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" London, Normandy, Paris was a fabulous trip, especially the year of the 75th anniversary of D-Day! That was our 7th trip with Holiday Vacations. Loved every one of them. The national parks are well worth seeing, as were Hawaii and Cuba. "

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" My third trip with HV was to Austria and Germany in 2014. This included the bucket list of experiencing OKTOBERFEST. Looks like I’m doing a beer commercial with the Alps as a backdrop. Also notice my pinkie extended. This is due to 2 years of charm school (REALLY). Thank you HV for all the amazing memories. "

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" Jackson Hole, WY while on the Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons trip last year. We just completed our 6th trip with Holiday Vacations last month and are now discussing which tour we will take next. Only way we wish to travel and Holiday Vacations tours are the best! "

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Activity levels.

Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.

Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.

Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

Very Active

Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.

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As U.S. Reopening Approaches, Travelers Take Their Marks

The end of the U.S. ban on international visitors has kicked off a surge in travel both foreign and domestic. Here’s what to expect for the holiday season and beyond.

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By Concepción de León

When the Biden administration announced that vaccinated foreign travelers would be allowed to enter the United States starting Nov. 8, it was as though a starting gun had been fired.

Skyscanner , a travel booking site, saw an 800 percent spike in bookings the day after the announcement. In the week after the administration confirmed the date travelers could arrive, Expedia , the online booking site, saw a 28 percent increase in searches for U.S. hotels from Britain and a 24 percent increase from France.

And not only international tourism was given a boost. Experts said that the U.S. reopening signaled to American travelers that they could leave their homes this coming holiday season , too. Searches for outbound international travel on the booking application Hopper, for instance, have increased by 24 percent since the announcement, the highest uptick since the spring.

“There’s just something about the fact that we’re lifting our borders that changes the perception of travel right now and makes people much more comfortable and confident in doing so,” said Misty Belles, a spokeswoman for Virtuoso , a network of luxury travel agencies and advisers.

Though the travel industry continues to face staffing and regulation challenges, the process of traveling is becoming smoother. Coronavirus tests are easier to book, and the process for checking documents at airports has been streamlined. But most important, travelers are becoming accustomed to the uncertainty, planning for rather than dreading it. If you’re traveling this holiday season, here’s what to expect.

Start planning now.

Traveling during the pandemic requires both long- and short-term planning to secure flights and accommodations while leaving room for last-minute changes in regulations, flight schedules or coronavirus infection rates.

Travelers are either “booking for tomorrow or they’re booking for next year,” Ms. Belles said, adding that many travelers “want to get away, but they’re kind of pushing it to the last minute just to make sure nothing changes.”

Waiting can be expensive, as prices have increased across the industry and may continue to do so as international travel rebounds, Ms. Belles said. Travel agents also say that many top resorts, such as Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico; the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Hawaii; and The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla., are booked for the holiday season, and that those who wait, particularly families with children, will have a smaller selection of places to stay. The app Hopper estimated that domestic airfare over Christmas would likely match 2019 prices, while international airfare is currently cheaper but likely to increase by December.

Still, Willis Orlando, a travel expert at Scott’s Cheap Flights , a service that tracks and emails flight deals to subscribers, said that travelers have an opportunity to snag low fares now, particularly on international flights, as airlines continue to scramble to match supply with demand, which has fluctuated according to travelers’ sentiments about the virus or announcements of country reopenings.

“It’s not going to be long-lived,” Mr. Orlando said. “I think once the rest of the world opens up, those planes will get back to flying the old high-demand routes, but for now, it’s a wonderful opportunity.”

Be prepared to adapt.

Ariel Vinson, 31, a digital content manager for a consumer packaged goods company in San Diego, went to Alaska at the beginning of October. It was her second trip there this year, and she is contemplating moving there.

But her trip was extended when she got Covid-19 a week in. She ended up having to stay an additional week, before flying home on Oct. 24.

“That was a wake-up call for me,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to stop me from traveling, but I think it’ll make me think about my behaviors during travel,” such as masking outdoors or being more cautious when interacting with strangers, which she had become more comfortable with since getting vaccinated this spring.

Sandra Torres, 32, who manages vendors at a biotech start-up in the Chicago area, said that the couple of times she had traveled by air this year, “the flights themselves were changed multiple times.” A coming November trip to Hawaii, booked in the spring, was changed a month out, with one leg ultimately canceled. She had to rebook with another airline. A planned birthday trip to Tokyo, in February 2022, was recently canceled by the airline.

“It does make it harder to plan things,” Ms. Torres said. “I’ve learned to be more flexible, to be more open. Even if you book things ahead of time, you might still have to change them.”

She added that she’s learned to “have more of a cushion, both financially and just around logistics and departure times.”

You may experience limited services.

The experience of travel continues to be affected by staffing and other challenges. Your hotel’s restaurant may be closed, for instance, and daily room cleaning is only available upon request in many places.

“That part of the business requires a lot more staffing than just the standard hotel operations,” Chip Rogers, the president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association , said of hotel restaurants. “That’s where hotels are having to cut back, because they just don’t have enough people.”

Rental cars remain in short supply, and prices are high, in some cases double or triple prepandemic rates. Many concessions and businesses in airports are still closed, and airlines have canceled hundreds of flights in the last several months, including recent cancellations by Southwest Airlines and American Airlines .

As a result, customer satisfaction has dropped in both the rental car and airport industries, according to recent studies by the data and analytics firm J.D. Power.

Martina Johnson, 35, and her husband, Leslie, 40, who work in marketing and digital advertising in the greater New York City area and document their travels on social media , are planning to spend a couple of weeks visiting family in the Midwest leading up to Thanksgiving .

But they decided to drive there rather than rent a car, because the prices were prohibitive. In the past, Ms. Johnson said, they paid $50 to $75 for a weekend car rental, while the price now would be closer to $300. For two weeks, the price would have been nearly $2,000.

“The price of rental cars is ridiculous,” she said. “We want the flexibility without worrying about the cost.”

Ski and beach vacations are most popular.

People are still gravitating to outdoor travel, with the most popular destinations being domestic beach locations or the Caribbean and Mexico.

Megan Moncrief, the chief marketing officer for Squaremouth , a travel insurance company, said that eight of the company’s 10 most popular international destinations were Caribbean countries.

“The Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands had never been top destinations during the holiday season, but they are this year,” she said, because those places have largely stayed open when other countries closed their borders.

Ski destinations are also seeing increased interest, said Natalia Sutin, the vice president of revenue management at Vacasa , a vacation rental management company.

“People look for a festive atmosphere, and guests are looking to make up for ski trips from last year,” Ms. Sutin said. In a recent Vacasa survey, 61 percent of respondents said they were replanning a ski trip that they had intended to take last year but canceled.

Demand for ski destinations on Vrbo , a vacation rental company, is also up more than 40 percent this winter compared to the same period in 2019 , and up 31 percent compared to 2020.

Victoria Neff, a 34-year-old assistant director at an education and technology nonprofit in Boston, is spending Christmas in Aspen, Colo. She said she booked her flight and rental car ahead of time because she “was worried about availability” and knew demand would be high.

Cities are preparing to welcome international travelers.

The resumption of international travel to the U.S. on Nov. 8 is particularly important for cities, which derive significant revenue from and are a main attraction for foreign visitors.

“It’s so desperately needed in your gateway markets like New York, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C.,” said Mr. Rogers of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “Those are markets that really depend on international travel, and those are also the same markets that have been hurt so bad during the pandemic.”

While only 3 percent of hotel bookings nationally come from international travelers, they account for 15 percent of hotel revenue because they stay longer and spend more money.

In Los Angeles, where international travelers were a quarter of overnight visitors and made up 50 percent of overall spending in 2019, bookings and search interest spiked after the reopening was announced, said Adam Burke, the president of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

“We’re now seeing an acceleration of the recovery process,” he said. Tourism Economics , a global travel data company, is projecting 1 million more visitors to Los Angeles by the end of the year and an additional $1 billion in revenue from international travelers.

British Airways and its vacation-booking arm, British Airways Holidays, said that the desire to see friends and family for the holidays was driving a surge in searches for destinations in the United States, particularly in New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago. Searches for Thanksgiving were up 2,000 percent this week over the previous week, the company said in an email, and searches for the days before Christmas were up 900 percent.

For domestic travelers, visiting the country’s urban centers could be cheaper than in the past. Expedia found that accommodations in cities are 10 to 35 percent cheaper than in 2019.

Parents are becoming more comfortable traveling with children.

The survey by Vacasa, the vacation rental management company, found that parents with children under 5 were more likely to say they were planning travel than non-parents, 65 percent compared to 41 percent. And road trips continue to be popular, with 72 percent of travelers saying that they will drive to their destinations.

“We do see that family travel is the trend this year,” said Ms. Sutin of Vacasa. “Most people are traveling with their spouse, children or immediate family.”

Katie Cherico, a travel adviser for In the Know Experiences , a New York City-based agency, said that among her clients, families’ decisions around travel depend on their children’s ages. Those with children under 12, who until recently have not been eligible for vaccination, have been sticking to domestic or nearby resort destinations, like Puerto Rico, while those with vaccinated children 12 and over feel more comfortable traveling internationally. Immunization with the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children 5 to 11 by the Food and Drug Administration on Friday and, if approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may be rolled out as early as this week. That is likely to boost traveler confidence just as the adult vaccine did in the spring.

Stephen Scott, a Chicago-based travel adviser for Protravel International , added that cruises remain difficult for families with children under 12, because many cruise lines require that passengers be vaccinated and do not make exceptions for children. But these restrictions may be eased on Jan. 15, when the industry will no longer be required to follow federal Covid-19 rules, the C.D.C. said in a statement.

Holiday travel behaviors are shifting.

Covid-19 safety concerns are still top of mind for travelers, keeping them close to home or preventing them from staying with relatives. While most people traveling for Thanksgiving, for example, are staying with family this year, the number is still lower than in 2019, dropping to 73 percent from 83 percent, according to a recent survey by the market research company Morning Consult . Only 57 percent of people stayed with family in 2020, suggesting fears surrounding Covid-19 are lessening but still present.

Lindsey Roeschke, the firm’s travel and hospitality analyst, said that more than a quarter of survey respondents intended to stay masked during Thanksgiving, and that they may be choosing not to stay with family to minimize the need for masking. She added that millennial parents, the group most likely to have young, unvaccinated children, planned to spend more on accommodation than other groups.

Vaccination rates could also be affecting people’s decisions to stay with or travel to visit family. In a survey by The Vacationer , an online resource for travelers, one in three Americans said they were unwilling to celebrate the holidays with people who had not been vaccinated.

Ms. Torres, the traveler who has had to deal with changing plans, said her family members’ vaccination status was part of the reason she decided to stay home in Chicago for the holidays. She typically would have taken a trip to Mexico or El Salvador to visit relatives over Christmas and New Year’s, but because of a lack of vaccine accessibility in those countries, several family members have not been fully vaccinated, and she decided not to risk it.

The record number of pet adoptions during the pandemic is also influencing how people are traveling. Pet-friendliness was the top search priority for travelers in a new survey of 1,000 Americans across the U.S. by the analytics company Zeta Global .

“People are more interested in pet-friendly hotels than they are in clean hotels,” said David Steinberg, the company’s chief executive. “It’s probably not even a metric that would’ve been on the radar two years ago.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the last name of a traveler spending the holidays in Aspen and the location of her employer. She is Victoria Neff, not Ness, and her company is located in Boston, not Concord, Mass. 

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Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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15 Holiday Travel Tips for a Less Stressful Festive Season

These holiday travel tips will help you navigate the most wonderful (and hectic) time of year.

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Traveling during the holidays may bring you joy, but it's not without its challenges. It usually means you’re off to see your loved ones or heading to the vacation destination of your dreams to end the year right. But so are millions of other people, which can make for a rather stressful experience in airports and train stations or on the road.

Along with the crowds (not to mention trying to book flights during one of the most popular travel periods), other potential complications include transporting gifts and food and dealing with bad weather. But fear not — we’re here to help. Here are 15 tips that will help you navigate the intricacies of holiday travel, so you can spend less time worrying and more time celebrating.

China News Service/Getty Images

Set price alerts and book flights early.

If you’re planning to fly for the holiday season, it's best to book your tickets as early as possible. As  Travel + Leisure previously reported , the prime time to book flights for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is typically in September. If you're still waiting to score the best deal, set up price alerts on sites like  Skyscanner , then click “buy” when the price is right for you.

Reserve your rental car ahead of time.

Car rental prices can fluctuate a lot. For this reason, it's smart to reserve your vehicle early (preferably with a company that allows free cancellations) and keep your eye on any price drops. If you're looking to save money, explore opportunities to get a discount through frequent flier and membership programs. You can also lower your bill by renting a car from a non-airport location, opting for a smaller or manual transmission vehicle, and forgoing pricey add-ons like GPS navigation and satellite radio systems.

Be flexible on dates (and airports).

If you have some flexibility on when you travel, expand your search to include a few days either side of your ideal departure and return dates. Certain days around the holidays, such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving , are notoriously busy, so picking a less crowded day to fly can help you save big on airfare. Another way to reduce costs when flying? Choosing to fly out of a large airport with more flights at competitive prices.  According to travel booking site Going.com , big hubs like Los Angeles International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport ranked among the best for scoring a deal.

Consider less-visited destinations.

If you’re visiting family or friends, you can’t change where they live, so ignore this tip. However, if you’re thinking of setting off on vacation, try broadening your horizons. Looking for some fun in the sun over the holidays? Rather than going to ultra-popular destinations like Cabo, try alternative locations with fewer crowds and potentially more affordable options. For example, you could head to the equally alluring Todos Santos , just an hour's drive from Cabo San Lucas. There, you’ll find a slower pace in a town with more bohemian flair, and plenty of vacation rental options for you and your crew to keep costs down. The same goes for winter ski destinations. Forgo the big ski mountains for lesser-visited spots that may not come with all the bells and whistles but still have all the powder stashes you’re after.

Book with points.

The holidays are the ideal time to  use those points  you’ve been racking up all year long on your credit card. And we know you’ve likely got points waiting because, according to a rather shocking Lending Tree study , a whopping 70 percent of U.S. rewards credit card holders have unused rewards in the form of either cash back, points, or miles. Note that some credit cards and loyalty programs may have blackout dates or other restrictions around the holidays, so check your policy in advance.

Choose direct flights.

Winter is an unpredictable season that comes with snowstorms and delays. Try to always book direct flights to lessen your chances of missing a connection along the way. And if you’re in close enough proximity to your destination, forgo planes altogether and opt for a train or bus instead. 

Splurge on lounge access.

Since airports are generally busier during the holidays, you'll want to arrive at least two hours before your flight. Rather than trying to find a seat in the crowd while waiting to board, use this as your excuse to splurge on entry to an exclusive lounge. First-class flights usually include lounge access, but those in economy can often upgrade, purchase a pass, or  check their credit card  to see if it's an included perk. Better yet, try  Priority Pass , a yearly service that can help you access some of the  best airport lounges . 

Pack gifts in your carry-on.

Losing a checked bag, to put it bluntly, sucks. Now, imagine losing a checked bag filled with all the gifts you so diligently purchased for your nieces, nephews, aunts, grandparents, and more. To safeguard against this, pack your presents in your carry-on. Even better, if you're able to travel light, avoid checking a bag altogether. That way, you'll reduce your chances of losing anything along the way. Plus, you'll be able to leave the airport faster because you won’t have to wait forever at the baggage carousel.

Know the rules about flying with holiday items.

If you're traveling with gifts, leave them unwrapped. Otherwise, if your wrapped gift raises any red flags with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they will be forced to unwrap it at security, undoing all your hard work. You could also avoid this hassle by shipping your gifts ahead of time. You'll also want to be cautious when flying with food items since some liquids, such as large quantities of gravy or cranberry sauce, aren't allowed in your carry-on. Consult the " What Can I Bring? " section of the TSA website and pack your solid food items in clear containers for easy inspection at security.

Have a backup plan in case things go wrong.

It’s Murphy’s Law: Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. That’s why it’s a good idea to have backups on backups when it comes to holiday travel. This starts with opting in for travel insurance, which can be bought through airlines or various providers. Check with your credit card provider first to see if it’s already included in your purchase. If not, you'll want to look at all the options — including “cancel for any reason” policies and standard options that cover everything from canceled flights to lost baggage — to find the one that fits your needs.

Next, try to create an alternate route to your destination in case your flight gets canceled. See how far the drive is, check bus and train routes, or have an entirely different plan B option for your holiday celebration (like a staycation) so you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

If you’re driving, be sure to get a tune-up.

Driving in the winter can be just as stressful as flying. Not only do you have to think about the various weather patterns, but you also have to contend with millions of others on the road. And the last thing you need is your vehicle breaking down at an inopportune time. Get a quick tune-up before setting off for your holiday trip.

Make use of all the apps.

You know what’s great about living in the 21st century? All. The. Apps. This holiday season, use every app in your phone’s arsenal — from apps for finding last-minute flights and hotels to your favorite streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc.), along with map apps to keep you on track. Download movies, add your flight info to your phone’s wallet, and keep directions handy so you’ll be prepared for everything and stay entertained even on long-haul flights.

Check the opening hours at your destination’s attractions.

You’re not the only one on holiday break. So are hospitality and attraction workers. Before heading off to your must-see destinations, take note of holiday hours. Businesses will often have condensed hours or closed days to ensure their staff gets time off, too. 

Make reservations at all the restaurants you plan to visit.

We’ve said it before and we'll say it again: Traveling during the holidays requires planning. That applies to restaurants, too. Have a spot you’re dying to try? Make reservations for the holiday season so you have a guaranteed place to eat. 

Be ready to tackle stress and spread joy instead.

Hopefully, all that preparation will help keep you calm while traveling this holiday season. If you need a little help relaxing, try downloading a few meditation apps, such as Headspace or Calm , to use during your journey. This way, you can breathe through any stress and anxiety and focus on staying positive for yourself, your family, and all your fellow travelers just trying to get to their destinations. 

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Fort Lauderdale

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• Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle $59+
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• Flight Oakland - Las Vegas (OAK - LAS) $27+
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• Freehand Chicago $32+
• Chicago Getaway Hostel $48+
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• Flight New York - Chicago (LGA - ORD) $45+
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San Francisco

• Hi San Francisco Downtown Hostel $43+
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Washington, D.C.

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• Flight Atlanta - Baltimore (ATL - BWI) $53+
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United States

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Los Angeles

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Moscow Vacation Packages

Moscow vacations are always a great idea when it comes to traveling in Russia. Plan your trip to Moscow with a leading tour operator for Russia and enjoy the ease and pleasure that comes from it. You will stay at the centrally-located hotels, enjoy guided tours to Moscow's best sights with charming local guides, and, most importantly, feel relaxed and immersed in the Russian culture at all times. Wondering what the ideal way to see the best of Moscow is? Well, with a private tour to Moscow, of course! We will listen to your travel preferences and prepare a custom Moscow itinerary just for you. Let's start talking about your upcoming vacation to the gorgeous capital city of Russia.

Moscow Tour Highlights

Explore the capital of the largest country in the world, Russia.

Learn about the most visited sights in Moscow that are worth adding to your Russian itinerary. Create a fantastic tour to Moscow with a destination, choosing your wished activities.

• Moscow walking tour
• The Red Square
• St Basil's Cathedral
• Moscow Subway ride
• Tretyakov Gallery
• The Red Square in Moscow
• The Bolshoi Theater
• Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Moscow's Kremlin exploration
• 'Seven Sisters' Skyscrapers

Tips for Moscow Travel

Take a look at the good-to-know tips before visiting Moscow and have a fantastic time in the capital.

What to pack

Make sure to check the weather prognosis before your trip and pack accordingly.

When to travel

Moscow is beautiful all around the year. Choose traveling time according to preferred activities.

We suggest to always have some cash with you. You will need Rubles (RUB) for Russia.

How much to tip

Tipping is not required in Russia, but it's considered good etiquette, tip 10%-15% of your bill.

The average summer temperature is approx 18°C (64°F), and winter is around -6°C (22°F).

Some of the most popular souvenirs from Moscow are caviar, Krasnaya Moska perfume.

Best Moscow Sights

One of the highest points in Moscow and one of its most breathtaking places - the Sparrow Hills.

See the 344-feet Cathedral of Christ the Savior - the tallest Orthodox church in the world.

Enjoy masterpieces of Russian opera and ballet in Moscow's legendary Bolshoi Theater.

Being the most recognizable symbol of Russia in the world, Red Square is an absolute must see when in Moscow. 

The famous GUM is a large department store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow facing Red Square.

History and luxury is revealed inside the Kremlin as the Armoury Chamber displays treasures like Faberge Eggs.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture set in the romantic Red Square.

The symbol of Moscow and entire Russia, the Kremlin is often described as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Moscow Metro is like a whole underground city that holds the world's largest collection of Stalinist Art.

I am very satisfied.

I have been using the Firebirds (Travel All Russia) services for a while. I am very satisfied.

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

WOW. From the choice of hotels, an itinerary that ran to plan, the amazing Guides and drivers, and of course the stunning cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. No long queues for entry to museums, churches, and palaces.  I would gladly recommend using Firebird Tours (Travel All Russia) to anyone.

THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

I must say from the day I started to book my tip till the day I got home I had one GREAT trip and experience I always felt safe and cared for help was seconds away not that I needed any I will defiantly highly recommend your company to any traveler to Russia WELL DONE to the Whole team THANK YOU for making this happen for me !!!

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

Overall we enjoyed the whole trip a lot. Moscow is beautiful and clean. Thank you very much for your patience and excellent organization of this tour. Everything ran very smoothly and according to schedule. The guides met us on time at hotels or at our train carriage on arrival. They all spoke good English, had a good local knowledge and were very kind and helpful.

The tour lived up to all expectations

I’m most pleased with Travel All Russia in arranging our ‘Volga Dream’ Russia tour, I would recommend using your services again as every aspect of our tour went off without a hitch. The communication between our tour representative was excellent as we required additional days on both ends of our tour. The visa process and the logistics were flawlessly implemented.

We had a great time in Moscow!

Everything was perfect and we are very satisfied with services and accommodations.

Loved my time in Russia

The trip was great. Especially want to mention the guides I had on the extra days were exceptional. Both guides and drivers worked out well. Thanks again for all your help and attention. Loved my time in Russia, and still haven’t stopped talking about it.

Exploring Magnificent Russian Capitals, June 2017

Just want to say that our guide in St Petersburg was really outstanding. You really felt like someone was looking after you. Very observant - knowledgeable. We really enjoyed time spent with her.

Exploring Vibrant Moscow, June 2017

The experience was great!!! We had an excellent guide. The hotel was fabulous.

Thank you for your help !!! was an unforgettable trip.

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Holiday Travel Tips

Holiday travel often includes visiting loved ones or taking a vacation. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland or escaping subzero temperatures, follow these travel tips for a healthy and safe holiday travel season.

Before Travel Tips

Check CDC’s destination pages for travel health information . Check CDC’s webpage for your destination to see what vaccines or medicines you may need and what diseases or health risks are a concern at your destination.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your routine vaccines . Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common in the United States but are still common in other countries.

Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and get a seasonal flu vaccine. In the United States, CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine before the end of October

Prepare a  travel health kit  with items you may need, especially those items that may be difficult to find at your destination. Include your prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines in your travel health kit and take enough to last your entire trip, plus extra in case of travel delays. Depending on your destination you may also want to pack a mask ,  insect repellent , sunscreen (SPF15 or higher), aloe, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, water disinfection tablets, and your health insurance card.

During Your Trip

Choose safe transportation. Always wear a seat belt, and children should ride in car seats. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among healthy travelers. Be alert when crossing the street, especially in countries where people drive on the left side of the road. Find out other steps you can take to stay safe on the roads.

Protect yourself from the sun. Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when traveling. Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just for tropical beaches—you can get a sunburn even if it’s cloudy or cold. You are at the highest risk for UV exposure when you are traveling during summer months, near the equator, at high altitudes, or between 10 am to 4 pm.

When traveling in cold weather or climates, wear warm clothing in several loose layers.

Consideration for Warm Weather Travel

If you are traveling in hot weather or in a hot climate, wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Your chances of getting heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or other heat-related illness during travel depend on your destination, activities, level of hydration, and age. Travelers who relax on a beach or by a pool are unlikely to get heat-related illness. Learn how to prevent heat-related illness .

Avoid bug bites. Use insect repellent and take other steps to avoid bug bites. Bugs, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies, can spread diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and Lyme. These bugs are typically more active during warm weather.

After Travel

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel. 

If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel .

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THE 10 BEST Hotels in Moscow 2024

1. Page 20 Aparthotel

2. Palmira Business Club

3. Ararat Park Hotel Moscow

4. Lotte Hotel Moscow

5. Brick Design Hotel

6. Hotel Metropol Moscow

7. Park Inn by Radisson Izmailovo Moscow

8. Mercure Arbat Moscow

9. Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscow

10. Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow

11. Hotel De Paris

12. President Hotel

13. AZIMUT City Hotel Smolenskaya Moscow

14. Mercure Moscow Paveletskaya

15. Four Seasons Hotel Moscow

16. D'Hotel

17. AZIMUT City Hotel Tulskaya Moscow

18. Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya

19. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Moscow - Marina

20. Pokrovka 6 Hotel

21. Radisson Blu Olympiyskiy Hotel, Moscow

22. Boutique Hotel Brighton

23. InterContinental Moscow - Tverskaya, an IHG Hotel

24. Crowne Plaza Moscow - Tretyakovskaya, an IHG hotel

25. Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow

26. StandArt Design Hotel

27. Hotel Moscow Krasnoselskaya

28. AZIMUT City Hotel Olympic Moscow

29. 1 Art Hotel

30. Mamaison All Suites Spa Hotel Pokrovka

Moscow Hotels Information

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Moscow Holiday Packages : rated 4.3 /5 (based on 4 reviews) | Packages starting from ₹30,250/-

Moscow Holiday Packages

What makes Moscow worth a visit are it's colorful and remarkable structures and the warmth of the inviting capital city. Have a tour of the city which is generally known as the ‘Fire Square’.

Best time to visit

In summers, Moscow generally offers a warm climate along with a little downpour. It is a great time to roam around the city in light, cotton clothes and witness many exciting tourist attractions around you. A tour to the Red Square, St. Basil Cathedral, and Kolomenskoye museum on a nice sunny day would be perfect in Moscow city.

The New Year’s Eve in Moscow’s winter is a great deal and is worth witnessing in a visit to the Russian capital. Many games, contests, and Russian cultural traditions take place in Red Square area every year while it is covered in snow. Make sure to pack loads of warm clothes to beat the freezing temperature while you give a tour to Moscow during winters.

Best Way to reach

The one and only way to reach Moscow from India is by air. There are 5 airports in Moscow city out of which 3 are connected to international airports of cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Bengaluru through flights.

Bestselling Moscow Tour Packages

Shortlisted Packages

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Packages for other cities in Russia

Duration ( in Days )

Budget Per Person ( in Rs. )

Hotel Star Rating

Showing 26 Moscow Tour Packages

Idyllic Russia Tour Package From India

₹ 30,250/- ₹ 32,880/-.

Per Person on twin sharing

• Moscow City tour
• Kremlin Territory
• St. Petersburg
• Peter & Paul Fortress

Hotel included in package:

• Moscow (3D)
• St Petersburg (4D)

Encompassing idyllic sceneries, artistic riches, historic monuments, throbbing nightlif....

Upto 3 Stars

• Sightseeing

Enchanting Europe Tour Package

₹ 249,163/- ₹ 276,848/-.

• Railway journey
• Group package
• St Petersburg (3D)
• Helsinki (2D)
• Stockholm (2D)
• Bergen (2D)
• Geiranger (1D)
• Copenhagen (3D)

Get the best of your holidays by choosing this one and only 19 nights 20 Days E....

Upto 4 Stars

Russia Tour Package From Mumbai

₹ 38,499/- ₹ 41,847/-.

• Hill station
• Moscow (2D)

Mumbai, the dream city of India, is doused in dazzling days and nights. There are many ....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 47,999/- ₹ 52,173/-.

• St Petersburg (2D)

Russia is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The place is beautiful a....

Russia Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

₹ 58,000/- ₹ 63,043/-.

• Moscow (4D)

Today there are millions of people who travel to the country and explore each city of t....

Russia Tour Package For 10 Nights and 11 Days

₹ 96,999/- ₹ 105,434/-.

• Veliky Novgorod (2D)

Russia is known for its undenying beauty, architecture, history, food and of course Vod....

Russia Tour Package For 8 Nights And 9 Days

₹ 65,000/- ₹ 70,652/-.

Russia, for sure is one of the most beautiful and intriguing places in the world. There....

Russia Tour Package For 9 Nights 10 Days

₹ 80,000/- ₹ 87,912/-.

Russia is the perfect blend of artistic and historic sites. The country is full of a lo....

Best-Selling Holidays To Russia From Kolkata

₹ 38,199/- ₹ 41,521/-.

Moscow Tour Package For 5 Nights 6 Days

₹ 53,999/- ₹ 58,695/-.

Everyone finds their own reason to visit the beautiful city of Moscow. One of the well ....

Moscow Tour Package For 2 Nights 3 Days

₹ 35,000/- ₹ 38,461/-.

Everyone finds their own reason to visit the beautiful city of Moscow. The city boasts ....

Popular Moscow Package From Mumbai

₹ 96,000/- ₹ 104,348/-.

Russia Tour Package From Delhi

Russia is the world’s largest country and has so much for you to enjoy the vacati....

Moscow Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 45,200/- ₹ 49,130/-.

Considered as one of the most beautiful places in the world, Russia is a fabulous desti....

Moscow Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

₹ 58,000/- ₹ 63,736/-.

There is a lot of history, art, and culture that people can see and experience here. Th....

Moscow St Petersburg Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 78,999/- ₹ 85,869/-.

Russia is a major tourist hub, for people from all over the world and from all walks of....

St Petersburg Tour Package For 6 Nights 7 Days

Russia is one destination which is captivates travelers from all over the world. The co....

Moscow Tour Package For 3 Nights 4 Days

₹ 38,000/- ₹ 41,304/-.

Russia is famous for many things that are different from any other part of the world. T....

Russia Tour Package For 11 Nights and 12 Days

₹ 112,000/- ₹ 121,739/-.

Russia features a lot of beautiful cities like Moscow, and Saint Petersburg. Beside bea....

Russia Tour Package For 7 Nights 8 Days

₹ 71,999/- ₹ 78,260/-.

Russia Tour Package For 5 Nights 6 Days

₹ 49,999/- ₹ 54,347/-.

Russia Tour Package For 2 Nights and 3 Days

• Best sellers

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world and it has way too much to offer to....

Russia Tour Package From Ahmedabad

₹ 48,999/- ₹ 53,260/-.

Ahmedabad is an enchanting city which is located at the bank of River Sabarmati. The pe....

Russia Tour Package For 4 Nights 5 Days

₹ 46,000/- ₹ 50,000/-.

Russia is all about historical structures and beautiful monuments and is also one of th....

Popular Moscow Packages From Delhi

₹ 92,999/- ₹ 101,086/-, moscow tour packages by theme, faqs for moscow, how much should i budget for a holiday in russia.

The budget for a Russia tour may vary accordingly, depending on the number of days you wish to spend during your visit. An ideal leisure tour to Russia for 6-7 days will cost you between INR 30,000 to INR 35,000, whereas, an extensive tour to Russia that covers impeccable places that aren’t famous among tourists, which requires at least a 20-25 days of tour will cost you between INR 270,000 to INR 280,000.

How many days are sufficient in Russia?

An ideal Russian would require somewhere between 7-10 days in which you can explore all the major tourist attractions hassle-free. Russia with its vast timeline is one of the largest countries in the world that comprises several major cities and it is not recommended to travel to Russia if you are visiting for less than 7 days.

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Priyanka's 7 days trip to Russia

Priyanka Tomar

Gadi's 6 days trip to Russia

Gadi Ramakrishna

Partha's 6 days trip to Russia

Partha Swarnakar

Selva's 6 days trip to Russia

Selva Ganapathy

• Places To Visit In Moscow

Let the experts guide you to the best of this mesmerizing destination

Kremlin In Moscow

Kremlin is the word used to denote the many Russian citadels spread all over the country. Among these, the Kremlin in Moscow is the most famous one of all, and rightfully so. The Moscow Kremlin or simply Kremlin, in short, is located in the heart of the city, on Red Square area. It overlooks the Moskva River to the south, t...

• Ideal for friends
• Ideal for families

Lenin Mausoleum In Moscow

Lenin Mausoleum is the tomb of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, right in the heart of the country’s capital city of Moscow. It is a location befitting the greatest of the Russian leaders and a communist revolutionary. Inside the mausoleum, Lenin’s embalmed remains lie peacefully inside a specially curated sarcophagus, where vi...

• Religious Tour
• Ideal For Family

Luzhniki Stadium In Moscow

Luzhniki Stadium is not only the largest stadium in Russia but also one of the largest in all of Europe. The country’s national stadium which is located in Moscow is one giant arena for sports and entertainment, with a seating capacity of 81,000. The name ‘Luzhniki’ comes from the Russian word, roughly meaning ‘The Meadows....

Red Square In Moscow

The Red Square of Moscow is the lifeline of the city, and the whole country. This is the very center and heart of Moscow, from where all of the city’s important streets spread out like a spider’s web into various ring roads and highways. Red Square separates the former royal citadel and current resident of the Russian presi...

St. Basil’s Cathedral In Moscow

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is one of the most iconic artistic structures in Moscow which is also called Pokrovsky Cathedral. It is often said by the locals that the architect of the cathedral was blinded by Ivan to keep its design unique and to avoid replication of the structure. It is also said that earlier the cathed...

• Religious Places
• Things To Do In Moscow

Your list of the best things to do, compiled on the basis of actual traveler experiences

Kazan Cathedral In Moscow

Kazan Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals dedicated to Our Lady Of Kazan, in Moscow, Russia. The first mentions of the cathedral dedicated to the Virgin of Kazan are found in the historical record of 1635 as having been constructed by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. It was torn down and rebuilt many times during the followi...

Ostankino Tower In Moscow

A radio and television tower located in the Ostankino district of Moscow, Russia, the Ostankino Tower is one of the iconic attractions in the city. Built around 163-1967, this amazing structure is made up of cement, and has an observation deck which makes it even a more interesting place to visit. As one visit this approxim...

Places to visit in Moscow tour packages

• Novospassky Monastery The Novospassky Monastery, being built in the 14th century, is the first monastery established in the heart of Moscow. The monastery showcases remarkable architecture and a small museum and church dedicated to this ancient tales of the Novospassky monastery. In our Moscow packages, do make sure to add this place in your itinerary.
• Grand Kremlin Palace Splendidly reflecting the Russian royalty and culture, the Grand Kremlin Palace of Moscow has a palace-like structure with interconnected rooms and beautiful architecture. As you walk through the embellished and decorated halls of this Palace, find youself feel the elegant aura and witness the awestriking interiors.
• Red Square tour Minin-Pozharsky Monument, State Historical Museum, GUM Shopping Center, Ostankino Tower, Cathedral Of The Archangel, and Sparrow hills are some places which you must visit in Moscow’s Red Square. The Red Square is a city square in Moscow, which has some royal sights that will offer you a lot to capture in your camera.
• Bolshoi Theatre A historic theatre in Moscow, the Bolshoi Theatre is designed by architect Joseph Bové. The designs, patterns and intricate details of this theatre are worth capturing, along with the heart welcoming ballet and opera performances. The shows held here are utterly entertaining and hence, attract a huge number of audience.

Things to do in Moscow

• Golden Ring Russian Folk Show: The Golden Ring Russian Folk show of Moscow is a live stage performance glistening with music, dance, and lights. The performances showcased here are not only entertaining but also educating for the large number of Audience. Make sure to customize your Moscow holiday packages, and witness this high-spirited show taking place right in front of your eyes.
• Moscow Sightseeing River Tour: The one hour Moscow Sightseeing River Tour amazes one with colorful sights of remarkable monuments, dream-like vibrant palces, green natural sights and beautiful viewpoints from the Moscow river. Available at a reasonable price, the river tour is a must-try if you visit the city of Moscow on our Moscow packages.
• Victory Park and Museum Tour: The Victory Park and Museum tour attracts a lot of tourists who visit in the capital city of Moscow. The museum is too large and would make you see numerous attractions inside. The informative guide will narrate many fascinating tales, educating you about the history of the park and museum.

Tips for Booking packages

• Go through all the details on our packages to choose accordingly.
• Customize your packages according to your demands and suitability.
• Book your packages a short time before your trip so you can be updated about the available discounts and deals.

Marvel through the colorful, vibrant city of Moscow and log onto our website to see the Moscow tour packages today.

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Mum warns of holiday scam after being forced to cancel family trip hours before flight

A mother-of-three who had to cancel a family holiday just hours before they were due to fly to Majorca after learning they had been scammed out of more than £4,000, with one of her children so devastated they “didn’t speak for a day”, is urging others to be vigilant as “it can happen to anyone”.

Emma Last, 48, a mental health and wellbeing strategist from Chorley , Lancashire, and her husband Zak, a 51-year-old artist, were due to fly out to a villa in Majorca for an eight-night family holiday in August 2023 – having seemingly booked a villa large enough to accommodate Emma’s parents and three children: Scarlette and Henri, both 17, and Xander, 14.

She first found the property on Airbnb but was then directed from there to WhatsApp, where she was provided with a link from “Travel Villas”, along with what claimed to be a Booking.com “ portal ” to process the payment later on.

Emma’s mother, Julia, 74, paid £4,120 for the villa via this link and Emma paid £1,722.98 for the flights directly with Ryanair – but just hours before they were due to leave for the airport on August 7, they realised they had been scammed.

The family learned the “Travel Villas” listing had been “cloned” from another website called Oliver’s Travels, and after calling the company, who confirmed the villa was fully booked, Emma realised the mistake she had made.

“We started telling the children that we weren’t going, which was awful because they had their suitcases packed and they were all excited,” Emma told PA Real Life.

“Devastated children is the word – one didn’t speak for a day.”

Emma, the founder of corporate mental health company Progressive Minds, then battled for months trying to get their money back for the villa – and although they were eventually successful, the money for the flights has not been recovered as Ryanair was not at fault.

Emma’s family had saved for months for the much-needed trip, and while she initially felt “embarrassed” about the scam, she now wants to help others with advice from cyber safety brand Norton to prevent them from falling victim to fraudsters.

“There isn’t much support, and I think because you feel really silly because you’ve been caught out, it’s not something that you want to talk about – but it can happen to anyone,” Emma said.

“I have booked my own travel for years and never had a problem – you do your due diligence – but I suppose it’s just understanding that we are human, and perhaps we need to use more technology to protect us.

“But also, from the financial wellbeing perspective, I think there’s a massive piece around financial education missing, and I think we, personally, need to perhaps not be as embarrassed about it.”

Emma started looking at holiday options on Airbnb in July 2023, specifically family villas in Ibiza or Majorca to accommodate her parents and her three children.

Having “saved up” since their previous trip to Spain the year before, the family were looking forward to another summer holiday together, and they came across three suitable properties in Majorca on Airbnb.

Emma and her family did their “due diligence”, checking the villas existed using Google Earth, and they reviewed all the information provided, including the part which said she could supposedly book the property as a Genius customer via Booking.com.

When they clicked on the Airbnb listings, there was a note that said they needed to check via WhatsApp whether their chosen dates were available – and Emma proceeded to do this, sending a message to the number provided.

Emma then received a response from “Lyda from Travel Villas”, along with a link, confirming the property was available for the requested dates – August 7 to August 15 2023 – at a discounted rental cost of 600 Euros (£511) per night.

The message, seen by PA Real Life, continued: “Please send us your email so we can send you the PDF Brochure of the villa with all the details regarding the photos, services, location and terms of the booking.”

After some back and forth, Emma was then advised that she was “pre-approved to book” and her reservation “will be confirmed instantly once a payment is made”.

The message on WhatsApp continued: “Free cancellation policy within 24 hours prior (to) check in. Full refund back.”

A link then took her to what appeared to be a Booking.com “portal”, and she was offered a 10% discount due to the Genius loyalty programme she was already signed up to, which “reassured” her the booking for the villa was legitimate.

Emma’s mother, Julia, then made the £4,120 payment on July 30, and Emma paid for the flights with Ryanair, which cost £1,722.98 in total for the seven guests.

She subsequently received a booking confirmation email from “Puerto Soller Villa”, along with a message on WhatsApp, which said: “Now everything is in order with the payment.”

The message continued: “The check (in) is flexible 10am to 19pm. After 19pm, you can do it by yourself with a key pass code. If you have any special requests, such (as) renting a car, boat, catering, we can help you without any problem.

“Thank you and we look forward to hosting you.”

Emma sent follow-up messages about their flights on WhatsApp and asked for more information about the check-in process – but after receiving no responses over the following days from her texts and calls, she started to panic.

With a taxi due to take her family to the airport at about 11am on August 7, she set an early alarm and said she called Barclays for advice, as she had booked her flights with her Barclaycard and she had travel insurance with them.

Emma was potentially going to take the chance and board the flights, as she thought they could try to book a hotel upon arrival if they could not access the villa, but then she received a distressing phone call from her mother.

They realised that fraudsters had copied information and pictures from Oliver’s Travels onto a fake website called “Travel Villas”, pretending they were letting agents, and it was all a scam.

“I felt stupid, I felt really stressed about trying to get the money back, I felt devastated for my children and my husband,” Emma said.

“You save up, you plan, and the thing is, I work really hard. I’m a small business owner and I do so much for others, I give back to everyone else, and in my world the majority of people are amazing people.

“It just disappoints you that there are people like that in the world.”

Emma said she was advised by Barclays that she could put in an insurance claim for the un-used flights, as she would be covered when booking using her Barclaycard, and this gave her some “reassurance”.

She said Barclays also told her she could not transfer the flights at the time – but when following up later on, she said she was told that the bank was unable to consider her claim.

The reason given was that her “circumstances are not included under any of the specified incidents for which (her) policy would provide cover”.

Emma subsequently complained due to the “poor advice” she was given and, in an email seen by PA Real Life, Barclays has since apologised that she was “misinformed”, offering £100 for “the distress and inconvenience that this has caused”.

Although Emma and her mother did eventually manage to get the £4,120 back for the villa scam, she is still more than £1,700 out of pocket for the flights.

Now, despite initially feeling stupid, angry, and disappointed in herself for making the “wrong decision”, Emma wants to share her story to help prevent others from being scammed.

She said: “We did do some due diligence, but are there some learnings out of it? Absolutely.

“If they ask you to go off the site and into WhatsApp, don’t do it, if they ask you to pay on a different site, don’t do it.

“I have worked on my own mental health, and I’ve got all these tools in my kit bag because of the work that I do, but what really worries me is other people … the impact it can have on you, it can be devastating.”

Barclays has been contacted by PA Real Life for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.

An Airbnb spokesperson said: “This listing was removed from the platform as soon as it came to our attention last July, and we are in touch with the guest to offer our support.

“We encourage and remind users to stay on Airbnb to communicate, book and pay to help ensure they’re protected by our policies, processes and 24/7 support, including AirCover.”

Fraudsters are becoming increasingly inventive when it comes to creating scams, and research from cyber safety expert Norton has found that the average Brit receives 10 email, text or phone scams a week.

The new app developed by Norton, Norton Genie, is an AI-powered tool that allows people to copy and paste, or upload, screenshots of a text message, social media post, email or website and check for scam potential.

To find out more, visit: uk.norton.com/products/genie-scam-detector.

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