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I've been to all 50 states. Here are the 10 I think everyone should visit at least once.

• Over the past decade, I've traveled solo to all 50 US states and most major US national parks.
• Although I've found beauty in every state, there are some that I want to visit over and over again.
• I love traveling to places like New Mexico, Montana, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

Over the past decade, I've successfully visited all 50 US states solo. I've even made it to most of the major US national parks along the way. Because of this journey, I'm often asked which states I'd recommend to travelers.

Although most international travelers gravitate toward states like Florida and New York , I've found fantastic beauty and history in every state.

However, these are the 10 states I always return to.

New Mexico boasts a surprising variety of stunning landscapes.

New Mexico is always at the top of my list when recommending US states. Nicknamed " the land of enchantment ," it lives up to its moniker — and then some.

Those who haven't visited New Mexico may think of the state as a mostly barren desert, but it's actually the diverse landscapes that keep me coming back.

From the otherworldly dunes of White Sands National Park to the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there's beauty to be found around every corner.

Outside the natural beauty, the state is chock full of history, art, food, wine, and culture.

Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

With its vast open spaces, majestic mountains, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, Montana is a must-visit state for any outdoor enthusiast.

The state is home to the breathtaking Glacier National Park and parts of Yellowstone National Park . The sky is vast and open, the mountains are towering, and the lack of development makes me feel like I'm entering another world entirely.

California is full of diverse landscapes and experiences.

Every time I visit California , I feel like I'm entering a completely different reality.

The sheer size and diversity of the state are impressive, and it has gorgeous beaches, cities, forests, deserts, mountains, and even volcanoes.

I love road-tripping up the coast, visiting Yosemite National Park, taking a boat to the Channel Islands, and wine tasting in places like Napa and Sonoma.

There's no place quite like the Maine coast.

There's so much to love about Maine, but my favorite part of the state is the coast. With jagged and dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and lobster shacks, visiting the Maine coast is an unforgettable experience.

It's easy to find peace in the state that sees the first sunrise of the year and is home to Acadia National Park, which is one of the country's most popular national parks.

I love to road trip up the coast, stopping in beautiful towns like Kennebunkport, Bar Harbour, and Lubec.

I've returned to West Virginia multiple times.

While it may not get as much attention as some of the other states on this list, I've returned to West Virginia multiple times since my first visit.

The state's natural beauty is stunning, from New River Gorge National Park to ample lush forests, underground caverns, historic small towns, and over 200 waterfalls .

Wisconsin is home to beautiful scenery and great dining options.

Wisconsin has so much more than first meets the eye, from the natural beauty of the Apostle Islands and the 15,000 lakes in the state to the classic cheese curds, breweries, and wineries that dot the landscape.

I love spending time along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, dining at one of the state's famous supper clubs, and exploring the many Wisconsin state parks.

As my home state, Colorado will always hold a special place in my heart.

I couldn't write a list like this without including my home state of Colorado. The state has so much to offer, from beautiful views to fun activities.

On the Front Range, I enjoy hiking in Boulder and exploring Cheyenne Cañon. I like to spend the night at the The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs before heading over to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

In the Rockies, I love driving Independence Pass to Aspen, as well as exploring the underrated Grand Mesa, which is the biggest flat-top mountain in the world . I also enjoy taking road trips to the charming mountain towns of Telluride, Buena Vista, and Steamboat Springs.

No matter where you find yourself in Colorado, there's no shortage of incredible natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

Utah is home to five major national parks.

Utah is a state that you have to see to believe. With five major national parks, 46 state parks, 15 ski resorts, and hidden gems at every turn — you'll never get bored here.

I love visiting Moab to hike in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park before heading south to Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Zion National Park .

I also love making stops in Park City and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

New Hampshire boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

The Northeast is famous for fall foliage, but I can't help but think that New Hampshire is sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors, Maine and Vermont.

I was stunned by its natural beauty during my first trip to the state. From the White Mountains to Franconia Notch State Park, the state boasts some of the best skiing and hiking in the Northeast.

Arizona is the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

Arizona is well known for the Grand Canyon, but the state has much more to offer. From Flagstaff's high-altitude forests to Sedona's iconic red rocks, Arizona's diversity is surprising and worth a trip.

I love hiking among the cacti in Sedona or Scottsdale before heading to one of the many resorts to jump in a pool or hit the spa — the perfect escape for adventure and relaxation.

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Watch CBS News

U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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Transcript: John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson, on "Face the Nation," April 14, 2024

Full transcript of "Face the Nation," April 14, 2024

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Vote for your favorite luxury rv resort!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

A stay at these 20 luxury RV resorts, nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S, gives you the best of both worlds — the comforts of your own RV with the amenities of a five-star resort. The perks go far beyond full hookups and Wi-Fi; many include extras like swimming pools, movie theaters, tennis courts, private docks, and full-service spas.  Which luxury RV resort would you most like to visit? Vote for your favorite once per day until voting ends on Monday, May 6 at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winners on Wednesday, May 15.  Read the official Readers' Choice rules .

A stay at these 20 luxury RV resorts, nominated by an expert panel as the best in the U.S, gives you the best of both worlds — the comforts of your own RV with the amenities of a five-star resort. The perks go far...   Read More

Best Luxury RV Resort Nominees

Photo courtesy of Denise Barlock

Bluewater Key RV Resort

Key West, Florida

Bluewater Key RV Resort in Key West welcomes RVers with near-perfect weather throughout the year, easy access to nearby attractions and golf courses, and stellar amenities. Enjoy conveniences like a temperature-controlled swimming pool, private tropical tiki huts, a dog park, clubhouse, private docks, and high-speed fiber internet.

Photo courtesy of Camp Fimfo

Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country

New Braunfels, Texas

Located in scenic Texas Hill Country, Camp Fimfo aptly describes itself as “a Texas-sized retreat on the Guadalupe River," with 1,000 feet of river frontage. The luxury campsite is family friendly and has monthly rates for those who want to make it a real home away from home. Some on-site amenities include a heated pool, water playground, hot tubs, mini golf, waterslides, and pickleball courts.

Photo courtesy of Matt Theriault

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Cabana Cabins

Auburndale, Florida

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort invites guests to “get into the island state of mind” in central Florida. Located conveniently between Orlando and Tampa, their oversized sites have plenty of room to accommodate all RV sizes and include full hookups, free Wi-Fi and cable access, a charcoal grill, and a picnic table. Each week, the resort features live music and entertainment with delicious food trucks and fun activities for all family members.

Photo courtesy of Disney

The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Orlando, Florida

Equipped with 750 acres of lush Sunshine State land, The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort are perfect for a little relaxation in between hitting the parks. While wildlife and walking trails abound across the area, guests can also take advantage of the archery classes, canoeing sessions, and on-site pool complete with a lengthy waterslide.

Photo courtesy of Vima Productions

Dark Sky RV Campground

Kanab, Utah

A paradise for astronomy aficionados, Dark Sky RV Campground offers a spectacular perspective on the scenic Utah city of Kanab. In addition to amenities like private bathroom suites and an outdoor kitchen complete with a grill, the site offers 40 acres of pristine land that are almost totally free of light pollution, providing the perfect opportunity for stargazing on clear nights.

Photo courtesy of Austin Marvel

Firefly Resort

Fredericksburg, Texas

During a lengthy journey across Texas Hill Country, Firefly Resort serves as the perfect base for a few days of relaxation. While the massive two-tiered pool complex serves as its centerpiece, there's a wealth of other amenities to enjoy during a stay, with options spanning from a bookable private chef experience to a playground for younger guests to enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Drazen Zigic / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground

Buellton, California

Fire pits, massive pools, and a sprawling playground are just a few of the amenities that await guests at Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground, a lauded property in the heart of Santa Ynez wine country. Visitors can swing by on-property dining venue Feather & Fire for some ultra-flavorful pizza, and any canine pals can enjoy the dog park.

Photo courtesy of skynesher / E+ Getty Images

Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hilton Head is renowned for its incredible golf courses, but there's a lot more to do across the island than just hit the driving range. For those who prefer to stay in, the on-property spa tub, pool, and gym are all top spots, while bike rentals and outdoor pickleball and tennis courts are available for anyone in need of some fresh air.

Photo courtesy of Nena Quick

Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Motorcoach (LVM) Resort offers Class A Motorcoach facilities across 41 acres in the heart of Las Vegas. Some 400 landscaped sites are shaded with more than 1,000 palm trees, while amenities include a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, resort-style swimming pools, a spa, pickleball courts, and a fitness center.

Photo courtesy of Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

Townsend, Tennessee

Located on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is a top spot for basking in the verdant beauty of Appalachia. Incredible hiking opportunities abound all around the site, while activities like bingo and trivia are perfect for befriending fellow travelers — and to sweeten the deal, spa services can be booked for guests as well.

Photo courtesy of Irina Velichkina / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Luxury RV Resort

Gulf Shores, Alabama

The southern shores of Alabama are renowned for their idyllic beauty, and Luxury RV Resort is perfectly equipped to showcase its wonders. Beyond the 97 RV sites scattered across the property, visitors can play a few rounds of cornhole or shuffleboard, use the kitchen in the on-site clubhouse, or do a few loads of laundry after a long day lounging at the beach.

Photo courtesy of Motorcoach Country Club

Motorcoach Country Club

Indio, California

The Motorcoach Country Club in the Palm Springs area features scenic beauty and the amenities of a five-star resort. Regular activities and events — like bocce ball tournaments, billiards nights, pickleball, and golf outings — keep the community active and engaged.

Photo courtesy of Mountain Falls Luxury Motorcoach Resort

Mountain Falls Luxury Motorcoach Resort

Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

Mountain Falls Luxury Motorcoach Resort, located in the mountains of western North Carolina, gives visitors easy access to Lake Toxaway and the surrounding waterfalls, lakes, streams, and parklands. On-site amenities include pickleball courts, bocce ball, a fitness facility, two swimming pools, and a dog park.

Photo courtesy of Naples Motorcoach Resort

Naples Motorcoach Resort

Naples, Florida

The Naples Motorcoach Resort is one of the only motorcoach resorts with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Features like a large infinity pool, spa, fitness center, dog park, private theater, two card rooms, and outdoor pickleball courts lend the feeling of a five-star resort.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Daniels

Normandy Farms

Foxboro, Massachusetts

Normandy Farms, deep in the woods between Boston and Cape Cod, has been serving RVers since 1971. Facilities include a bike park, creative arts center, disc golf course, dog park, fitness center, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and a wellness center.

Photo courtesy of welcomia // Getty Images

Resort at Canopy Oaks

Lake Wales, Florida

Featuring 200 acres of green space, Resort at Canopy Oaks hosts five styles of RV sites, including waterfront, premium, and platinum. All sites come with concrete pads, full hookups, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Visitors can enjoy amenities like a resort-style pool, pickleball courts, clubhouse, tiki bar, and an on-site pizza and sandwich shop.

Photo courtesy of Kampgrounds of America, Inc.

Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA Holiday

Summerland Key, Florida

For visitors exploring the beauty of the Florida Keys via RV, Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA Holiday offers particularly lavish accommodations. Rental boats, paddleboards, and kayaks are available for guests who want to explore the sparkling shores, while those who prefer to stay inland can hop on a rental bike or spend their time lounging by the property's pool.

Photo courtesy of Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains

Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains

Granby, Colorado

Kayaking, bowling, and gold panning are just a few of the activities available for guests at Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains, a sprawling RV camping site in Colorado's Grand County. During the warmer months, guests can take full advantage of the rushing Colorado River with fly-fishing and bocce ball, while skiing is a top activity for visitors during the winter.

Photo courtesy of The Waves Signature RV Resort

The Waves RV Resort

The Waves RV Resort offers guests easy access to the Gulf Cost’s nearby white sand beaches. As a 55+ active lifestyle resort, the gated, 56-acre RV destination has amenities like a clubhouse, a fitness center, billiard room, and a tiki lounge with fire pits. Lakefront RV sites offer full hookups with cable and Wi-Fi.

Photo courtesy of SeventyFour // Getty Images

Winding River Resort

Grand Lake, Colorado

Just west of Rocky Mountain National Park, Winding River Resort highlights the spectacular beauty of the Centennial State at its best. All throughout the year, RV owners arrive in droves to take advantage of the massive array of outdoor activities, with fishing, hiking, farm visits, snowmobiling, and horseback trail rides all available for guests.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Chez chesak.

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50...   Read More

Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at [email protected].

Jenny Peters

Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los...   Read More

Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel...   Read More

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator of  O. Christine : a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work at  ochristine.com  and  instagram.com/ochristine.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Middle East Crisis Biden’s Message to Iran Over Impending Attack: ‘Don’t’

• Share full article
• A couple clearing the rubble from a home in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Associated Press
• Smoke billowing following a strike in the Nuseirat neighborhood in central Gaza on Friday. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
• A bullet-riddled car after a raid by Israeli forces in the Faraa neighborhood of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Zain Jaafar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Protesters in Tel Aviv calling for a deal and the release of hostages held in Gaza. Jack Guez/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Palestinians looking over damage in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Armed men at the funeral of a militant killed by Israeli forces, in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Raneen Sawafta/Reuters
• Palestinians leaving Nuseirat in central Gaza during an Israeli military operation on Friday. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
• A makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, on Thursday. Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and boys protesting against the prospect of Israeli army conscription, in Jerusalem. Menahem Kahana/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• A memorial in Tel Aviv for hostages kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hannah Mckay/Reuters

President Biden vows to stand by Israel despite recent disagreements.

President Biden told reporters on Friday that he expected Iran to launch an attack on Israel “sooner than later” as a response to Israel’s killing of several top Iranian generals in a bombing in Syria two weeks ago.

Mr. Biden said he needed to be careful not to reveal classified information being collected by intelligence and military officials as they braced for an attack they believed was imminent. And he had a blunt, succinct answer when he was asked what his message to Iran was.

“Don’t,” he said.

Officials in the United States and other nations are engaged in a furious diplomatic effort to try to prevent a response from Iran that could spiral into a wider war. But Mr. Biden and his top aides have made it clear that their disagreement with Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip would not prevent the United States from defending Israel against attacks from other adversaries.

“We are devoted to the defense of Israel,” Mr. Biden told reporters at the White House after a speech to the National Action Network. “We will support Israel and help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed.”

He did not specify what actions the United States might take.

John F. Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said earlier on Friday that the administration was taking the threat of an attack seriously.

“We are certainly mindful of a very public — and what we consider to be a very credible — threat made by Iran in terms of potential attacks on Israel,” he said. “We are in constant communication with our Israeli counterparts about making sure that they can defend themselves against those kinds of attacks.”

Mr. Kirby said the U.S. military was making adjustments to its force deployments in the Middle East to be ready in case an attack occurred, but he declined to be specific about those changes.

“We’re also clearly — it would be imprudent if we didn’t — taking a look at our own posture in the region, to make sure that we’re more properly prepared as well,” he said.

— Michael D. Shear

The U.S. issues new travel guidelines, warning that Iran will avenge the killings of senior commanders.

Several countries including the United States have issued new travel guidelines for Israel and the surrounding region, as the Israeli military said its forces were “highly alert” for a possible Iranian strike in retaliation for the killings of several commanders.

Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back at Israel over the bombing of an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military officers. An American official said on Friday that Washington expects an attack by Iran against Israel that would be bigger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not so big that it would draw the United States into war. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The U.S. State Department on Thursday barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government had restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the war in Gaza began more than six months ago.

On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they “should consider leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India told its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” while France advised people not to travel to Israel, Iran or Lebanon and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.

Asked about the U.S. travel warning , Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: “We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days.” He declined to provide details about any specific information that prompted the warning.

The new guidelines bar U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to locations outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel could move among those areas for personal travel.

The top American military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, traveled to Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.

“Our enemies think that they will divide Israel and the United States,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement on Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They are connecting us and are strengthening the relationship between us.”

If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”

On Thursday, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the armed forces were “highly alert and prepared” for any action Iran might take, even as the timing and scale of any response remained unclear. Analysts say that Tehran, which has long used a network of proxy forces to project power across the Middle East, wants to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that could drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime.

“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has been financing, directing and arming its proxies — in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Yemen — to attack the state of Israel,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”

— Liam Stack and Eric Schmitt

U.S. and Iranian officials predict Iran will strike Israel but not U.S. forces in the next few days.

Iran is expected to mount an attack soon on Israel, but not on the United States or its military forces, when Tehran retaliates for an Israeli bombing in Damascus, Syria, that killed several senior Iranian commanders, U.S. and Iranian officials said on Friday.

American intelligence analysts and officials think Iran will strike multiple targets inside Israel within the next few days, three U.S. officials said, speaking on anonymity to talk about sensitive matters they were not authorized to discuss publicly. Officials did not indicate what form the attack would take, what kinds of targets would be involved and the precise timing — information that is very closely guarded among senior Iranians.

The United States, Israel’s pre-eminent ally, has military forces in several places across the Middle East, but Iran likely will not target them to avoid inciting a direct conflict with the United States, according to Iranian officials, who similarly insisted on remaining anonymous, and the American officials.

In the first months of the war between Israel and Hamas, Iran-backed militias regularly attacked U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. But after a drone strike killed three Americans in Jordan in January, and the United States launched retaliatory strikes , Iran stopped the attacks by its proxies, fearing a more powerful U.S. response. Despite the clashes and hostile rhetoric, both Iranian and U.S. leaders have made it clear they want to avoid all-out war.

Iran has publicly and repeatedly vowed revenge for the April 1 strike on its embassy complex in Damascus that killed three generals and four other officers of its elite Quds Force, the foreign military and intelligence arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. But analysts say Iranian leaders want to calibrate their response so it is big enough to impress, at home and abroad, that Iran is not impotent in the face of conflict, but not so big that it spirals into a full-fledged war with Israel or draws an American attack.

How Israel would respond to an Iranian attack on its soil is unclear. The Israeli military “continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas,” Herzi Halevi, chief of the Israeli general staff, said in a statement on Friday. He added, “Our forces are prepared and ready at all times and for any scenario.”

A strategist for the Revolutionary Guards, one of the Iranian officials who spoke anonymously, said Iran wants to take advantage of the widening rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Biden over Israel’s conduct of the war against Hamas — and not unite them in hostility to Iran.

The Biden administration has not only criticized the level of death and destruction wrought by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, it has also voiced fears that increased clashes across Israel’s northern borders, primarily with Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, could escalate into a broader regional war.

Iran believes it can generate international support for a retaliatory strike by focusing attention on the attack against its embassy complex, a rare breach of the norms of war, and arguing that it was merely defending itself, the Iranian officials said.

International law generally treats embassies and consulates as being exempt from attack. But Israeli officials have argued that the building they destroyed was diplomatic only in name, and was used as a Revolutionary Guards base, as evidenced by the high-level commanders who were meeting there when they were killed.

Richard Pérez-Peña contributed reporting.

— Eric Schmitt and Farnaz Fassihi

An Iranian attack is likely to be measured, but a miscalculation risks a broader war, military analysts say.

Israeli forces were on high alert on Friday in anticipation of a retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies, which analysts and officials warned could spur an Israeli reaction and potentially provoke a broader conflict in the region.

Iran is expected to launch an attack as soon as this weekend in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike, in which warplanes struck an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus, killing three generals and other commanders, U.S. and Iranian officials said on Friday.

Military analysts said neither Israel nor Iran appeared interested in provoking a full-blown war that could draw in the United States, but that a miscalculation about either side’s red lines could result in an escalation in hostilities.

An Iranian response was inevitable given the high profile of one of the generals killed in Syria, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a top commander in Iran’s Quds Force, the analysts said.

“For every wise player, there comes a moment when the cost-benefit calculation shifts and all strategies are reset,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, the chief adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament. “For Iran, that moment was the attack in Damascus.”

Israel expects Iran to strike in a way that allows it to save face, but is measured enough to not arouse an even fiercer counterstrike, analysts say. The Iranians “don’t want a total war,” said Amos Gilead, a retired Israeli general. “So they might attack targets that would enable them to declare that they’ve achieved a great victory.”

Iran and Israel do not maintain any direct, formal channels of communication, making the chances for each side to misread the other’s intentions far greater, said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli military intelligence officer.

American intelligence analysts and officials think Iran will strike multiple targets inside Israel within the next few days, said three U.S. officials who requested anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

Where those strikes are aimed, from where they will be launched, who might carry them out and the damage they are expected to inflict remain secret to all but the highest levels of the Iranian government and military.

But Iran’s answer to those questions will determine the size and scope of Israel’s response, said Mr. Citrinowicz, a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

The country’s leaders most likely hope to use their strike to restore some semblance of deterrence following the killing of General Zahedi in Syria, he said. (Israel has not publicly taken responsibility for that attack, but several Israeli officials confirmed the country’s involvement to The New York Times.)

Such an Iranian response, Mr. Citrinowicz said, could mean an attack from Iranian territory rather than through its proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq .

Israel has warned that an attack launched from inside Iran on targets inside Israel would be considered an escalation that required a reaction.

Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said on Thursday such an attack would be “clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”

Last week, in anticipation of an Iranian strike, the Israeli military announced that additional reserve units had been called up to reinforce Israel’s air defense system and that combat soldiers expecting leave had been ordered to remain deployed.

Should Iran launch an attack from its own soil, said Mr. Citrinowicz, Israel’s air defenses would detect drones or cruise missiles long before they reached their targets, giving Israeli forces a chance to destroy them.

A more daunting scenario, he said, would be surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which would arrive in a matter of minutes. Israel has developed some defenses — such as the Arrow system — to intercept longer-range missiles.

“If we manage to intercept most of what’s incoming, that would be excellent — it would moderate our need to respond offensively,” Mr. Citrinowicz said.

Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.

— Aaron Boxerman

Police shut down a Pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin, citing a risk of antisemitic statements.

German police stop pro-palestinian conference, the german police shut down a pro-palestinian conference in berlin, citing the risk that one of the speakers invited might make antisemitic comments or incite violence..

[shouting] “I’m just trying to —” Crowd: “Shame on you. Shame on you.” “Free, free, free Palestine.” Crowd: “Free, free, free Palestine.” “Free, free, free Palestine.” Crowd: “Free free, free Palestine.”

The German police shut down a pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin on Friday and denied entry to the country to a prominent British-Palestinian doctor who had planned to attend it.

Hundreds of police swarmed a gathering of some 250 people attending the “Palestine Conference” and banned the three-day event from continuing, citing the risk that one of the speakers invited might make antisemitic comments or incite violence.

“There is a risk that a speaker who has already made antisemitic or violence-glorifying public statements in the past will be invited to speak again,” the police wrote on social media.

In addition, Ghassan Abu Sitta, a well-known British-Palestinian plastic surgeon who worked in Gaza during the first weeks of Israel’s bombardment last year, said the authorities refused to allow him to enter Germany.

Dr. Abu Sitta had given testimony before the International Court of Justice in a genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel. He said the German authorities held him for hours at the airport before refusing to let him enter the country.

“The German government has forcibly prevented me from entering the country,” Dr. Abu Sitta wrote on social media. “Silencing a witness to genocide before the I.C.J. adds to Germany’s complicity in the ongoing massacre.”

Although leaders of Germany, the largest exporter of military aid to Israel after the United States, have begun to cautiously voice concern over Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, there is still widespread suppression of criticism of Israel, a policy that has generated controversy over concerns that it restricts free speech.

Germany’s government has long held that its support of Israel’s existence is an ironclad part of its foreign policy, and that support is seen in Berlin as part of the country’s atonement for the Holocaust. That has led the authorities to take a restrictive stance toward criticisms of Israel, even though some of those expressing those views, including some of the organizers of the Palestine Conference, are Jewish.

Videos of the police shutting down the conference included one of officers dragging out a man wearing a kipa, or skullcap, in the colors of the Palestinian flag, shouting “Free Palestine.”

In Berlin, police have often preemptively shut down demonstrations and events criticizing Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, citing concerns over antisemitism or violence.

On Friday, the city’s mayor, Kai Wegner, said he found it “intolerable” that such a conference was happening in Berlin. “We have made it clear that hatred of Israel has no place in Berlin,” he wrote on social media.

According to its website , the Palestine Conference planned to bring together Palestinian activists and speakers for panels on topics such as how to end German military support for Israel and the suppression of pro-Palestine speech. It also called for “the right of return of Palestinian refugees and end the Zionist settler colonialism.”

Among the speakers on the program was Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister. On social media, he described the event as one in which “Jews, Palestinians and other peace activists were discussing universal human rights across Israel-Palestine.”

— Erika Solomon

The E.U. imposes sanctions on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for sexual violence on Oct. 7.

The countries of the European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on military and special forces units of Hamas and the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad for committing “widespread sexual and gender-based violence” during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The European Council said in its decision that it levied sanctions on the fighters from the extremist groups — the Al-Quds Brigades and Nukhba Force of Hamas, and the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestinian Islamic Jihad — for inflicting sexual violence on Oct. 7 “in a systematic manner, using it as a weapon of war.”

The fighters will be barred from traveling to European Union countries and will be subject to an asset freeze.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a statement that he would hold the perpetrators accountable.

Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, applauded the council’s decision and said it reinforced that those who inflict sexual violence will “pay the price.”

The European Union joined the United Nations in denouncing the sexual violence that some women and children faced during the Oct. 7 attacks. In early March, after deploying a team of experts to Israel and the West Bank, the United Nations said it had “clear and convincing information” that women and children held captive in Gaza were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture and inhumane treatment. The U.N. report also found that Palestinians detained by Israel had been sexually abused.

Later in March, The New York Times interviewed Amit Soussana , a former hostage, who publicly described for the first time the sexual abuse she faced while in Hamas captivity. Hamas leaders have denied the accusations and the conclusions of the U.N. report, saying that while it was essential to investigate the claims of sexual violence, it would be impossible to do so in “the current circumstances.”

— Gaya Gupta

Israel says it opened a new aid corridor to northern Gaza.

The Israeli military said on Friday it had begun allowing humanitarian aid trucks to enter northern Gaza through a new crossing, in an apparent response to international pressure to do more to alleviate the hunger and deprivation produced by more than six months of war.

The military did not specify the location of the new crossing, and it remained unclear how many trucks had crossed, what aid agency they belonged to and when the crossing might be open for wider use.

The convoy that Israel says entered on Thursday was not coordinated with the United Nations, whose agencies handle much of the relief effort in Gaza, according to a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Jamie McGoldrick, a top U.N. relief official in Jerusalem, said that U.N. officials planned to head to the crossing on Saturday to examine it. He said the crossing would be a significant improvement “if it can go to scale and is not temporary.”

Israel has come under increasing international pressure to allow more aid to enter Gaza. After Israeli strikes killed seven aid workers last week , President Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel by phone that the United States could withhold military support for Israel unless it did more to protect civilians and ensure adequate supplies for Palestinian civilians.

More than a million Gazans are facing “catastrophic levels of food insecurity” and over 50,000 Gazan children are acutely malnourished, the United Nations’ Office of Humanitarian Affairs reported this week . Aid agencies say the desperation is gravest in northern Gaza, where chaos and lawlessness have followed the withdrawal of most Israeli troops, and where relief groups have struggled to bring supplies from the two main border crossings in the south.

Aid officials have lobbied the Israeli government for months to open more entry points to bring aid directly into northern Gaza to avoid perilous roads across the territory where they fear their trucks will be either looted or bombarded.

In announcing the new crossing, the Israeli military said that Israeli inspectors had checked the trucks at Kerem Shalom, across the border from southern Gaza, before they headed to the new entry point, according to the Israeli military.

In mid-March, the Israeli authorities opened a military access road, known as Crossing 96, into northern Gaza. But Israel ultimately did not allow U.N. agencies to use the route consistently to bring in trucks, saying it was often needed for military use, Mr. McGoldrick said.

“Until we get a consistent flow inside Gaza, we’re never going to have the desperation reduced,” he said in an interview.

Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, pledged on Wednesday to “flood Gaza with aid” and said he expected to ultimately see 500 relief trucks entering the enclave on a daily basis. (U.N. figures show that an average of about 110 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily since the war began Oct. 7.) Mr. Gallant said Israel would soon open the port of Ashdod, an Israeli city north of Gaza, to accept aid shipments, without providing a time frame.

— Aaron Boxerman reporting from Jerusalem

The relief organization Anera says it is resuming operations in Gaza.

An aid group that had suspended its operations in Gaza after Israeli strikes killed seven humanitarian workers has said it is resuming work in the territory.

The Israeli authorities this week told the group, Anera, that the country’s military would take “certain measures” to protect aid workers in Gaza, the group’s chief executive, Sean Carroll, said in a statement on Thursday. The longstanding U.S.-based nonprofit, also known by its full name, American Near East Refugee Aid, said it was fully resuming its work in Gaza, distributing meals, hygiene kits and tents and providing medical treatment.

“Our ability to help people in Gaza relies on our heroic staff and hundreds of volunteers,” Mr. Carroll said in the statement, saying the group was “cautiously hopeful” that Israel’s assurances would mean that its workers would be safe.

Anera had partnered in Gaza with World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the Spanish chef José Andrés, to distribute meals, but it suspended operations after an Israeli drone strike on April 1 killed seven of World Central Kitchen’s workers. The Israel military later said officers mistakenly believed the aid workers’ cars were carrying gunmen.

In an email response to questions from The New York Times, Mr. Carroll said that the Israeli authorities had assured him that “there will be no firing at humanitarian missions under any circumstances.” A strike near a humanitarian mission would occur only “in the case of a suspected armed militant in the area” and only with the authorization of “a senior officer,” Mr. Carroll said he was told.

More than six months of Israeli bombardment in Gaza have taken a devastating toll on Palestinians and aid workers. At least 224 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since the current conflict broke out on Oct. 7, the U.N. Security Council said in a statement Thursday. That toll is at least three times higher than in a single conflict in a given year, the Security Council said.

With Israel’s blockade and heavy bombardment of the territory, Gaza’s 2.2 million civilians have become ever more dependent on aid organizations to meet even a fraction of their basic needs. At the same time, aid groups say the constant risk of strikes, crumbling roads and infrastructure and staggering levels of need make their work immensely challenging .

In a sign of the continuing peril for aid workers, UNICEF said on Thursday that one of its vehicles had been hit with live ammunition while waiting to enter northern Gaza this week. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said separately that a staff member died on Thursday after having been wounded in March during the evacuation of a hospital in Khan Younis.

The seven workers with the relief organization World Central Kitchen were killed on April 1 while leaving a warehouse in central Gaza. The team was part of the group’s efforts to distribute hundreds of tons of food aid, sent in by ship through a makeshift jetty the organization built on the Mediterranean coast, to a population among whom famine is beginning to set in .

They were killed when at least one Israeli drone struck three vehicles in their convoy in rapid succession, which Israel’s military later said was the result of a “grave mistake.”

Anera said it also lost one of its workers on March 8 in an Israeli airstrike, even though the location of his shelter had been shared with the Israeli authorities. Mousa Shawwa, 41, a logistics coordinator, had been a member of its staff for nearly 15 years and was wearing a vest with its logo when he was killed, according to the organization.

World Central Kitchen, which also suspended its work in Gaza after the deaths of its staff members, has not announced plans to restart operations.

— Victoria Kim

An Argentine court rules that Iran was behind attacks on the Israeli Embassy and a Jewish center.

A high court in Argentina ruled on Thursday that Iran was the mastermind of the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people, potentially paving the way for relatives of victims to make claims against the country in international tribunals.

While Argentine investigators have long believed that Iranian operatives and high-ranking officials played key roles in the attacks, the decision this week by Argentina’s second-highest tribunal goes further by holding the Iranian state itself responsible.

The ruling also characterized Iran as a terrorist state at a moment when tensions are running particularly high between Iran and Israel. Iran has repeatedly said it will launch an attack against Israel in retaliation for a recent bombing in Syria that killed several top Iranian commanders.

“The 1994 attack in Buenos Aires was organized, planned, financed and executed under the direction of the authorities of the Islamic State of Iran, within the framework of Islamic Jihad,” said the ruling by the three-member court that declared the attack a crime against humanity.

The court said the attack itself was carried out by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.

The judges said Tehran was also to blame for the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 22 people. The attacks were carried out in retaliation for the Argentine government’s decision to cancel contracts to provide nuclear material to Iran, according to the ruling.

Iran has steadfastly denied any involvement in the attacks.

The “verdict reaffirms what the Argentine justice system has been asserting through numerous rulings for decades,” the Argentine Jewish Mutual Aid Association, whose building was the target of the attack, said in a statement.

“It’s the position we’ve always upheld,” said Jorge Knoblovits, the head of an association that represents more than 100 Jewish organizations in Argentina. “The Islamic Republic of Iran was the one responsible for all of this.”

The court ruling said a state can be held responsible for financing and planning a terrorist attack even if it was carried out by nonstate actors.

The ruling opens the door for relatives of victims to pursue claims against Iran in international tribunals, Mr. Knoblovits said, though it was unclear if a case could be brought before the International Court of Justice, the U.N.’s highest judicial body, or elsewhere.

“We’re currently analyzing that,” he said.

The ruling is the latest twist in an investigation that has been mired by accusations of coverups and plagued by controversy.

In 2015, a special prosecutor was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head shortly after he accused then-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and other top officials of conspiring with Iran to cover up its involvement in the community-center attack. The former president has repeatedly denied the accusations.

The government of right-wing President Javier Milei, who came into office in December and is a strong ally of Israel, hailed Thursday’s ruling, saying it “brought an end to decades of delays and coverups.”

— Daniel Politi Reporting from Buenos Aires

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The Most Beautiful Stations on the Moscow Metro

You might have heard that there are some beautiful metro stations in Moscow. Soviet decorations, chandeliers, mosaic painting and statues are common in many of the stations. The good news is that the Moscow Metro does not cost a lot of money and many of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro are on the same line, so you can almost get on and off at each station to visit these. Over the New Year holidays, I had a free afternoon and decided to visit some of these stations. Check out what I found below…..

The main stations that you will want to visit are on the Number 5 line, also known as the Circle Line. An advantage of this line is that you can get to it very easily and quickly no matter where you are in Moscow. The announcements on the metro are in Russian as well as English so you don’t need to worry if your Russian language skills are not good.

If, like me, you arrive in Moscow via train from Kyiv , then you will arrive at a metro station which many Muscovites believe to be the most beautiful of them all…..

Kievskaya metro station was opened in 1954 and features white marble walls which curve upwards and have with large mosaics surrounded by a gold trim in a very classical style. The mosaics depict life in Ukraine and was designed by a Ukrainian who wanted to display Ukraine’s influence and contribution to Soviet Russia.

Kievskaya, one of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro

Soviet era artwork between the arches

Mosaic with golden trim

People carrying flags is a common theme

Going into battle

Belorusskaya

If you look at a map of the metro , you will want to go in a clockwise direction on the circle line. So you will want to get on the train going in the Barrikadnaya direction and not Park Kultury. Stay on this line until you reach the 2nd station, Belorusskaya. This station was built in 1952 and like Kievskaya also features white marble pylons and a plaster ceiling.

The ceiling features 12 mosaics in an octagonal shape depicting Belarusian life, while the tiling on the floor is said to resemble a Belarusian quilt. One of the passageway exits of the station has a statue called ‘Belarusian Partisans’ of three men wearing long coats, holding guns and carrying a flag.”

Belorusskaya metro platform

Soviet artwork on the roof

The hammer and sickle features prominently in the metro artwork

Three men carrying guns, holding the flag…

Mayakovskaya

To get to the next station, we need to change onto the green line (line 2) and go just one stop to the station of Mayakovskaya. This station has an art deco theme and, for some, resembles an elaborate ballroom. The columns are faced with stainless steel and pink rhodonite while the marble walls and ceiling have 34 mosaics with the theme “24-hour Soviet Sky. Apparently, Stalin resided here during the 2nd World War as the station was used as a command post for Moscow’s anti-aircraft regiment.

Mayakovskaya metro

24-Hour Soviet Sky mosaic

Bomber planes

It looks like planes flying over Red Square

Novoslobodskaya

It’s time to get back on the metro and return to Belorusskaya. At Belorusskaya, change to the circle line again and continue clockwise to the next station, Novoslobodskaya. With its 32 stained glass panels, this station reminds me of a church. The panels were designed by Latvian artists and are surrounded by a brass border.

Novoslobodskaya metro

The platform of Novoslobodskaya metro

Stained glass artwork

The golden trim around artwork is also very common

Prospekt Mira

Back on the metro and again just one stop until our next station, Prospekt Mira. This station was originally called Botanichesky Sad after the nearby Botanical Gardens of the Moscow State University. The pylons are covered in white marble and decorated with floral bas-relief friezes. The ceiling is decorated with casts and several cylindrical chandeliers.

Prospekt Mira metro station

Notice the floral decoration

Komsomolskaya

On the metro once more and once more we are going just one stop to the next station – Komsomolskaya. This station is famous for its its yellow ceiling. The chandeliers in this station are huge. The photos below do not do this station justice.  For me, this station resembles a presidential palace.  You hace to see it for yourself to truly appreciate it.

Because of it’s location, this is one of the busiest stations in the Moscow metro as it serves three of the main train stations in the city – Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky, and Kazansky so be prepared for a lot of people.

Komsomolskaya metro

The yellow ceiling seems to go on forever

Yellow ceiling and artwork

One of the ceiling mosaics

Elektrozavodskaya

When you are ready to leave Komsomolskaya metro station behind, then get back on the circle line and go one stop to Kurskaya and change to the blue line (line 3) and go to two stops to the Elektrozavodskaya station. This station gets it’s name from a nearby electric light bulb factory and has a somewhat industrial but also futuristic style, with 6 rows of circular lamps (there are 318 lamps in total). I think this is one of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro for how unique it is. The station was opened in 1944 after a delay because of the 2nd World War and features 12 marble bas-reliefs of the struggle on the home front during the war.

The Komsomolskaya metro station

The struggles of war at home

Fixing machinery

Hard at work

Making weapons

Building a tank

Even the station sign is elaborate

Ploschad Revolyutsii

Back on the metro line 3 (but in the other direction), getting off at the 3rd stop – Ploschad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). This is located underneath the square in Moscow of the same name and is a short walk from Red Square in the city centre. It is the perfect place to end a visit around Moscow’s metro. The station features red and yellow marble arches with a total of 76 sculptures in between each arch. The sculptures are supposed to represent the people of the Soviet Union and include soldiers, farmers, industrial workers, children etc… I noticed a lot of people touching the golden chicken in the photo below as well as the show of the woman. I am assuming that this is for good luck.

Industrial worker

Touch the chicken for good luck

Sculpture of the people of the Soviet Union

Woman reading a book – touch the shoe for good luck

In education

Parent and child

These are some of what I think are the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro. Which ones are your favourite? Would you add any to this list?

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19 comments.

Kievskaya definitely caught me off guard. Didn’t know Moscow metro stations were THIS extravagant! Mayakovskaya is gorgeous too with the marble walls and mosaics. I might just need to book a flight over to admire all of these!

Do it! Kievskaya was my first introduction to the Moscow metro as I got an overnight train from Kyiv.

You know, in the States, all we ever hear is bad stuff about Russia. It’s nice to see other (and lovely!) dimensions of such a controversial place.

It’s the same in the UK which is why I prefer going to see somewhere and making up my own mind. It’s all ‘politics and bullshit’ as I say

I went to Moscow about 13years for Christmas and went to train stations, so I can see these amazing mosaics and chandeliers. I agree with you that are beautiful Stations for sure and I could of wandered around for days. I think Kievskaya is definitely my favourite out of them all and I even have some similar pictures as you.

I imagine Moscow would have been a little different 13 years ago but these stations have probably always looked beautiful

Food and Footprints

You chose some great stations for this write up! Beautiful details in these stations and would love to visit them sometime. Particularly like the Komsomolskaya station with that yellow ceiling!

Thank you very much. Komsomolskaya seems to be a lot of peoples favourite stations too

Sumit Surai

Wow! Without the text I would have thought them to be some museum or gallery.

I know exactly what you mean!

Rosie Fluskey

Wow, it is just stunning! How does anyone get to work with so much to look at. I’m surprised at the very bourgeois-looking Komsomolskaya station. I would have thought it was all too Tzarist looking, but then I haven’t been to Russia yet lol. This has just made me want to go more!

Wow, that’s a lot of artwork. I wonder how old some of these pieces are?

Generally most of the stations are from 1940-1960 approximately. The later stations are more functional than style.

My mother-in-law was in Moscow fifty years ago and still raves about the metro stations. So far, I could not imagine much. But now! The pictures are great and I think it’s almost a pity that this splendor is underground. But for every user of the Metro can enjoy a free trip to the world of art. Susanne

True. It is like having a free trip to an art museum/gallery. I hope that you can one day visit Moscow and see for yourself.

Oh wow, I would never have known that these were metro stations. The ceilings remind me of how you need to look up sometimes, even in the commuter rush!

It is true about life in general, we just go from A to B looking directly in front of us instead of around us

Wow, I would have never guessed that these were stations. The decor is so pretty and not one I’m used to seeing at metro stations. Love the ceiling at The Komsomolskaya metro station.

They certainly don’t look like metro stations. The ceiling there is one of my favourites too!

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How many people died on the Titanic? Facts about the death toll and the survivors

The RMS Titanic was touted as an " unsinkable " ship, but this proved to be untrue when tragedy struck. In the early morning hours of April 15, 1912 , the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. 

While many may be familiar with the fictional love story of Jack and Rose from James Cameron's "Titanic," the reality is even more grim. Many people lost their lives on that fateful morning. Here is what you need to know about the sinking of the Titanic and its casualties. 

How many people died on the Titanic?

More than 1,500 people died during the sinking of the Titanic, according to History.com. 

Of the victims, approximately 700 were crew members. Another high fatality rate was among third-class passengers. Of approximately 710 passengers in third class, around 174 people survived , according to Britannica. 

Titanic sinking: Here's what to know about why the famous ship went down.

How many people survived the Titanic?

Of its total 2,240 passengers and crew, only 706 people survived the sinking of the Titanic, says History.com. 

After the Titanic first hit the iceberg, there was " a largely disorganized and haphazard evacuation ." Some lifeboats were not used to full capacity, and procedures for boarding them were not orderly. 

Where did the Titanic sink?

The Titanic sank in the northern Atlantic Ocean, approximately 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada.  

The luxury passenger liner had set sail on its maiden voyage from Southhampton, England. The Titanic was en route to New York City when it collided with an iceberg, which ruptured  at least five of its hull compartments, according to History.com. 

Around 2:20 a.m., the ship split in half, and the stern and bow sank to the ocean floor. 

Where is the Titanic wreckage? Here's where the ship is located and how deep it is.

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The ‘Golden Age of Manchester’: The New Hampshire City Consistently Topping the Hottest U.S. Housing Markets

Last year, Christy Manley was ready to trade in her bucolic life in rural New Hampshire for a busier one in Manchester , the state’s largest city. She sold her Langdon, NH, home in just three days, figuring that, as an all-cash buyer, she would find another one in the bigger city quickly.

She was wrong.

She was outbid multiple times in her hunt for a turnkey, reasonably priced condo or single-family house. Homes in Manchester, about an hour northwest of Boston, were selling before she could even get in for a showing. The search took so long that she had to put her belongings in storage and move into her friend’s guest room.

“I had no idea it was going to be this tough,” says Manley, who works in addiction recovery. “The market is absolutely insane here.”

What Manley didn’t realize is that she was looking for a home in the nation’s hottest real estate market . The Manchester metropolitan area first nabbed the No. 1 spot on the Realtor.com® monthly hottest markets list in March 2021. The Southern New Hampshire city has held that top position 22 times since and been near the top for the rest as locals and out-of-state buyers have competed for homes there.

(Realtor.com)

So how did the housing market of a struggling, former textile town in New England become one of the most desirable in the country?

The city of more than 115,000 residents offers the one thing that most homebuyers are desperately seeking: affordability. Manchester boasts lower home prices than nearby Boston, and New Hampshire has no state income or sales taxes .

“It’s the golden age of Manchester,” says Shaun MacDonald , a real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty in nearby Nashua, NH. “It’s been a bastion of affordability in New Hampshire and for people migrating from Massachusetts.”

The typical home in the Manchester metro area was listed for a record high of $572,200 in February, according to the most recent Realtor.com data. That’s about 40% less than the median list price of $854,450 in Boston, which is within commuting distance.

Manchester metro prices rose roughly 1.8% year over year and represented a 51.2% increase over the past four years, according to Realtor.com data. The number of home listings was also down 1.8% year over year in February and 58.3% from February 2020.

“Even though our prices are significantly higher than they ever were, they’re still lower than the competing states,” says local real estate broker Pamela Young , of eXp Realty. “Prices are a lot cheaper than Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York.”

About three-quarters of the homes for sale in the Manchester metro area are going into bidding wars, Young says. But unlike during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they may sell for only $10,000 or $20,000 over the asking price—instead of $60,000 or $80,000.

“It’s a tough buyer’s market ,” says Young. “We just have very, very low [housing] inventory, and we have a lot of buyers.”

Where are Manchester homebuyers coming from?

Bostonians make up about a third of potential buyers browsing home listings in the Manchester metro area, according to Realtor.com data . About 21% hail from the New York metro area with 3% from nearby Concord, NH.

About 80% of the homes MacDonald is selling in New Hampshire are to folks leaving Massachusetts who are seeking more affordable homes on larger lots. And since many people are now working remotely, at least for part of the week, some buyers are more amenable to living in Manchester and commuting to Boston.

The housing stock is also improving. Some of the old mill buildings along the Merrimack River have been turned into luxury lofts for sale and rent, says MacDonald.

“There’s a lot of money coming into Manchester. A lot of investors are coming in and tearing down buildings and rebuilding them,” says MacDonald. On the main commercial strip of Elm Street, “there are a lot of good restaurants coming in. It’s got a lot of nice bars moving in.”

That competition from out-of-state buyers made it more difficult for Manley to secure a home in the city. It took eight months before she closed on a three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house built in the late 1800s with “a cute little sunroom in the front,” says Manley.

“I love it. I love Manchester, the people, the community, the shopping,” says Manley. Her long search was ultimately worth it. “The house I ended up with is absolutely perfect for me.”

Manchester offers more than just affordable homes for sale

Manchester is also home to several schools, including the University of New Hampshire at Manchester and Southern New Hampshire University. Residents can take in shows at The Palace Theatre or the SNHU Arena or boat or fish in Lake Massabesic.

There are also plenty of jobs in the area. The unemployment rate was 2.5% in January—significantly lower than the 3.7% national rate in the same month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .

This helped boost the median household income in the city. It was $74,040 between 2018 and 2022, just under the national of $75,149, according to the U.S. Census Bureau .

Manchester also boasts some strong comedic chops. Famous residents include Adam Sandler , who graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1984; Sarah Silverman , who graduated from Derryfield School in 1989; and Seth Myers , who graduated from Manchester High School West in 1992.

The two brothers who founded the fast-food chain McDonalds, Richard and Maurice McDonald , were also born in the city.

However, the city has had its struggles.

In the 1830s, the Amoskeag Co. developed the city’s textile mills, which boomed in the early 1910s, according to Jeffrey Barraclough , executive director of the Manchester Historic Association.

The company struggled a decade later and closed in the 1930s. New companies took over the mills, but the city was hurt again in the 1970s and 1980s when many manufacturing jobs disappeared or moved overseas.

More recently, Manchester received a C-minus rating for crime and safety on the website Niche.

“People viewed Manchester negatively in the past because it had higher crime rates,” says MacDonald. “But because of that, property values have been low—really low.”

Those lower property values aren’t so low anymore, though, as the city’s housing market continues to bask in the national spotlight.

“The city has gone through a few series of declines and rebirths,” says Barraclough. “Over the last few decades, there has been another resurgence of new companies. There are a lot of new businesses downtown.”

Clare Trapasso is the executive news editor of Realtor.com. She was previously a reporter for the Associated Press, the New York Daily News, and a Financial Times publication. She also taught journalism courses at several New York City colleges. Email [email protected].

Twitter Follow @claretrap

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