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At the center of holiday world travel, Jordan reveals its wonderful treasures: the breathtaking artistry of Petra, carved in stunning blush stone, and the awe-inspiring desert drama of Wadi Rum. The Dead Sea's optimistic waters provide a peaceful and one-of-a-kind experience. With a rich history and vibrant culture, this land offers an unforgettable charm to travelers.

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Around the World Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 27 most popular around the world trips. compare tour itineraries from 17 tour companies. 106 reviews. 5/5 avg rating., popular around the world tours.

Discover our popular around the world tours, each crafted with unique themes, diverse price ranges, varying durations, and different physical levels. Search several options and choose the tour package that aligns seamlessly with your vision of the perfect trip around the world.

Discover the Baltics

• Discover three Baltic states in 12 days
• Visit stunning national parks, castles and museums
• Explore the magnificent Trakai Castle

Budapest to Prague Adventure

• Discover the four distinctive capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague
• Enjoy a wine tasting in the charming town of Mikulov
• Walk through the castle park known as 'the garden of Europe' at Chateau Lednice

The Grand Epic of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel

• Discover the mysterious pyramids, Great Sphinx, and Kings Valley
• Cruise leisurely along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
• View the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo and the Mosaic Map of the Holy Land
• Trace the footsteps of Jesus and explore the old and new cities of Jerusalem

Get Social: Europe Express 2024-25

• Berlin highlights drive
• Walking tour of Prague with Trip Leader
• Vienna highlights drive
• Orientation walk in Venice with Trip Leader
• Orientation walk in Paris with Trip Leader

Balkans Rail Adventure

• Visit seven countries of Former Yugoslavia in just 16 days
• Experience a variety of scenic rail journeys
• Discover contrasting landscapes and cities in this lesser visited region

Cape Town to Victoria Falls - Hotel/Lodge

• Visit Cape Town, the most exciting city in Africa
• Discover the mountainous dunes of Sossusvlei
• See the fantastic wildlife of Etosha National Park
• Visit the Okavango Panhandle and Chobe National Park
• Marvel at the mighty Victoria Falls

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

• An iconic rail journey across Europe to the gateway of Asia
• Discover rural Serbia, from local wine producers to narrow gauge railway routes
• Take a boat trip on Europe's largest wetlands in Croatia and explore the waterways of Venice

Imperial Escape

• Budapest: Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion, visit Heroe’s Square
• Vienna: Guided sightseeing, visit Heldenplatz and St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Prague: Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Hradčany Castle grounds; farewell dinner at a local restaurant
• On this guided vacation of Central Europe, experience the rich history and most popular destinations without the crowds—and even better—without the high-season prices
• This Central Europe escorted tour is a magnificent journey through the former Habsburg Empire offering romantic castles, churches, villas and modern architecture, vineyards, breweries, first-class shopping, art, and culinary delights

All Around the World , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Around the World

Small Group Around the World Tours

Peru, Chile, Argentina & Brazil in 20 days - Machu Picchu, Iguazu & Capital Cities - Superior

• Santiago de Chile
• Barrio La Boca
• Buenos Aires
• Iguazu Falls, Argentinian side

Indochina in 35 days - 5 Country Southeast Asian Discovery - Superior

• Kuala Lumpur

South American Odyssey with Amazon & Peru

• Rio de janeiro : Cable-car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain and Sugar Loaf cocktail party; sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Corcovado Mountain and the cathedral; Churrascaria dinner
• Iguassu falls : Sightseeing with a Local Guide on both the Brazilian and Argentinean sides of Iguassu National Park; Ecological Jungle Train
• Buenos aires : Walking tour; visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and Recoleta Cemetery; empanada cooking class; Tango lesson & show; visit a local estancia
• Bariloche: Sightseeing with a Local Guide; chairlift to Cerro Campanario; Andes lake crossing
• Puerto montt : Sightseeing tour

Best Around the World Tours by Duration

World tours usually span from shorter escapes to extended journeys lasting a few months. Explore our tailored selection of around the world tours by duration, ensuring an efficient and fulfilling use of your precious time away.

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Best Around the World Tours by Price

Experience the world without compromising your budget with our selection of around the world tours by price to cater to every financial spectrum. Choose the tour package that perfectly aligns with your budgetary preferences for an unforgettable trip around the world.

Top Around the World Attractions

• Meeting locals from several different countries and discovering wonderful similarities and differences
• Seeing whales breach from the balcony of your cruise stateroom and diving and snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs like the Great Barrier reef
• Enjoying local cuisines, exploring street food markets, and taking cooking classes to learn how to make traditional national dishes
• Wandering around many archaeological ruins and historical sites like Machu Picchu , pyramids of Giza , and the historical city of Petra
• Discovering unique cultures and taking part in traditional festivals or ceremonies like Holi or Día de Muertos 
• Hiking among different landscapes, encountering majestic wildlife on African Safaris , and taking memorable pictures
• Making lifelong friends from around the world
• Indulging in luxury around the world trips featuring traditional Japanese ryokan, floating hotels in the Maldives, or ice hotels in Sweden for a unique experience.
• Visiting all the most famous locations during a single trip with custom-planned tours around the world — No need to pick and choose!

Around the World Tours & Travel

Around the World Attractions & Landmarks Guide

• Winter vs Summer Weather:   Since your tour around the world is likely to cross hemisphere lines more than once, you may experience warm highs and icy lows during your trip — bring clothing that can layer easily. 
• Shoes:   Footwear can easily become a packing challenge since it can take up a lot of space in suitcases. Choose shoes according to the planned activities and terrains. Pack a versatile selection: a pair for relaxation, one for hiking, another for city strolls, and one for a more refined option. 
• Dress Like a Local:   The beauty of a trip around the world is the opportunity to visit many far-flung places with diverse cultures and ways of life. You may encounter many different cultures, some with specific dress expectations. For example, in most Middle Eastern countries, expect to dress modestly—cover shoulders and legs and keep a scarf handy for covering your head. A similar dressing is also a good rule for touring many religious establishments.

Trip Reviews

Travels in the baltics.

A bit of a whirlwind tour although the three Baltic States relatively small, green and flat. I knew virtually nothing about them before I went but learned a lot ...

Great holiday

Really interesting trip made extra special by our guide Melia, whose knowledge was incredible. We were really lucky with the weather and had a really good group o...

Brilliant Trip

This is a well designed trip giving an excellent overview of all three Baltic states. This not only included the capital cities but other towns and much countrysid...

Three small countries with a lot of character

The Baltic countries are interesting and the old towns are charming. They have suffered a lot under various foreign rulers and are proud of their independence. The...

Explore and discover the Baltics

I enjoyed discovering an area of Europe I knew little about. Visiting many areas of all 3 countries. Guide well organized and itinerary good. Only problems were T...

See all Around the World reviews

Around the World Tours FAQ

1. How much does it cost to tour the world?

2. What is the best world tour?

3. What is the best way to travel around the world?

4. How do I plan a world tour?

5. What are the pros and cons of taking a tour around the world?

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Worldwide holidays.

Discover the world beyond Europe with us on one of our guided worldwide holidays. We have a range of worldwide tours, where we’ll explore incredible destinations; from spiritual journeys through India to iconic road trips through North America to river cruises through China, and everything in between.

World Travel

The logistics of world travel can be difficult, time-consuming and sometimes daunting but our worldwide holidays take the hassle out of planning a trip, ultimately making the whole experience much more enjoyable!

On our world tours, flights, transfers and accommodation are all included, as well as a selection of fantastic excursions with professional, friendly and knowledgeable guides. All you have to do is decide where you want to go and pack your bags.

Business Class upgrades are available for purchase on a selection of our worldwide holidays to long haul destinations, like India and China. We also offer the opportunity to extend your trip with us on our Long-haul Extensions; this option gives you the flexibility to add some independent travel while enjoying the many benefits of our guided group tours.

If world travel is on your bucket list, book your world tour with us online right now or contact us to start planning your next adventure.

Choose A Continent

The Americas

Middle East & Africa

Asia & Australia

Choose from our worldwide travel tours, highlights of our worldwide escorted tours.

Explore the highlights of earth’s largest and most populated continent on our trips to Asia. From the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam to the ancient Terracotta Army in China, our tours go to the most impressive and exciting places that this vast continent has to offer. On our worldwide trips, we’ll also be able to experience local culture first hand. Sail the backwaters of Kerala on a traditional ‘Kettuvallam’ house boat in India or attend an authentic Geisha performance in Japan.

Take in some of the most important sites in the history of mankind on a trip to the Middle East and Africa. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus and Moses on a holiday to Jordan and Bethlehem or discover the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx on a trip to Egypt. For those interested in Africa’s rich flora and fauna, we’ll enjoy a safari to spot big game and drive along the lush “Garden Route” on our holidays to South Africa.

North & South America

Explore the Americas on one of our incredible group holidays to countries like Canada, Brazil and Argentina. Embark on the quintessential great American road trip on Route 66 from Chicago to L.A. or visit the Land of the Incas on a trip to Peru and Machu Pichu. Visit Cuba to learn about this country’s amazing history on a 1950s classic car tour around Havana. Each trip includes guided excursions with an expert guide and plenty of free time, so we can truly immerse ourselves in the culture of new locations.

Australia & New Zealand

On our trips to Oceania, we’ll discover the best that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. In Australia, we’ll watch the sun rise over Ayers Rock, take a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier reef and meet kangaroos and koalas in the Featherdale Wildlife Park. In New Zealand, we’ll see filming locations from the Lord of the Rings, discover the Waitomo Caves, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Auckland. Each of our Oceania holidays also include stopovers in Singapore and Hong Kong, so we have the opportunity to explore a 2nd continent on our travels!

Worldwide Tour FAQs

What is included in my holiday.

Travel Department holidays include flights, transfers and hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast, half board or full board basis, and excursions as specified.

All items that are included are clearly stated in our documentation. Add-ons such as insurance, bags and single room supplements are mentioned separately. In some cases you may have to pay a local departure tax or local transport cost. This will be detailed in your documentation and our local guides will assist you with these. Tipping is not included in your holiday price and information regarding tipping will also be included with your travel documents.

Will I be met at the airport?

You will be met on arrival at your destination airport and transferred to your accommodation. You will be accompanied on all included excursions by your Travel Department guide. Your expert local guide is also available to give you tips and advice on any aspect of your holiday.

What is the deposit and when is full payment due?

Deposit is required on booking and is dependent on your holiday type and starts at €100pp for city breaks. Full payment is due 10 weeks before departure hence if you book less than 10 weeks from departure full payment will be due when you book.

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Please visit our visa page for information on requirements for each country's entry requirements

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We have local representatives in all of our destinations who are available 24/7 as well as an emergency contact number for our offices in Ireland should you ever need it.

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HWTT Specialises in single & multiple entry, 30 & 90 days UAE visas. We also provide international visa assistance.

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“You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers”

The best virtual tours to explore the world from home

Oct 8, 2020 • 5 min read

The Sistine Chapel is just one wonder offering a virtual museum tour ©Rajesh Gathwala/500px

We live in an age of unprecedented access to digital technology – and with it, brand new ways of exploring the world around us.

While it's not quite the same as seeing, say, the Mona Lisa or Christ the Redeemer in person, some of the world’s most popular and remote destinations have created libraries of online images and video, as well as 360 degree virtual tours that let you virtually explore museums, galleries, world wonders and even national parks.

Here a just a few of the best digital tours that let you wander the world from wherever you may be social distancing.

See the seven wonders of the world

If there’s anything capable of whetting your appetite for world travel, it is the new seven wonders of the world:  the Great Wall of China , the ancient city of Petra , the Taj Mahal , the Colosseum , Machu Picchu , Christ the Redeemer , and Chichen Itza . Thankfully there are impressive virtual tours of each from The New York Times , AirPano , Google , and Panoramas .

With modern technology, you can even see the last standing wonder of the ancient world— The Pyramids of Giza . There are a few other wonders that might not make it into to the top seven but are still worth a digital peek, like the Alhambra , Seville's La Giralda , and even Easter Island.

Best virtual museum tours

In recent years, Google has partnered with over 2,5000 art museums to upload high-resolution versions of millions of pieces of art. Highlights include New York’s MoMA , DC’s National Gallery of Art , Chicago’s Art Institute , the Casa Battl ó, and Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum to name a few.

In addition, The Louvre offers a virtual tour , as do The Vatican Museums , many of the Smithsonian Museums , the Russian Museum , the top-rated British Museum , the Minneapolis  Museum of Russian Art , and the Palace Museum in Beijing.

You may not be able to kiss the Blarney Stone right now, but you can tour the Blarney Castle from afar. You can also visit the Museum of Flight,  the Museum of Science, the Museum of Natural History,  the National Women's History Museum  and Boston's History of Science Museum .

While museums are often an inherently visual experience, there's a lot to be learned from archives of past lectures and tours like the ones preserved online by Nashville's Frist Museum , the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Smithsonian American Art Museum,  the Frick , and others.

You might also like:  Broadway might be closed, but here’s how to stream the best performances from your home

Explore national parks

While travel to National Parks is best avoided for the time being, you don't need to miss out on the scenery. Virtual Yosemite is absolutely stunning and one of the best, replete with audio. Both Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore offer virtual tours as well. 

Google has similar 360 degree audio-visual tours of five select national parks, including Kenai Fjords, Hawai'i Volcanos , Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce Canyon , and Dry Tortugas, as well as 31 more on Google Earth . You can also get an up-close look at almost 4,000 pieces of artwork, artifacts, and other treasures related to the history and culture of the national parks, and view online exhibits .

Digital safaris

Wildlife is a big draw for travelers, whether it's sighting some of the Big Five in Africa, glimpsing whales in North America, or introducing your children to new animals in person on a family safari . But if you're forays into the bush are grounded for now, many zoos and aquariums have created digital access to their habitats.

You can easily watch several live webcams of some of the nation’s greatest zoos and aquariums, including the  San Diego Zoo , Houston Zoo , Zoo Atlanta , the Tennessee Aquarium , and the Georgia Aquarium . Additionally you can see Canadian farm animals doing their thing , or you could watch Stella the Dog jump endlessly into huge piles of Maine leaves.

You may also like:  These nine wildlife web cams offer access to your favorite animals

Virtual hiking

Thanks to panoramic video, you can get a really good idea of what a hike looks like well before you arrive at the trailhead. For example, you can experience all of the following top-rated hikes right now from your computer or tablet:  Bryce Canyon , Grand Canyon , GR20 , Inca Trail , and the death-defying Angel's Landing . For even more great hikes, simply YouTube one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 treks or any other hike that suits your fancy. Bonus points if you follow along during a workout to enhance the realism.

Famous landmarks

You can visit many wonders of nature, including the Amazon Rainforest , Iguazu Falls , the Komodo Islands , or Table Mountain , using virtual tours. Or you can explore the Statue of Liberty , the Sahara Desert , Niagara Falls , or even a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower . For even more virtual tours, search your bucket list of adventures with  AirPano , Google Earth , or YouTube .

Travel to outer space

The moon hasn't made it to Lonely Planet's Best In Travel list (yet!), and even without self-isolation and shelter-in-place measures for COVID-19, many of us may never travel to space. But thanks to technology, now is as good of a time as any to do so virtually. Before blasting off, considering touring some of NASA’s offices first. Then relive the last lunar missions and moon walks in stunning HD. Or take a virtual tour of Mars with the help of Google. 

You might also like:

Listen to the sounds of forests around the world Cook your way around the world with these travel-inspired kitchen essentials Rome watchlist: films to see before your trip

The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is now a global pandemic. Find out what this  means for travelers . 

This article was originally published March 2020 and was last updated October 2020.

This article was first published Mar 18, 2020 and updated Oct 8, 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WOW. From the choice of hotels to...

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

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

We enjoyed the whole trip a lot

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

The tour lived up to all expectations

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

We had a great time in Moscow!

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

Loved my time in Russia

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

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

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

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Population 0: Step Inside The World's Newest Ghost Towns

Posted: June 23, 2024 | Last updated: June 23, 2024

Abandoned settlements frozen in time

Born from big ambitions, these modern-day towns are now lifeless landmarks, built to accommodate booming populations before misfortune or misjudgment rendered them obsolete. From rows of abandoned McMansions to UFO-shaped holiday homes that failed to find buyers, discover the deserted settlements that fell by the wayside.

Click or scroll on to take a tour of these fascinating empty outposts...

Forest City, Johor, Malaysia

Built across a chain of four artificial islands, Forest City was once touted as a futuristic new eco-community. Plans for the $100 billion (£79bn) city on the coastline of southern Malaysia were reportedly announced in 2016 by major Chinese property developer Country Garden. China's property market was booming at the time and according to the BBC , the development was aimed at affluent Chinese buyers searching for a second home abroad.

Marketed as a "dream paradise for all mankind," the settlement was intended to occupy over 7,400 acres, featuring high-end residences, restaurants, bars, a golf course, a waterpark and commercial offices. It was designed to accommodate almost one million people, yet its streets now stand desolate.

Pictured here, rows of cookie-cutter villas sit in the shadow of Forest City's high-rise towers. Many seem to still be under construction, while signs of neglect are apparent from the roof terraces, some of which are flooded and mouldering. 

Unfortunately, China's property crisis in 2021 couldn't have come at a worse time for the fledgling city. Country Garden, once a behemoth of China's housing sector, now reportedly faces debts of $200 billion. While the beleaguered developers told the BBC that they were "optimistic" that Forest City would be completed, that likelihood appears to be dwindling. Country Garden is now in the midst of a liquidation hearing to decide the future of the company.

As of the end of 2023, only 15% of the metropolis was built, while around 1% of the development was reportedly occupied.

The BBC spoke to Nazmi Hanafiah, an IT engineer who rented an apartment in Forest City for six months, before abandoning the settlement, which he described as a "ghost town."

"I didn't care about my deposit, I didn't care about the money. I just had to get out," he said. "It's lonely around here – it's just you and your thoughts." 

In the deserted shopping mall, many of the stores and eateries are shuttered, some having never opened their doors in the first place. Forest City's duty-free status was intended to draw in punters, yet the anticipated crowds still haven't materialised. 

The future of Forest City appears to be hanging in the balance. If Country Garden goes into liquidation, it's unclear who, if anyone, will take on the mantle of finishing the enormous project. Could this metropolis, once advertised as a "green living paradise," be reduced to a failed utopia? Only time will tell. 

State Guest Mansions, Shenyang, China

In 2010, Chinese property giant Greenland Group began building State Guest Mansions, an upmarket neighbourhood of 260 lavish homes complete with luxury amenities, designed for China's millionaires. But just two years later, the elaborate plans were shelved and these European-style châteaux were left to rot. 

“These [homes] would have sold for millions – but the rich haven’t even bought one of them,” a local farmer told AFP . “They weren’t built for ordinary people.”

As we can see from these photos taken in March 2023, the project now lies in ruins. From the enormous chandeliers to the marble floors and fluted columns, it's evident that an enormous amount of work went into creating the now eerie abandoned villas.

At the time, China's economy and real estate sector was growing, but with President Xi Jinping's rise to power in 2012, everything changed. An effort was made to put an end to government corruption and consequently, people became less inclined to show off their wealth. 

As a result, funding for developments like this one was cut off, plans were abandoned and half-finished developments were deserted. Thanks to a government clampdown on excessive borrowing in 2020, demand for lavish homes has dried up even further, leaving numerous ghost towns – known as "rotten-tail" homes in Chinese – littering the landscape. According to AFP , one report suggests that almost 4% of housing projects in China have been abandoned half-built as of June 2022.

However, the developer's loss has been the locals' gain and the slightly spooky neighbourhood has been given a new lease of life – albeit very different from the one intended. Farmers have moved into the ghost town and they plough the wide dirt roads, sowing crops that they irrigate with water from the man-made lake.

They've built pens between the villas to house their cattle and poultry, and the garages that were meant to house supercars now shelter hay bales and farm equipment. While there's little hope that the project will ever be completed, the locals are free to carry on using what might just be one of the world's most extraordinary makeshift farms.

McMansion Ghost Town, Missouri, USA

What was meant to be a lavish, multibillion-dollar development soon turned into a nightmare for the people who chose to buy homes at the proposed Indian Ridge Resort Community, now known as the McMansion Ghost Town.

Plans for the ultra-exclusive community in Branson West, Missouri were announced in 2006 and the project was set to cost $1.6 billion to complete. Keen investors were promised that the state-of-the-art Ozarks compound would come equipped with everything a millionaire could need, from a shopping mall to a luxury hotel, as well as dozens of contemporary, castle-like houses.

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Yet, sadly for those who invested in the project, the community would never come to fruition. The financial crisis hit, bank loans were defaulted on and construction work came to a swift halt. Only 13 homes were started and 15 years later, the 900-acre development was still not finished.

The ambition behind the development was evident. The unique ghost town featured grand, incomplete mansions that had lost the fight with Mother Nature. Weeds and trees had taken over the homes' interiors and many of the windows were smashed or missing.

Missouri news station KY3   offered a glimpse of the incomplete interior of one of the homes. A half-fitted kitchen stood void of appliances, an empty shell once intended for family living. 

Shrouded in controversy, the abandoned estate was at the centre of one of the largest real estate fraud investigations in American history back in 2017. At least three of the community's developers were reportedly imprisoned for bank fraud and money laundering. Those found guilty were also forced to pay back $14 million that they borrowed under false pretences.

Despite being funded by ill-gotten gains, there appeared to be glimmers of hope for this abandoned town. Property developers Brookwood Group purchased the expansive estate and in 2018 they unveiled their plans. The company's proposed community was to be called The Ridge at Table Rock Lake, offering luxury homes as well as a hotel, hospitality, entertainment and healthcare facilities, right on the doorstep of the Ozarks. However, the plans never came to fruition. 

In October 2022, theme park Silver Dollar City confirmed that they had purchased the site and that the townhouses would be torn down to make way for a new development. The abandoned settlement was demolished less than a month after the sale went through, closing the chapter on this half-built ghost town.

Skrunda-1 Soviet town, Raņķi Parish, Latvia

93 miles west of Riga lies the sleepy Latvian town of Skrunda. Made up of farms, fields and quaint hamlets, the region also harbours a rather spooky secret. Known as Skrunda-1, this former Soviet metropolis stands derelict in the middle of the countryside. In its prime, the clandestine city housed more than 5,000 people but now serves as an eerie reminder of Latvia's turbulent history.

The Communist-era city was constructed in the 1960s and featured 10 Brutalist apartment blocks, a supermarket, a gymnasium, a school and even a nightclub.

The site also boasted a network of underground bunkers and several radar stations, which were strategically important to the Soviet Union. Covering western Europe, the stations detected objects in space and tracked possible incoming ballistic missiles that could have devastated the country.

The town is thought to be one of 40 secret settlements that the Soviets built during the height of their power. Once a thriving military and civilian community, Skrunda-1 soon fell into disrepair when the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991.

The last remaining residents are said to have moved out of the town in 1999 and it has remained untouched ever since, with many of the buildings still containing photographs, clothing, furnishings, newspapers and children's toys.

In 2015, the Latvian government paid a private company roughly $14,000 to purchase the town. The redevelopment plan intended to use half the town for military purposes, while the other half would consist of housing to be rented out to locals. However, it doesn't appear that any updates have been made in the years since the purchase, so the future of Skrunda-1 remains a mystery.

Skrunda-1 made headlines in February 2024 after a group of British Royal Marines who took part in a training programme at the abandoned outpost began legal proceedings against the UK Ministry of Defence. The group alleges that they were exposed to asbestos after sleeping in one of the buildings, which later tested positive for the carcinogen.

Sanatorio de Abona, Tenerife, Spain

The Spanish island of Tenerife is loved for its rugged volcanic landscape, black-and-white sand beaches and spectacular azure waters, but the picturesque holiday resort also harbours a rather unique landmark that very few people know about...

Sanatorio de Abona can be found nestled on a scenic cliff face on the island's southeast coast. The sanatorium was designed in 1943 by the Spanish architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado after an outbreak of leprosy looked set to take over the country. 

At the time, many believed that isolating in a hot, dry climate was the best way to cure people of the progressive bacterial infection, so Tenerife was the perfect place to create purpose-built colonies where the sick could quarantine together.

Named Sanatorio de Abona, the small town was set to be made up of forty buildings, including a church, a crematorium, a hospital and various types of accommodation.

Yet by 1945 a new antibiotic proved effective against the symptoms of leprosy, rendering the sanatorium obsolete before it was even finished. Construction work was halted, leaving many of the buildings partially finished and wasting the $77,630 that had already been spent on the project – that's around $1.3 million in today's money. 

Standing unoccupied for almost 80 years, Tenerife's abandoned leper colony is now an off-the-beaten-track tourist attraction, although it's surely just a matter of time before the place is redeveloped.

Craco, Matera, Italy

Situated in the southern Italian province of Matera in one of the world's most beautiful countries, Craco must be among the unluckiest villages in the world. After decades of bearing the brunt of Mother Nature, the town was finally abandoned in 1980.

The hilltop village has been occupied since the 10th century BC and at its height in 1881, the population exceeded 2,000 residents. However, 1963 signalled the start of a downward spiral, as a landslide forced inhabitants to relocate to a neighbouring valley. The situation worsened in 1972 when floods struck and a subsequent earthquake in 1980 proved the final nail in the coffin of this beautiful town.

Inside the remaining buildings, signs of domesticity remain, with a hearth and bed frame still visible in this dilapidated house. These days Craco is blocked off for safety reasons, however, private guided tours are now available for curious tourists.

Thanks to its dramatic landscape, the town has also been used as a backdrop for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, including The Passion of Christ and Quantum of Solace .

Decades later, Craco's mystical charm still endures – inside the San Nicola church, vaulted columns hint at the former grandeur of this historic settlement.

Thames Town, Shanghai, China

From its red telephone boxes and black cabs to the winding cobbled streets and Victorian terraces, this copycat ghost town is a pastiche of all things British. The only difference is, this London lookalike is 18 miles from downtown Shanghai.

Dubbed the real-life The Truman Show , this odd development was completed in 2006 to the eye-watering tune of $635 million. The project began as part of an initiative to lure half a million people away from overcrowded Shanghai and into smaller satellite suburbs, which were designed to resemble European cities.

Once a field of rice paddies, Thames Town is now home to a Gothic church, scenic canals, mock Tudor pubs, elegant Edwardian townhouses and even a small castle. The only thing missing is people.

With properties priced well out of reach for Shanghai's middle-class residents, most houses were purchased as investments or second homes and now lie vacant.

While the location is a popular backdrop for wedding photographs, no one is hanging around. Behind the grand façade, some of the retail units and restaurants lie empty. Even the town's bronze statues of James Bond, Harry Potter and Charles Dickens hold no sway in pulling in residents to this perplexing place.

Glenrio, New Mexico and Texas, USA

Uniquely positioned on the state line between Texas and New Mexico, Glenrio began life as a railroad town in 1903. A stopping point on the Rock Island and Pacific Road, the quaint town was once home to a motel, grocery stores, service stations and cafes.

With the dawn of the national highway system in the 1930s, Glenrio became a popular stopping point for road trippers driving the iconic Route 66. Despite the population barely rising above 30, the small town was thriving and even played host to film crews when John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath was shot there in 1940.

Former resident John Paul Ferguson worked at the gas stations during the summer and recalls the constant streams of traffic through the town. However, Glenrio's luck ran out in 1975 when Interstate 40 bypassed the town, cutting it off from the passing tourist trade.

All that remains of the once-booming spot are 17 time-warp buildings untouched for decades and the old Route 66 roadbed. An evocative location harking back to America's mid-century heyday, the remarkable ghost town was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. 

However, change may be on the horizon. In February 2022, it was reported that business partners Gabi Tuschak and Lance Olinger had bought up Glenrio with the hopes of turning the faded outpost into a nostalgic tourist destination. Their plans include transforming the old café into a welcome centre and gift shop, as well as renovating the motel so it can welcome visitors once more.

Ciudad Jardín Soto Real, Buniel, Spain

Back in 2008, the global financial crisis caused chaos around the world but some countries were affected more than others. Spain's housing market all but collapsed, leaving many developers bankrupt and significant housing projects across the country incomplete. Some 12 years later and one of the country's largest developments, Ciudad Jardín Soto Real, still sits unfinished. 

The town was captured by photographer Markel Redondo in 2018 and highlights the colossal damage that the financial crisis caused almost overnight.

Located in the municipality of Buniel, just 312 of the estate's proposed 1,400 homes were built and those standing are in various stages of completion. The development was abandoned in the summer of 2008 when the construction company behind the project, Martinsa-Fadesa, entered into voluntary liquidation.

The site sits behind a high-security fence but over the years thieves have stripped the development of its valuables, from copper wiring to bricks and even the manhole covers on the estate's roads. Yet due to its semi-remote location, many have forgotten that Ciudad Jardín Soto Real even exists. 

Sadly, Ciudad Jardín Soto Real is just one of many similar development projects across Spain that have been left to decay. By capturing the estate in its current state, Redondo hopes to encourage the Spanish government to put the properties to good use.

In 2018 he told WIRED : "We could do a lot of things with these abandoned projects. People are being kicked out of their houses in every major city because they can't afford them. We have a lot of people who need homes."

Currently, empty residential plots are available to build on, with prices available upon request. You just have to be ok with living in a ghost town! 

Centralia, Pennsylvania, USA

Once home to thousands, this Pennsylvania mining town's population upped and left following a bizarre fire that began in 1962 and still rages on today – more than 60 years later.

The blaze began the day before Labor Day. In a strange series of events, the fire was intentionally set in order to burn out an old landfill beneath the town. However, the site was connected to a system of disused coal mining tunnels and the inferno quickly spiralled out of control.

Here, a crack along the town's deserted Highway 61 still billows out sulfurous gases.

The blaze spewed toxic fumes into the atmosphere and over the years the ground beneath the borough reached over 900 degrees in some locations. With gas pouring into basements and sinkholes suddenly opening up, a $42 million relocation plan saw most of Centralia's residents up sticks and leave the poisonous district in the 1980s.

As a mass exodus swept the toxic town, most of the homes were demolished, although as late as 2020 there were still four people living in Centralia, clinging to their old homes. 

Single properties like this are a stark reminder of the town's former life. Still alight today, it's said that there's enough coal underground to fuel the blaze for a further 250 years.

Sanzhi Pod City, New Taipei, Taiwan

Designed as a seaside holiday resort for US military officers and middle-class Taiwanese, Sanzhi Pod City made for a chilling sight. The eerie development was never completed, having been left to ruin in 1980. 

Located on the northern coast of Taiwan, the futuristic resort town featured a complex of bright UFO-shaped homes and a large swimming pool complex.

Construction was halted on the site two years after it had begun, with the developers citing financial constraints following investment losses.

Designed in a retro style that was popular at the time, the price of these unique homes was so high that almost none of the pods sold.

Having lost the fight with Mother Nature, they were abandoned on the overgrown coastline, reduced to graffitied ruins frequented by curious tourists.

The deserted development, which would have offered residents tranquil sea views, was demolished in 2010, with plans to turn the site into a resort and waterpark.

As of 2024, no pod homes remain, but the planned redevelopment of the site doesn't appear to have begun. We're intrigued to see how this project evolves – if it ever does!

Wittenoom, Pilbara, Australia

This next abandoned outpost has been described as one of the most dangerous and contaminated places on the planet. Once located in the dry, dusty climes of Pilbara, the unassuming small town of Wittenoom belied a toxic surprise hiding underground...

From the 1930s to the 1960s, Wittenoom was home to around 20,000 people, many of whom worked in Australia's only blue asbestos mine, which was located there. More than 2,000 deaths have been linked to the town's toxic mining activities and the mine subsequently closed its doors for good in 1966.

After the closure, the population began to rapidly decline, leaving buildings like Doc Holiday's Cafe to the dust. In 2007, the Western Australia Government officially struck Wittenoom off the map and cut off the town's electricity supply and mail services.

It was labelled one of the most significant industrial disasters in Western Australia and while the government tried to dissuade visitors from venturing into the contaminated area, Wittenoom was a popular destination in recent years for those seeking so-called dark tourism.

In May 2023, the demolition of Wittenoom's remaining buildings began, closing the chapter on the town's dark past. 

Tyneham, Dorset, UK

Once home to 225 people, the rural village of Tyneham in the southwest of England is now no more than ruins. Its population deserted the town just before Christmas in 1943, though it wasn't exactly by choice...

As the Second World War raged on, the War Office requisitioned the town to use as a tank firing range prior to D-Day. Residents were promised that they could return to their homes once the war was over. As they left, a note was pinned on the door of Tyneham Church that read: '"Thank you for treating the village kindly."

However, Tyneham's residents never did return. Decades later, the village's manor house (pictured) is a relic of its former self, and the post office, rectory and cottages stand roofless and crumbling.

While the evacuation was intended to be temporary, the army placed a compulsory purchase order on the land in 1948 and has retained it for military use ever since.

With its eerie abandoned spaces, the strange beauty of Tyneham's ruins has fascinated passing walkers for decades. We can only imagine the gorgeous sea views that former residents once enjoyed from this dilapidated farmhouse.

Although the church and school have been restored, in late 2019, parts of the village were closed to the public after the Ministry of Defence found seven of the buildings to be unsafe. Now, its fate hangs in the balance...

Burj Al Babas, Bolu Province, Turkey

Nestled in a rural mountainous spot, halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, this modern abandoned ghost town is a surreal sight to behold. Hundreds of mini châteaux, in various stages of completion, stand in a deathly silent valley after funding for the project dried up.

Construction of the Burj Al Babas development in Turkey began in 2014, led by the Sarot Group. 587 châteaux have been finished, however, following the collapse of the Turkish economy in 2018, the company declared bankruptcy and the project was brought to a standstill. 

Once complete, the complex was intended to accommodate 732 villas, a shopping centre, cinema, restaurants and fitness facilities.

Worth between $400,000 and $500,000, the identical three-storey castle-like homes, which look like something from the pages of Cinderella , feature turrets and elaborate circular balconies.

The abandoned construction site can still be seen just beyond the boundary of the $200 million estate. Having managed to write off half of their debt, the Sarot Group's deputy chairman declared in 2019 that he was hopeful the project would finally be completed in 2021, according to the Hurriyet Daily News .

However, given its dormant social media accounts and deserted construction site, it doesn't look like the fairytale development will have a happy ending anytime soon...

Eagle Mountain, California, USA

Formerly a thriving company town, Eagle Mountain is now an abandoned California dust bowl on the outskirts of Joshua Tree National Park.

The majority of its citizens were employed at the nearby Kaiser Steel mine, but during the 1970s, the town began to decline in the wake of substantial staffing cuts at the mine, followed by its ultimate closure in 1983.

After the mine was shuttered, Eagle Mountain became home to an ill-fated low-security prison called the Eagle Mountain Community Correctional Facility, which opened its doors in 1988.

All of the town’s once-thriving community centres, including its café and bowling alley, were repurposed to house the 438 inmates who were serving time for nonviolent offences such as parole violations. However, all this was brought to an end in 2003, when a violent altercation broke out among the prisoners and two inmates were killed. 

In the years that followed, plans for the town's redevelopment came and went, leaving the settlement to fall into further dilapidation. 

While void of residents, Eagle Mountain has drawn the attention of local urban explorers and photographers. One of the intrepid adventurers who has taken a tour of the forgotten town is YouTuber  Trevor Costelloe , who captured this image of one of the community's residential streets.

However, the future of this forlorn outpost may finally be looking up. In April 2023, Eagle Mountain and its mining rights were sold for $22.5 million to a mysterious buyer linked to a company called Ecology Mountain Holdings, according to  SFGate . The firm, which hasn't revealed its plans for the vast property, appears to deal with auto parts and recycling. 

It's unclear what the next chapter holds for this forgotten Californian outpost. Here's hoping the desert site will be revitalised one way or another.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Love the sesh? This Wetherspoons-inspired holiday might be for you

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If there’s one thing Brits love, it’s a visit to Spoons . Cheap food and even cheaper pints , what’s not to like?

And a visit is made all the better if your local happens to be one of the Wetherspoons pubs located in a cool venue — like the Opera House in Tunbridge Wells, or The Counting House in Glasgow which still has an old bank vault inside.

Many fans of the chain like to visit different ones around the UK, and if you’ve ever been tempted to see some of the best pubs Wetherspoons has to offer, then now’s your chance.

Travel company, MyUKTour, is launching the UK’s first ever Wetherspoons holiday.

The ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip would give fans a chance to tour some of the weird and wonderful locations, while also getting to see more of the UK and several historical sites.

There will be two different tours available, one southern (seven days, six nights) and one for northern parts of Britain (six days, five nights), but neither will come cheap, with trips starting from £1,800 per person.

But there’s a catch, this cost only includes one night of accommodation at a Wetherspoons Hotel. The other nights are paid for separately, and can be arranged by the travel company on your behalf, or you can sort it out yourself.

Highlights of the seven day tour will include The Winter Gardens in Harrogate, which is said to be one of the country’s most beautiful Spoons’ venues, as well as The Sir William de Wessyngton in Sunderland, (the cheapest Spoons’ in the north), and The Rochester Castle in Hackney, the oldest surviving Spoons’ venue.

If that weren’t enough, you’ll also get to visit Wetherspoons founder, Tim Martin’s, favourite Spoons pub along the way, experience Curry Club, as well as a Spoons breakfast, and play the iconic Wetherspoons game, where people buy food and drink for strangers.

The tours are customisable so you could add more locations, or include both northern and southern locations on your holiday.

Wetherspoons tour locations:

South Tour Visits:  London, Cambridge, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Exeter, Penzance.

It includes seeing eight iconic Wetherspoons venues plus The Tower of London, Kings College Chapel, Abbey of St Edmund, Canterbury Cathedral, Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery and Pendennis Castle.

North Tour visits : Keswick, Blackpool, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Harrogate, Newcastle.

It also includes seeing six iconic Wetherspoons venues, the Wordsworth House and Garden, Blackpool promenade, Albert Dock, The Cavern Club, Manchester museums, Royal Armouries Museum, Nidderdale National Landscape.

A spokesperson from MyUkTour said ‘All of us at MyUKTour are so excited to start offering this bespoke trip to one of Britain’s best known, and arguably finest, cultural institutions.

‘Combining hearty pub grub and craft ales with historical monuments and stunning landscapes, this tour is sure to showcase the very best that Britain has to offer.’

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Die-hard Wetherspoons fans can register their interest and discuss dates ahead of the inaugural visit for either the North and South of England online now.

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Ukraine war latest: Russian officials 'thrown out of meeting' for breaking custom; new photos emerge of Putin and Kim's day out

Vladimir Putin has arrived in Vietnam for a state visit after he spent the day in North Korea yesterday, where he signed a defence pact with Kim Jong Un. Got a question on the Ukraine war? Submit it below for our specialists to answer.

Sunday 23 June 2024 12:04, UK

• Vladimir Putin in Vietnam for state visit
• Russia and North Korea sign new defence deal
• Russian officials 'thrown out of meeting' for breaking custom
• South Korea condemns pact and says it will reconsider weapons for Ukraine
• New photos emerge of Putin and Kim's day out
• Analysis: Putin wants to prove he still has friends
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Ask a question or make a comment

While we haven't been able to bring you our regular live coverage, we have been keeping an eye on today's latest developments. 

Here are the key updates: 

• The Ukrainian military issued a rare statement confirming it had struck four oil refineries in Russia during an early morning drone attack;
• South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador over the country's new defence pact with North Korea;
• A Russian guided bomb killed two people and wounded three others in the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, according to regional prosecutors;
• European Union countries have formally approved the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova next week;
• Vladimir Putin said Russia would keep developing its arsenal of nuclear weapons to preserve the "balance of power in the world". 

Here's a look at the latest situation on the ground: 

That's all of our live coverage on the conflict for now. 

We'll bring you any major developments overnight, and we'll be back with our regular updates in the morning. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is "deeply grateful" for Joe Biden's decision to prioritise air defence deliveries for Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian president said his country was in critical need of the capabilities to protect its cities and civilians from Russian attacks. 

"The partnership between Ukraine and the United States is strong and unwavering. Together, we are protecting life against terror and aggression," he added. 

It comes after the US said a recent defence pact signed by Russia and North Korea was a "cause for concern". 

The recently signed defence pact between Russia and North Korea is a cause of concern but is no surprise, the White House has said.

Speaking to reporters, White House spokesman John Kirby said the agreement between the two countries was a sign of Russia's desperation for foreign assistance in the Ukraine war.

The deal has seen both countries vow to help each other if they faced armed aggression, and replaces previous treaties between the countries. 

Russia said the pact was needed because of "the deep evolution of the geopolitical situation in the world and the region".

Mr Kirby also said the US would reprioritise planned deliveries of foreign military equipment to go to Ukraine, which is in "desperate need" of more air defence capabilities.

Vladimir Putin has warned that South Korea would be making a "big mistake" if it decides to supply weapons to Ukraine. 

The Russian president's comments come after South Korea said a new defence agreement between North Korea and Moscow was "absurd" and it would reconsider sending arms to Kyiv as a result. 

Mr Putin said Seoul had nothing to worry about when it came to the mutual defence pact. 

Russian state media quoted him as saying that Moscow expected its cooperation with North Korea to serve as a deterrent to the West. 

He also refused to rule out supplying high-precision weapons to the country. 

Russia is considering making changes to its nuclear weapons doctrine, Vladimir Putin has said. 

The Russian president made the comments while speaking to reporters at the end of his Vietnam trip. 

The existing doctrine states that Russia may use such weapons in response to a nuclear strike or in the event of a conventional attack that poses an existential threat to the country. 

Ukrainian troops have been launching mid-range reconnaissance drones in Kharkiv.

Russian forces crossed into parts of the northeastern region last month, and officials claim they have seized at least a dozen villages.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Kyiv's forces are gradually pushing Russian troops out of the contested area.

A police search is under way for a woman who allegedly desecrated the graves of Ukrainian soldiers.

Kyiv city's prosecutor's office said the unknown woman vandalised the graves this morning. 

Commemorative plaques and lamps were torn off and broken, it said.

The Ukrainian flag was also "mutilated", it added.

"Operational investigations and searches are being carried out to establish the woman's identity," the office said in post on Telegram. 

If caught and found guilty, the woman could face up to five years in prison. 

We have been reporting today on Vladimir Putin's visit to Vietnam.

Here is a recap of what the Russian president has been up to: 

• Mr Putin signed a series of deals with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam during his state visit;
• The two leaders signed agreements to further co-operation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health;
• They also agreed to work on a road map for a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam;
• Following the talks, Mr Putin said that the two countries share an interest in "developing a reliable security architecture" in the Asia-Pacific region based on not using force and peacefully settling disputes with no room for "closed military-political blocs";
• The Russian leader also met Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and is scheduled to meet Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - Vietnam's most powerful politician;
• The trip has resulted in a sharp rebuke from the US embassy in the country.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Romania's decision to provide his country with two Patriot air defence systems will strengthen security in Ukraine and throughout Europe.

"This crucial contribution will bolster our air shield and help us better protect our people and critical infrastructure from Russian air terror," the Ukrainian president said on X.

The Patriot, which stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a surface-to-air missile defence system.

For months now, Ukraine has been calling for countries to provide more air defence systems to help protect it from Russian attacks. 

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