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Eye on Travel

• Eye On Travel: Podcast

The Essentials

Happiest countries 2024: a new ranking.

It’s that time of year, and the annual world happiness report is out, with rankings of t...

Lost Checked Bags and No Refunds

Consider this scenario. You pay for a checked bag, but the airline either delays deliverin...

Boom in Wellness Travel

What’s driving many travel choices this year? That would be wellness travel and longevit...

Featured Posts

Photo of the week — april 10, 2024.

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Lynda Leibrock! Lynda writes, “This was tak...

It’s that time of year, and the annual world happiness report is out, with rankings of the happiest countries in the world, with 140 countries surveyed based on their average life evaluations. Parti...

Tap Click to Explore

It’s that time of year, and the annual world happiness report is out, with rankings of the happiest countries in...

Consider this scenario. You pay for a checked bag, but the airline either delays delivering it for hours or loses...

What’s driving many travel choices this year? That would be wellness travel and longevity travel.    Thanks in part to...

Congratulations to this week’s winner, Lynda Leibrock! Lynda writes, “This was taken from my hotel balcony at sunrise of the...

The Travel Detective

The travel detective season 9 trailer.

On this ninth season of The Travel Detective, we’ll navigate a brave new world as a special cruise ship research team sails...

Experience Tourism: Taylor Swift Effect

This year, more than 1.4 billion people will travel across a border, which will exceed 2019 levels, and this is...

Pooling Flight Miles?

Until now, we all seemed to earn our frequent flyer miles in a vacuum.    But now, one airline is...

Eye on Travel — Atlanta, Georgia — April 6, 2024

This week’s broadcast of Eye on Travel is from the new Signia by Hilton, Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center. I...

500 episodes

Peter Greenberg is America's most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. Peter is Travel Editor for CBS News, appearing on CBS This Morning and The CBS Evening News, among other broadcast platforms. Eye on Travel is a travel news show originating from a different location every week, featuring local experts sharing their favorite gems. For more travel news you can use visit PeterGreenberg.com And follow Peter Greenberg for the latest travel news on social media: Twitter: @PeterSGreenberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterGreenbergWorldwide/ Instagram: @PeterGreenberg

Eye on Travel with Peter Greenberg CBS News

• 4.4 • 70 Ratings
• APR 3, 2024

Population growth, a private railroad, and a conversation about art in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg - from The Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Dean Trantalis - Mayor of Fort Lauderdale - stops by for a conversation on some dramatic changes in the city and how it is dealing with population growth. Then, veteran TV news correspondent and Fort Lauderdale resident Kerry Sanders chats with Peter about the birth and growth of Florida’s own private railroad - something that is actually working. Then, Bonnie Clearwater - Director and Chief Curator of the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale talks about a museum you've probably never heard of... but should.

• MAR 27, 2024

Baseball, gorillas, chimpanzees, and more in Uganda

This week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg - from the country of Uganda. Peter chats with Gaetano Kagwa - Host of Gaetano & Lucky in the Morning - who has his finger on the pulse of everything happening in the capital city of Kampala. Then, Peter travels across Lake Victoria to sit down with Dr. Laura Lewis - UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychology at UC Berkeley - on her search for common ground between humans and chimpanzees. Then, Peter takes a much longer journey to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a conversation and hike with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka Ugandan veterinarian and founder of Conservation Through Public Health. Finally, Felix Okuye - President of the Uganda Baseball and Softball Association - stops by for an explanation of the surprisingly successful as well as hopeful presence of organized baseball in Uganda.

• MAR 20, 2024

Unresolved issues in the travel industry, travel advisors, and AI

On this week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg, Peter sits down with Geoff Freeman - President of the US Travel Association - to discuss the many unresolved issues in the travel industry including visas and security. Then, Zane Kerby - President of The American Society of Travel Advisors - stops by to discuss the latest issues facing travel advisors and consumers alike and how one airline is making it exceptionally hard to stay loyal. Then, what is the impact of AI on travel? Amir Eylon - President and CEO of Longwoods International - stops by with a report.

• MAR 13, 2024

Air travel in the fastest growing aviation region in the world

On this week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg, Peter sits down with two veteran airline executives to discuss the fastest growing aviation region in the world, The Middle East. And at the center of that is Saudi Arabia. Rossen Dimitrov, Chief Customer Experience Officer of Saudia Airlines, and Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, report on the rapid expansion of air traffic in the region and and what it means to global tourism.

• MAR 6, 2024

The 10th anniversary of the disappearance of MA Flight 370 and an airline you probably haven't heard of

This week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg – The Chileno Bay Resorts and Residences in Los Cabos. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of MA Flight 370 - one of the most confusing and perplexing mysteries in the history of commercial aviation. Florence De Changy - Author of The Disappearing Act - has the latest on what we know 10 years later and if there is hope of ever finding out conclusively what really happened. Then, there is an airline you have probably never heard of but is making great inroads on many popular routes. It is called JSX and is about as close to flying private as you can get. CEO Alex Wilcox talks about the new option of getting from Point A to Point B.

• FEB 28, 2024

A look at luxury travel from the lens of luxury hoteliers

On this week's Eye on Travel Podcast with Peter Greenberg, Peter has an update on the brave new world of luxury, and how the definition of luxury travel may be changing -- as he sits down with a few legendary hoteliers. What's changed in the definition of luxury travel, and perhaps more important, what hasn't changed? Peter talks with Senih Geray - The Managing Director of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Washington DC; with Vincent Billiard - The Managing Director of the legendary Hotel de Crillon in Paris; with Pierre-Louis Renou - Managing Director of Fairmont Monte Carlo & Regional VP of Accor; and with Jonathan Crook, the hotelier who runs the new -- and ultra luxe – Peninsula Hotel right on the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

• © 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Customer Reviews

General feedback.

I’m enjoying this podcast even though I can’t travel right now. I am concerned that the “background music “ over powers Peter’s voice; especially in the introduction. Just FYI. Thank you & best wishes!

WHAT WOULD YOU ACTUALLY PROPOSE?

I consider myself a regular listener to the “Eye on Travel” podcast. As a somewhat frequent traveler, this podcast has occasionally provided ideas for new places to visit and a few tips to employ while traveling. However, Peter’s preoccupation with poor airline service and hinting at some type of regulatory solution are starting to wear thin. First of all, government regulation was what had many airlines before deregulation in or close to financial ruin. While there have been mergers and consolidations, there is a tried and true business concept called “economies of scale” that have brought about route efficiencies and plane technology. I suggest Peter stop whining incessantly about the problems and bring forward solutions if he is so consumed by this topic. Any insights from what he has seen that works around the world would be most better to listen to the constant “hand wringing” about how awful airline service is. In short, “grow some”!

Episode #438

It is unfortunate that you tarnished this otherwise informative episode with Victoria Mather’s interview. Harry is described as a “dimwit” and not being smart enough to continue advancing in the British Army. Is this the same person whose income base is now $100 million! Also the (clearly racist) implication that if the marriage fails, it will be Meghan’s fault. Her whole tone, which you encouraged, was to blame everyone else but Buckingham Palace. And does she really believe that there is little or no racism in Britain? I will hope that you were on deadline and did not anything other than that to use.

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Simon Calder

This is the official site of travel journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder

Travel Advice

I record a daily podcast for the Independent which usually looks at the day’s news. I also run Instagram Live broadcasts on Saturdays and Sundays at 17.30. In 2023 I have added some podcasts that tackle consumer travel issues and rights, like how to get your money back when things go wrong, or what to do if your booking isn’t as advertised. As these are recorded and uploaded, I will post them here. So far, there’s the following:

• 17 Jan 2023 – What you need to know about passport expiry
• 27 Jan 2023 – What to do if your booking isn’t as advertised
• 8 Feb 2023 – Travel Vouchers or Cash
• 16 Feb 2023 – How to get your money back when things go wrong
• 28 Feb 2023 – What to do when passenger names are wrong
• 7 March 2023 – Your baggage questions answered
• 13 March 2023 – Flight delays, your rights and how to claim them
• 15 March 2023 – Train delays and cancellations. Your rights to compensation and care
• 17 March 2023 – Travel to dangerous places: your questions answered
• 8 May 2023 – Other than Simon, who can you ask for help?
• 26 June – Holiday tips: Which is the best way to use foreign currency?
• 27 June – Thinking of taking a cruise? Listen to this first
• 28 June – Your travel insurance questions answered
• 29 June – Travel agents: High Street or online?
• 30 June – What you can do when it all goes wrong on holiday

Watch Simon's travel videos

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

This Morning travel expert Simon Calder defends advice encouraging viewers to book a summer holiday despite backlash

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This Morning ’s travel expert Simon Calder has stepped in to defend his advice encouraging viewers to book their summer holidays despite the government’s advice suggesting not to.

Appearing via video link on Tuesday’s instalment, Simon spoke about the SOS Save Our Summer campaign, which has seen over 120 UK travel companies pushing for overseas holidays to be allowed by the government from May 1.

The expert’s admission came after hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford discussed whether people should book a 2021 summer holiday or not.

Simon began by explaining that despite the fact the government has banned any non-essential travel, the businesses behind the SOS campaign are demanding that it lifts some of the travel restrictions.

‘We are demanding all of the restrictions, or at least some of them are relaxed by the start of May,’ he told them. ‘Which is when the main summer holiday charter season starts.

‘The government has made it absolutely clear that all holidays are off for the indefinite future, it’s illegal to go on holiday.’

He continued: ‘Like we saw yesterday, the tightest restrictions in history came in. People going off to hotel quarantine, paying £1,750 to go and sit in an airport hotel.

‘The idea is, let us travel for goodness sake. Also, don’t tell people to book holidays because it’s perfectly rational to book holidays if you book the right ones.’

Following the segment, unhappy viewers took to Twitter to air their thoughts, with many branding the travel expert as ‘irresponsible’ for encouraging people to book a holiday during a pandemic.

One viewer raged: ‘Simon Calder isn’t looking out for the consumer. He’s proved this throughout the pandemic. He’s so irresponsible in encouraging people to book foreign holidays. In a raging pandemic.’

While another commented: ‘This is very irresponsible talking about holiday bookings in March. The travel companies will just change the rules for refunds. Once again he’s spouting nonsense.’

Other viewers stepped in to defend the travel expert, as one tweeted: ‘I think people are missing the point…. booking a holiday and actually going on the holiday are 2 different things. He’s just saying if it’s safe/legal by then and it happens then great but if not know your rights.’

Despite the backlash, Simon told Metro.co.uk that he stands by what he said on the programme.

He explained that even though travelling abroad is currently illegal, it doesn’t ‘make it wrong for companies to offer holidays or for people to book them’.

He told us: ‘As we endure a third lockdown, many of us want something to look forward to – and anticipation is a really valuable element of any holiday.

‘So I was happy to point out that it is perfectly rational to book a holiday so long as you are aware it may not go ahead, and you are confident in getting your money back if this appalling pandemic takes another turn for the worse.’

The 65-year-old went on to reassure people who may be worried about getting a refund if their holiday gets cancelled.

He explained that UK operators including Butlins and Center Parcs have ‘customer-friendly refund policies’ while anyone booking a foreign holiday can book a package deal – meaning they are ‘safe in the knowledge that they will either get the holiday they dream of or a full refund.’

‘When leisure travel is once again permitted, it is, of course, a personal decision whether or not to go on holiday,’ he added.

‘My aim was to show that it is quite possible to book an escape in the hope that it can go ahead while emphasising that nothing can be guaranteed.’

Simon’s comments come after it was reported that Ryanair’s advert, encouraging people to book their summer holidays , was banned following outrage from viewers.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had received 2,370 complaints about the advert – which was shown from December to January.

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the  Metro.co.uk  entertainment team by emailing us  [email protected] , calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

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How you can escape to the sun and holiday on a budget

If the recent wet weather has dampened your mood, maybe the thought of a sunny summer holiday will brighten things up? Travel expert Simon Calder is here today to prove that escaping to the sunshine doesn’t have to break the bank. He’ll be talking us through his secret booking hacks, revealing whether it's cheaper to book through a travel agent or go it alone, and he’ll be sharing his expert list of the cheapest holiday destinations in Europe.

Can we expect any easter travel chaos?

Flying : Security strikes at Heathrow could continue

British Airways will be making dozens of cancellations, around 32 flights a day - mainly because of a planned strike by 1,400 members of the unite union working in security at Heathrow.

They are walking out From Friday 31st March until Easter Sunday 9th April, in a dispute over pay.

The only airline affected is British Airways from terminal 5; anyone flying from another terminal should fly as normal.

Heathrow Airport is telling passengers to turn up no earlier than two hours before European flights, or three hours before intercontinental flights.

French strikes could continue into April British Airways also says that striking air-traffic controllers in France, and undesirable weather are responsible for causing widespread disruption- with 50 flights cancelled to/from Heathrow on Thursday.

Multiple departures to Amsterdam, Hamburg, Nice, Prague and Zurich have been grounded, along with the inbound legs from those cities.

Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle are the domestic destinations affected too.

Crossing the channel: will we see chaos at Dover like last year?

Summer 2022 was plagued by seemingly endless issues at the UK's major ports, but in particular Dover, as the main crossing point between the UK and France.

Last year, holidaymakers experienced delays of up to 6 hours queuing into the port, and clogging up local a roads and motorways.

The port of Dover have assured travellers that 'no such delays are expected this summer' and that they 'are doing their upmost to prevent a repeat of last year'

'Stay-cationing' - delays on roads, the AA predicts getaway traffic will peak next Saturday 8th April with at least 15 million journeys taking place.

The national rail strikes planned for 30 march and 1 April have been suspended. But widespread engineering work continues, especially over Easter and the end of April/beginning of May.

The most significant disruption to intercity services will be on the West Coast main line.

Right through the Easter weekend, no trains will run to or from London Euston. Trains from the West Midlands, Northwest England and North Wales will terminate at Milton Keynes Central.

At the other end of the West Coast route, Southern Scotland will be cut off from England by long-term improvement work at Carstairs.

Passports, passports, passports... On Monday 3rd April, 1,000 workers at HM passport office are due to start a five-week strike.

More than one million passport applications could be stuck in a bottleneck.

HM passport office still insists travellers allow 10 weeks for passport applications, even if they are straightforward renewals.

Is your passport valid?

If you're going to Europe, look at the issue date, and check that your passport hasn't had its 10th birthday.

Look at the expiry date, and check that the day you're planning to come back, that you have 3 months remaining.

Tour operators are telling people they have to subtract 3 months from the 10-years, but this isn't the case.

Looking ahead - when should we book?

Now is a good time to book for lots of bargains!

Typical 'booking horizon', when people look to secure a holiday, is 10-12 weeks. So if you book a July holiday now you'll be just ahead of the pack.

As always, taking advantage of cross-border holiday hopscotch is good if you're in northern England or southern Scotland - go south to fly from Newcastle or Manchester in early July, or north to Edinburgh or Glasgow in late august.

Where to shop around?

Human travel agents are able to give you a wide range of options and good advice. But it's always worth shopping around the worst thing you can do is search 'cheap holiday spain' - you'll get dodgy agents.

If opting for online, the 3 big holiday companies in the UK, TUI, Jet2, Easyjet holidays - they together, sell most of the package holidays in the UK, and if anything goes wrong they have to look after you - don't set yourself up to be let down by going with an unknown agent/site.

• Home & Lifestyle

This Morning travel expert warns of holiday risk for France and Malta - but not Italy and Greece

Travel expert Simon Calder addressed This Morning viewers' concerns over the 14-day quarantine list countries and explained which were the safest to travel to

• 10:53, 12 Aug 2020
• Updated 11:02, 12 Aug 2020

This Morning travel expert Simon Calder has warned holidaymakers who are planning to head to France and Malta that the countries may soon be added to the 14-day quarantine list.

Downing Street are set to debate adding France to its "red-list" of higher-risk destinations.

Currently, Spain is on the list - but France could join it after recording over 4,500 new coronavirus cases as of August 11.

Addressing viewers' concerns on This Morning today, Simon explained: "The key number tends to be 20 new cases per 100,000 population - the UK, for guidance, is 17. France is 29, or it was yesterday.

"And the question is not only what is the absolute number, but what is the trend. The French prime minister yesterday was saying, 'You're going in the wrong direction, everybody! We've got problems.'

"And if the rate goes up, I think we will very sadly see France be put on the list."

Host Eamonn Holmes asked Simon about the countries which those willing to pay for a holiday should go to.

He said: "Go to Italy! I was, in fact, there talking to you from the beautiful Venice and they are absolutely at the bottom of the table. Fewer than half of the number of cases and they're doing really, really well.

"Greece is looking good, Croatia's ok. But places like Malta - I'm afraid we could find that Malta is put on the no-go list pretty soon.

"Of course, we were talking about anxiety. This is the time of year when everyone should be looking forward to some sort of escape and they simply can't because we don't know from one day to the next which countries are going to be regarded as safe."

*This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV

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This Morning Travel Expert Criticised Over 'Irresponsible' Advice On New Spain Quarantine Rules

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

This Morning ’s travel expert has been criticised over “irresponsible” information given to viewers on how to get around self-isolating if you are returning to the UK from Spain.

Over the weekend, the government announced new quarantine rules that force British people visiting Spain into a two-week self-isolation period upon their return home , due to a spike in coronavirus cases there.

On Monday, the ITV daytime show hosted a segment with travel expert Simon Calder on the changes, in which he outlined a loophole by where travellers could “leave the country again” upon returning to the UK to “reduce the two weeks of quarantine”.

After a caller – Emily, who is currently on holiday in Spain – phoned into the show asking what she should do about another upcoming holiday to France which would be impacted by her quarantine period, Simon said: “Not only can you go to France, arguably you should do.

“A lot of people in Spain will think let’s come back and we’ll go into France, some will think we’ll come back through France. That doesn’t excuse you from quarantine but it does mean that rather than being in quarantine stuck at home, not able to go out, not even able to walk the dog, you’re somewhere lovely in France...

“Leaving the country is fine. You just say I would love to quarantine for 14 days, but in a week’s time I’m going to France, so I’ll be off then, see you later.”

While Simon insisted that he “did not write the rules” when challenged by presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford , he was criticised online for explaining how travellers could get round them.

Its a bit irresponsible of @itv to give people ideas on avoiding quarantine on #thismorning . This isn't a game, it's literally life or death for some people! — Fi 🌊⛱🌊🍦🌊 (@Fibutton) July 27, 2020

Cannot believe the travel advisor on #ITV #thismorning advised ppl to go to France instead of stay quarantined at home on their return from Spain to UK ffs how irresponsible... — Misty eyed Kiya 🇬🇧🇪🇺🌹 (@xKiyax) July 27, 2020

Irresponsible @SimonCalder on @thismorning actively giving out advice on how people can exploit loopholes on government advice to avoid quarantine when returning from abroad. #publichealth is everyone’s responsibility! #COVID19 #thismorning — Dr Michelle Bellingham (@Dr_M_Bellingham) July 27, 2020

Did anyone else just hear the absolutely appalling travel advice on @thismorning ? Effectively advising people how to avoid 2 week quarantine rules & telling someone to travel to France a week after returning from Spain. This is a pandemic, @itv you should be ashamed #thismorning — Laura Townsend (@NoryTownsend) July 27, 2020

This is one of the most astonishingly stupid pieces of television I can remember. Dangerous advice from their ‘expert’, it’s essentially how to get around the rules. The UK is insane. #thismorning #itv @thismorning pic.twitter.com/KYK0WaQT0A — Craig Speer (@Craig_Speer) July 27, 2020

I am appalled that @thismorning are spreading advice about how to avoid the 2 week quarantine rule after returning from Spain. THIS IS HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS. STOP SPREADING THIS INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!! #thismorning — Jessica Grimmel (@JessicaGrimmel) July 27, 2020

Can't believe what I just heard on @thismorning how can you allow advice on how to avoid a quarantine that has been put in place to keep us all safe!? So irresponsible!! Please help me understand how this is okay!? #thismorning — A M Y (@AimoKP) July 27, 2020

#thismorning @ITV disgusting advice from Simon on exploiting loopholes in Spanish / U.K. quarantine rules. How unprofessional and reckless. — Mr Grumps (@realmrgrumps) July 27, 2020

#ThisMorning Stop with the "loopholes " that's exactly how we had the situation with Cummings and others, taking the piss. Its simple, come back, stay at home and self isolate for 14 days end of. — Blossom (@Dc7073Bloss) July 27, 2020

So irresponsible of #ThisMorning to be actively sharing ways to take advantage of the guideline loopholes. — Amy Andrews (@AmyJAndrews) July 27, 2020

@thismorning #thismorning omg what irresponsible tv reporting telling people to come home the go to the airport and go to other parts of Europe let’s just spread this all over again, Simon Calder you should be ashamed😡😡😡 — elaine_bale (@elainebale2) July 27, 2020

Imagine on #ThisMorning a lady is being told to not fully quarantine when she gets back from Spain and just go to another country. So we’ll all just reinfect everyone shall we by not quarantining and travelling round the world🙄🤔 — Dani Toyn (@_danitoyn) July 27, 2020

@thismorning why is Simon encouraging people to spread the virus between different countries? Idiotic #ThisMorning — LUCY (@lucyjones____) July 27, 2020

The idea was also rejected by the caller, who said: “My kids are in Majorca and in a logical sense, if one of them picks up the virus or I pick it up here and we get back together at home – I’m assuming we should be self-isolating separately – but if we go on a holiday to France, surely we are potentially infecting others, and that for me is irresponsible.”

Later during the segment, presenters Eamonn and Ruth tried to provide some more clarity to viewers.

Eamonn said: “We are trying to get an update on this quarantine situation whereby us reading the Department for Transport website, we believe you come into the country and you’ve got to quarantine if you’ve been in Spain for 14 days, at the address at which you are registered.”

As Simon directed them to Public Health Coronavirus Protection Rules 2020 website, Ruth then added: “It’s a grey area. I think as a programme we have to go with government advice, which is if you are coming back from Spain you have to stay in quarantine for 14 days.”

A This Morning spokesperson also echoed Ruth’s statement when contacted by HuffPost UK for comment on criticism of the segment.

The Department for Transport’s website quotes advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) , which states that people “will still need to self-isolate when returning from anywhere in Spain as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands because self-isolation arrangements are put in place on the basis of risk to the as a whole”.

The FCO is also advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, leaving close to 1.8 million summer holidays facing uncertainty .

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How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow

Feb 11, 2020 • 5 min read

Moscow enjoyed the status of capital for most of Russia’s history, except for a relatively brief period (about two hundred years), when the Tsar and the government relocated to St Petersburg . But the Bolsheviks moved the capital back to Moscow in 1918, and today it’s an extremely diverse city. It can easily take a couple of weeks to see all of its sights, but if you've only got a weekend to explore, here's how to have two perfect days in Moscow.

Start your weekend in Moscow by acquainting yourself with top-notch Russian cuisine at Grand Cafe Dr Zhivago . Located on the first floor of the historical hotel National and overlooking the Kremlin, it’s definitely one of the best breakfast spots in the city. Try millet porridge with crawfish, pearl barley porridge with oxtail or traditional cottage cheese with raisins and candied fruit.

Set aside at least half a day for Russian capital’s major attractions: the Red Square and the Kremlin . To reach the Kremlin, cross the street from Dr Zhivago and walk through the Alexander Garden to the main entrance at the Kutafya Tower . Check out all the cathedrals, including Archangel cathedral with all the tsars’ tombs and Uspensky cathedral with medieval icons. Pause to look at the famous Tsar Bell and climb Ivan the Great Bell Tower to enjoy some great views.

Exit and walk to the Red Square through the Alexander Garden, where, if lucky, you can see the change of guard. If you’re feeling hungry, stop by the food court at Okhotny Ryad shopping complex to pick up a snack.

The Red square is dominated by four buildings of equal historical importance: the Kremlin's most famous Spasskaya (Saviour) Tower , with a clock and fourteen bells that chime national anthem four times a day (6am, noon, 6pm, midnight), St Basil's Cathedral , Moscow's best-known symbol with its multi-colored domes, Lenin’s Mausoleum , the resting place of the leader of the 1917 October revolution, and GUM , Moscow's oldest department store, topped with a glass roof, designed by one of Russia's most celebrated architects, Vladimir Shukhov. 

A guide to shopping in Moscow

Right behind the St Basil’s it is the relatively new Zaryadye Park , designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, famous for its work on the High Line in New York City. Zaryadye showcases flora from all the climate zones of Russia, which is the largest country in the world. The floating bridge at the edge of the park is one of the biggest selfie magnets in Moscow, providing spectacular views of the river and the city skyline as the background. 

Another Zaryadye attraction is a glass pavilion that hosts restaurant Voskhod  (Sunrise) – a perfect spot for your lunch or early dinner. Voskhod focuses on dishes from all fifteen former Soviet Union republics and its inside looks like a Soviet-made spaceship with great views of the Moscow river. Try Azeri home-made pasta or trout from Lake Sevan in Armenia.

After all that walking and exploring you need some quality downtime and what better way to spend it than relaxing for a couple of hours at the famous Sanduny  traditional Russian hot bath. Make sure to get a massage with birch sticks!

You might still have time to go to Winzavod Center – a creative cluster with galleries housed at a former wine factory. Galleries like XL , pop/off/art and Ovcharenko always have something on, most likely a cutting-edge Russian contemporary art exhibition. Finish the evening hanging out at one of the best Moscow bars – try socialites’ paradise Noor Electro , co-joined with one of Moscow’s avant-garde theatres or Powerhouse Moscow , located in a 19th-century mansion, which is famous for live indie and jazz band performances. Both serve great food, too. 

Power up for a busy day ahead at one of Moscow’s trendiest coffee/breakfast spots,   Nude . Located in the upscale, well-heeled neighborhood of Patriarch’s Ponds, Nude offers a wide range of breakfast dishes, including scrambled eggs, toast, porridge and banana bread. Book ahead as it might be busy on a weekend morning.

After checking out the Patriarch's Ponds, which features prominently in Mikhail Bulgakov’s perennial novel The Master and Margarita , devote the rest of the morning and early afternoon to exploring Moscow’s best museums. Depending on your tastes, pick one of the following: Tretyakov Gallery for traditional Russian art, from medieval icons to the early 20th century;  New Tretyakov for 20th century and contemporary art as well as great temporary exhibitions;  Pushkin Museum for one of the greatest collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art in the world; and the Garage Museum for some eye-opening modern-art exhibitions. 

Whichever museum or gallery you choose, be sure to go to LavkaLavka for lunch, certainly one of the best places to try new Russian cuisine, which is a contemporary reading of centuries-old recipes. It’s one of the few places to try polugar , which is, allegedly, what Russians called vodka in the 19th century. 

When you talk about Russian culture, literary giants usually pop into mind: the likes of Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Anton Chekhov. There are plenty of literary museums in Moscow, but if you had to pick one, visit Tolstoy Estate Museum , located just opposite the headquarters of Yandex, the Russian equivalent of Google. Every little detail has been restored just the way it looked when Tolstoy lived here in the 1880s–90s. 

Leave some time for exploring the Moscow Metro : every station is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Our favorites include Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya and Kievskaya. Later, unwind at one of dozens of Moscow’s craft beer places . Try  Jawsspot , named after one of the leading breweries in Russia, Jaws from the Urals region, which also serves decent pizza and salads.  

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How To Make the Most of 24 Hours in Moscow in Winter

Moscow is a city of contrasts, and in 24 hours, you’ll see a lot of sides to the Russian capital. If you’re brave enough to head to the world’s most northerly megacity in winter, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding comfort food, breathtaking architecture and a glimpse into Soviet history.

Have breakfast like a Russian writer

Start your day with a wander through the café-lined streets of Patriarch’s Ponds (Patriarshie Prudy), the setting of the famous opening scene of Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita and the perfect place to find a cosy breakfast spot. Mari Vanna is second to none for a traditional Russian breakfast in a homely atmosphere, complete with a resident cat. Try the oladyi (fluffy little pancakes) with condensed milk, or the syrniki (pancakes made from cottage cheese and raisins) with sour cream. Reservations are recommended.

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After breakfast, take the metro one stop from Tverskaya to Teatralnaya station to reach the heart of the city. The Moscow Metro , or Stalin’s ‘Palace for the People’, is decidedly the world’s most opulent. At Teatralnaya, spot the porcelain reliefs depicting traditional dress from across the USSR; the adjoining Ploshchad Revolyutsii station’s life-size statues show the participants of the Bolshevik Revolution (if you can find the dog, it’s said that rubbing his nose brings good luck).

No visit to Moscow is complete without seeing Red Square, home to the Kremlin and the iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, built in the 16th century under orders from Ivan the Terrible. Legend has it that after it was built, Ivan blinded the architect who made it so he could never build a more beautiful building. True or not, it’s undoubtedly one of a kind, even among Russia’s many eclectic churches, with its distinctive patterned and brightly coloured domes.

By the walls of the Kremlin, you’ll find Lenin’s Mausoleum where his body has been preserved since his death in 1924 (bar a few brief periods during wartime). While you’ll only be allowed a cursory visit, it’s an eerie historical relic to tick off the bucket list. An altogether cheerier way to spend the time could be skating on the seasonal rink that takes up residence each year next to the glittering lights of GUM, Moscow’s upmarket 19th-century shopping centre.

Take a walk in nearby Kitay-Gorod, one of Moscow’s oldest areas, where you’ll find icons of Tsarist Russia, such as the famous Bolshoi Theatre and the Hotel Metropol, the hotel of choice of foreign visitors from John Steinbeck to Mao Zedong. Decked out in a sea of Christmas lights, the newly pedestrianised Nikolskaya Street is one of the city’s top shopping streets.

Refuel on Soviet-style dumplings

After a chilly morning of sightseeing, head to Varenichnaya No 1 on Nikolskaya Street for the perfect carb-filled antidote to the winter cold. Ravioli-like dumplings from across the former USSR are the order of the day. Try traditional flavours such as mushroom, cabbage or cheese, and even sweet variants like chocolate and raspberry (but maybe not all at the same time), all topped with lashings of butter and Russia’s beloved smetana (sour cream). The nostalgic Soviet-inspired decor is packed with old books and trinkets, so it’s almost a museum trip in itself.

Stroll by the frozen river

Walk or take the metro to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (metro: Kropotkinskaya), a site symbolic of Russia’s turbulent history . While you can find pre-revolutionary photographs of this opulent cathedral, this version is a replica. The original church was destroyed in 1931 to make way for the sci-fi-esque Palace of the Soviets, which would have been, at the time, the world’s tallest building. However, war efforts stopped its construction, and for many years, the site served as a huge open-air swimming pool. In the late 1990s, the cathedral was rebuilt, and in 2012, Pussy Riot staged a performance here that landed them in jail. From Kropotkinskaya, take the metro one stop farther south for a quick look at the palatial Park Kultury station, decked out with marble and chandeliers.

If you’re up for a walk, head to Sparrow Hills for panoramic views of the city (otherwise, shelter from the cold while admiring the Tretyakov Gallery’s comprehensive collection of Russian art). Take the red line onwards to Vorobyovy Gory station, and head down into the park to pick a path to meander up to the top of the hill.

At the top, you’ll have views over the whole city, while behind you is the imposing Moscow State University. One of Stalin’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ buildings, it was the tallest building in Europe until 1990, and its 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) of corridors house everything from a pool to a police station and a bomb shelter. See how many other ‘sisters’ you can spot – their monumental style is instantly recognisable.

Go skating in Gorky Park

Wander back down to the river and turn right for a scenic walk that will take you to Gorky Park. As the country’s first major public space, this was a Soviet project for the cities of the future – a place where everyone could relax and do sports. Ever a mirror of its time, after some bad years in the ’90s, it is once again a star attraction, with a rolling programme of concerts and festivals and a plethora of slick restaurants and cafés. In winter, it transforms into a lantern-lit maze of skateable rinks and paths and is the perfect place to curl up with some glintveyn (mulled wine) and some medovik (honey cake) and marvel at the sub-zero temperatures.

Sample Georgian cuisine

Moscow is one of the best places outside Georgia to get your hands on Georgian food , which makes a colourful and spicy contrast to Russia’s traditional fare. Khachapuri (14 Shabolovka Street), named after the tangy cheese bread that is a staple of Georgian cuisine, has a modern vibe and serves up tasty khachapuri , khinkali dumplings and vibrant Georgian mezze, to name a few. Wash it all down with a carafe of Georgian wine.

Drink vodka the Russian way

One of Russia’s most famous exports, vodka , is the drink of choice for celebrations. For the best experience, vodka should be kept in the freezer and served in ice-cold glasses. But be warned: a typical serving of vodka is a full 50 millilitres. To take the edge off, have a salty snack or some Russian rye bread. You can find a good selection of vodkas in most bars, but if you’re after a classier experience, try Oblomov near Dobryninskaya metro. It will remind you of a Tsarist-era country estate and offers upmarket vodkas as well as lesser-known Russian spirits in flavours from buckwheat to horseradish.

Party in an old chocolate factory

Situated right on the Moskva River, the former Red October chocolate factory now houses the Strelka Institute design school and is a prime hotspot for arty hang-outs. The Strelka Bar has a wide range of cocktails using fresh local ingredients and at prices below the going rate for such a central spot, with stunning views of the river. The nearby Gipsy nightclub boasts a huge dance floor and an eclectic soundtrack that should keep you dancing well into the night.

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Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

For anyone feeling a sudden urge for summer wanderlust, Google unveiled its top 20 destinations that travelers have already taken an interest in for any upcoming warm weather getaways.

From domestic to international locations, Google shared insights based on past flight booking data and search trends with "Good Morning America" to help people start planning summer vacation spots or shape an ideal itinerary.

Much like snubs and surprises during awards season, there are a couple of places that fell out of favor since last year as well as some new additions that made this year's list.

Check out all the spots below.

Top summer 2024 destinations on Google flights

The search engine technology company said the list reflects people in the U.S. searching on Google Flights for travel anytime between June 1 through August 31, 2024.

Cancun, which previously came in at number one during summer, dropped to number six, while Tokyo is on the rise, with Madrid and San Juan new to the summer location lineup.

1. London 2. Paris 3. Tokyo 4. Rome 5. New York 6. Cancun 7. Orlando 8. Las Vegas 9. Seattle 10. Athens 11. Los Angeles 12. Miami 13. Barcelona 14. Dublin 15. Fort Lauderdale 16. Honolulu 17. Denver 18. Madrid 19. Boston 20. San Juan

The biggest change from 2023, according to Google, is that Cancun moved down from the number two spot to number six, while Tokyo rose from number eight to number three.

Newcomers to the top destinations list include San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Madrid, Spain. Chicago and San Francisco didn't make the top 20 this year.

Travel trends on Google search

Google gathers insights from mid-January to mid-March from U.S. users to find out what travel-related queries are top of mind ahead of summer.

Searches for "travel itinerary" and "solo travel" reached an all-time high in January.

Two of the top trending "weekend getaway" destinations are Palm Springs and Florida Keys.

The top trending "romantic getaway" destinations were Napa, the famed California wine country, and Key West, home to the southernmost point in the Continental U.S. with historic landmarks.

Finally, La Romana and Saint John were the top trending destinations searched with all-inclusive resorts.

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Expert reveals ways to detect and avoid bed bug infestations while travelling

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Don't forget to check your room for tiny, invasive and itchy roommates. Photo / Getty Images

Don’t let the bed bugs bite – or worse – become an unwanted souvenir.

The last thing you want to deal with after a day at the beach or a full day of city exploration is a bedbug infestation . These pesky critters can easily turn your dream holiday into a nightmare, and worse, they can come home with you and infest your own bed, too.

After last year’s nightmare infestation in Paris , it pays to know what warning signs you should be looking for.

Nick Shacklock, a homeware professional from the UK, shared with the Express newspaper what guests should do as soon as they check into a new hotel.

Take note of his helpful suggestions and make sure you can identify and get rid of potential bed bugs at your accommodation

First inspection

The main thing to look for in finding bed bugs is blood.

Nic said: “Bed bugs are easily squashed and when this happens, they tend to leave a lot of blood.”

Don’t shrug off any stains, especially red patches, since it is highly likely that the red stains in your sheets are squashed bed bugs and there may be more lurking around.

Additionally, inspect the room’s walls and furniture for any weird and alarming dark and white spots since they tend to crawl under whatever surface is available.

Musty odour

A smelly room should be a major red flag on its own, but a musty, lingering aroma is a big indication that your room is infested with bed bugs.

Bed bugs omit a musty scent from their scent glands. Double-check if the bottom of the bed and the mattress smell funky, and if it is, you better have a backup accommodation option in place.

Eggs are another indicator of a bed bug infestation . These eggs are tiny, about 1mm wide, and have a pale yellow appearance. Spotting them on furniture or bedding is a sure sign that you’re dealing with bedbugs.

Morning itches and red lumps

The biggest and worst sign of a bug infestation is its manifestation on your body.

If you wake up with red, itchy lumps around your body, it’s likely the critters have bitten you in the night. Don’t shrug off any itchiness, as bite marks might not show up straightaway.

Of course, there can be multiple reasons for skin irritation , but what makes bed bug bits distinct is how the bite patterns are usually grouped in a line, whereas other bugs such as mosquitoes and fleas don’t bite in this formation.

While most places you check into will be perfectly clean and free from bed bugs, it always pays to be vigilant. These critters love a holiday too, and may just spend their next getaway in your bed at home.

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Morning Mail: OJ Simpson dies, locked up children miss schooling, Dutton’s office bill for Rinehart party trip

Want to get this in your inbox every weekday? Sign up for the Morning Mail here , and finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter

Good morning. The Queensland government is in the firing line, accused of failing to provide adequate schooling to children who are locked up. Children held in the “youth hub” of the Caboolture police watch house are receiving about 44 minutes of schooling on average each weekday. Lessons at that level have been dismissed as “meaningless” by child advocates.

Meanwhile, we can reveal that while Peter Dutton travelled at his own expense to the lavish birthday party of Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, in Perth, his office billed taxpayers thousands of dollars for two staff to travel with him.

And OJ Simpson, the ex-NFL star who was found not guilty of murder in 1995 after a celebrity court trial that gripped the world, has died of cancer aged 76.

Youth justice | Data from a question on notice by the Queensland shadow attorney general, Tim Nicholls, has shown children held in a police watch house “youth hub” are receiving less than an hour of daily schooling on average.

Exclusive | Peter Dutton’s office claimed nearly $6,000 in public expenses for staff and security to travel to Perth with the opposition leader when he attended Gina Rinehart’s lavish birthday party in February.

‘Ambitious target’ | Australia could cut national greenhouse gases by at least 65% and up to 75% by 2035, according to an initial assessment by the Albanese government’s climate advisory body.

Avian influenza | Back yard chicken owners have been urged to implement biosecurity measures to prevent contact with wild birds in the wake of a global outbreak that has reach as far as Antarctica.

Advice revealed | Within months of Labor’s election win, officials told Andrew Giles “concrete steps” were needed on deporting some non-citizens in warnings of increased legal risks over immigration detention .

‘Black room’ | A banquet room with frescoes depicting characters inspired by the Trojan war has been unearthed among Pompeii ruins – and described as one of most striking discoveries ever made at the archaeological site.

Gaza crisis | The US is seeking to deter Iran from carrying out a retaliatory strike against Israel, officials say; meanwhile, Hamas says it doesn’t have 40 captives who are still alive who meet the “humanitarian criteria” for a proposed hostages-for-prisoners ceasefire agreement.

OJ Simpson | The former NFL star , acquitted of murder in 1995 in a case that gripped the world and heralded a blending of celebrity and crime that has become a staple of media ever since, has died aged 76 .

Russsia-Ukraine war | Ukraine’s MPs have passed a mobilisation bill aimed at conscripting hundreds of thousands of new troops as its forces deal with growing casualties and fresh Russian offensives.

Micronesia | Three fishermen stranded on a remote Pacific atoll for more than a week were rescued after spelling out the word “HELP” in the sand using giant palm fronds.

Labor’s changing rhetoric on Palestine

The foreign minister, Penny Wong, spoke this week about finding a pathway to peace in the Middle East – calling for a two-state solution and the recognition of Palestine as a state. In response, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, accused Wong of alienating Australia’s international allies. Gabrielle Jackson speaks with Lenore Taylor and Mike Ticher about the response to Wong’s calls to recognise Palestinian statehood .

Newsroom edition: Labor’s changing rhetoric on Palestine – Full Story podcast

Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $https://audio.guim.co.uk/2024/04/11-30653-FS_FS_Gaza_ch_110424_1715.mp3

Thirty years ago, a humble silver bus was transformed into a cinematic icon when the low-budget Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert became a heartwarming, Oscar-winning smash hit. But for years, no one knew where the bus used in Stephan Elliott’s film went after it had seemingly vanished without trace. The story of where she ended up, and how she was found , is worthy of a film in itself.

Not the news

Bri Lee’s debut novel, The Work, is torn between two books: one is a half hearted skewering of money and power, the other a modern romance. Split between New York and Sydney, the novel uses the lenses of gender inequity, power and class to scrutinise the cultural sector’s gatekeepers and profiteers. Ultimately though, says Jack Callil, this satirical – and horny – art world romp tries to tick too many boxes .

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The world of sport

Swimming | James Magnussen should be banned for life if he deliberately dopes in a bid to break a world record in the Enhanced Games, the World Aquatics chief has said.

Football | David Squires on … the most brutal moment in the A-League’s history ; plus, Liverpool take on Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen face West Ham in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.

Golf | All the action as the best in the golfing world take on the course on day one of the Masters at Augusta .

Media roundup

The defence minister, Richard Marles, is preparing to travel to Ukraine in a show of support aimed at combating claims of faltering Australian backing for Ukraine’s war against Russia, reports the Sydney Morning Herald . Peak farming bodies say a mining company’s proposal to store waste carbon dioxide in Australia’s biggest underground freshwater system puts the nation’s food production system at risk , reports ABC News . Police in Melbourne and shipping operators are bracing for parts of the city and the Port of Melbourne – Australia’s busiest port – to be shut down on Monday as part of global protest action over Israel’s invasion of Gaza , reports the Age .

What’s happening today

New South Wales | A hearing is scheduled in Sydney in the class action against the federal government over AstraZeneca vaccinations.

Western Australia | A hearing is scheduled in the legal dispute between Yindjibarndi people and the mining company Fortescue Metals.

New South Wales | The infrastructure minister, Catherine King, is due to give the keynote address at the 2024 Infrastructure Conference.

If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here . And finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news. Sign up for our Afternoon Update newsletter here .

Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app , just click here and tap “Get notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.

Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

Quick crossword

Cryptic crossword

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Middle East latest: US 'moving additional assets' to region amid fears of Iran attack on Israel

Washington officials expect Iran to attack Israel in retaliation to a strike on its embassy in Syria - as the US says it will not be drawn into any wider war and Tehran suggests its response will be non-escalatory. Listen to our latest podcast on how tensions are rising in the region.

Friday 12 April 2024 23:01, UK

• Israel-Hamas war
• Iran's threat of attack is real and viable, White House says
• US 'moving additional assets' to Middle East
• Iran attack on Israel expected in coming days - reports
• Tehran 'telling US' it will avoid major escalation
• Number of Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza rises to 33,634, health ministry says
• Dominic Waghorn:  Risk of bigger war rising - but Biden knows he can't blink
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• Explained: Why is Iran threatening to attack Israel? 

That's all for our coverage for now. 

Well be back tomorrow morning with more updates on the Israel-Hamas war and wider tensions in the Middle East. 

Tensions in the Middle East are continuing to increase this evening, as the US moves assets in the region to better protect its forces and bolster regional deterrence. 

It comes amid the threat of an Iranian attack on Israel in retaliation to a deadly strike on its embassy in Syria. 

Earlier, Joe Biden was asked what his message was to Iran. 

You can watch the US president's answer below.... 

More details now on the news we brought you earlier about that US military moving assets in the Middle East. 

An American defence official told Sky News the move was being made to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase protection of US forces in the region. 

Now, our US partner NBC News has reported most of the assets involved are already deployed in the area and just moving around. 

Officials said moves were being made to be better positioned for defence of Israel and US assets and in case the US needs to respond to whatever Iran does. 

The specific assets being moved in the region have not been identified. 

Germany has advised it citizens to leave Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. 

The German foreign offices warned there was a risk of sudden escalation in Tehran's situation with Israel and also of arbitrary arrest in the country. 

"In the current tensions, especially between Israel and Iran, there is a risk of a sudden escalation," it wrote in a travel warning. 

"It cannot be excluded that air, land and sea transport routes could be affected." 

It said Germans were at "concrete risk" of being arrested, interrogated and being given long prison sentences. 

"Dual citizens with Iranian and German nationality are especially at risk," it added. 

Three Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank today in military raids and settler rampage. 

Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinians, including a member of the armed wing of Hamas, in raids. 

While, the Palestinian Health Ministry has reported at least one person was killed in an Israeli settler rampage near Ramallah.

The Israeli military said Mohammad Omar Daraghmeh, who has been described as the head of Hamas infrastructure in the Tubas area, was killed during an exchange of fire with security forces.

It said a number of weapons and military-style equipment, including automatic rifles were found in his vehicle.

Hamas confirmed Daraghmeh's death and his membership of its armed Al Qassam Brigades.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said another man was killed by Israeli forces conducting a raid in the al Far'a refugee camp in Tubas.

Hamas mourned the man's death but did not claim him as a member. 

The military said forces carrying out the operation opened fire on Palestinians who threw explosive devices and killed one man it said was attempting to attack them.

Israel has stepped up military raids in the West Bank since launching its operation in Gaza. 

Joe Biden has reiterated US support for Israel, saying his administration is "devoted" to its defence. 

The US president said his message to Iran, which has threatened to take military action against Israel, was simply "don't". 

"We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed," he said. 

His comments come after a US defence official confirmed to Sky News that "additional assets" were being moved to the Middle East to "bolster regional deterrence efforts". 

Iran has threatened to attack Israel in retaliation to a deadly strike on its embassy in Syria last week.

Israel has been widely blamed for the attack, but has not commented on it publicly. 

Around 40 rocket launches have been identified crossing from Lebanon, the Israeli military has said. 

In a Telegram post, the Israel Defence Forces said some rockets were intercepted, and the rest fell in open areas. 

It also confirmed two Hezbollah explosive drones that had entered Israeli territory from Lebanon had been intercepted. 

"Over the last few hours, the IDF struck in a number of locations in southern Lebanon in order to remove a threat," it added. 

Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have regularly exchanged fire across the border since the war in Gaza erupted last year. 

Throughout the day, we have been reporting on the threat of an Iranian attack on Israel. 

The US has warned the threat is "real" and "viable" and, in the last few moments, an American defence official has confirmed "additional assets" are being moved to the Middle East as a result. 

Our security and defence analyst Michael Clarke has said it is "quite likely" Iran will attack, and the US has been given signals all day that it could be "imminent". 

He added he is "fairly sure" Iran will not let go of the deadly strike on its embassy in Syria - which is what sparked the threat of an attack in the first place. 

"The United States is pretty clear now that something is about to happen, maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, but it won't be much further than that, and it might be quite big," Prof Clarke said.

He explained that the US has said it is more likely Iran will launch a direct attack on Israel, and the Iranians do have missiles with the capability to do so.

Israel has made it very clear it will hit back if Iran decides to attack, and Prof Clarke said some Israelis would "almost like that to happen" so they could attack some of Iran's nuclear facilities. 

You can watch his full analysis below...  

The US is "moving additional assets" to the Middle East, a defence official has told Sky News. 

The move will "bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces", the official said. 

Our US correspondent Mark Stone said no further details have been provided. 

"That means more military hardware is being moved or will be moved to the region to do two things - try to deter Iran from taking any massive action and also to protect existing American forces that are in the region," he said. 

"I think the consensus among experts is that the Iranian will respond, but they will almost certainly respond against Israel directly rather than any American military in the region. 

"Nevertheless, what that response will look like and what it will mean in terms of an Israeli response, we don't know yet." 

The announcement comes after the White House said it changed its force posture in the region amid threats of an Iranian attack on Israel. 

Fears of an escalating situation in the Middle East have grown in recent days after Iran threatened to attack Israel. 

But how is Iran involved in the conflict - and why is it threatening to attack Israel? 

Firstly, Iran is the biggest backer of Hamas, having provided weapons and training to the militant group in previous years. 

It also backs Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen - both of which have been involved in attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza erupted last year. 

Historically, Israel and Iran have been arch enemies, with both countries allegedly behind a long series of attacks on each other's interests. 

Tensions between the two nations have been increasingly stretched since Israel entered Gaza following the 7 October Hamas attacks. 

But, they became incredibly high last week after an attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria. 

That's why Iran is threatening to attack Israel. 

Two generals and seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were killed in the strike in Damascus, which Tehran has blamed on Israel. 

The US military has said it also believes Israel was behind the attack. 

However, Israel has not publicly commented on the airstrike. 

Iran has been warned by the US not to use the embassy attack as a pretext to escalate the situation in the region. 

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