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Ellen is the driving force behind the success of Smiles and Miles Travel , tirelessly advocating for her clients to help them realize their travel dreams.

Whether your dream is a relaxing sojourn at a Caribbean beach resort, a family adventure in the rain forests of Costa Rica, or an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime Honeymoon trip, Ellen’s knowledge of travel trends, destinations and deals ensures that you will travel with confidence. Her guarantee: you will be surprised and delighted by every Smiles and Miles Travel experience.

Ellen Paderson,CEO of Smiles and Miles Travel

Ellen knows the difference between travel hype and travel reality!

“Above and beyond” is the phrase most clients use in describing Ellen’s stellar service. She has visited nearly every resort and sailed on every ship that she recommends. Significant repeat business and countless referrals testify to Ellen’s professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. Her files are filled with letters and cards from grateful couples, as well as from families who, thanks to Ellen’s counsel and support, will cherish lifelong memories of their travel adventures.

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At Smile & Wave Travel, we invite you to indulge in a world of refined luxury and personalized experiences. As a premier luxury travel agency, we go above and beyond to curate extraordinary journeys that surpass expectations. Our dedicated team of seasoned travel experts possesses a deep passion for crafting seamless, unforgettable adventures tailored to your unique desires. With meticulous attention to detail and access to an extensive network of prestigious partners, we ensure that every aspect of your trip exudes elegance and sophistication. From handpicked luxurious accommodations to exclusive insider access, we leave no stone unturned in delivering the epitome of opulence. Choose us for an unparalleled travel experience where your every whim is anticipated and where you can embrace the world in grand style. Welcome to a realm of unparalleled luxury with Smile & Wave Travel.

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Rita I would like to thank you for being the awesome travel agent that you are. You covered all the points and extra. Things I didn’t think about you had covered. You took the time to find out the things we liked( party of 9) and let us know where and when we could find them. You know I’m a big fan of hotels with balconies and you went the extra mile to find one. You even brought us gifts for a reminder of our trip and snacks for the road trip. Thank you again for all you did.

To ALL, who are considering to make traveling plans for a vacation or a baecation, I strongly recommend the services of Mrs. Rita Watkins. She is a one stop shop. I told her the type of environment that I wanted to enjoy. And she made it happen. I wanted a beach and oceanfront setting. She set me up in the Isle of Palms in Charleston South Carolina. It’s a hidden treasure. Not only will I recommend this romantic getaway to everyone, but I will also recommend the services of Mrs. Rita watkins for all of your world travelers. I can’t wait to utilize her services again.

Pastor C. Moore

Dependable. Passionate. Trustworthy. These are just a few of the qualities that put Smile and Wave Travel above the rest. They will be with you from start to finish. I had the pleasure of booking a weekend getaway through Smile and Wave Travel and Ms. Rita delivered way and beyond my expectations! She even sent me a courtesy message to make sure that my accommodations met my satisfaction…and they did! Truly looking forward to Smile and Wave Travel arranging my next vacation getaway.

Camille & Jailyn

Rita helped me plan my 27th birthday trip to Mexico. From the first interaction she helped me not only narrow down which all inclusive resort in Mexico to go but she also gave us some great recommendations for excursions to do around town. She made herself available anytime we needed her before and during the trip. I’m using her for all my travel needs!

The Crutchers

We booked a trip to Dominican Republic with Rita Watkins and she was awesome. Rita handled our entire trip from flight, shuttle to the hotel. It was so nice to pass that responsibility to somebody as competent and timely as Mrs. Watkins. She was also there for us the entire time to handle questions and deal with travel logistics. We have also used her for last minute travel needs and she always comes through! Highly recommend!

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“ Cadao helped me find plane tickets at very competitive prices and she helped me with the Visa application. ” in 17 reviews

“ By obtaining my visa for me, it saved a 2-hour trip into San Francisco and dealing with the consulate. ” in 12 reviews

“ This is my situation: As soon as I found out that my mother died yesterday in Vietnam , I started to look for a travel agent. ” in 11 reviews

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875 Ofarrell St

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Very great services, highly recommended. Definitely will refer to my friend. Thank you!

This is my first ever Yelp review. I've known Cadao Tran for about 20 years and I've just recently started using her and Smiles Travel again. For the longest time it was very easy to do most of the airline ticket and Vietnam visas myself. Now, post-COVID it's all become a lot more complicated. With airfares, it's been hit and miss. Last November she got a great price on a trip to Vietnam. On this month's trip I didn't get a bargain, but I didn't pay more either. ( Sometimes she can get special deal with business class !) What I've really appreciated is someone who knows the ins-and-outs of Vietnam travel visas. The new requirements getting a visa are supposed to be friendlier and easier, but I found the e-visa confusing and complicated. I'm much happier just turning the whole process over to her. If you're having any problems with the Vietnam visa process, just call Tran Cadao at Smiles Travel. She's very responsive, very knowledgeable, and very helpful. You can contact her by her cell phone 415-516-0332 Jimmy B

the best travel agent in San Francisco! CaDao is so responsive and quick turn around to get my partner a visa to Vietnam. She does it with a smile!!!

Cadao Tran is a miracle worker! We had many delays when applying for our e-visa to Vietnam and needed it urgently as we already missed our flight due to a delayed visa. I called Smiles Travel & Service around 6AM, hoping to just hear their business hours listed in the voicemail box, but instead she picked up the phone! We were able to get all of the correct paperwork together to meet with Cadao at her house in SF within an hour so that she can file the paperwork immediately. Due to Labor Day weekend, it was a bit slower to get things done at the embassy but she was able to get us our visas within a few days and book us new flights. Amazing, thank you so much! She also notified me that this is the number she can be reached since she is not in the office as much since COVID. 415-516-0332

I had a trip booked to Vietnam and needed a visa. I searched Yelp and came across Smile Travel & Services and reached out via email. Within the same day, Cadao (Smiles Travel & Services) responded and she promptly explained all my options from single use visa, to multiple use visa, and even the conditions for a 5 year visa exemption. I cannot say enough good things about Cadao. All our communication was professional and she was very efficient in informing me of my options and what would be the best path forward based on my travel plans and needs. I'm grateful to have met her and will continue to utilize her services, whether for booking travel in the future to needing visas for Vietnam for my travel group. Please reach out to her if you need anything travel related, you won't regret it!

Excellent personal service, fast, accurate and friendly. Needed a Visa and got it quickly. Thank you

I am a part of a large, local group going to Vietnam in April and Cadao (Smiles Travel) was handling the details. I had a number of special requests and travel arrangements and that was not a problem. Her usual response was, "I will take care of you." She was very efficient and prompt in all of our transactions. By obtaining my visa for me, it saved a 2-hour trip into San Francisco and dealing with the consulate. My questions were answered promptly and she did everything that she could to make the plane and hotel arrangements as easy as possible. I don't know what other areas she specializes in, but she seems to have a thorough knowledge and contacts with all of the Asian airlines. If I were to go back to Asia, I would not hesitate to use her services.

We had booked a last minute trip to Vietnam and were in a bind to get visas quickly. I contacted Cadao and within minutes I was at her office. She was very efficient getting the paperwork ready and submitted. 2 people from our group were not in SF and she was able to work with them to get electronic copies of passport, photo, etc. She got us our visas (actual visa - not the entrance letter) within 2 days. Great fast service - super recommend.

Great place to get your ticket. The owner really friendly. I really recommend this place. Great job.

Ten stars!! CaDao helped my wife and I plan a group trip to Vietnam with 34 other people and while that was in process my company asked me to attend a meeting in Shanghai China at the very last minute. This required a VISA that I needed to get ASAP! CaDao came to my rescue. She reviewed all my VISA application documents beforehand and the result was first time application success; and the VISA delivered in expedited time even though a National Holiday impacted the turn-around time. My boss, using another agency, had his China VISA application rejected on first attempt which required correction, resubmission, and days lost. My recommendation: Don't fool around with anyone else.

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Smiling can trick your brain into happiness — and boost your health

Smiling woman with curly hair. These are the 12 best natural hair products of 2021. Shop the products that will promote healthier hair growth, shine, and movement for your natural hair.

Ever had someone tell you to cheer up and smile? It’s probably not the most welcomed advice, especially when you’re feeling sick, tired or just plain down in the dumps. But there’s actually good reason to turn that frown upside down, corny as it sounds. Science has shown that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life.

It’s a pretty backwards idea, isn’t it? Happiness is what makes us smile; how can the reverse also be true? The fact is, as Dr. Isha Gupta a neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine explains, a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. “Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness. Serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and aggression,” says Dr. Gupta. “Low levels of dopamine are also associated with depression.”

Fake It Till You Make It

In other words, smiling can trick your brain into believing you’re happy which can then spur actual feelings of happiness. But it doesn’t end there. Dr. Murray Grossan , an ENT-otolaryngologist in Los Angeles points to the science of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of how the brain is connected to the immune system), asserting that it has been shown “over and over again” that depression weakens your immune system, while happiness on the other hand has been shown to boost our body’s resistance.

“What’s crazy is that just the physical act of smiling can make a difference in building your immunity,” says Dr. Grossan. “When you smile, the brain sees the muscle [activity] and assumes that humor is happening.”

In a sense, the brain is a sucker for a grin. It doesn’t bother to sort out whether you’re smiling because you’re genuinely joyous, or because you’re just pretending.

“Even forcing a fake smile can legitimately reduce stress and lower your heart rate,” adds Dr. Sivan Finkel, a cosmetic dentist at NYC’s The Dental Parlour. “ A study performed by a group at the University of Cardiff in Wales found that people who could not frown due to botox injections were happier on average than those who could frown.”

And there are plenty more studies out there to make you smile (or at least, serve as reference for why you should). Researchers at the University of Kansas published findings that smiling helps reduce the body’s response to stress and lower heart rate in tense situations; another study linked smiling to lower blood pressure, while yet another suggests that smiling leads to longevity.

Smiling Helps On A Day-To-Day Basis

Studies aside, there are plenty of living, breathing, smiling humans who can testify to the fact that looking the part of happy helps them get through the day.

“Smiling absolutely changes the way I think and feel,” says Jaime Pfeffer , a success coach and meditation instructor based in Florida. “My husband and I purposely spend 60 seconds every morning smiling to supercharge our mood. It's part of our morning routine. If something goes awry during the day, I usually use smiling to quickly shift my mood. It only take 10 to 15 seconds for it to make a difference for me now. It helps me to feel less stressed, transform my mood quickly and put things in a different perspective.”

Pfeffer adds that she recommends smiling to all her clients, particularly when they’re dealing with long days or tedious work. “One of my clients last week told me smiling for 30 seconds at a time a few times per day helps him stay upbeat when doing sales calls. He said the task can get old after a while, but the smiling helps him stay more energized and avoid burnout.”

Social Studies Why Laughing at Yourself Can Boost Your Health

Travel writer Clemens Sehi uses a smile not just to feel better, but also as a way of setting an amicable tone with strangers abroad.

“When traveling there is one thing that one realizes quite fast: a smile can change everything. It can open doors and the hearts of other people whose culture you do not even know. A smile is the most international language that everyone knows.”

How Smiling Goes Viral

A smile is also something that is easy to pass on. Much like yawning, smiling is contagious.

“This is because we have mirror neurons that fire when we see action,” says Dr. Eva Ritzo , a psychiatrist and the co-author of "The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula for Looking and Feeling Beautiful." As its name suggests, mirror neurons enable us to copy or reflect the behavior we observe in others and have been linked to the capacity for empathy.

On a less mechanical level, there’s also the idea that when we see a smile, we want to reciprocate because we feel endeared.

“Smiling is contagious not just because of how a smile looks from the outside, but also because of the intention and the feeling that is put behind a smile,” says Jasmine Wang, communications manager at Smile Train , a charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. “When someone smiles at you, you feel the good vibes from them, which makes you want to pass a smile on the next person, and so on and so forth. We should make a conscious effort not to take smiles from our loved ones for granted, and to keep in mind that across the globe a smile can mean so much more than a simple facial movement.”

Pet Therapy How dogs teach us to stop worrying and just be happy

A smile’s contagion is so potent, that we may even be able to catch one from ourselves. Dr. Ritzo recommends smiling at yourself in the mirror, an act she says not only triggers our mirror neurons, but can also help us calm down and re-center if we’re feeling low or anxious.

It turns out there's solid evidence that smiling can do us a world of good. Since researching this piece I’ve been conducting my own little smile experiments. I tried smiling when I tensed up in traffic yesterday, and again during a rigorous workout and then today when I woke up with a headache. I found that it feels completely incongruous to smile when I’m tense or tired, and there’s a strange sense of departing a comfort zone. But I have to admit, instantly I was calmer, less upset and, maybe just ever so slightly for a second, smiling made me feel happy.

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .

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Turkish Miles&Smiles Program Guide: Everything You Need to Know

February 23, 2024

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If you’re a travel miles enthusiast, you probably know about Turkish Miles&Smiles, the frequent-flyer program of Turkish Airlines because of some of its most famous sweet spots. For years, you could find economy flights between the Hawaiian islands and the mainland U.S. for just 7,500 miles each way. You could also fly one way in economy class from North America to Europe for as few as 30,000 miles per direction.

Unfortunately, in February 2024, the Turkish Miles&Smiles program underwent a major devaluation as award prices for almost all flights on Turkish Airlines and its partners increased. Although Miles&Smiles certainly isn’t the powerhouse it once was, you can definitely still find some solid value through this program.

When it comes to racking up Turkish miles, you can do so by taking flights with partner airlines and then crediting them to your Miles&Smiles account.

You also can transfer points to the Miles&Smiles program from Bilt Rewards, Capital One Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which is probably the best way to earn this program’s miles for most U.S.-based travelers. So, if you have a credit card from Bilt, Capital One or Citi, you should definitely familiarize yourself with this program as it’s a good way to maximize the value of those points.

Turkish Airlines publishes one award chart for Turkish Airlines-operated flights (which includes both regular and promotional award rates) and another award chart for partner-operated flights. With some searching, you can often find outsized value for Turkish flights offered at promotional rates as well as certain partner flights.

For instance, you can still find one-way economy-class flights between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii on United Airlines for just 10,000 miles. You can also find one-way flights across Canada on Air Canada for 10,000 miles in economy class and 15,000 miles in business class (although business-class award availability on these routes is hard to find).

So, let’s go over everything you need to know about the Turkish Miles&Smiles program, including elite status, how to earn and redeem Turkish miles, and which of those redemption methods offer the most value.

Turkish Miles&Smiles Program Overview

Turkish Airlines was established in 1933 by the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. The airline’s initial fleet consisted of two Curtiss Kingbirds, two Junkers F 13s and one Tupolev ANT-9 aircraft.

The airline began with routes within Türkiye as well as to Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish Airlines weathered some serious financial and operational difficulties but continued to expand its route network and became Türkiye’s largest source of foreign currency during that period.

In 2008, after an 18-month integration process, Turkish Airlines made the major strategic move of joining Star Alliance. Today, it remains a member of the world’s largest airline alliance, giving Turkish Miles&Smiles members the opportunity to earn and redeem Turkish miles for flights with any other carrier within the alliance.

Here are all 26 members of Star Alliance:

When flying with any of these partners, you can add your Turkish Miles&Smiles membership number to your booking and earn Turkish miles for that flight. You also can redeem your Turkish miles for flights on any Star Alliance partner directly through the Turkish Airlines website.

Additionally, Turkish Airlines has several non-alliance partner airlines that allow you to earn Turkish miles for flying with them:

You also can earn status miles (the metric used for tracking elite status) for flights taken on any Star Alliance partner.

Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite Status

Turkish Airlines has an elite status program that rewards members who frequently fly with Turkish Airlines or one of its partners. There are four membership tiers within the Miles&Smiles program: Classic, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus.

You’ll start with a Classic membership when you sign up for the Miles&Smiles program, and you can continue to level up to higher tiers by either earning a certain number of status miles or completing a certain number of qualifying flights within one year.

You can earn status miles on flights with Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet and other Star Alliance member airlines. Once you achieve a Classic Plus tier or above, that status stays valid for two years from the date that you rose to that tier. Then, to maintain that status after the two-year period is over, you’ll need to either achieve a certain number of miles or flights within a one-year period or achieve a certain number of miles or flights within a two-year period.

The following chart includes the requirements for earning each elite status tier, the requirements for maintaining that elite status tier and the benefit that you’ll enjoy at each tier.

One great thing about the Miles&Smiles elite status program is that it’s far easier to retain a status tier than it is to earn it.

For example, if you want to earn Elite Plus status, you’ll have to earn 80,000 status miles in a 12-month period. However, once you reach that status level, it gets considerably easier to keep it. All you have to do is either earn 40,000 status miles in any 12-month period during your two-year Elite Plus status validity period or earn 60,000 miles over the entire course of the two-year Elite Plus status validity period. So, once you reach a status tier, it’s easy to keep it active.

When it comes to the most notable benefits of elite status, the complimentary access to Turkish Airlines lounges (available for domestic flights only to Classic Plus members and for domestic and international flights to Elite and Elite Plus members) is one of the more notable benefits of an elite status.

Additionally, the ability for Elite and Elite Plus members to get 50% off a second business-class ticket when you buy a paid business-class ticket could save you a lot of money if you tend to book flights for two passengers.

Interestingly, Elite Plus status doesn’t offer that many more benefits than Elite status despite being significantly more difficult to achieve. The only additional benefits that come with Elite Plus over Elite status are two cabin upgrades, 5 extra kilograms of baggage allowance, guaranteed seats for reservations booked at least 72 hours before departure and the ability to gift Elite status to up to three people (for the high price of 40,000 miles per person).

These additional benefits are rather unremarkable considering that you have to earn twice as many status miles to achieve Elite Plus status compared to Elite status.

Self check-in counter Istanbul International Airport.

How to Earn Turkish Miles

The most obvious way to earn Turkish miles is to take flights on Turkish Airlines or one of its Star Alliance partners. However, you also can transfer points from credit card rewards programs, transfer points from hotel rewards programs or make bookings with hotel or car rental partners. Of course, some of these methods will earn you far more Turkish miles than others.

So, let’s take a look at all of the different ways that you can rack up Turkish miles so you can start saving up for your next reward.

Turkish Anadolujet Airlines Boeing 737-800 Aircraft

Flying with Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet

The number of miles that you’ll earn for flying with Turkish Airlines or AnadoluJet (a low-cost regional subsidiary of Turkish Airlines) depends on the actual distance of the flight, the cabin class and fare code on the ticket, and your status in the Miles&Smiles program.

However, having an elite status in the Miles&Smiles program will affect your miles earnings only if you’re flying in business class, in which case Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus members earn 25% more miles.

Flights within Türkiye earn a fixed number of miles depending on the cabin class but not the distance flown.

Here’s the earnings chart for all flights operated by Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet.

So, for example, if you were to take a 1,500-mile flight on Turkish Airlines in economy class (fare code Y), then you’d earn 1,875 Turkish miles regardless of your membership tier (1,500 miles flown x 125% = 1,875 Turkish miles).

However, if you were to take a 700-mile flight on Turkish Airlines in economy class (fare code Y), then you’d earn the minimum mileage of 1,250 miles regardless of your membership tier. That’s because the calculated mileage would be below the minimum (700 miles flown x 125% = 875 Turkish miles).

On economy-class flights, all Miles&Smiles members earn the same number of Turkish miles on flights regardless of their membership tier. However, for business-class flights, Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus members always earn 25% more miles than Classic members.

For instance, if you were to take a 1,200-mile flight on Turkish Airlines in business class (fare code C), you’d earn 1,800 Turkish miles as a Classic member (1,200 miles flown x 150% = 1,800 Turkish miles). However, if you had Classic Plus, Elite or Elite Plus status, you’d earn 2,100 miles (1,200 miles flown x 175% = 2,100 Turkish miles).

GOL Aircraft landing in Santos Dumont Airpot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Flying with Partner Airlines

You can earn Turkish miles on flights with any of its partner airlines. To do so, you’ll need to select Turkish Miles&Smiles as your frequent-flyer program of choice when making your booking.

The number of Turkish miles that you’ll earn for a partner flight depends on the specific partner that you’re flying with, your cabin class and booking class, and the actual distance of your flight. Mileage earnings on partner flights don’t depend on your Turkish Miles&Smiles membership tier.

Each partner airline has its own mileage accrual chart, all of which you can view on the “Earn miles as you fly” page on the Turkish Airlines website. Click on the logo of the partner airline that you plan on flying with to view that airline’s mileage accrual chart.

It’s worth noting that you can earn Turkish miles with any member of Star Alliance as well as four non-Star Alliance airlines: Azul Brazilian Airlines, IndiGo, Olympic Air and GOL Airlines.

For example, here is the earnings chart for GOL (a low-cost Brazilian airline based in Rio de Janeiro):

Using these earnings charts is pretty much the same as using Turkish Airlines’ own earnings chart. For instance, if you were to take a 1,000-mile flight on GOL in premium economy class (fare code C), you’d earn 1,500 miles (1,000 miles flown x 150% = 1,500 Turkish miles).

Turkish Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards

Turkish Airlines has several co-branded credit cards issued by a variety of different banks that allow you to earn Turkish miles for making everyday purchases. Unfortunately, none of these cards are available in the United States.

However, if you happen to live in Türkiye, Israel, Jordan or one of the other countries where these credit cards are available, then signing up for a Turkish Airlines co-branded credit card is a great way to rack up Miles&Smiles miles quickly.

To learn more about Turkish Airlines co-branded credit cards, visit the carrier’s website .

Transfer Partners

For most U.S. consumers, the most effective way to boost your Turkish miles balance is going to be to transfer points from either Capital One Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards or Bilt Rewards. These credit card rewards currencies transfer to Turkish Miles&Smiles at a 1:1 ratio. So, if you were to transfer 100,000 Citi ThankYou Points, you’d receive 100,000 Turkish miles.

Here are some of our top picks for credit cards that earn Capital One Miles:

Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card ($0 for the first year, then $95)
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ($0 annual fee)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee)
Capital One Venture X Business ($395 annual fee)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee)

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Bonus Miles

after you spend $4,500 in the first 3 months

Annual Fee: $0 for your first year, then $95.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

after you spend $500 in the first 3 months

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

after you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.

Annual Fee: $95

Capital One Venture X Business

after you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months

Annual Fee: $395

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Venture Miles

after you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months.

It’s also worth noting that you can convert cash back earned with Capital One cashback cards (such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card) to Capital One Miles if you also hold a Capital One Miles-earning card. So, if you have both the Venture and the Savor cards, you can convert all cash back earned with the Savor card to Capital One Miles in your Venture account at a 1:1 ratio and then transfer those miles to Turkish Miles&Smiles (or any other Capital One transfer partner).

Here are some of our top picks for credit cards that earn Citi ThankYou Points:

Citi Rewards+ ® Card ($0 annual fee)
Citi Premier ® Card ($95 annual fee)

Citi Rewards+® Card

bonus points

after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.

Citi Premier® Card

Citi ThankYou Points

after making $4,000 in purchases with your card within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.

Citi Double Cash® Card

$200 cash back

after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Likewise, if you have a Citi cashback card (such as the Citi® Double Cash Card or the Citi Custom Cash® Card), you can convert that cashback to ThankYou Points at a 1:1 ratio if you also have one of the Citi ThankYou Points-earning cards. Then, you can transfer those ThankYou Points to Turkish Miles&Smiles (or any other Citi transfer partner).

Turkish Miles&Smiles is also a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, a credit card issuer that allows you to earn points for paying rent at more than 2 million rental homes across the United States with the Bilt Rewards Mastercard. Bilt points transfer to Turkish miles at a 1:1 ratio. So, your rent payments could help you book your next flight.

You can also transfer points into Turkish Miles&Smiles from three major hotel rewards programs. However, doing so is usually a bad idea as these programs offer unfavorable transfer ratios.

Here are the hotel partners and transfer ratios:

Hilton Honors (10:1 transfer ratio)
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio) — Earn a bonus of 5,000 Turkish miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred at once.
Wyndham Rewards (5:1 transfer ratio)

As you can see, these transfer ratios are very poor and will quickly devalue your hotel points. You’re much better off spending those points through the hotels’ native programs than transferring them to Turkish Miles&Smiles.

Hotel Stays

You can also earn Turkish miles directly for booking hotels with certain hotel chains and online booking engines. For one, the Miles&Smiles program has a booking portal on its website powered by Booking.com and Jolly. Miles&Smiles members can earn 2X miles per 1 euro spent through the portal. You can also earn miles for making your reservation through Booking.com and then selecting Turkish Miles&Smiles as your rewards program of choice.

You can earn Turkish miles for making bookings directly with certain hotel chains as well. The following table includes all of Turkish Airlines’s hotel partners and mileage earnings rates for each respective company.

With some of these hotel partners (such as Marriott Bonvoy or Wyndham Rewards), you’ll be forfeiting the opportunity to earn that hotel’s native rewards currency by electing to earn Turkish miles for your stay.

For example, you can’t earn both Marriott Bonvoy points and Turkish miles for your stay at a Marriott property. So, in these cases, you’ll want to weigh which currency you’d rather earn. In most cases, you’re better off earning hotel points.

Car Rentals

Like most frequent-flyer programs, Miles&Smiles is partnered with several car rental companies that allow you to earn Turkish miles for qualifying rentals. The following table includes all of Turkish Airlines’ car rental partners and how many miles you could earn with each respective company.

Unlike hotel rewards programs, most car rental companies don’t have their own rewards currency, so there’s really no downside to electing to earn airline miles for car rentals.

However, most of these car rental companies also have partnerships with several other loyalty programs. So, before you elect to earn Turkish miles on your next car rental, you may want to consider whether you’d rather earn a different airline’s miles instead.

Other Partners

Turkish Miles&Smiles is partnered with several other companies that allow you to earn Turkish miles for using their services. These include online travel booking sites, retail stores, Wi-Fi providers, secondhand car-buying platforms and more.

Here are some of Turkish Airlines’s other partners and how many miles you could earn with each of them.

How to Redeem Turkish Miles

When it comes to redeeming Turkish miles, the best way to maximize your value is to purchase award flights on Turkish Airlines or one of its partners. While there are several other options for redeeming your miles (such as buying merchandise through Shop&Miles or buying fuel at Shell gas stations), these options don’t offer as much value.

Nevertheless, let’s discuss all of the different ways to redeem Turkish miles and which of these options provide the most value.

The most obvious way to redeem Turkish miles is to purchase award flights on Turkish Airlines or AnadoluJet. To buy an award flight on Turkish Airlines or AnadoluJet, you can simply go to the Turkish Airlines homepage as if you were going to book a flight with cash, then click on the “Award ticket” box and sign in with your Miles&Smiles credentials.

Flying with Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet

After that, you can enter your desired origin, destination and travel dates, and the search engine will show the results that match your search query and their respective prices in miles.

Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet award flights are based on a region-based award chart that includes two different types of fares: standard award fares and promotional award fares, which are considerably more affordable. In general, you’ll get far more value for your miles if you’re able to purchase award tickets when they’re being offered at promotional prices.

Unfortunately, the Miles&Smiles award chart for flights operated by Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet underwent some changes in February 2024 that were bad for members. Award prices, both promotional and standard, increased across the board, making it significantly more difficult to get good value out of your miles.

Here’s the updated Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet award chart:

Turkish Airlines Award Chart February 2024

The award rates in the chart above are for one-way award flights. You also can book round-trip award flights for twice the number of miles expressed in the chart above.

For example, according to these award charts, a standard round-trip business-class ticket from Türkiye to the Southern Africa region would cost you 300,000 miles. However, if you were to purchase the same ticket at the promotional award rate, it would cost you 150,000 miles. That means that you’d be getting a 50% discount just by booking your flight at the promotional rate.

Of course, it can be much more difficult to find award flights at promotional rates than regular rates. So, if you want to get the lower price, you’ll probably have to do a good deal of searching and be flexible with your travel dates.

Another unwelcomed change that was enacted in February 2024 is that connections are now priced separately when paying with miles. For instance, if you want to fly from North America to Europe via Istanbul International Airport, you’ll need to pay for an award flight from the North America region to the Türkiye region and then another award flight from the Türkiye region to either the Europe 1 or Europe 2 region.

Before these changes were put in place, these flights in economy class would have cost you between 30,000 and 45,000 miles at promotional rates, which was excellent. Alas, members will now have to redeem 50,000 to 75,000 miles in economy class and 85,000 to 175,000 miles in business class for flights from North America to Europe that connect through Istanbul (depending on whether you’re flying to the Europe 1 or Europe 2 region and whether you get a regular or a promotional rate).

Companion Tickets

One great way to get more value out of your miles is by purchasing companion ticket awards on Turkish Airlines or AnadoluJet. Keep in mind that this option is not available for Star Alliance partners.

A companion ticket is similar to a “buy one, get one 30% off” deal. If you purchase a revenue ticket (paid for with cash) on a particular route, you then have the option to purchase a companion ticket on the same flight for 30% fewer miles than you’d pay if you bought an award ticket outright. Unfortunately, you can’t purchase companion award tickets with other award tickets; only revenue tickets qualify.

For instance, if you were to purchase a standard round-trip business-class award ticket within the Europe 1 region, it would cost you 60,000 Turkish miles. However, if you were to purchase a round-trip business-class revenue ticket in the Europe 1 region with cash and then book a companion award ticket, it would cost you 42,000 miles (with a 30% discount).

If you plan on booking two tickets on a Turkish Airlines or AnadoluJet flight in the future, using the companion award ticket is a fantastic way to get more value out of your miles. Companion awards are also available (but harder to find) at promotional prices. So, if you can find a promotional companion award ticket, you’ll get even more value.

Flying with Partners

Prior to changes made in February 2024, the Miles&Smiles program used the same award chart to price partner awards as it did for Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet awards. However, Turkish Airlines now publishes a separate award chart that applies to flights operated by both Star Alliance and non-Star Alliance partners.

To view the Miles&Smiles partner award chart , you can visit the “Award Ticket” page (which you can find under the “Redeem Miles” section of the “Miles&Smiles” dropdown menu on the Turkish Airlines website homepage). Then, select the “Award Tickets on Star Alliance and Partner Airlines” option.

To book Star Alliance award flights, you’ll need to sign in to your Miles&Smiles account and select the “Award Ticket” option from the dropdown menu below your name.

From there, you can select the “Star Award Ticket” option and search for your desired origin, destination and travel dates. Then, the site will display all Star Alliance-operated flights that match your search query.

Unfortunately, award rates for many partner-operated flights were also increased as part of the February 2024 changes. For instance, Miles&Smiles members could previously fly one way within the United States for just 7,500 miles in economy class and 12,500 miles in business class, but those rates have been increased to 10,000 miles in economy class and 15,000 miles in business class.

Nevertheless, despite the large devaluation, it’s still possible to find some redemptions that offer solid value per mile through this program.

One-Way Flights to Hawaii from Mainland U.S. for 10,000 Miles in Economy Class

The Turkish Miles&Smiles used to offer the lowest rates for award flights from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii. Although award flights on this route have recently increased in price, you can still find one-way flights from the contiguous United States to Hawaii for just 10,000 miles in economy class (an increase of just 2,500 miles) and 15,000 miles in business class.

Since cash fares between Hawaii and the mainland U.S. can often be over $400 per direction (even in economy class), booking these awards through Turkish Miles&Smiles can offer great value.

Now, because of these low prices and the popularity of Hawaii as a vacation destination, award tickets from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii can be difficult to find, particularly in premium cabins. However, it’s worth doing some searching as these flights can offer outstanding value.

For example, we found a one-way economy award on a United flight through Miles&Smiles from Denver (DEN) to Honolulu (HNL) for just 10,000 miles.

When we searched for the exact same flight through the United website, the cash price was $460.

That means that this redemption would give you a value of about 4.6 cents per mile, which is fantastic and particularly impressive for an economy-class award. You should be able to find even better value on premium cabin awards on these routes, but those are harder to find.

Another great thing about these United-operated flights is that Miles&Smiles doesn’t pass along fuel surcharges, which means that out-of-pocket costs for these award flights are typically low. For instance, for the example above, the taxes and fees are just $5.60.

Denver to Honolulu Taxes on Miles&Smiles

As you can see, using the Turkish Miles&Smiles program is one of the best ways to get from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii for cheap.

One-Way Flights from the U.S. to Europe for 55,000 Miles in Economy Class or 90,000 Miles in Business Class

You can also find decent value on award flights between the U.S. and Europe operated by Turkish Airlines and certain Star Alliance partners (such as Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines). With the new Miles&Smiles award chart, one-way flights between the North America region and the Europe 2 region cost 55,000 miles in economy class and 90,000 miles in business class, whether you’re flying with Turkish Airlines or one of its partner airlines.

In particular, if you can find business-class award space on Lufthansa flights between the U.S. and Europe, you can get great value. Although, you’ll most likely have to pay a lot of money out of pocket. For instance, we found a Lufthansa-operated business-class award itinerary between New York City (JFK) and Munich (MUC) for 90,000 miles each way (180,000 miles round-trip) and $2,078 in taxes and fees.

While 180,000 miles and $2,078 in cash may sound like a lot, if you were to book the same round-trip flight through the Lufthansa website with cash, it would cost $11,182.

So, by booking this flight with miles instead of cash, you’d be getting a value of over 5 cents per mile (factoring in the $2,078 in taxes and fees that you’d still have to pay to book the award flight). Of course, for many people, paying over $2,000 out of pocket for an award flight is a deal-breaker. However, if you’re willing to pay that much in taxes and fees, you can get great value by booking Lufthansa business-class flights between the U.S. and Europe.

You can also often find solid value on both business-class and economy-class flights between the U.S. and Europe operated by Turkish Airlines. Plus, these flights often charge far lower taxes and fees.

NY to Munich Economy and Biz Class Miles&Smiles

One-Way Domestic Flights Within North America for 10,000 Miles in Economy Class or 15,000 Miles in Business Class

One silver lining of the changes made to the Miles&Smiles award charts is that one-way domestic flights within any country now cost 10,000 miles in economy class and 15,000 in business class. This means that you can get great value on domestic flights within countries such as the U.S. or Canada where domestic flights can be long and expensive.

For instance, we found an Air Canada-operated award flight from Vancouver, Canada (YVR), to Montreal (YUL) in economy class for just 10,000 miles per direction plus 41 Canadian dollars (about $30 at the current conversion rate).

If you were to book the same flight with cash through the Air Canada website, it would cost you $343.

Thus, if you were to purchase this flight with miles through the Miles&Smiles program, you’d be getting a value of about 3.1 cents per mile (factoring in the taxes and fees which you’d have to pay on the award flight), which is pretty great for an economy-class award.

It’s worth noting that the Miles&Smiles website is notoriously glitchy and there may sometimes be award availability that doesn’t appear online (particularly if that award space appears on other Star Alliance sites like Air Canada Aeroplan or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer). So, you may be able to find more availability on these partner awards by calling Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles customer support at 1-800-874-8875.

Cash&Miles

You have the option to pay for flights partially with miles and partially with cash with the Cash&Miles feature. With this option, you can pay for up to 50% of a cash flight with miles. There’s no single conversion rate of cash to miles when using the Cash&Miles option. The conversion rate depends on factors like the flight origin, destination, date, fare, cabin class and more.

Unfortunately, using your miles this way typically doesn’t provide good value. You’re typically better off purchasing award flights either entirely with cash or entirely with miles.

Upgrade Awards

Turkish Miles&Smiles members also have the option of redeeming miles for upgrades both on Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance partners. Upgrade awards aren’t currently available on non-Star Alliance partners.

Upgrade awards on Turkish-operated flights are priced according to the following chart.

The award prices expressed in the chart above are for one-way flights. You also can purchase round-trip upgrade awards for twice the number of miles displayed in the chart above.

It costs 20,000 miles for upgrades from economy class to business on direct Turkish Airlines flights within the same region (with the exception of flight upgrades within Türkiye, which cost 10,000 miles). For example, if you were to purchase an upgrade on a one-way direct flight within the Europe 1 region operated by Turkish Airlines, it would cost you 20,000 miles.

Turkish Airlines publishes a separate award chart for upgrade awards on Star Alliance partners , which can be found under the “Redeem Miles” section of the “Miles&Smiles” dropdown menu on the Turkish Airlines website homepage.

Although you can use miles to upgrade Turkish Airlines flights from economy class to business class only (due to the fact that Turkish Airlines doesn’t offer a first-class product), you can use Turkish miles to upgrade from economy to business or from business to first class on Star Alliance partners.

In general, you can get more value out of your miles by redeeming them for award flights instead of upgrades. However, upgrade redemptions on Turkish Airlines or Star Alliance partners definitely aren’t the worst ways that you could spend your Turkish miles.

Flight Extras

Turkish Miles&Smiles members can use their miles to purchase extras on their flights, including extra baggage, taxes and seat selection.

Only Miles&Smiles Classic Plus, Elite and Elite Plus members have the option to redeem miles for taxes on award flight purchases. When redeeming your miles this way, you can redeem 1,000 miles for 100 Turkish lira (about $3.50 at the current conversion rate) in taxes. That means you’d be getting a value of about 0.3 cent per mile, which is extremely poor. So, you’re much better off redeeming your miles for award flights and then paying any taxes on those award flights in cash.

Regardless of your Miles&Smiles membership status, you can redeem your miles for extra baggage on flights. The cost in miles depends on several factors, such as flight route, layovers and the airline operating the flight.

Miles&Smiles members also can redeem their miles for seat selection on flights, including extra legroom seats, emergency exit seats, standard seats and baby stroller seats. Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members receive standard seat selection for free.

In general, redeeming miles for flight extras provides little value per mile, meaning you’re better off saving your Turkish miles for award flight redemptions.

Buying Merchandise Through Shop&Miles

Through the Turkish Airlines Shop&Miles portal, you can redeem your Turkish miles for merchandise and dining in several countries throughout the world, including:

Netherlands
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States

Each of these countries have different partner brands that accept Turkish miles and different offers. You can either purchase gift cards or use the MilesPoints or MilesPay option. The MilesPoints option involves using your miles to purchase points that can then be spent at certain retailers. The MilesPay option involves shopping through a specific partner platform and redeeming Turkish miles directly for products or services.

Unfortunately, redeeming miles for merchandise through Shop&Miles is a poor deal. For instance, you could buy an IKEA gift card for 3,000 miles worth 300 Turkish lira (about $10.50).

Thus, this redemption would yield a value of less than 0.3 cent per mile. As you’ve seen from previous redemption examples, it’s possible to get far more value out of your miles.

The Bottom Line

The Turkish Miles&Smiles program has been a long-time favorite of points and miles enthusiasts because of its incredible sweet spots. Unfortunately, the program experienced a major devaluation in February 2024 when award rates increased across the board and many of these sweet spots disappeared.

Still, the Miles&Smiles program has a lot to offer for U.S.-based travelers, mostly due to the fact that it’s a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One Rewards and the fact that Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance. That means that you can transfer your credit card points to the Miles&Smiles program and redeem them for Star Alliance flight awards that offer outsized value.

In particular, you can find excellent value on domestic flights around the U.S. and Canada operated by United Airlines and Air Canada, which makes the Turkish Miles&Smiles program relevant for U.S.-based readers.

For example, you can fly one way in United economy class from the mainland U.S. to Hawaii for just 10,000 miles. You can also fly one way domestically in Canada for just 10,000 miles in economy class or 15,000 miles in business class.

A great way to get even more value out of your Turkish miles is to redeem them for companion awards. When you purchase a flight ticket with cash for yourself on a Turkish Airlines flight, you can buy a companion ticket with Turkish miles on the same flight for 70% of the standard mileage rate.

All in all, while Turkish Miles&Smiles may not be the frequent-flyer program that you use most often, it’s certainly one that you should be familiar with (particularly if you have a Bilt Rewards, Capital One or Citi credit card) as this program offers some solid sweet spots on its own flights as well as Star Alliance partner flights.

New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!

Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points

after you spend $4,000 in 3 months

American Express® Gold Card

Membership Rewards® Points

after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms apply.

How We’d Use 75,000 Capital One Venture Miles

Travis Cormier

12 Minute Read

Anya Kartashova

10 Minute Read

2 Minute Read

Turkish Miles&Smiles: Complete guide to earning and redeeming miles

Editor's Note

Turkish Miles&Smiles is known for being a hidden gem of a loyalty program that offers an award chart with attractive redemption rates for economy-ticketed flights, and particularly more so for business-class travel. However, as of Feb. 15, 2024, Turkish Airlines devalued its award chart , making its once-lucrative sweet spots no longer as lucrative.

Despite rates having increased, some options remain relatively well priced. You can still fly relatively cheaply on domestic flights within the U.S. For example, you can redeem 10,000 miles to fly United Airlines from cities within the mainland U.S. to Hawaii when booking with the program. Compared to 200,000-plus miles, which some programs charge due to dynamic pricing , there are still some perks to the program for certain redemptions.

Another benefit? The program is a 1:1 transfer partner of three popular transferable currencies.

If you want to learn about an international frequent flyer program that can let you book a flight to Hawaii for just 10,000 miles, here's what you need to know about Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles.

How to earn Turkish Miles&Smiles

Transfer points from credit card programs

While there are no Turkish-branded credit cards available in the U.S., you can transfer rewards from three programs with transferable currencies directly to Miles&Smiles at a rate of 1:1: Bilt Rewards , Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards .

There's only one card that allows you to earn Bilt Points: the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees ). While it doesn't offer a welcome bonus, it does allow you to pay rent with no transaction fees and earn 1 point per dollar (up to 100,000 points per calendar year). You'll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining and 2 points per dollar spent on travel, though note that you must have at least five eligible transactions during your billing period (see rewards and benefits ).

Meanwhile, here's a list of some currently available cards that earn transferable Capital One miles :

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ($95 annual fee; see rates and fees ): New cardmembers earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee; see rates and fees ): New cardmembers earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (no annual fee; see rates and fees ): New cardmembers earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 within the first three months from account opening.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit (no annual fee; see rates and fees ).
Capital One Spark Miles for Business ($0 annual fee for the first year, then $95; see rates and fees ): New cardmembers can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business (no annual fee): New cardmembers can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

The information for the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Finally, here are some of our favorite Citi cards that can earn ThankYou points:

Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ): Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees ): Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ; must also have a linked ThankYou account): Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Citi Custom Cash® Card (see rates and fees ; must also have a linked ThankYou account): Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.

Related: The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners

Transfer points from hotel programs

You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 3:1 (so 3,000 Bonvoy points would become 1,000 Turkish points).

For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer, you'll receive a bonus of 5,000 Miles&Smiles points.

Related: 17 ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points

Earn points for flying

You can fly Turkish Airlines-operated flights to earn reward miles based on your fare class, Miles&Smiles elite status level and the distance of the flight.

If you flew Turkish Airlines from Los Angeles to Istanbul (a 6,865-mile route) in a discounted U economy fare class, you would earn 25% of the miles flown or 1,716 redeemable miles. That's not great, but it's something.

Turkish Airlines is in the Star Alliance . As a result, you can also earn miles by flying Turkish's partner airlines and crediting those miles to your Miles&Smiles account. For many U.S.-based travelers, the most likely partner to fly and credit to Miles&Smiles would likely be United Airlines — especially given the program's recent devaluations .

You'll earn Turkish miles based on the fare class and distance of your United-operated flight.

There are different earning charts for each partner airline. So, be sure to check if your fare class is eligible to earn miles and how many miles you'll earn before deciding to put your Turkish frequent flyer number on a partner reservation.

Finally, Turkish miles expire three years from the time they're earned. You can pay a rather expensive fee of $10 for every 1,000 miles that are about to expire to extend them for another three years. However, you should plan on using your Turkish miles long before they expire.

Related: How to keep your points and miles from expiring

How to redeem Turkish Miles&Smiles

How to book a turkish airlines-operated award flight.

If you want to book an award ticket operated only by Turkish Airlines, you can get to the award booking engine from the Turkish homepage by clicking the "Award ticket" checkbox.

This will require you to log in to your Miles&Smiles account and then bring you to the award ticket booking engine, where you can enter your origin, destination, dates, class of service and number of passengers. Pro tip: Don't include the leading TK portion of your account number when you log in. Also, remember this first search screen is only for Turkish-operated flight itineraries.

After you select a flight, you'll see the flight details, the aircraft type and the award space labeled as promotional pricing or regular pricing, which will match the published award charts.

The following page will give you the total flight cost, including taxes and fees, even if you don't have the required miles in your account.

How to book a Star Alliance partner award flight

If you want to search for Star Alliance-operated award flights (such as those operated by United, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand and others), you must find the Star Alliance award search engine.

To access Star Alliance award searches, log into your Turkish Miles&Smiles account. On the drop-down menu (below your name), select "Miles Transactions" as shown below.

On the next page, you'll see the link that will take you to the Star Alliance award ticket booking engine.

The Star Alliance search engine looks identical to the Turkish-operated award search engine, except it says "Star Award Ticket" at the top.

You can then follow the same process to book partner flights.

Related: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability

Things to know about Turkish Miles&Smiles

The best way to redeem Turkish miles is for award flights. While other options may exist in the program, booking Turkish Airlines- or Star Alliance-operated flights will get you maximum value.

With that in mind, here are a few of the most important rules and nuances of Miles&Smiles:

Miles&Smiles prices award flights on region-based award charts .
There are two levels of award availability for Turkish-operated flights: regular and promotional. Regular doesn't technically have a name. It is just labeled "award ticket" when you see it in the search results. "Promo space" (still referred to as "limited space capacity" in the terms and conditions) means fewer seats are available at a much lower mileage cost than the regular "award ticket" space.
You can book one-way awards for half the price of a round-trip journey.
You can redeem miles for anyone besides yourself, but you must register them in your Miles&Smiles account first.
If you need additional miles to purchase an award ticket, you can buy them at a rate of $30 (including value-added tax) per every 1,000 miles (up to 50,000 miles per calendar year).
Fuel surcharges are not charged on United flights and are somewhat reasonable on Turkish flights but can be problematic on some Star Alliance carriers like Lufthansa and Swiss.
Award tickets can be canceled or changed for a fee of $70.
One open jaw is allowed on a round-trip ticket. An open jaw is an itinerary when you fly into one city and out of another.
One stopover is allowed on the outbound or return of a Turkish Airlines-operated award itinerary. A stopover is when you stay in a city along the path of your itinerary for a period of time.

Best uses of Turkish Miles&Smiles

Hawaii for 10,000 miles one-way in economy or 15,000 miles one-way in business class

Flights within the same region, as defined by the Turkish region chart, cost 20,000 miles round trip. Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is specifically included in the North America region (though all other Hawaii destinations price out the same) along with the rest of the U.S. This makes one-way flights to the Aloha State cost only 10,000 miles each way. These awards are bookable online and carry no fuel surcharges.

Even nonstop itineraries from the East Coast cost just 10,000 miles each way.

Theoretically, you can fly in business class for just 15,000 miles each way (a tiny fraction of the more than 40,000 miles United would charge). However, know that business-class awards to Hawaii are extremely hard to find.

Alaska, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands for 10,000 miles one-way in economy or 15,000 miles one-way in first class

We're starting to sound like a broken record at this point, but hang in there: San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are grouped in with the rest of the U.S. This means award flights are 10,000 miles each way in economy or 15,000 miles in first class.

While United doesn't usually fly fancy lie-flat seats to these destinations, the flight can be long enough that doing it in domestic first class is still a bargain for just 15,000 miles — that is, if you can snag it.

US to Mexico for 30,000 miles one-way in economy or 40,000 miles one-way in business class

You can book that beach getaway from the U.S. down to Mexico for just 30,000 miles in economy or 40,000 miles in business class. Whether you choose to fly to Cancun International Airport (CUN), Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) or Mexico City International Airport (MEX), the Turkish award price to fly United is the same awesome deal.

For comparison, United would cost less, at least 7,300 miles each way in economy or 35,000 miles to sit up front in each direction.

US to Turkey for 65,000 miles one-way in business class

Turkish Airlines has separate award charts for flights operated by Star Alliance carriers and those operated by Turkish Airlines. You can fly from anywhere within North America (Mexico and Canada included) to Istanbul for 65,000 miles in business class on Turkish Airlines, Star Alliance partners or a combination of both.

These prices are attractive if flying from the West Coast to Istanbul, which can cost upward of 90,000 miles when booking through Air Canada Aeroplan .

Intra-Oceania for 50,000 miles one-way in business class

Intra-Oceania is a big zone stretching from French Polynesia to Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Turkish Airlines makes it possible to fly to the region for 50,000 miles one-way in business class.

These can be tough awards to score — Air New Zealand is generally your best bet — but they're a steal when you can book them. The catch? We haven't gotten the online search site to recognize the gateway to French Polynesia — Tahiti's Faaa International Airport (PPT) — so you may have to call to book those awards.

Award pricing

Turkish Airlines maintains two award charts: one for flights on Turkish Airlines and another for flights on Star Alliance partners. For award flights on Turkish Airlines, the award chart is as follows.

The award chart for Star Alliance partners slightly varies from Turkish Airlines by being more on the expensive side for point redemptions. Below is a snippet of the award chart.

Some awards price out more than competitors, so it's best to calculate across different programs to see which offers the best award pricing alongside the cost of any additional taxes and fees.

Additive segment pricing

When creating itineraries with multiple segments spanning different regions, the Miles&Smiles program practices additive pricing.

For example, a flight from Dubai to London is priced on each segment: Dubai to Istanbul for 18,000 miles and Istanbul to London for 15,000 miles. While the previous Miles&Smiles program did not practice additive pricing, the current program makes it difficult to use previously lucrative award redemptions across regions.

Bottom line

The game of chasing the best frequent flyer programs and redemptions is always changing. No single program is the best at everything, but the Turkish Miles&Smiles program is worth investigating. There are some excellent value redemptions still available, especially for those who have access to Bilt points, Citi ThankYou Rewards points or Capital One miles and like to fly on Star Alliance airlines.

See Bilt Mastercard rates and fees here . See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here .

134 Funny Travel Quotes That Will Make You Laugh 2024

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Looking for a laugh? Check out this bumper collection of the funniest and most relatable travel quotes out there.

Designed to put a smile on your face and inspire your next travel adventure, these funny travel quotes will banish boredom and keep you entertained whilst you wait for your next trip to roll around. They are created to be shared, so make sure you send your favorite ones onto your friends!

Fun Quotes About Traveling When You’re Broke

Stuck somewhere between “I need to save” and “you only live once”.
Friend: Let’s go to Bora Bora. Me: Man, I wanna go, but I’m pora pora.
My favorite childhood memory is my parents paying for my holidays.
When you’re trying to save money for a house, but end up with a one-way ticket to some tropical island.
If traveling was free, BYE!

Funny Quotes about Travel

I need a reasonably paid job. Something like $2000 an hour. Nothing too wild…
Me: “I want to travel more”, the bank account: “Like, to the park?”
Me before vacation: “I’m going to be responsible with my money. This is a low budget trip. I’m gonna stay in a hostel and everything.”Me on vacation: *orders fancy drinks, rides a jetski, goes skydiving, buys souvenirs for the uncle’s new girlfriend and adopts an alpaca.*
I wish that road trips could pay my bills.

Funny Travel Instagram Captions

At the end of the day…I’d rather like to have a lot of stories to tell, than a full bank account.
I wish I was a postcard. For under $2 you can travel the world to any location in the world.
Do you ever stress about money and then accidentally book another flight?
I wish travel therapy was covered by my health insurance.
Backpacking is money spent on Education.
Bank account nice and empty. Starting the new year on a clean slate.

Funny Captions on Travel For When You’re At Work

How can people my age plan spontaneous trips to Thailand, I can barely afford a spontaneous soft pretzel.
I love when people say “just quit your job and travel.” Taking an Uber from the bar to my home is the only travel I can afford.
Go to work. Open computer. Scroll for plane tickets for 6 hours. Close computer. Go home.
I need a vacation so long, I forget all my passwords!

Funny Holiday Quotes

Work tip: Stand up. Stretch. Take a walk. Go to the airport. Get on a plane. Never return.
Yeah, working is great…but have you tried travelling.
There should be sympathy cards for having to go back to work after vacation.
Physically I’m here. Mentally I’m in a pool in Bali ordering my third mojito.
Ironing boards are surfboards that gave up their dreams and got a boring job. Don’t be an ironing board.

Funny Captions for Trip with Friends

Life is short. Call in sick and book that last minute flight.
I feel like most of my work problems could be solved with a trip to…anywhere.
I googled my symptoms. Turns out I just needed to go on a vacay.
I’m getting tired of waking up and not being at the beach.

Travel Quotes About Funny But True Life Priorities

Everyone is pregnant, engaged or getting married. I just wanna lose weight and travel.
Forget champagne and caviar – Taste the world instead
I travel a lot, I hate having my life disrupted by routine
I just want to travel the world, overspend at IKEA and drink coffee while cuddling puppies.
Friend 1: I’m getting a house. Friend 2: I’m having a baby. Friend 3: I’m getting married Me: I’m headed to the airport.

Holiday Quotes Funny

People having babies…and I’m like: What country am I going to next?
I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just want a paycheck to buy plane tickets.
I don’t want a house. I just want to travel and pet a lot of dogs.
Screw the caviar, I want to travel the world!
Reality called, so I hung up.

Funny Quotes For Vacation Obsessed Globetrotters

I need 6 months of vacation. Twice a year.
I’m a travel fiend on the road to recovery. Just kidding. I’m headed to the airport.
I’ve got 99 problems. But I’m on vacation so I’m ignoring them all!
“You can’t buy happiness” Okay, explain travel then…
Travsessed ( n .) An obsession with travel. When all you talk or think about is your past or future trips

Vacation Quotes Funny

It’s bad manners to keep a vacation waiting.
Good things come to those, who book flights.
I heard an airplane passing overhead. I wished I was on it.
Tripophobia (n.) The fear of not having any travel trips currently booked.
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy plane tickets, which is kind of the same thing.

Funny Quotes on Travel

Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas and take your next trip in kilometers. – George Carlin
A coconut a day keeps the doctor away.
“Be strong”, I whisper to my WiFi signal
Jetlag is for amateurs

Funny Vacation Captions You Can Relate To

My parents complain I travel too much. I mean, I could be a dr*ggie, do they realize how lucky they are?
A plane ticket is the answer. Who cares what the question is.
Don’t speak the language. Already said 3 times “what”. Now just smile and nod and hope for the best.
Me travelling. Person: “Un Cafe?” Me: “Oui” Person: “Sucre” Me: “Non” Person: “You speak very good french” Me: “Gracias”
You’ve never felt true fear until your passport isn’t where you think you left it.

Travel Captions Funny

Have you ever stopped to think, maybe travel is into me?
Education is important. But travel is importanter!
If anyone is Christmas shopping for me, I wear a size 7-day Caribbean cruise.
Me thinking about how many flights I can book for the cost of a new iPhone 14 Pro.
I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going. Are you coming with me?

Funny Quotes about Traveling

Europeans: I drove 40 minutes to spend the weekend in Paris, then popped to Germany to visit family on the way home. Australians: I was in Queensland and drove for 18 hours. Now I’m still in Queensland.
That moment when you’re asked where you got something and you answer with the name of the country, not the name of the store.
Travelling is like a chocolate box. Don’t matter what you get. All is good.

Funny Quotes On Travel And Love

Girls don’t wait for the prince anymore, they pack and travel the world.
All you need is love a passport.
I followed my heart and it led me to the airport.
If you had to choose between true love or travelling the world, which country would you visit first?
All I want for Christmas is you forever vacation.

Travel Funny Quotes

Imagine falling in love with someone and then finding out they clap their hands when the plane lands.
Some people spend their life searching for “the one”. I’m just searching for the one good travel deal.
I’ve got a crush on the world.
I want someone to look at me the way I look at a travel magazine!

Funny Travel Memes About The Life Goals Of A Traveller

Birds literally just eat, travel, and make a mess on things they don’t like. I don’t know about you, but that’s the lifestyle I’m striving for.
By 35, if I’m not engaged or already starting a family, I declare myself the aunt who’s always travelling & comes to family events tipsy.
High five if you don’t know what you’re doing with your life and just want to travel the world.
I want to live in the world where searching for plane tickets burns calories.
Everyone should believe in something. I believe I should be on the beach drinking Margaritas.

Short Funny Travel Quotes

Be afraid. And do it anyway.
Can we just skip to the part in my life where I travel the world?
I just need a large coffee, a plane ticket and a bag full of cash.
Getting out of bed would be 10x easier if there was a Caribbean ocean and 30 degree weather waiting outside for you.
I love those days when my only decision is whether to go to the beach in the morning or in the afternoon.
Live a life you don’t need a vacation from.

Funny Quotes about Vacation

Work hard. Travel harder.
I need a holiday. And by “holiday” I mean I need to move away and find a job. On the beach. With cocktails.
The temptation to go to the airport, buy a one-way ticket, leave the country and live on my own has never been so real.
Ladies, imagine this. It’s 15 years from now, and you have no kids. You’re the cool wine aunt that occasionally comes back to the country for a brief visit before leaving for another long exotic vacation. You have no commitments, and a suspicious amount of money.

Funny Vacation Quotes About Packing

Packs 2 hours before leaving for a trip. Unpacks 3 months after coming home.
Going on a trip. Need about 5 outfits. I’ve packed 35 just to be safe.
Me: triple checked packing list Also me: *forgets underwear, contact solution, and favorite chapstick*.
Watches Netflix happily. Remembers you need to pack. Watches Netflix stressfully.

Funny Traveling Quotes

Me: I’m not going to overpack this time. Inner me: I need this. I will need that as well. I need everything.
Procrastapacking (n.) the act of thinking about packing a suitcase instead of actually doing it.
Overpack. It’s why suitcases have wheels now.

Funny Adventure Quotes

I haven’t worn these trousers since I bought them. I should definitely pack them for my 3 day vacation. Just in case.
So, do I live out of a suitcase for the next month? Do I unpack just to repack again? Do I put my toothbrush back in the bathroom? I’m a visitor in my own house what the heck.
My favorite thing to pack on trips are all the clothes I never wear at home and then find fun, flirty and exciting ways to not wear them while I’m away.

Funny Captions for Travel

Normal life: Wears the same top every day for a week. Packing for 3-day vacation: I’ll probably change a few times a day so I’ll take 21 tops.
I have been to almost as many places as my luggage.
Me getting ready for vacation: manicure and pedicure, buy new Sephora products, spray tan, get waxed, get hair done, work out for a month, live off kale and veggies, try on 30K swimsuits and cry in dressing rooms. Husband getting ready for vacation: packs a bathing suit, flip-flops, a T-shirt, and calls it a day.

Funny Travel Captions About Airports

Running to the gate is my cardio.
Airports: the only place where drinking 8 AM is socially acceptable.
The airport is a lawless place. 7 am? Drink a beer. Tired? Sleep on the floor. Hungry? Chips now cost 17$.
A passport holder sounds like a great idea until you get to the airport and have to remove it 4 billion times.

Funny Adventure Captions

Worrying you’ve accidentally packed 3 kilos of dr*gs and an animal carcass as you walk through “nothing to declare” at the airport.
I love those days when my only decision is window or aisle.
“Be right back…” Just running away from Monday and going straight to the airport.

Traveling Quotes That Are Funny

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need a trip.
Vacation calories don’t count, right?
What’s that medical condition called where you constantly need to have a trip booked?
Should I book another flight to go abroad? Brain: no. Wallet: no. Mom: no. Dog: no. Universe: no…I think I’m gonna book the flight.
You can’t make everyone happy. You are not a plane ticket.

Vacation Funny Quotes

TIP: You won’t get the holiday blues if you just keep booking holidays.
You know it’s time for a vacation when you start looking like the person on your driving license…
In desperate need of a full body massage, 4 days of sleep and a ticket to the Bahamas.
Can’t decide if I need a hug, an XL coffee, 6 ounces of vodka, or 2 months of travel.
Travitude (n.) when you start to feel grumpy and sassy because you haven’t travelled in a while.
My mom watches a special type of news program that only reports on horrible incidents happening in places I’m about to visit.

Funny Travel Captions for Instagram

121. “Jet lag is for amateurs.” — Dick Clark

122. “Worst thing about being a tourist, is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist!” – Russell Baker

123. “You define a good flight by negatives: you didn’t get hijacked, you didn’t crash, you didn’t throw up, you weren’t late, you weren’t nauseated by the food. So you are grateful.” – Paul Theroux

124. “I’m getting used to wearing flip flops everywhere. It’s a dangerous place to be. Next thing you know, I’m gonna show to a board meeting in sandals.”

Travel Funny Captions

125. “Airplane travel is nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo.” — Al Gore

126. “Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” – Steve Martin

127. “People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

128. “Don’t worry about the world ending today; it’s already tomorrow in Australia.” – Charles M. Schulz

129. “Airline travel is hours of boredom interrupted by stark moments of terror.” – Al Boliska

130. “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them” – Mark Twain

131. “Drink heavily with the locals whenever possible.” – Anthony Bourdain

132. “I travel light but not at the same speed.” – Jarod Kintz

133. “A hotel room all to myself is my idea of a good time.” – Chelsea Handler

134. “I crossed a time zone and I feel younger already. If I keep traveling west, I can become immortal.” – Jarod Kintz

That’s 134 Best Funny Trip Quotes

That’s a wrap on my hand picked selection of the best funny travel quote and witty puns out there. I hope they’ve entertained you and brought a smile to your face.

If so, I’d love to know which of these funny quotes about adventure were your favorites and if you know of any more I need to add to this list please comment below!

Remember, if you loved these funny travel quotes and want more inspiration and motivation check out the other travel captions and quotes I’ve compiled:

Travel with Friends Quotes
Solo Travel Quotes
Summer Captions for Instagram
London Quotes
Road Trip Quotes
Sunrise Captions for Instagram
Mountain Quotes
Ocean Instagram Captions
Best Nature Quotes
Beach Quotes
Hiking Quotes
Outdoor Quotes
Quotes about Exploration
Waterfall Quotes
Sunset Captions for Instagram
Miami Quotes
California Instagram Captions
Arizona Quotes
If you prefer visuals check out my Pinterest Travel Quotes board

Save Travel Quotes Funny to Pinterest for Later

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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15 reasons you must visit Moscow

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / 15 reasons you must visit Moscow

Home to almost over 12 million souls, Moscow is many things to many people, and everyone finds their own reasons to visit Moscow. There is an infinite number of reasons to visit Moscow and its attractions. To make it easier for travellers, we created a list of the crowd’s top fifteen reasons and attractions everyone should visit when in Moscow.

Table of Contents

1. Indulge in countless historical and modern artworks

Whether you are just dipping your toes into the art world or you know everything about arts, Moscow is a must-visit for every self-proclaimed or certified art connoisseur and historian. The city has numerous historical and contemporary museums and art galleries and they are essential in the list when you visit Moscow. Among the plethora of galleries and museums is The State Tretyakov Gallery holding the world’s foremost collection of Russian fine art. Another is the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts which showcases artworks from the ancient times to this day such as the paintings of Rembrandt, Botticelli, Van Gogh, and Picasso. The Moscow Museum of Modern Art , on the other hand, displays artworks created in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Moscow is not only home to famous historical paintings, the city also showcases modern, educational, and multimedia arts. The Moscow Planetarium is one of the biggest planetariums in the world. It is an interactive museum that educates everyone with their scientific resources. The openness of Russia to new forms of arts can be seen in the Multimedia Art Museum, Winzavod (Wine Factory), Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Lumiere Brothers Photography Center . These art galleries unite all forms of media, arts, and modern culture.

For the love of art, moreover, they have converted former industrial areas to unique art spaces. ARTPLAY Center of Design and Flacon Design Factory are two of the known art spaces for local organisations and artists to express their creativity, host their own workshops, lectures, design festivals, concerts, performances, and exhibits.

TIP: Open Museum Day in Moscow offers free day-time admission in most city museums every third Sunday of the month. Forty museums and art galleries are participating including the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics , and State Museum of Ceramics and Kuskovo Estate of the 18th Century.

If you’re craving for more museum adventures, we have created a list of the best museum to visit in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

2. Step onto the mighty Red Square

Walk onto the uneven cobblestones alongside the throngs of bustling citizens and you’ll see centuries of Russian (and world) history reflected in the architecture of Red Square. It is the epicentre of Russia. The country’s major highways and Moscow’s main streets all originate from the Red Square. However, it is not only the heart of Russian streets but is also the heart of Russian history and culture where most of the biggest Russian events and changes unfolded such as high-profile executions and military parades. The city square also served as the main marketplace and site for national public ceremonies and festive processions. Being considered as a sacred place, it is absolutely a must-see when you visit Moscow.

Official commemorations and parades today are still mostly held in the square. The surrounding buildings of the Red Square also add great significance to why you should include the beautiful square on your bucket list when you visit Moscow. Some of these famous attractions are iconic:

St. Basil’s Cathedral
Lenin’s Mausoleum
The Kremlin
Kazan Cathedral
The historical GUM Department Store
State Historical Museum
The Iberian Gate (also known as the Resurrection Gate and Chapel

3. Visit the Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin , together with Red Square was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. UNESCO included this architectural ensemble not just because of its outstanding design but also because of its rich historical and political linkage. That is why you should not miss this when you visit Moscow. It is located on Borovitsky Hill just above the Moskva River, on the west side of the magnificent Red Square. It serves as the Russian President’s residence and treasure houses such as the Armory Chamber Museum and the Russian Diamond Fund . Two Royal Cathedrals, the Secret Garden, and Ivan the Great Bell Tower are some of the attractions you can visit inside the Kremlin. Also, along the Kremlin wall is where you can see the gravestones of most Soviet leaders -including Stalin’s.

TIP: The Kremlin is open every day except on Thursdays and tickets for each establishment inside the Kremlin are sold separately. They also limit the number of daily visitors. May to September of every year is considered as the peak season.

4. Awaken your senses in the Bolshoi theatre

The Bolshoi Ballet Company is one of the most enduring symbols of Russia’s esteemed cultural traditions, and Moscow’s Bolshoi (Big) Theatre is the association’s fittingly elegant headquarters. Moscow’s oldest theatre has been painstakingly restored and renovated in recent years. It is a must-see day or night with their world-famous opera and ballet performances when you visit Moscow. Taking in an evening performance of a classic Russian ballet like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is one of the city’s most captivating cultural experiences.

Aside from the Bolshoi Theatre, there are around 170 theatres in the city; each of which features unique performances. It is the sole reason why Moscow is coined as the “City of Theatres”. No matter what genre, as long as it is in Moscow it will be surreal. No wonder the city attracts all theatregoers around the globe. To name a few, here are the must-visit theatres around the city: (1) Maly Theatre which showcases classic traditions of Russian Theatre, (2) Moscow Art Theatre combines classical and modern drama traditions, and (4) Theatre of Nations and (5) Gogol Centre further popularized modern arts such as post-drama and comedy production.

TIP: Most people have been planning to witness a performance (especially in Bolshoi Theatre) for years. Remember to check and purchase tickets ahead of time before getting excited to watch the spectacular performance. Also, wearing your best evening dress won’t hurt.

5. Enjoy the ambiance of Moscow parks

While Moscow’s attractions are usually known as a mixture of extravagant Tsarist architecture and stern Soviet buildings, much of Moscow is actually surprisingly green and the city’s parks have grown into its pride and joy over the years. Take a break from walking around historical establishments and rest in these well-groomed green areas. These parks provide some of Moscow’s best people-watching spots and offer various activities you can do with your group or with the locals from playing sports and board games on the pavement to simply enjoying the outdoor cafes.

Slow down from the hectic pace of the city life by having a stop-over in the most popular green spaces when you visit Moscow. Gorky Park has its own telegraph and clinic, Park of Arts Museum often hosts music festivals, art fairs and exhibits, and lastly, Sokolniki Park and Izmailovsky Park have bike rentals and small amusement parks that are perfect for family day-outs.

6. Experience the magnificent Moscow Metro

Apart from being an extremely handy way to get around the city, Moscow’s metro system is a striking feat of engineering. Opened in 1935, it is one of the largest and oldest underground railway systems in the world. Its grand stations are remarkably beautiful. With their grandiose architecture, intricate mosaics, and dramatic sculptures, it has turned many metro stations into picturesque tourist attractions. There are 12 lines and a total of 200 stations. Elektrozavodskaya, Arbatskaya, Kievskaya, Komsomolskaya, and Mayakovskaya are just a few of the magical stations that seems to be like an underground palace.

Visit Moscow grand stations during “dead hours” —11 am to 2 pm or after 10 pm in order get the most out of the spectacular metro stations. And for the sake of courtesy and respect, always give your seat to Babushkas or the beautiful Russian grannies on the train. Train tickets can be shared and you can buy them for 1, 2, 20, 40, and 60 trips. Unlimited Metro travel for 1, 3, and 7 full days are also available from 210 to 800 rubles. Alternatively, you can purchase a Troika Card which costs 50 rubles and allows you to travel on all public transportation in Moscow.

7. Be amazed by the beauty & grace of Moscow’s churches

In Moscow, the majority of religion belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church which has 320 of total parishes in Moscow alone. Thus, it is not surprising that Orthodox churches and its unique architecture are one of the must-sees when you visit Moscow. Onion domes had long been known as the classic design of Orthodox churches in Russia. Below, we will mention some of the iconic churches you shouldn’t miss seeing in the city.

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed or St. Basil Cathedral is perhaps the most popular and most unusual church in the country. It is located at the Southern end of the Red Square. Built in 1555, it is originally called the Intercession Cathedral to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s victory over the Tatars. The bonfire-flame-shaped-cathedral has nine towers full of colours, shapes, and patterns. It was designed like a maze as a whole while each way leads to nine chapels with creatively decorated interiors. The magnificent cathedral is open every day except for the first Wednesday of every month.

With its golden onion domes, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the largest cathedral of all Russian Orthodox Church and has the capacity of over a thousand devotees. However, there is another known cathedral with golden domes —the Cathedral of the Assumption. What makes this cathedral different is that its domes are not just gold, but they are also light-reflecting sitting inside the Kremlin. Lastly, we would like to feature a church with neo-gothic architecture –the Moscow Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral. It is the largest Catholic building in the country. To this day, masses and Catholic religious services are still being conducted in different languages in the cathedral.

8. Visit Moscow streets and the monumental architecture

The beautiful architecture of museums and churches, makes each city street a sight to behold. For sure you’ll have a jaw-dropping moment at least once when you visit Moscow. The streets around the Red Square are a good start for you to stroll and have them as background for your OOTD photos.

Tverskaya Stree t is known as Moscow’s fashion street and main street. This street is also one of the most expensive streets in the world, basing from the commercial rental fees. Another fashion district, Kuznetsky Most (literally translates to Blacksmith’s bridge)is where popular shops such as “Kuznetsky Most 20” – a famous concept store and “House of Foreign Books” (which is the best foreign-language bookshop) are located. Ulitsa Varvaka claims to be the oldest street and has the most churches in the city; it also shows the more medieval side of Moscow. If you are looking for high-end souvenirs, take a look at the shops on Arbat Street . Just do not forget to negotiate with the vendors and ask for discounts! Also, you get a chance to taste local vodkas as they offer free samples on the street.

9. Enjoy Moscow street food and fine dining restaurants

Moscow can surprise even the most demanding gourmands with the variety of foods , flavours and dining scenes the city has to offer. Russian cuisine is famous for exotic soups and rustic, hearty dishes like pelmeni (meat dumplings), pancakes with different fillings, and last but not the least, caviar. Sweets are also a big thing in the Russian kitchen and they are incomparable with other confectioneries that can be bought outside the country. “RotFront” soya bars , Chak-Chak Sticks and Kozinaki are just a few of the most popular sweet snacks in Moscow.

Great food is everywhere, 24 hours a day in the city. Yar , one of the oldest restaurants in Russia has been serving local Russian cuisines for nearly a century now in Moscow. Another restaurant, Praga , which opened 150 years ago is known for its European and Russian dishes in addition to their pastry shop on the ground floor. Cafe Pushkin , a three-storey restaurant is open 24 hours a day. Each floor has its own menu and theme: the Pharmacy, Library, and the Fireplace Room. The Library floor is said to have the best view of the Tverskoy Boulevard during breakfast. However, if you want to time travel, find the secret door of Mari Vanna and experience what it is like to live in a Soviet home 50 years ago. Watch old Soviet channels and look through old bookcases and photos while having traditional Russian stews and pies. And oh, do not forget to book for tables!

But there’s so much more to Moscow’s modern gastronomic landscape. From sophisticated new takes on old-school cooking to cosmopolitan eateries offering refined cuisine from around the world, Moscow is also boasting with street foods. Chebureki or cheburechnaya, as what some cafes call them, are fried triangle-shaped thin dough stuffed with minced meat and spices. On the other hand, Blini is a better option for those who have a sweet tooth. They are crepes that can be filled with, cheese, jam, honey, ham, condensed milk, or red caviar. Today, Blini are famously made and sold in Teremok — a popular fast-food chain. Another fast-food chain has popularised a Russian local snack: Kroshka-Kartoshka . Although the name translates to “tiny potato”, they serve enormous baked potatoes with cheese, pickled mushrooms, butter, and other fillings. And lastly, pirozhki, which means pie seems to be the symbol of Russian street foods. Just look around the streets and try the four local snacks that we’ve mentioned and you’ll realise that every food is stuffed and/or filled with something. Now it is your turn to stuff your belly with Moscow street food!

10. Shop till you drop in Moscow boutiques

Muscovites are mad-shoppers and once you see the brands and collectives in each shopping centre, you might become one of them. From the most glamorous high-end fashion brands, art and design pieces, to antiques and traditional handicrafts, the opportunities for a hardcore spree are endless. Make sure to drop by the two most famous shopping centres, GUM and TSUM when you visit Moscow. They are must-visits even if you are only there to admire (or baulk at) their stupendous swankiness.

GUM is on the east side of Red Square. It is a former State Department Store. The building’s architecture will instantly give you an extravagant feeling. However, along with its luxurious interior, comes the most luxurious brands and prices. It is open for twelve hours each day from 10 am to 10 pm. On the other hand, TSUM , a six-story historical gothic building is the largest high-end department store in Eastern Europe. There is a luxury supermarket which is open for twenty-four hours on the ground floor.

More affordable options are in the city’s many bustling flea markets, or in beautiful old boutique stores. Tsvetnoy Central Market and Kuznetsky Most 20 are just two of the known markets in the city where both hot and hippy street brands can be found. Local creative contemporary designers and high-end creatives are also housed in both markets.

11. Earn bragging rights with the perfect Instagram snap

Up your Instagram and Facebook feed with these views and different angles of the city. Shamelessly share your food and shoes with the streets and floors you’re walking into with your virtual friends. Or take a snap of the random streets of Moscow depicting their rich cultures. Also, do not forget the big picture! Which literally means photos of the whole city.

Did you really visit Moscow if you don’t have any photo of the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin? Stand at the centre of Red Square and Kremlin, take the most iconic shot and show the world that you were actually in Moscow. We’ve listed three buildings that have the best top views of the city. The (1) Federation Tower which also has the highest restaurant in Moscow, (2) The Moscow State University has a panoramic view of the city inside The Museum of Geography on its top floor and (3) Cathedral of Christ ’s observation deck have the most breathtaking top views of the city.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Garage Museum of Contemporary Art , GUM, ARTPlay , and Moscow Metro stations are just some of Moscow infrastructures perfect for your channel your inner artsy persona. While walking around the Moscow CBD, do not forget to look up and take photos of the skyscrapers as far as your eyes and camera can reach. However, if you want to take a break from all the spectacular man-made architecture, take a stroll in Patriarch’s Pond , where you can feel like a real Muscovite and nature-lover.

12. Moscow never sleeps

>Let it be known: Russians love to party! And Moscow is undoubtedly the party capital of Russia. The capital city has an incredible array of nightlife options and a scene for everyone. Whether you’re keen to catch a live Russian rock band or slink into a smoky jazz club, Moscow is there for you. Go clubbing till the break of dawn or just lounge around with a beer and an endless array of fine local vodka. We have listed our top five bars and clubs to help you decide which one to go to. Go ahead and get your body moving along the music while drinking with Muscovites. In that way, you can actually experience Moscow.

Propaganda , or Probka as what regulars call it, is opened in 1997 and has about the same age as the Moscow club culture. Aside from local drinks and world-class DJs, the club is also boasting with cheap sandwiches and steaks. On Thursdays, they hold dance parties and gay parties on Sundays. Nauka i Iskusstvo (Science and Art) is for you if music is the sole reason for your night out. The club is said to host the best electronic and hip parties. Noor Bar, nonetheless, is known for their classic cocktails which can be best enjoyed on Fridays and Saturdays while listening to their DJ sets. Just make sure to go there early to secure a spot. Another two famous nightclubs are located in Artplay: Pluton and Rodnya . Pluton promotes all kinds of music and art-performances while Rodnya is a rooftop club where you can enjoy dancing while waiting for the sun to rise in Summer. Squad 3/4 is one of the most bizarre nightclubs in Moscow. It is located at the basement of the former Central Baths building and often hosts bohemian raves.

13. Take a Moscow River Cruise

Cruising along the Moskva River is one of the best ways to see and visit Moscow. Ticket pricing of the cruise depends on the size of the boat; the bigger the boat, the more expensive and smoother its sailing will be. For 800 rubles, you can board the most famous tour boat in Moscow: the yellow Lay’s boat. It plays loud Russian pop music as you sail the river. Bigger boats cost 1,100 to 2,000 rubles per person. These cruises on bigger boats often offer cozy lunch and dinner on top of the cruise itself.

TIP : There are two main boarding piers: Hotel Ukraine and Park Kultury. If you want to save money, buy your tickets online and make sure to arrive earlier as it is hard to find the pier where your boat is at. However, if you do not mind spending more for tickets, you can purchase from street hawkers. They will personally guide you on where to find your boat and where to get off. Also, make sure to bring extra clothes even in the summer season.

14. White Christmas in Moscow

Visit Moscow and bring all your thick but light-weight clothes and experience Moscow’s white winter. The average weather in December is around -10 to 0 degrees Celsius with an average of 17-30 days of snowfall. Witness snowfall on the Red Square which transforms into a Christmas market and the biggest ice skating rink in December. Celebrate with Muscovites during the Russian Winter Festival and watch live performances, eat street foods, and play games from mid-December to mid-January in Manezh Square.

15. Explore the Medieval towns of Golden Ring

There is always more to see beyond the capital city of a country. And in Russia’s case, outside Moscow is the ancient region called the Golden Ring . The region’s name is derived from the golden onion-shaped domes of the churches around the towns and from the ring-like route in which 1967 art historian and journalist Yuri Bychkov travelled.

The Golden Ring is comprised of eight main cities:

Yaroslavl is where the Transfiguration Monastery (now a museum) and Ioann Vasiliyevich — a Soviet-themed hotel and restaurant.
Vladimir boasts its Golden Gate and the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Suzdal is a thirty-minute drive from Vladimir, it has five monasteries, thirty churches, and a market square (Torgovaya Ploshchad) where you can local berries and honey.
Sergiev Posad is known to be the location of the Trinity Lavra of St Sergius — one of the largest monasteries in the world.
Pereselavl-Zalessky is where you can enjoy windsurfing and ride hot air balloons.
Rostov Velikiy or Rostov the Great is boasting its colourful churches and unchanged kremlin architecture.
Ivanovo is known for its huge textile industry, it is also known as the city of brides since there more women than men in the area.
Kostroma is where the town of Bui — a town of cultural heritage, and Trinity-Ipatiev Monastery can be explored.

Visit Moscow and experience and see in the Golden Ring afterwards. We have carefully crafted tours for every traveller like you.

Just as a cherry on top, here is an awesome video clip of this magnificent city, Moscow:

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Russians are stereotyped have a reputation for being stern and unsmiling people, but actually, Russians do smile often, and their smiles mean different things in 10 different situations.

15 reasons to visit St. Petersburg - Russia's cultural capital

If the great cities of Europe competed for the title of ‘Most Beautiful’, St Petersburg would be right up there. The mix of history, culture and, contemporary life — those elements that make visit St Petersburg so compelling. In the midst of a new era of cultural expression, majestic historical buildings and classical artistic traditions are still preserved and valued by the locals.

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Most tourists come to Russia for a fleeting taste of its rich traditions and age-old culture. But to truly immerse yourself in the spirit of Russian culture, consider visiting the country during one of the Russian festivals or holidays.

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Can I smile in my passport photo? Yes, but up to a point

Whether or not a photographer prompts subjects to “say cheese,” many of us probably default to a wide smile at picture time.

But when taking a photo for a passport , you need to resist that urge. The travel document comes with a set of guidelines on various aspects of the shot, from the background to attire and even the expression on a person’s face.

If you don’t follow those, it could delay your passport and cause trouble for your travel plans. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a deadpan headshot.

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

Can I smile in my passport photo?

Yes, but not necessarily the way you’d smile in other pictures. Travelers need to close their mouths and make sure their eyes are open, according to the U.S. State Department’s website.

But your photo may make the cut even if your teeth are showing – to a point.

If your smile is stretched and your eyes are squinting the way they might be after someone tells a “stomach-wrenching joke,” that’s too far, according to David Alwadish, president and CEO of ItsEasy.com, a passport and visa concierge service.

A natural, relaxed smile is more likely to be accepted in his experience. “You just can’t distort the face,” he said. I am smiling with my teeth showing – by force of habit – in my own passport I renewed in 2022, and all went smoothly.

Why can’t I smile widely in my passport photo?

The State Department calls for more neutral looks “because photos with exaggerated expressions can make it more difficult to readily identify the passport holder,” a spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email.

The International Civil Aviation Organization “sets global standards and recommended practices for travel documents,” they added.

Joy Hess, owner and lead travel consultant at Outside the Lines Travel, has advised clients to “smize,” – a la America’s Next Top Model – and keep their mouths closed.

While you may be able to get away with not doing so, you run the risk of your photo being rejected by the State Department. And even if the photo is accepted, it could slow you down at the airport, particularly when using self-service machines at passport control.

“If they can't match your face to what's on the passport … that's when someone will come over and escort you to the line where the human is,” Hess said. “So, it would cause a delay.”

She smiled in a previous passport photo and has seen even real-life officials do double-takes. “They'll look and look again and look again because, you know, usually it's the morning and I’m not smiling,” Hess said.

Passport renewal can be a pain: What to know about applications

What if my passport photo is rejected?

If an applicant’s photo doesn’t meet the criteria, “the passport agency will request a new photo that fits the stated guidelines and their passport application will be delayed,” the State Department spokesperson said.

In those cases, Alwadish said travelers will get a letter notifying them that their application is on hold and they need to send in a new photo. Applicants are responsible for any expenses associated with mailing an additional picture, according to the State Department.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can I smile in my passport photo? Yes, but up to a point

The cover of a U.S. passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021.

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Things to do in Moscow: how to visit Moscow | Unmissable, cool & unusual

September 2, 2023

What are the best things to do in Moscow? What to do in Moscow? First, I will list the main places to visit by theme, passing by the must-sees, but also more unusual places in Moscow. Then, I will describe what to see in Moscow in one day and how to visit Moscow in 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. Let’s go!

Good to know. For more information, click on the places to open the dedicated blog posts.

Main places to visit in Moscow & best things to do in Moscow

I worked in Moscow and I loved this city for its dynamism and energy. We find there from time to time to see friends, remember good memories and enjoy this giant city! Then the time has come for us to share with you our practical guide.

TOP 5 must-see places in Moscow

Moscow Red Square
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Bolshoi Theatre

Places of cultural, historical and religious interest in Moscow

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery
Tretyakov Gallery
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Kremlin Izmaïlovo (pseudo-historic place, recently built in the image of the old, one of the best things to do in Moscow for your Instagram account 😉 )
Park and ancient village of Kolomenskoye

Visit Moscow of the Soviet era

Moscow State University and Sparrows Hill
VDNKh and the Museum of Astronautics, one of the key landmarks of the Soviet era in Moscow
GULAG Museum
Metro stations
The Stalinist skyscrapers, scattered all over the city

Less touristy places in Moscow

Gorky Park and the GARAGE museum
The old Krasny Oktyabr factory
Zaryadye Park
Center for Contemporary Art, WINZAVOD
Business center, Moscow City

Main districts of Moscow to visit

Patriarch Ponds
Tchistye Prudy
Kuznetsky most
Arbat Street

However, regardless of the length of your stay, whether you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days or in 2, you need a visa. The article Obtaining a tourist visa for Russia could then be useful in any case.

What to do and see in Moscow in one day?

List of things to see and do in Moscow in one day:

Go to Red Square
Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral
See Kremlin walls (but not to visit)
Visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Discover Kuznetsky most districts and see Bolshoi Theatre building
And if you have time at the end of the day: go to the Sparrows Hill or to the Moscow City for a beautiful view

Things to do in Moscow in 2 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, there are 2 purposes: do not miss the essential places of Moscow and optimize travel.

First day: Red Square , Saint Basil’s Cathedral , Zariadye Park, Bolshoi Theatre , Kremlin
Day 2: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the former Krasny Oktyabr factory on Balchug Island, Gorky Park, Moscow State University (one of the Seven Sisters buildings ) and Sparrow Hill

As 2 days os really short, be sure to choose an accommodation in the best districts where to stay in Moscow .

Walking on Red Square in Moscow: one of the unmissable things to do in Moscow

Iconic place and one of the must-see places in Moscow and even in Russia! Besides, if there was only one place to visit in Moscow in 2 days, this place would then be Red Square, without hesitation. Therefore, starting the city tour with Red Square is ideal . Several buildings are on the square, but not all of them have to be visited. Check out my blog post about Moscow’s Red Square in detail to learn more and not miss anything.

Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside

Even more emblematic than Moscow’s Red Square! Built in the middle of the 16th century under the orders of Tsar Ivan Le Terrible, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful monuments of Orthodox art, and definitely one of the unmissable places in Moscow. Visiting Saint-Basil’s Cathedral inside is one of the most beautiful things to do in Moscow!

Visit estimate time : 1h30
Entry ticket : 700 RUB. Tickets can be purchased on the cathedral’s official website 45 days before the tour.
Audio guide (recommended): 500 RUB
Opening hours : June to August 10 am-6pm; from November to April: 11 am-5pm; May, September, October 11 am-5pm. Cathedral closed on Wednesdays. Entrance is closed 45 minutes before closing.
Find out more in the dedicated article: Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Take a walk in Zariadye park: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow after visiting Red Square

Zaryadie Park is just a 10-minute walk from St. Basil’s Cathedral, so it’s easy to include in your itinerary if you’re going to visit Moscow in 2 days. From its heights, you can see the red walls of the Kremlin. But, the most impressive point of view is the platform which overlooks the Moskva river. A must see! And clearly one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

Open 24 hours a day
Good to know! Park Zaryadye is also a place to visit in Moscow in winter. Find out more here: What to do in Moscow in winter?

See the Bolshoi Theatre and discover the Kuznetsky Most district

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy entrance tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets

The Bolshoi Theater is the most famous Russian theater in the world. The most economical way to see a presentation at the Bolshoi Theater is to take the tickets on the theater’s official website in advance, so here is our tutorial to help you: How to buy tickets to the Bolshoi? In addition, several pedestrian or one-way streets are located north of the theater. It is therefore very pleasant to find them to leave the main axes of the megalopolis.

IMG_3040 tickets Bolshoi Theatre dress code

Visit the Moscow Kremlin

Visit Kremlin is on top of things to do in Moscow. A place of power for centuries, the Kremlin then shows us a whole different image when viewed from the inside. If you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, the Kremlin is certainly one of the must-see places in Moscow.

Opening hours : Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursday.
See our blog post about visiting the Moscow Kremlin

Moscow Kremlin: skip-the-line tickets and 8 things not to miss

Visit the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

This impressive Moscow Cathedral is the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is a must see if you visit Moscow in 2 days and clearly one of the things to do in Moscow. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior was first built in 1883 in memory of Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s Grand Army. Then in 1931 Stalin ordered its destruction. It was then rebuilt again (identically) only in 2000.

Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 15. At the foot of the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
Opening hours . Daily: 10: 00-17: 00, except Monday: 13: 00-17: 00
Free entry (some closing restrictions, for example a short)

Good to know! In orthodox religious places, one must avoid excessively uncovered clothing. Women should cover their heads. After visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you can explore Bolotny Island and Gorky Park. This is one of the routes our guide to Moscow.

The old Krasny Oktyabr factory: one of the coolest things to do in Moscow

If you cross the Moskva River by a pedestrian bridge which is located just in front of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the city and at the same time you can discover Balchug Island. Furthermore, if you want to visit Moscow in 2 days, you can include this island in your itinerary between the cathedral and Gorky park. Here is the old confectionery factory Krasny Oktyabr, which has gradually turned into a fashionable micro-district. There are then some elements of street art, cafes and restaurants and some Moscow bohemian side. At the end of the island you can see a gigantic 98-meter-high monument dedicated to the Russian reforming tsar Pierre The Great.

Good to know! You can find on this island are the trendiest nightclubs in Moscow. On weekends, there are taxi caps after midnight so there are so many people. On the other hand, if you go there in winter and during the day, the island is quite empty and less interesting to see.

Gorky Park is one of the TOP places to visit in Moscow, because it allows you to better understand the life of the locals and their rhythm. In fact, it’s a huge entertainment park. For example, in winter there is a giant ice rink and in summer – free dance or yoga lessons, sandy beaches for playing volleyball, an outdoor cinema. So, like the locals, have a Stakantchik (ice cream or cooked corn), and enjoy the atmosphere of the place: that’s one of the interesting things to do in Moscow to discover the city.

Where? Krymsky Val 9. 20 minutes’ walk from Krasny Oktyabr, along the quays.

Sparrow Hill and Moscow State University

The Sparrow Hill, Vorobiovy Gori in Russian, is the highest point in Moscow. It is rather known to Russians, but less to travelers. A nice view on Moscow opens from the hill, and in particular on the Luzhniki Stadium. In addition, on the hill itself is the Moscow State University: an impressive skyscraper from the Soviet era.

How to get there? By bus T7 (35 min) from Oktyaborskaya station, near Gorki Park. By metro (Vorobiovy Gorki station) + climb the hill on foot. On foot along the Moskva along the Gorky Park (1h30) + climb in funiculars.

Good to know! It is possible to cross the Moskva river by funicular. We actually tested it and it was pretty cool! That is one of our favorite things to do in Moscow!

What to do in Moscow in 3 days?

If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days, it would be interesting to dive into the Soviet era which strongly marked the country and the city. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the capital was transferred from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, in order to mark the change of power. Moscow then became the world showcase for communist ideology. Here are the best things to do in Moscow for 3-day-trip!

VDNKh, visit Moscow of the Soviet era

VDNKh is a large exhibition center in the north of Moscow, where there are still several striking witnesses of the USSR. The most interesting are the Museum of Cosmonauts and the Statue of the Worker and the Kolkhozian , which will certainly impress you with its size!

GULAG History Museum

The explanations of the museum are very well done. We really have the feeling of going back in time. If you are going to visit Moscow in 3 days and you are interested in history and this subject in particular, I recommend this museum. Visit the GULAG History Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Moscow.

Discover the Patriarche Pounds district

It’s a nice neighborhood in Moscow where you can come across rather affluent locals, but not necessarily very bling-bling. Take a walk in this area is really a cool thing to do in Moscow! In addition, the Ponds of Patriarch is one of the places of Bulgakov’s novel “Master and Margarita”. As this is an interesting area to see, we have included it in a walking tour of Moscow. The route ends at the Moscow Kremlin, which is very convenient, because you will be able to visit Moscow in 3 days by optimizing your trips.

What to visit in Moscow in 4 days: TOP things to do in Moscow in 4 days

If you want to visit Moscow in 3 days, you will already see a lot of things. On the other hand, if you stay one more day, you have plenty to do! The Novodevichy Convent, the Tchistie Proudy district and the Izmaylovo Kremlin are very good candidates for you, if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days.

Visiting Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The Novodevichy Convent is one of the most brilliant examples of Russian architecture, according to UNESCO. This beautiful complex was built in 1524 and today consists of the convent, but also of a cemetery whose status could be compared to that of Père-Lachaise in Paris. Visiting Novodevichy Convent is one of the great things to do in Moscow, if you want to go a little bit outside of the center!

Discovering Tchistye Proudy district

It’s one of the most popular areas of Moscow, with many cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. It is therefore a place to discover if you want to visit Moscow in 4 days. It is just as pleasant for a stroll as for the discovery of local life. For example, in winter the pond turns into an ice rink.

Visiting the Izmaylovo Kremlin, one of the coolest things to do in Moscow!

The Izmaylovo Kremlin is more of a tourist than a historic place. On the other hand, it is a pretty impressive place to discover, especially on weekends. Inside the Kremlin, there is a flea market where you can find a little bit of everything, but mostly good souvenirs to bring from Moscow. For example, chapka, traditional Russian scarves or matryoshka (Russian dolls). Add the Kremlin and the Izmaïlovo market to your itinerary if you are going to visit Moscow in 4 days, because it is a nice and very colorful place! Visiting the Izmailovo Kremlin is one of the things to do in Moscow, if you want to put colors in your Instagram account! 😉

In 4 days, we will have the opportunity to see several Moscow: Classic Moscow, Moscow of old Russia, Soviet Moscow and a little bit of the new Moscow. So what to visit in Moscow on the 5th day of travel?

What to visit in Moscow in 5 days?

Art lovers will be delighted to discover the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, while others will prefer to stroll along Arbat Street, see the buildings of Moskva-City or visit Bunker 42.

Admiring Russian art at Tretyakov Gallery

Founded in 1856 by an industrialist and great lover of art, the gallery has grown over the decades, and then bequeathed to the state. Today the collection includes more than 140,000 pieces, 15,000 of which are paintings. Visiting the Tretyakov Gallery is one of the things to do in Moscow if you want to discover Russian art!

Where? Pereoulok Lavrouchinski 10. A 5-minute walk from Tretiakovskaya station
Opening hours. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Closed on Mondays.
Entry tickets. 500 RUB.

Visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts presents the treasures of ancient Egypt, the paintings of Rembrandt and Cézanne, a fine collection of Impressionism.

Where? Ulitsa Volkhonka 12
Opening hours. Daily: 10: 00-20: 00, except Thursday: 11: 00-21: 00. Closed on Mondays. The boxes close an hour before closing.
Entry tickets. The prices vary according to the collections from 300 to 750 RUB.

Walking on Arbat Street

All Russians know Rue Arbat. So, walking on Arbat street is one of the things to do in Moscow. However, after the years, little by little it became very touristy. This is a pedestrian street only. There are souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes there, but it is no longer the most authentic neighborhood in the city.

Seeing the buildings of Moskva-City (Moscow City)

Moskva-City is Moscow’s business center, much like Paris’s Defense district. The skyscrapers of Moskva-City are among the tallest in Europe: 373 meters high! Very nice place to see at dusk.

Good to know! You can admire a nice view of Moscow City from the docks of Tarasa Shevchenko. It’s especially beautiful in the evening with all the lights on.

Bunker 42, one of the most unusual things to do in Moscow

Bunker 42 is a secret military complex which was to be used by the Soviets in the event of a nuclear attack: a space of 7000 m² 65 meters underground!

Where? 5 Kotelnitcheski Lane, 11.
Prices. 2200 RUB per person
Opening hours. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Restaurant inside. Original, but rather a tourist trap.

What to visit in Moscow in 6 days or more?

There are still so many places to see, because Moscow is a big megalopolis and there is always something exciting to do there. For example: the ancient Kolomenskoye village or the WINZAVOD contemporary art center .

If you are interested in history and want to see Russian cities on a rather “human scale”, it would certainly be interesting for you to discover the cities of the Golden Ring . For example, it is very easy to get to Sergey Posad from Moscow (less than 2 hours in train). Visiting the Golden Ring is one of the best things to do in Moscow if you are staying more than a 5-6 days.

There are still plenty of places to see in Moscow, however I did my best to list here the best things to do in Moscow, what to see in Moscow in one day, but also in 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Moscow!

Moscow travel tips:

Airport transfer: how to go to Moscow?
Where to stay in Moscow (hotels, districts)?
Tourist voucher for Russian visa
Christmas and New Year in Moscow
What is the best time to visit Moscow?

Novodevichy Convent and cemetery in Moscow: tickets, cemetery map

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Dan Hurley appreciative despite UConn’s travel woes before Final Four: ‘Lucky to be here’

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 27: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies answers questions during a press conference ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 round at TD Garden on March 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shortly after noon on Thursday, or roughly nine hours after his feet touched ground in the desert, Dan Hurley bounced toward the Connecticut locker room. Hat backwards. AirPods in place. Sleep-deprived and right on time for Final Four obligations.

“I’m heeeeeeeeeeeere,” Hurley declared to a familiar face as he passed by.

This was not the first update on the Huskies’ whereabouts Thursday, though it was probably the least convoluted.

A charter aircraft that never arrived from Kansas City. A replacement with mechanical issues. Inclement weather and a prolonged de-icing procedure. Lots of incremental online updates, wheels up six hours later than expected and an NCAA statement emailed out at 3:27 a.m.: UConn MBB Has Arrived In Phoenix.

Plane annoying, in other words.

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“Who doesn’t deal with problems with the airlines?” Hurley said with a smile during his Thursday news conference. “It’s something you gotta get through. But it sucked.”

To recap: Mechanical issues grounded UConn ’s original charter flight to Arizona. Then inclement weather compounded another mechanical issue on the replacement aircraft, creating another two-hour delay getting out of Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. Wheels up time went from an originally planned 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Huskies eventually landed at 3:12 a.m. local time.

UConn's flight to Final Four delayed due to issues

“An unfortunate set of circumstances,” is how the NCAA’s early Thursday morning statement put it.

Asked how he passed the time, Hurley went full deadpan. “I ruminated,” the Huskies coach said. “A lot. I spiraled. I had my head in my hand a lot. … It was a real mindful exercise from 11:30 to like 1:45 on the tarmac. It was therapeutic to watch the de-icing. That was probably the best part of it.”

Understandably, the media schedule for the players was shuffled to accommodate recovery from the delays, with an open locker room session canceled on Thursday. Beyond that? Hurley said he made do with two hours of sleep on the plane and two at the hotel.

“That’s why God made caffeine,” he said, but only backed off a bit on his team’s preparation.

“We pushed things back a little bit, maybe like an hour and 15 (minutes),” Hurley said. “The guys were able to sleep in a little bit. We did our same routine. We did our video at the hotel. We knew we only had an hour and a half on the court, so it was important to take advantage of shooting, get a little bit of live play so we could get adjusted to a much, much bigger setting. We obviously took a little bit off the practice plan. Just make sure that we do a little bit less tonight, let these guys get their rest.

“I mean, listen, these guys were getting in a van driving 14 hours to the Peach Jam, playing two hours later. There’s no excuses. … We’re in the Final Four here, man, with a chance to advance, to repeat as national champions, make history. We’re way past that s—.”

Hurley otherwise struck an appreciative tone. He opened his remarks Thursday by thanking the welcoming committee for staying up until UConn showed up.

“What goes through your mind, once you’re done complaining and cursing and muttering, you start saying to yourself, you don’t really show entitlement,” Hurley said. “It’s such an honor and once in lifetime experience to play in a Final Four, coach in a Final Four, once that edge started to wear off — (we’re) lucky to be here.”

Required reading

Can UConn men’s basketball repeat? As Dan Hurley learned from Billy Donovan, the chase is the thing
NCAA Tournament party props sheet final edition: Guess the outcomes of the semifinal and championship games

(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

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Brian Hamilton joined The Athletic as a senior writer after three-plus years as a national college reporter for Sports Illustrated. Previously, he spent eight years at the Chicago Tribune, covering everything from Notre Dame to the Stanley Cup Final to the Olympics. Follow Brian on Twitter @ _Brian_Hamilton

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Flowers and gift hampers

Mother's Day may be a few weeks away on Sunday, May 12, but it's never too early to find the perfect gift for your mum (or the mother figures in your life). With so many options out there, it can be hard to narrow down a gift, and sometimes, finding a gift for mum can be the most difficult task to accomplish.

At Tom's Guide, we've curated a diverse range of the best Mother's Day gifts, from lifestyle to tech and appliances. Whether your mum is a fashion-forward trendsetter or a tech-savvy jet setter, we've got something sure to make her smile.

Never mind if it's her first or umpteenth Mother's Day — spoiling mum can be as simple as a gift card, fresh flowers or even a new robovac that'll take the "work" out of endless housework.

So scroll on to find some of the best Mother's Day gift ideas this year.

Mother's Day gift ideas

Mother's day gift ideas: retailer quick links.

Here's a brief snapshot of some Aussie retailers that have specifically curated items for Mother's Day:

ASOS : shop clothing, accessories, shoes and more Adore Beauty : skincare, makeup, hair care and body and bath gift sets Amazon : shop everything from electronics to fitness wearables, home decor and more Big W : shop home and kitchen appliances, bedding, wellness and clothing Emma Mattress : save up to 40% off Emma's award-winning Diamond Hybrid mattress GymShark : shop activewear sets, leggings and gym accessories KitchenAid : shop KitchenAid's favourites in its exclusive Mother's Day sale Myer : handbags, fashion and accessories, and so much more Oz Hair and Beauty : hair appliances, skincare and beauty products, and fragrances Princess Polly : shop clothing, activewear, accessories, shoes and trending items Sephora : makeup gifts, skincare, fragrances and more The Good Guys : coffee machines, vacuum cleaners, wearables and home appliances The Iconic : spoil mum with clothing, sleepwear, jewellery and accessories

Kitchen & Home Appliance Gift Ideas

Breville the barista express.

Breville Barista Express coffee machine in Black Truffle

This espresso machine is perfect for hobbyist baristas and coffee connoisseurs alike. This manual coffee machine streamlines the brewing process from beans to latte with its integrated conical burr grinder, steam wand and precise espresso extraction — making it perfect for any mum wanting to start her morning right with a delicious at-home coffee.

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iRobot Roomba i3+

The iRobot Roomba i3+ features in our best robot vacuum roundup mainly due to its affordability and self-cleaning features. The Roomba i3+ can be controlled through an app, Alexa , and Google Assistant, so mum can automate cleaning the floors hands-free.

Bissell Spot Cleaner

BISSELL TurboClean DualPro Pet Carpet Cleaner

Any type of Bissell machine should be part of a home's appliance arsenal, and for good reason. Bissell's carpet washer quickly removes spots and crumbs from carpets, furniture, rugs, and more using warm water and specialised stain solution. If your mum already doesn't own one of these little machines, it may be time to give her one this Mother's Day.

Cosori Smart Air Fryer

This Consori Air Fryer is an innovative, compact cooker — or rather, it's so intelligent that it's even in the name. Connecting via an app, you can control the cook times, temperature, and presets from your (or your mum's) smartphone.

Buy it on Amazon .

Travel & Lifestyle Gift Ideas

Shark flexstyle.

The Shark FlexStyle is the ultimate hair tool for helping mum recreate her favourite no-frizz salon styles at home. If you're keen to grab mum this limited edition Malibu Pink colour before it disappears, you better get in quick. Otherwise, it's also available in silver or teal colourways.

If your mum is constantly on the go, then a July bag may be up her alley. Whether it's a casual Everyday Mini Tote or a stylish Carry On suitcase , July has plenty of options to suit all her travel needs. Available in limited edition and standard colourways across all bags, you can even personalise your purchase for an extra cost, making it the perfect keepsake.

Check out July's range on their website .

a photo of the lululemon wundermost collection

Lululemon is not for every mum, but if she's constantly at the gym, yoga, or a spin class or spends the day in leggings because they're comfy, it may be time to upgrade her activewear. Lululemon's Align shop stocks colourful and versatile options for everyday active apparel. Despite the hefty price tags on select items, Lululemon offers great-quality exercise gear that'll last a long time, so it may be worth the splurge.

Apple Watch Series 9

Ranked as our best smartwatch of 2024 , the Apple Watch 9 is the best one yet. It's not a significant upgrade compared to its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 8, but this evolution is home to some super helpful features, such as the S9 processor. You can check out our full review of the wearable here .

Tech Gift Ideas

Frameo wi-fi digital picture frame .

Currently 51% off RRP, this Frameo picture frame will enhance your mum's old photo frames. With a connected app, you can load up to 32GB of photos and videos for your mum to enjoy. Plus, the frame's touch screen makes navigating between your favourite moments super easy.

Kobo Libra 2

Our colleagues at TechRadar call this Kobo the best-value mainstream e-reader yet, and for good reason. The Kobo Libra 2 has a 7-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen that delivers a crisp display, 32GB internal storage and Bluetooth connectivity for listening to audiobooks.

As someone who forgets making coffee most mornings, I cannot recommend an Ember mug enough. This smart, temperature-controlled mug can be set to your preferred drinking temperature, keeping your chosen beverage hot (or warm) for up to 1.5 hours when using the battery or a full day when paired with its charging coaster.

Hamper Emporium

With hampers available in a range of sizes and categories, it's almost a no-brainer not to shop for mum's gift at Hamper Emporium . Hampers are available for virtually any budget, and delivery is free nationwide—you can even schedule your gift ahead of time.

You can check out the full range of hampers here .

Gourmet Basket

Gourmet Basket's Mother's Day selection is definitely geared towards giving mum that pamper day she deserves, with a range of spa-infused baskets on offer. Plus, you can even score a free personalised keyring with every hamper purchase over AU$99 if you add a gift card message to your chosen bundle — how sweet!

Check out more on Gourmet Basket .

Edible Blooms

Edible Blooms offer more than just the average bunch of flowers. With mouthwatering, exquisite arrangements on offer, there's something for every mum to enjoy. If mum has more of a sweet tooth, a Flower Bouquet with Donuts and Strawberries could be a great choice. Or if you want to get mum a more generous-sized gift hamper, then a Gourmet High Tea bundle could be worth your pennies.

Search for more sweet treats on Edible Blooms .

Lucy Scotting is a digital content writer for Tom’s Guide in Australia, primarily covering NBN and internet-related news. Lucy started her career writing for HR and staffing industry publications, with articles covering emerging tech, business and finance. In her spare time, Lucy can be found watching sci-fi movies, working on her dystopian fiction novel or hanging out with her dog, Fletcher.

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