Paris; Conservatorium in Amsterdam—works with you ahead of time to plan a bespoke agenda of experiences. Booking into suites includes private use of a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or Mercedes for 10 hours each day, meaning your exploration of each city will be as opulent and relaxing as your accommodation.

Rates based on tier of accommodation

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Luxury Travel Mart

LTM Kazakhstan, Astana on the 18th of September 2024

LTM Kazakhstan, Almaty on the 20th of September 2024

LTM Azerbaijan, Baku on the 18th of February 2025

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LTM Kazakhstan, Almaty on the 24th of February 2025

THE LEADING LUXURY TRAVEL EXHIBITION

About the event.

Since its very first year, Luxury Travel Mart has become the most successful event in the luxury travel segmen. This is a B2B event for companies that offer luxury products, who wish to establish new contacts and strengthen old ties on the CIS markets.

Companies that participate in the Luxury Travel Mart include five-star hotels and resorts, elite car companies, cruise and yacht charter companies, private jet charters, DMC and luxury operators. Most of the best-known brands in the luxury travel industry have participated and continue to participate in LTM each year.

This B2B event has been carefully thought out and planned in such a way that sellers and potential buyers of services – companies working with VIP clients, have the opportunity to establish partnerships within the space of a single day. The main aim of the of the organisers of the Luxury Travel Mart is to expand the geography of sales of the exhibition’s participants and also to introduce players to new areas and services to which they previously did not have access.

NEWS & INFORMATION

Ltm exhibitions in the cis countries in 2025, new exhibitions in azerbaijan and uzbekistan, kazakhstan, make it a double.

In order to maximise your experience at Luxury Travel Mart, you may download the LTM app for iOS or Android.

This app is operational only during LTM events.

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Putin rattled after Moscow ‘under attack from biggest ever drone strike’

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Moscow came under one of the largest attacks yet by Ukrainian drones since the start of fighting in 2022, further rattling Vladimir Putin as he attempts to fight Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region.

The Ministry of Defence claimed that Russia downed 45 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 11 destroyed over the Moscow region, 23 over the Bryansk region, six over Belgorod, three over Kaluga and two over Kursk.

Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his Telegram channel: ‘This was one of the biggest attempts of all time to attack Moscow using drones.’ 

He said strong defences around the capital made it possible to shoot down all the drones before they could hit their intended targets.

Some Russian social media channels shared videos of drones apparently being destroyed by air defence systems, which then set off car alarms.

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, reported a ‘mass’ attack on his region but that 23 drones were destroyed.

While Ukraine has been bogged down in a land conflict in eastern Europe in which the Russians have been driving forward slowly at a heavy cost to both sides, Kyiv has also been attacking Russia with drones.

Ukraine has targeted oil refineries and airfields in an attempt to weaken Russia’s fighting potential, and has also targeted the capital several times.

The drone attacks come as Ukrainian forces are continuing to push into Russia’s western Kursk region.

The daring incursion into Russia has raised morale in Ukraine with its surprising success and changed the dynamic of the fighting.

But it is uncertain how long Ukraine will be able to hold the territory it has seized in Kursk.

It has also opened up another front in a fight where Ukrainian forces were already badly stretched.

The gains in Kursk come as Ukraine continues to lose ground in its eastern industrial region of Donbas.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, said in its daily report late on Tuesday that the Ukrainians had made additional advances in their incursion, now in its third week.

The Russian state news agency Tass reported that 31 people had died since Ukraine’s attack on Russia began on August 6, citing an unnamed source in the medical service – figures which are impossible to verify.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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MAY 9 - 18, 2025

Greece 2025 trip 2, athens, santorini and mykonos, greece 2025, our most sought after destination of the year.

Island hop like a true diva from one deep blue sea to the next with Grecian paradises Mykonos, Santorini and Athens. Stunning sights, fresh seafood and ’Gram-ready photo ops await you in the Mediterranean. 

TRIP DETAILS

Greece is a magical land filled with many beautiful cities and islands to see. To the South, it is surrounded by picture perfect blue waters. The sun rays pour into the water during mystical afternoons as you enjoy a glass of the most delicious wines your taste buds have ever tasted.

TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES

• Shades of Blue Welcome Dinner
• Private Wine Tour
• Catamaran Cruise
• Swim in the Hot Springs
• Wine Tour & Tasting in Santorini
• Beach Day in Mykonos

FULL PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip, economy class flight from Neward EWR to Athens
• 8 nights accommodations at the following hotels or similar
• 3 nights at Nous Hotel, Santorini
• 2 nights at Royal Mykonian, Mykonos
• 3 nights at Athens Capital Center Hotel, Athens
• Breakfast Daily
• City Tour of Athens
• Visit Acropolis Museum
• Sailing Excursion in Santorini with Lunch on-board
• Swim the Hot Springs near Oia
• Sundress & Floppy Hat Wine & Cheese Tasting
• Panoramic Drive through Athens (Panathenian Stadium, Presidential Residence, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch)
• Ferry to Mykonos
• Free Beach Day in Mykonos
• Touring Delos
• Farewell Dinner
• Group Photo Ops
• Travel Divas Gift Package
• Travel Divas Client Experience Connoisseur
• All hotel taxes

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Accommodation details, royal mykonian - mykonos.

The Royal Myconian is a luxury resort with privileged views over the longest fine sand beach on Mykonos. An illuminated rustic façade of Cycladic stone is the stage curtain to contemporary interiors and vast entertainment decks conceived by a celebrated Greek set designer who takes his dramatic cues from a blend of antiquity and new-age fantasy.

Spacious rooms and suites are cool sanctuaries with private balconies or vast terraces and appointed to the highest standard of comfort, with the option of your own infinity pool or Jacuzzi.

At this distinguished member of Leading Hotels of the World, royal service finds expression as much in the personal touch valued by individual guests, as in the finely honed competence required to orchestrate large-scale events. Outstanding amenities include a panoramic pool deck, a superb spa, state-of-the-art conferencing facilities and, of course, restaurants that celebrate the gourmet experience on which the Collection prides itself.

Nous - Santorini

The elegant and contemporary interiors reinterpret the key elements of Santorini: the burnt timber refers to the island’s volcanic character, the willow shutters call to mind its vineyards, and a color palette of earthy browns, reds and grays refer to its three famous beaches. Materials such as mosaic floors, marble, stone, and wooden walls provide the perfect backdrop to original pieces of design furniture.

• Balcony with sitting area
• King or twin beds
• Free Wi-Fi internet access
• Espresso machine
• Rain shower
• Korres bath amenities, bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer
• Flat screen smart TV
• Direct telephone number + voice mail
• Pillow menu
• Mini bar, electronic safe deposit box
• Original design furniture/Artwork installations
• Non smoking rooms
• 24hours Room Service
• Laundry/dry cleaning service (additional cost)

Athens Capital Center Hotel - Athens

With classic chic and attentive service, Athens Capital Center Hotel MGallery Collection ensures your stay in this ancient city is unforgettable. From its rooftop terrace and pool, sip a house cocktail as you soak in one of Athens’s most enchanting views of the Acropolis. Savour the best of Mediterranean cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant or unwind with a drink in its cultured Galerié Café to admire fine art. Enter an oasis of modern, understated elegance in the heart of one of the world’s oldest cities.

Nestled in Athens’s upmarket Kolonaki district, the hotel is an unrivalled spot for discovering the cradle of Western civilization. From your haven, step out onto Syntagma Square, a site of historical interest with its neoclassical Old Royal Palace housi ng the Hellenic Parliament, its ceremonial Presidential Guard and its famed Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Around the hotel, enjoy high-end boutiques, trendy bars and art galleries. And relax in the National Garden’s lush greenery just a stone’s throw away.

Our hotel is well located at the heart of Kolonaki, the most chic and elegant area of Athens, next to the historical and picturesque Plaka neighbourhood and just a heartbeat away from Monastiraki with its famous traditional flea market.

Reserve Your Trip Now

Book your spot, full package with flights.

SINGLE: $9,799  per person   |   DOUBLE: $7,199  per person

LAND ONLY PACKAGE - NO FLIGHTS

SINGLE: $8,299  per person   |   DOUBLE: $5,699  per person

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

• Spa treatments
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities for Tour Guide (suggested $10-$20 per day)
• Gratuities for Driver (suggested $5-$10 per day)
• Gratuities for Waiters/waitress (suggested $2 per person)
• Items of a personal nature
• Meals except where noted
• Beverage during meals
• Additional excursion offered by tour guide

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

• Travel Guard

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

• Flight schedule will be released September 2024.

TRAVEL NOTES:

• Traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond travel dates. For this tour, your passport should not expire before November 18, 2025.
• We offer roommate matching for this tour. When making your reservations please select “double occupancy” and when asked for your roommate’s name please enter “request roommate match”. Roommates will not be matched until after 75% of your reservation total has been made.
• The group flight will leave US on May 9, 2025  and arrive in Athens on May 10, 2025 . Check-in into the hotel is May 10, 2025 . 
• Full Itinerary will be emailed to you 60 Days in advance to plan your free time.

AUTOMATIC BILLING PLAN:

You can enroll in our automatic billing and relax knowing that your future payments will be made automatically. When you book, we’ll calculate an evenly divided automatic billing plan for you, and you will know in advance the day of every month that your payment will be processed. Your initial deposit is due at the time of booking, and your future payments will be charged according to the schedule you see on your invoice.  Automatic billing  is available at no charge.

TERMS & POLICIES

• Making reservations for this package signifies your acceptance of our  Terms and Conditions .
• All payments to Premier Travel One and Travel Divas are non-refundable and non-transferrable .  This is because Premier Travel One d/b/a Travel Divas has contractual agreements with hotels, airlines and other vendors that will not allow us to obtain any refunds. This way we can keep our package prices low and allow you to make monthly payments on your vacation.
• Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper travel documents and MUST CHECK with the respective consulate(s) or visa agency to determine whether any visas or passports are required. Passports are required to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Some countries require a full blank “VISA” page in the passport for stamping purposes. Any information provided on travel description pertains to US citizens only. Non-US citizens should check with the respective consulate of the country(s) to be visited for current entry requirements.  Reservations must be made in your FULL NAME as it appears on your passport.
• Missing a vacation is bad enough. Losing the money you paid for your vacation is even worse; therefore, we recommend Travel Protection that helps provide coverage for Trip Cancellation, Interruption, Baggage Loss or Delay, Medial Express, and more.  We have a full list of travel insurance vendors. Click here to see referrals. 
• Seat assignments ARE at the discretion of the airline.  Seats for this group tour are only located in economy class. If you require a certain seat, we recommend booking the land only package.
• Prices are subject to change without notice. Please make your reservations today at this low price to be locked in.
• Monthly payments are required to keep your reservations current unless you make larger payments than what is required of your monthly payment plan.  Your invoice will clearly note your payment plan. We suggest you put this payment plan on your personal calendar.
• You must ensure your roommate, if applicable, is also making timely monthly payments.
• Roommate Matching is available.
• You can log-in to our client portal to view your account 24 hours a day.
• Name changes are allowed with a $200 name change fee up until the final payment date and $250 after final payment date plus any vendor fees.
• Late payment of $250 per person is required after final due date listed on your payment plan.  Late payment fees are automatically added to your reservation the day after your final due date.
• All late payment requests must be approved by management before the final payment deadline on your invoice.

IMPORTANT LINKS

Terms and Conditions    |    FAQs of Automatic Billing Option    |    Travel Divas Private Member’s Only Group

P.O. Box 16676 Atlanta, GA 30321

Text Us: (770) 232-6483 [email protected]

Client Support

© 2024 TRAVEL DIVAS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Largest Hotels in the World, Ranked by Size

W hen it comes to hotels, sometimes bigger really is better. While you may get lost trying to find your room, you’ll also find incredible entertainment options, shopping malls, art galleries, theme parks, waterparks, activities for kids, spas and salons, tons of restaurants and more. In reality, these properties are more like small, bustling cities than hotels, with thousands of guests coming and going every day.

So, which mega-hotels are the most mega of them all? We rounded up the 16 most epic hotels in the world based on guest room count. Spoiler alert: The majority of these properties are in Las Vegas, Nevada, where every year, millions of tourists flock to gamble, see world-class shows, attend conferences and enjoy the nightlife on The Strip. 

But surprisingly, Sin City is not home to the No. 1 largest hotel on the list.

16. Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park

Location:  Las Vegas, Nevada

Number of guest rooms: 3,773

As the name suggests, Circus Circus is a circus-themed resort, complete with a smiling clown on its marquee sign. And, though it opened back in 1968, it remains one of the world's most expansive properties.

If hotels aren’t your style, Circus Circus also has the only RV park in the area, with room for 170 vehicles across 10 acres. You can gamble to your heart’s content in a 101,000-square-foot gaming area, swim in two pools and splash down three water slides.

Visiting with kids — or just a kid at heart? Consider a trip to The Adventuredome Theme Park, a 5-acre indoor park with 25 rides and attractions, from midway games to full-on rollercoasters.

Book it:  Circus Circus Hotel, Casino & Theme Park

Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.

15. Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Number of guest rooms: 3,933 

Even if you’ve never stayed in one of the Bellagio’s 3,930-plus rooms, you’ve likely enjoyed some of this Las Vegas hotel’s entertainment. The Bellagio’s iconic fountains, located in front of the hotel, enthrall huge crowds of tourists every day with their complex water choreography, lights and music. The cost to build the fountains? $40 million. But go inside to see the hotel's chocolate fountain — one of the coolest things to see on the Strip .

Inside the hotel you’ll find more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space, five outdoor pools, a 55,000-square-foot spa and a gorgeous 13,500-square-foot conservatory and botanical garden.

Other interesting things to check out include the Bellagio Gallery of fine art, and an aquatic Cirque du Soleil show named "O" that features divers, acrobats and synchronized swimmers. Because everything is bigger at the Bellagio, the show involves a pool filled with 1.5 million gallons of water.

Book it:  Bellagio Hotel & Casino

14. Caesars Palace Resort & Casino

Number of guest rooms: 3,970 

Caesars Palace is another iconic Las Vegas hotel with tons of rooms, spread across five towers on 85 acres.

The hotel is famously home to the Garden of the Gods, a five-acre swimming area with seven pools, complete with statues, fountains and lush landscaping.

Also on-site? One of the Strip’s largest wedding chapels, a Roman-styled venue where some 200 guests can convene. Expansive villas — featuring private indoor fountains and grand pianos — are equally grand.

Book it:  Caesars Palace Resort & Casino

13. Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Number of guest rooms: 3,981

When Excalibur Hotel & Casino , which cost $290 million to build, opened in 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world. Today, with its 100,000-square-foot casino, 13,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, and other massive features, it remains dominant.

At this enormous hotel, it’s all about cheesy fun. Excalibur has a 72-seat theater complete with special effects for a 4-D-experience, a “fun dungeon” with arcade games and other activities, and a 900-seat theater-in-the-round to watch a delightfully silly King Arthur-inspired show, complete with a three-course meal eaten entirely by hand.

Book it: Excalibur Hotel & Casino

12. Ambassador City Jomtien

Location:  Pattaya, Thailand

Number of guest rooms: 4,219

The Ambassador City Jomtien hotel has five buildings, including a 42-story tower that offers panoramic views of Thailand’s stunning Na Jomtien beach and the Gulf of Thailand.

If you love to stay active while you’re vacationing, this is the place for you — there’s a squash court, a sports center, a table tennis area, pool tables, an outdoor tennis court, an indoor badminton court, an Olympic-sized lap pool and a waterpark that kids will love. The aptly named “Big Pool” is touted as one of the largest swimming pools in all of Asia.

Book it:  Ambassador City Jomtien

11. Luxor Hotel & Casino

Number of guest rooms: 4,407

The Luxor Hotel  is almost impossible to miss if you’re on The Strip — it’s a massive 30-story black pyramid flanked by an obelisk and a sphinx, which happens to be larger than the original in Egypt. At night, one of the strongest beams of light in the world shoots out from the top of the pyramid, visible to aircraft as far as 270 miles away.

This Egyptian-themed resort cost $375 million to build and features more than 120,000 square feet of casino space. After spending all day at one of the resort’s four pools, you can take a break for a little cultural enrichment with shows and exhibits that have included things like “BODIES ... The Exhibition” or the Blue Man Group.

Book it:  Luxor Hotel & Casino

10. Mandalay Bay

Number of guest rooms: 4,426

The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Las Vegas also includes the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel and the hip Delano hotel.

If you want a break from gambling in the resort’s 135,000-square-foot gaming space, there’s still plenty to do — you can visit numerous lounges, the Daylight beach club or the Minus5 Ice Bar, where everything is made of ice.

The resort’s 1.3-million-gallon Shark Reef Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in North America, filled with various sharks, rays and fish.

Book it:  Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Las Vegas

9. Barkhatnye Sezony

Location:  Sochi, Russia

Number of guest rooms:  4,688

Originally built for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Barkhatnye Sezony is now the largest hotel in Europe. The property is located in the city of Sochi, which sits on the impressive Black Sea. However, it's not a common destination for foreigners since it is far from Moscow and St. Petersburg. 

The complex has daily animation, a year-round outdoor pool, a cosmetology center and more. Plus, it gives you access to the Olympic Village.

Note: Because of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, we do not recommend travel to Russia at the moment.

8. Wynn/Encore Las Vegas

N umber of guest rooms: 4,748

There are so many hotels in Vegas that it can be overwhelming to figure out where to stay if you’re visiting for the first time. The high-design Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort might be up your alley if you’re looking for ultra-luxury accommodations.

R&R options include two spas and opulent pools surrounded by lush gardens (you can even swim topless at the Wynn European pool if you’re so inclined). Still not rejuvenated? Rent a private pool cabana, which comes with a mini-fridge, a plasma TV and plush furniture.

Famously, the hotel is home to an absurdly over-the-top brunch, featuring several dining rooms decked out in whimsical decor, 15 live-cooking stations, 120 different dishes and a decadent chocolate fountain.

Book it:  Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Resort

7. Izmailovo Hotel

Location:  Moscow, Russia

Number of guest rooms: 5,000

Located near lush, green Izmailovo Park — one of the largest parks in Moscow — the Izmailovo complex is made up of four independently managed buildings: Alfa, Beta, Vega and Gamma-Delta. The structures comprise the largest of the 29 hotels built ahead of the 1980 Summer Olympics to accommodate visitors and journalists, and offer stunning views of the historic Izmaylovo Estate and peaceful Serebryano-Vinogradny pond.

Bigger-is-better amenities include a bowling alley, Russian and Turkish baths, and a billiard club.

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow, the complex can serve as a convenient launch pad for your city exploration — it’s just a few steps from the Partizanskaya metro station, which provides quick and easy access to the Kremlin and Red Square.

6. Aria Campus

Number of guest rooms: 5,499

The Aria Campus (formerly CityCenter) complex in Las Vegas encompasses the sophisticated Vdara Hotel & Spa and Aria Resort & Casino .

You'll find 16 fine dining restaurants just at Aria Resort — some boasting James Beard award-winning chefs. You'll also have access to amazing shows worthy of a spot on the street. Plus, the campus has luxury malls where you can shop for high-end goods ... or at least look at them and pretend you have the money to buy them.

Book it: Vdara Hotel & Spa ; Aria Resort & Casino

5. The Londoner Macao

Location:  Macao

Number of guest rooms:  5,989

Considering Macao is often referred to as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” it makes sense that it would be home to larger-than-life hotels, just like its American counterpart. Case in point? The massive, Londoner Macao (formerly Sands Cotai Central) casino and shopping complex on the Cotai Strip.

The complex comprises four hotels: The Londoner Hotel , St. Regis Macao , Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and Conrad Macao , each with varying price points to accommodate nearly any travel budget.

As the name suggests, the complex seeks to recreate the experience of London, much like the nearby Venetian takes people to Italy's famed canals. Replicas of the British capital's main landmarks can be found throughout the property. 

Book it:  The Londoner Hotel

4. Abraj Al Bait

Location:  Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Number of guest rooms:  6,000

This gigantic complex is made up of seven skyscraper hotels standing near Masjid al-Haram, or the Great Mosque of Mecca. The collection of hotels is mostly known for its central building, the Makkah Clock Royal Tower. 

Besides the seven hotels ( Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel ; Raffles Makkah Palace ;  Swissotel Makkah ; Swissotel Makkah Al Maqam ; Pullman Zamzam Makkah ; Movenpick Hotel and Residence Hajar Tower Makkah ; Al Marwa Rayhaan Hotel by Rotana ), you'll find shopping centers, museums, apartments, restaurants and even a praying area. 

Book them: Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel ; Raffles Makkah Palace ;  Swissotel Makkah ; Swissotel Makkah Al Maqam ; Pullman Zamzam Makkah ; Movenpick Hotel and Residence Hajar Tower Makkah ; Al Marwa Rayhaan Hotel by Rotana

3. MGM Grand

Number of guest rooms: 6,852

With its green exterior and distinctive plus-sign shape, the MGM Grand is hard to miss, even among the many colorful and elaborately designed hotels that line the Las Vegas Strip.

The hotel is home to Wet Republic Ultra Pool, a 54,500-square-foot complex of pools, bungalows and cabanas perfect for wild parties and events. Also on tap for partiers: Hakkasan, a hip nightclub featuring renowned DJs.

Just don't book this property if you hate crowds: It’s been estimated that some 70,000 people pass through each day.

Book it: MGM Grand Hotel & Casino 

2. The Venetian Resort

Number of guest rooms: 7,093

If you’ve ever spent time on the Las Vegas Strip, you know how easy it can be to get lost, even if you stay inside just one building. Nowhere is this more true than at the Venetian Resort , which takes the cake as the largest hotel on the Strip.

All told, the resort complex features more than 40 restaurants, 2.25 million square feet of meeting space and 1 million square feet of retail space. The complex is also home to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, which hosts 25 of the 200 largest conventions in the world.

Given the size of this place, it should come as no surprise that the resort serves a lot of meals — more than 2 million banquet meals and more than 700,000 orders of room service each year.

Book it: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

1. First World Hotel

Location:  Pahang, Malaysia

Number of guest rooms: 7,351

Coming in at No. 1 is the First World Hotel in Pahang, Malaysia, located about an hour northeast of Kuala Lumpur. The hotel is made up of two multi-colored towers, with many of the rooms overlooking the Genting Highlands outdoor theme park.

After playing all day at the amusement park, visitors staying at the hotel can do a little browsing at the massive First World Plaza shopping center, or spend time at an additional indoortheme park.

The First World Hotel is part of the Resorts World Genting, which has six other hotels to choose from, all at varying price points. Also on hand at the complex: a full movie theater, a 20-lane bowling alley and an 18-hole golf course.

Book it:  First World Hotel

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian troops are advancing deeper into Russia's Kursk region as part of a surprise incursion launched nine days ago

He says a military administration is being set up in the settlement of Sudzha

This comes as a UK source confirms to the BBC that British Challenger 2 tanks have been used in Ukraine's incursion into Russia

Meanwhile, Russia's defence minister says he is overseeing plans to "safeguard the border population", including by allocating more forces to the area

Moscow has insisted that it is pushing Ukrainian troops back, and claims to have retaken a settlement in the Kursk region

Live Reporting

Edited by Nathan Williams and Sophie Abdulla

What's happened today? published at 18:50 British Summer Time 15 August 18:50 BST 15 August

• A UK source has confirmed to the BBC that UK-donated Challenger 2 tanks have been used by Ukraine as part of its surprise incursion into Russia. The department reiterated that Ukraine had "a clear right" to use UK-supplied weapons to defend itself
• The policy means anti-tank missiles, artillery, armoured vehicles and other UK-donated weapons could be used during Ukraine's offensive. However, there is an exception for the UK's Storm Shadow missiles
• Meanwhile, President Zelensky says Ukrainian troops continue advancing deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as part of a surprise incursion, claiming "more than 80" settlements there were now under Ukrainian control
• A Ukrainian military administration was being set up in the biggest one of them - Sudzha - Zelensky said
• And in a post on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defence says a coordinating council has been set up to deal with military security in Russia’s Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions

Today's live coverage has now closed - read the latest in our main story here .

Russian Ministry of Defence says 'coordinating council' established published at 18:22 British Summer Time 15 August 18:22 BST 15 August

In a post on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defence says a coordinating council has been set up to deal with military security in Russia’s Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions, all of which border Ukraine.

The decision was announced by defence minister Andrei Belousov at a special meeting on border security, following Ukraine’s surprise incursion.

“Its purpose is to improve the efficiency of comprehensive support of the groups of forces, solving the tasks of protecting the state border, protection of the territory and population of the regions,” Belousov was quoted as telling the meeting.

In pictures: Evacuations from Russia's Belgorod region published at 18:08 British Summer Time 15 August 18:08 BST 15 August

As we previously reported, a federal level emergency has been declared in Russia's Belgorod region .

Belgorod is next to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces crossed into Russia - an incursion that started over a week ago.

On Monday, 11,000 people were evacuated from the Krasnaya Yaruga district, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

Images show Russian citizens arriving at a railway station to travel to temporary accommodation centres in the Nevinnomyssk, Mineralnye Vody and Shpakovsky municipalities.

Ukrainian residents urged to evacuate eastern town as Russia closes in published at 17:37 British Summer Time 15 August 17:37 BST 15 August

Seven people were killed in August 2023 when the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovski was shelled by Russian forces

Back in Ukraine residents, especially families are being urged to leave the Ukrainian-held town of Pokrovsk as Russian forces in the Donetsk region close in.

According to Ukrainian media, the head of the region's Pokrovsk military administration Serhiy Dobryak says the "enemy has almost reached the edge of our community".

Russian forces are "a bit more than 10km from the outskirts of Pokrovsk city", Dobryak says, adding that the "community and city were shelled", with critical private and residential infrastructure targeted.

"People are dying. So I am calling on you not to procrastinate and to evacuate. This particularly concerns families with children and the elderly."

Pokrovsk - about 70km (43 miles) north-west of Russian-held Donetsk city - has been the epicentre of intense fighting for months with Russian forces edging forward since October 2023.

Is Ukraine overplaying its hand? published at 17:15 British Summer Time 15 August 17:15 BST 15 August

With each day that Ukrainian forces remain inside Russia the risk increases that they could, conceivably, find themselves overwhelmed by superior force of numbers.

"The Russian army tends to move slowly," says a senior British defence source, "but once it cranks into gear it presents a sizable force."

Ukraine is critically short of manpower in this war and it certainly can't afford to lose some of its best remaining combat troops who have carried out this incursion so skilfully.

"The moment the Russians start redeploying some of their best troops in size to tackle this incursion, "says another senior British defence source, "that's the moment the Ukrainians need to withdraw back across the border."

Military experts reckon that after some early successes, Ukraine has made a number of costly strategic mistakes in the war.

Sacrificing so many of its best troops in the ultimately failed defence of Bakhmut and Avdievka in easter Ukraine has been a terrible blow.

Some go further, accusing President Zelensky of a disastrous error of judgement in not mobilising more of his country’s young men from the start. "This is a war of survival for Ukraine," said one.

"Delaying conscription is not a luxury it has."

Latest updates on Ukraine's Russian incursion published at 16:55 British Summer Time 15 August 16:55 BST 15 August

• President Zelensky says Ukrainian forces have taken full control of the Russian town of Sudzha - and set up a military administration there
• Ukraine's top commander says its troops are 35 km inside Russia's Kursk region, where they control 1,150 sq km of territory , including 82 settlements
• This comes as a source has told the BBC that British tanks have been used during Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory
• Russia defence minister says he is personally overseeing plans to "safeguard" the population on the border , including by sending more troops the region
• The UN's Human Rights Office says it has asked Moscow for access to Russian border areas affected by a cross-border attack by Ukrainian forces

You can read this morning's updates here , including the confirmation from the UK Ministry of Defence that Ukraine can use British weapons on Russian soil - except long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

Ukrainian military administration being set up in Sudzha - Zelensky published at 16:28 British Summer Time 15 August 16:28 BST 15 August

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian troops continue advancing deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as part of a surprise incursion launched nine days ago.

In an address , external , he said "a new advancement" has been made and more Russian soldiers have been captured.

He also referred to the figure previously given by his Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky and said "more than 80" settlements in Russia's Kursk region were now under Ukrainian control.

A Ukrainian military administration was being set up in the biggest one of them, Sudzha, the Ukrainan president said.

"I thank each of our warriors who are making this possible. Well done!" President Zelensky said.

Gen Syrsky said earlier that the "commandant’s office" would provide help to any remaining local residents.

But in addition to solving logistics and humanitarian issues, setting up a Ukrainian administration in the captured Russian town sends out a message: we're here to stay, at least for now.

In pictures: Aid distributed to people in Kursk published at 16:09 British Summer Time 15 August 16:09 BST 15 August

As we receive more information on humanitarian corridors between Russia and Ukraine , people in the Kursk region in Russia have been receiving humanitarian aid from the Red Cross.

Ukraine 'working with military' on humanitarian corridor towards Sumy published at 15:51 British Summer Time 15 August 15:51 BST 15 August

We reported earlier on Ukrainian plans for a "security zone" in Kursk with humanitarian corridors both towards Russia and Ukraine.

We've since had an update from Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk via Telegram, who says Kyiv is working with the military on a possible route for civilians to leave Kursk for Sumy in Ukraine.

As for the other direction - towards Russia - she says this is a possibility, but no official request from Russia has been received so far.

Russian defence minister 'overseeing plans to safeguard border population' published at 15:10 British Summer Time 15 August 15:10 BST 15 August

Sandro Vetsko BBC Monitoring

Russian officials have drawn up a plan for "additional measures" to safeguard the population and infrastructure in areas bordering Ukraine, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov says.

The Russian Defence Ministry published a video on its Telegram channel of Belousov telling a group of senior officers and officials that the measures would involve improving the "management of troops in interaction with... the administration of the Belgorod region, nominating accountable officials and allocating additional forces and means".

Belousov said the objective was ensuring "territorial integrity and protection of the population and infrastructure" in Russia’s border regions, and that the focus of the meeting today was Belgorod.

He said he would be "personally" seeing to it that the plan is implemented. Interfax news agency said the plan would also apply to Kursk and Bryansk regions. All three border Ukraine.

UN asks Russia for access to areas affected by cross-border attack by Ukraine published at 14:46 British Summer Time 15 August 14:46 BST 15 August

The United Nations Human Rights Office says it has asked Moscow for access to Russian border areas affected by a cross-border attack by Ukrainian forces.

A spokesperson for the body told the AFP news agency that the request for "authorities to facilitate access" was sent on Wednesday and includes the "Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions".

Kyiv says it intends to create "humanitarian corridors" in Kursk for civilian evacuation both towards Russia and Ukraine.

Not clear how many UK tanks being used in offensive published at 14:15 British Summer Time 15 August 14:15 BST 15 August

British ministers and officials have repeatedly stated that it’s up to Ukraine to decide how it uses UK supplied weapons.

But questions about restrictions have heightened with Ukraine’s recent incursion inside Russia.

The Ministry of Defence says there’s been no change in policy, though it’s not giving any detail of what British supplied weapons are being used in this latest offensive.

However, a UK source confirmed to the BBC that British made Challenger tanks were among significant western armour now making up Ukraine's strike force.

It’s not clear how many, but the UK only gave Ukraine 14 of the tanks for last year’s less successful offensive in southern Ukraine, in which one was destroyed.

There is still an exception about the use of UK long range Storm Shadow missiles. Britain has still not given Ukraine permission to strike targets inside Russia, despite Ukrainian pressure.

Ukraine commander says military office set up in occupied territory in Russia published at 13:55 British Summer Time 15 August 13:55 BST 15 August

Ukraine's top commander Oleksandr Syrsky says "a military commandant's office" has been set up in Ukrainian-occupied Russian territory.

In a video posted on social media, he is seen telling a meeting chaired by President Zelensky: "To maintain law and order and meet the immediate needs of the population, a military commandant's office has been created in the territories controlled [by Ukraine]. Maj-General Moskalyov has been appointed to lead it."

Syrsky also says Ukrainian troops are 35 km inside the Kursk region, where they control 1,150 sq km of territory including 82 settlements.

“The situation is under control in general,” he told Zelensky.

What's happened so far today? published at 13:31 British Summer Time 15 August 13:31 BST 15 August

This morning we've been bringing you developments in the Ukraine war following confirmation from the Ministry of Defence that Ukraine can use British weapons on Russian soil - with the exception of long-range Storm Shadow missiles.

The government said this does not represent a change in policy.

Since then a UK source has confirmed to the BBC that Challenger 2 tanks have been used during Ukraine's Russian incursion . The UK had given Ukraine 14 such tanks in last year.

Meanwhile, the Ukraine air force said it downed 29 Russian drones overnight - adding that one person was killed and 13 injured.

According to state news agency TASS a federal-level emergency situation has been declared for the border region Belgorod.

Moscow has said it is pushing Ukrainian troops back, with Russia's defence ministry claiming it has regained control of the settlement of Krupets in the Kursk region.

Tempo of Ukraine forces 'slowing' over the last couple of days - security expert published at 13:19 British Summer Time 15 August 13:19 BST 15 August

We've just heard from former Nato analyst and defence and security expert at the University of Bath, Patrick Bury.

He says the incursion has met initial goals including increasing morale among the Ukrainian army and the nation and "destabilising the regime in the short run".

"[The operation] has shown that Western arms can be used inside Russia and there is no major escalation," he adds.

"That may start to raise questions about what are the next steps."

He continues to say that over the last few days the tempo of the Ukrainian forces has been "slowing".

That could be for two reasons he explains - the Russians are starting to stabilise the line and the second due to logistics - "at some point [the Ukrainians] need to resupply themselves".

At some point, Kyiv will have to decide how much land it wants to hold, or whether it should fall back to more defensive lines further west, he adds.

Russia claims to have recaptured lost territory in Kursk published at 13:02 British Summer Time 15 August 13:02 BST 15 August

Russia's defence ministry claims it has regained control of the settlement of Krupets in the Kursk region.

The border region of Kursk has been the focus of Ukraine's surprise attack into Russia, which began 10 days ago.

In a statement, Russia's Ministry of Defence says the "destruction of the enemy" is complete and "control over the settlement of Krupets has been restored".

This comes as Ukraine claims to be advancing further into border regions as part of its offensive.

Federal-level emergency situation declared for Belgorod published at 12:36 British Summer Time 15 August 12:36 BST 15 August

Let's turn back to the situation on the ground.

Yesterday we reported that Belgorod was the second Russian region to declare a state of emergency. The region borders with Kursk where the Ukrainian incursion began last Tuesday.

State news agency TASS has reported today that a federal-level emergency situation has been declared for the region by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations.

It followed the region's governor Vyacheslav Gladkov introducing a regional-level emergency situation. On Wednesday morning he said there had been 23 drone attacks in 24 hours.

We've got more on this here .

Western weapons yes – but not long-range missiles published at 12:17 British Summer Time 15 August 12:17 BST 15 August

A UK RAF Eurofighter Typhoon with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and other weapons

Ukraine’s lightning incursion into Russia has undoubtedly been boosted by the inclusion of Western weaponry.

German Marder and US Stryker armoured fighting vehicles are known to have been used, as well as German-supplied combat engineering equipment.

But the one weapon Ukraine says it really needs in this offensive - Britain’s Storm Shadow missile – it can’t.

Whitehall has given the green light for other kit to be used but not the long-range Storm Shadow inside Russia’s borders, for fear of escalation and how Moscow would respond.

"Storm Shadow is designed to penetrate bunkers or buildings before exploding," says Brig Ben Barry at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

"Targets could include Command & Control nodes, airfield installations, hardened aircraft shelters, ammo bunkers, such as those holding glide bombs, radar and air defence sites."

In other words, all the kind of long-range positions from which Russia has been prosecuting its war against Ukraine and which Kyiv is now looking to take out in order to change the dynamics of this conflict in its favour.

UK confirmed donation of Challenger 2 tanks in 2023 published at 12:05 British Summer Time 15 August 12:05 BST 15 August

It was in January 2023 that then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Fourteen of the attack vehicles were donated with Downing Street at the time saying the move showed "the UK's ambition to intensify support".

Sunak said then that the tanks would help Ukrainian forces "push Russian troops back".

President Zelensky thanked the UK and said that the decision to send the tanks "will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners".

The UK also trained Ukrainian forces to use them.

You can read our story from the time here.

What is the Challenger 2? published at 11:51 British Summer Time 15 August 11:51 BST 15 August

Earlier we learnt, via a source, that Challenger 2 tanks are being used inside Russia - we have some further details here on what they look like and their functionality.

The attack vehicle is more than 20 years old - built in the late 1990s.

What Do You Wear to Dinner on a Viking Ocean Cruise?

By Robert Palmer

Are you planning to go on a Viking Ocean Cruise and wondering what to wear for dinner? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you dress appropriately for dinner on a Viking Ocean Cruise.

Viking Ocean Cruises has a relaxed dress code policy, which means that you don’t have to wear formal attire every night. However, there are some guidelines that you need to follow depending on the type of dining venue you choose.

The Restaurant

The Restaurant is the main dining venue on the ship and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast and lunch, casual attire is acceptable.

You can wear shorts, jeans or khakis, skirts or sundresses with sandals or sneakers. However, swimwear and tank tops are not allowed.

For dinner at The Restaurant, smart casual attire is required. This means that men should wear collared shirts paired with dress pants or khakis with closed-toe shoes. Women can opt for dresses or skirts with blouses or dress pants paired with flats or low heels.

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant is a specialty restaurant onboard Viking Ocean Cruises that serves authentic Italian cuisine. The dress code here is slightly more formal than The Restaurant. Smart casual attire is still acceptable but dressing up a bit more wouldn’t be out of place.

Men can wear a blazer over their collared shirt paired with dress pants and closed-toe shoes while women can opt for cocktail dresses or elegant separates with heels.

Chef’s Table

Chef’s Table is another specialty restaurant onboard Viking Ocean Cruises that offers a multi-course tasting menu curated by the chef. The dress code here is elegant casual attire.

Men can wear a suit without tie or sports jacket over their collared shirt paired with dress pants and closed-toe shoes. Women can opt for cocktail dresses or elegant separates with heels.

What Not to Wear

While Viking Ocean Cruises has a relaxed dress code policy, there are still some things that you should avoid wearing to dinner. These include:

• Shorts, swimwear, and tank tops
• Flip-flops and athletic shoes
• Baseball caps and visors
• Ripped or torn clothing

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