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Fun Down Under

Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors. With the change in scenery, comes a new experience, so make sure you pack your sense of adventure.

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The Emerald Isle

It's said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten, and for once the blarney rings true. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, due as much to the country's almost tangible history as its claim to being the home of the fairies and the 'little people'. The weather may not always cooperate, but the dampness ensures there are fifty shades of green to compensate - just one of the reasons Ireland is called the Emerald Isle.

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Traveler's Paradise

Mexico is a traveler's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snowcapped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialized cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna. Explore her ancient ruins, play on her beaches or play a round of golf - and that's just Cancun.

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South looks north, as solar storm brings auroras

Geoff Brumfiel

The solar flare as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Thursday. The flare has triggered a severe geomagnetic storm watch for the first time in nearly 20 years. AP hide caption

The solar flare as captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Thursday. The flare has triggered a severe geomagnetic storm watch for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Planet Earth is getting rocked by the biggest solar storm in decades.

Late Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared that the Earth was experiencing a G5, or "Extreme," geomagnetic storm. This is the first G5 storm to hit the planet since 2003.

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Photos: see the northern lights from rare, solar storm, noaa issues first severe geomagnetic storm watch since 2005.

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NOAA warns several waves of flares will slam into the Earth over the next few hours and days, potentially disrupting communications and navigation, triggering power outages and damaging satellites. The 2003 event briefly knocked out power in part of Sweden and damaged electrical transformers in South Africa.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center says that this latest storm may induce auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.

On social media, posters were putting up photos of bright auroras visible across Russia , Scandinavia , the U.K . and continental Europe . Some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Mallorca, Spain .

my cat just experienced the aurora borealis, one of the world's most radiant natural phenomena... and she doesn't care pic.twitter.com/Ee74FpWHFm — PJ (@kickthepj) May 10, 2024

The source of the solar storm is a cluster of sunspots on the sun's surface that is 17 times the diameter of the earth. The spots are filled with tangled magnetic fields that can act as slingshots, throwing huge quantities of charged particles towards our planet. These events, known as Coronal Mass Ejections, become more common during the peak of the Sun's 11-year solar cycle.

Usually, they miss the Earth, but this time, NOAA says several are headed directly towards our planet.

Extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions have been observed! pic.twitter.com/qLsC8GbWus — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 10, 2024

"We have high confidence that a series of coronal mass ejections ... are directed right towards Earth," says Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for the Space Weather Prediction Center told reaporters early Friday.

NOAA's GOES-16 satellite captured a flare erupting occurred around 2 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2024.

While they expect the storm to be large, there's still a lot of uncertainty about what the other effects could be, Dahl says.

"I wouldn't want to speculate on that," Dahl says.

Shocking problems

The most disruptive solar storm ever recorded came in 1859. Known as the "Carrington Event," it generated shimmering auroras that were visible as far south as Mexico and Hawaii. It also fried telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.

While this geomagnetic storm will not be as strong, the world has grown more dependent on electronics and electrical systems. Depending on the orientation of the storm's magnetic field it could induce unexpected electrical currents in long-distance power lines — those currents could cause safety systems to flip, triggering temporary power outages in some areas.

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

The storm is also likely to disrupt the ionosphere, a section of Earth's atmosphere filled with charged particles. Some long-distance radio transmissions use the ionosphere to "bounce" signals around the globe, and those signals will likely be disrupted. The particles may also refract and otherwise scramble signals from the global positioning system, according to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with NOAA. Those effects can linger for a few days after the storm.

What Causes The Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know For Sure

Steenburgh says it's unclear just how bad the disruptions will be. While we are more dependent than ever on GPS, there are also more satellites in orbit. Moreover, the anomalies from the storm are constantly shifting through the ionosphere like ripples in a pool. "Outages, with any luck, should not be prolonged," Steenburgh says.

The radiation from the storm could have other undesirable effects. At high altitudes, it could damage satellites, while at low altitudes, it's likely to increase atmospheric drag, causing some satellites to sink toward the Earth.

The changes to orbits wreak havoc, warns Tuija Pulkkinen, chair of the department of climate and space sciences at the University of Michigan. Since the last solar maximum, companies such as SpaceX have launched thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit. Those satellites will now see their orbits unexpectedly changed.

"There's a lot of companies that haven't seen these kind of space weather effects before," she says.

The International Space Station lies within Earth's magnetosphere, so its astronauts should be mostly protected, Steenburgh says.

In a statement, NASA said that astronauts would not take additional measures to protect themselves: "NASA completed a thorough analysis of recent space weather activity and determined it posed no risk to the crew aboard the International Space Station and no additional precautionary measures are needed," the agency said late Friday.

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images hide caption

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England.

While this storm will undoubtedly keep satellite operators and utilities busy over the next few days, individuals don't really need to do much to get ready.

"As far as what the general public should be doing, hopefully they're not having to do anything," says Dahl. The largest problem could be a brief blackout, so keep some flashlights and a radio handy, he says.

I took these photos near Ranfurly in Central Otago, New Zealand. Anyone can use them please spread far and wide. :-) https://t.co/NUWpLiqY2S — Dr Andrew Dickson reform/ACC (@AndrewDickson13) May 10, 2024

And don't forget to go outside and look up, adds Steenburgh. This event's aurora is visible much further south than usual.

A faint aurora can be detected by a modern cell phone camera, he adds, so even if you can't see it with your eyes, try taking a photo of the sky.

The aurora "is really the gift from space weather," he says.

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• solar flares
• solar storm

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The 11 Best Travel-size Sunscreens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We love nourishing travel-size sunscreens from brands like Shiseido, Coola, and Supergoop.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Other Options We Tested

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T + L

Travel + Leisure

No matter the destination, traveling with sunscreen is one of the best (and usually most cost-effective) ways to protect your skin from harmful rays. If checking in a suitcase isn’t a part of your flying routine, it’s important to bring a travel-size sunscreen that falls under the general 3.4-ounce size limit.

Almost every popular sunscreen or skin care brand carries a mini version of their full-size products, so we researched the best on the market and tested 20 different TSA-friendly options for your next tropical vacation . With options for stick, spray, reef-safe, and splurge-worthy sunblocks, we included various sunscreens on our list that earned rave reviews from Travel + Leisure editors.

Best Overall

Babo botanicals sheer mineral sunscreen lotion spf 50.

• Transfer 5 /5
• Opacity 5 /5
• Water Resistance 5 /5

The consistency feels like lotion so a little goes a long way.

There is a very slight white cast that disappears after you rub in the sunscreen.

From texture to water resistance, the Babo Botanicals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen won us over when we used it on a four-day trip to Hawaii . While we were expecting the formula to feel thick like typical mineral sunscreens, we were big fans of the liquid-type texture that applies like a nourishing lotion. After putting sunscreen all over the body and face at the beach, we loved that the formula absorbs quickly, only has a faint mineral smell, and doesn’t feel greasy.

Best of all, we discovered that a little goes a long way thanks to the lightweight and slightly runny texture of the sunscreen. When we went into the ocean, the sunscreen remained on the skin and didn’t come off or transfer onto any clothes or towels. We used the sunscreen several times per day for four days, and there was still about one-third of the product left over, so we think the value is exceptional for a hydrating and protective 3-ounce bottle.

The Details: SPF 50 | 3 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Vegan | Cruelty and fragrance free

Travel + Leisure / Melody Chiu

Best Budget

Banana boat sport sunscreen lotion.

The sunscreen is ideal for being active, and it comes with two travel-size tubes.

The formula is not reef-safe.

Banana Boat is one of the best and most affordable brands on the market, so we recommend their travel-size Sport Performance Sunscreen. For a competitive price, you get two 3-ounce bottles that can easily fit in your carry-on. T+L’s digital editorial director Nina Ruggiero used the sunblock on a trip to Mexico and raved about the no-frills formula that is hydrating, protective from the sun, and doesn’t transfer onto clothes or swimsuits. The texture is fairly thick, so it takes a bit of rubbing in to get a sheer finish, but it doesn’t take too long to absorb. “It protected my skin on a long day out on a boat in the sun, and I got a nice glow but did not burn at all,” she shared. The only downside is that the sunblock isn’t safe for reefs, which is something to consider for snorkeling or swimming in tropical waters.

The Details: SPF 30 | 3 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Oil and fragrance free

Travel + Leisure / Nina Ruggiero

Best for Hydration

Coola classic body sunscreen.

The texture feels exactly like lotion, and it doesn’t have an overpowering tropical scent.

It’s not designed to be worn on the face.

“I love how it left my skin feeling moisturized and not goopy,” T+L outdoor gear editor Taylor Fox shared after wearing Coola’s Organic Classic Body Sunscreen every day for two weeks. “It didn't feel like I was wearing sunscreen, but rather a high-quality body lotion.” The formula is made with plant-based ingredients and is safe under the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act, meaning it doesn’t have harmful chemicals that can damage coral reefs . Every time she applied the sunblock, it went on the skin evenly and smoothly without leaving a white cast or greasy residue. It didn’t transfer onto clothing or a towel, and the sunscreen didn’t run off after coming into contact with water. With prolonged use, we still had nearly half of the 3.4-ounce bottle left over, so we think the sunscreen could easily last for a one-to-two-week-long trip depending on how many times you use it throughout the day.

The Details: SPF 50 | 3.4 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Reef safe | Vegan | Cruelty free

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Best Splurge

Shiseido ultimate sun protector lotion.

A little bit of this lightweight formula goes a long way.

The consistency is a slightly watery and oily.

We love that even a small dollop of the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion blends effortlessly into the skin for a smooth and moisturizing finish. Although the bottle is only 1.6 ounces, the watery consistency makes it easy to spread the sun lotion, so just a little will get you plenty of coverage. The formula feels a bit oily, but after about five to 10 minutes, the sunscreen absorbs with a completely sheer set. For travelers looking for a fragrance-free sunscreen, we didn’t detect any scent, including that typical sunscreen smell. When we ran a sunscreen-soaked arm under the faucet, the formula remained perfectly absorbed without running off, so we feel confident in the brand’s promise of up to 80 minutes of water resistance before you’ll want to reapply.

The Details: SPF 50+ | 1.6 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Reef safe

Travel + Leisure / Cai Cramer

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen

It completely absorbs into the skin in under a minute.

There is a slight floral scent.

The best part of Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-touch Sunscreen is that you’ll barely feel it on your skin after applying the smooth and lightweight formula. Within one minute of applying the sunscreen, it absorbs seamlessly without leaving a greasy trace. The subtle floral scent masks any hints of typical sunscreen odors, so we didn’t mind the smell. We think the sunscreen consistency is thick enough that it feels hydrating without leaving a pesky white cast. When we wore the sunscreen under running water, it did run off the skin a little bit, but it didn’t cause the stinging in the eyes that can often happen with sunscreen. If you’re looking for sunblock that feels barely there, this one should be on your packing list. 

The Details: SPF 55 | 3 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | PABA-free

Travel + Leisure / Elena Garcia

Best Reef-safe

Mdsolarsciences mineral creme.

The mineral formula is free of ingredients that can cause damage to reefs, and it absorbs much better than similar eco-friendly products.

There is a slight white cast if you don’t rub it in thoroughly.

The MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 Sunscreen is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are two ingredients that can cause coral reef bleaching. As expected with a mineral sunscreen, it was a bit thick, but once we rubbed it in thoroughly, the slight white cast went away. However, the best aspect of this silky sunblock is that it can be used all over the body. Besides the eco-conscious formula, we love that the brand also uses ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc that are designed for sensitivities like acne- or rosacea-prone skin. If you’re curious about the formula, the brand lists every ingredient with the option to click on the name for an explainer of the purpose of the component for transparency.

The Details: SPF 50 | 1.7 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Reef safe | Vegan | Cruelty free

Travel + Leisure / Stella Yu

Shiseido UV Clear Stick Protector SPF 50

The stick applicator makes it super easy to apply without getting sunscreen all over your hands.

It might be time-consuming to apply the sunscreen stick all over the body.

Shiseido’s Clear Sunscreen Stick is ideal for storing in your everyday bag for sun protection on the go. The stick is very small, but it packs a punch with a thick SPF 50+ formula that can easily be applied without having to get sunscreen all over your hands. It felt a bit greasy at first, but once we rubbed in the sunblock, the slight sheen went away quickly. “The stick of this sunscreen is clear, so I was delighted that there's no white overdue cast on my brown skin,” T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker said. “After I applied it and rubbed it in, there was no way to tell where it had been applied as it fully absorbed into my skin, leaving no residue.” She also used the sunscreen during a sweaty 45-minute workout and we were pleased to see that it didn’t run or rub off, so this is a great face sunscreen option for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

The Details: SPF 50+ | 0.7 ounces | Up to 80 minute water resistance

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Mousse

Supergoop play body sunscreen mousse.

The foamy texture is easy to apply, extremely hydrating, and dries faster than lotion.

It’s hard to tell how much sunscreen is left in the bottle.

Parker also swears by Supergoop sunscreen, especially the Blue Sea Kale Body Mousse. Whether you’re applying sunscreen to your face or body, it’s super easy to use the top-press applicator to release the lightweight foam sunscreen. It has a very slight sunscreen scent that isn’t overpowering, and Parker often uses the sunscreen as a hydrating lotion when traveling to tropical destinations . “My skin is prone to dryness and this product feels moisturizing enough that it can replace a separate body lotion for me as well,” she said. “Even when I'm in a hot climate or sweating, there's no stickiness or evidence that something is on my skin.” We love that the formula doesn’t leave any type of white cast or greasiness after application. Parker always recommends it to her friends with kids, as the whipped texture makes it extra fun to apply.

The Details: SPF 50 | 3 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Cruelty free | Vegan

Best for Face

Black girl sunscreen broad spectrum spf 30.

• Feel 4.3 /5
• Opacity 4.7 /5
• Water Resistance 4.5 /5
• Removal 5 /5

The sheer formula is designed to be used as a lotion and sunscreen that won’t leave behind a white cast.

It has a glowy finish.

The Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion is designed for melanated skin and made with a variety of ingredients like jojoba and avocado, which protect and moisturize the skin without leaving a white cast finish. We wore the sunscreen over medicated acne creams and loved that it layers smoothly over the other skin care products without transferring or rubbing off when it comes into contact with water. Plus, the formula is fragrance-free, which is better for sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a facial sunscreen with a glowy (not greasy) finish, this sunscreen is a great option.

The Details: SPF 30 | 3 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Cruelty and fragrance free | Vegan

Coola Organic Classic Sunscreen & Sunblock Spray

The can makes it incredibly easy to apply the sunscreen and it rubs in without leaving a greasy residue.

It has a fairly strong tropical scent.

Using a spray sunscreen like this option from Coola makes it easier to reach more difficult parts of the body like the back. We’re big fans of the lightweight and transparent formula of this SPF 30 spray that didn’t leave any type of pasty color or greasy finish behind. And best of all, we couldn’t get enough of the coconut scent that wasn’t too overpowering and transported us to a sunny tropical island. The spray sunscreen dries quickly after being lightly rubbed into the skin, and we appreciated the gentle and nourishing feel of the vegan and paraben-free formula. After using sunscreen on the face every day for two weeks, there was about half left, so we think the 2-ounce bottle would only last for a weekend trip if you’re using it for all-over coverage. However, for quicker trips, this lightweight spray is a great option.

The Details: SPF 30 | 2 ounces | 80 minute water resistance | Vegan | Cruelty free

Travel + Leisure / Alessandra Amodio

Best Lightweight

Innisfree daily uv defense sunscreen.

It has the same consistency as sheer lotion.

There is a slightly shimmery finish.

Out of all of the travel-size sunscreens we tested, the Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen resembles the consistency and feel of a sheer face moisturizer the most. The lightweight formula is infused with natural ingredients like green tea, cica, and sunflower seed oil, and it has more of a watery texture than other sunscreens we tried. We think it’s ideal for working out or outdoor activities where you may get sweaty because the sunscreen didn’t run when it came in contact with water, and it absorbs quickly without leaving any clumpy or greasy residue. Instead, it gives a dewy finish that leaves the face looking refreshed and hydrated. It has a very subtle fragrance that isn’t overpowering, and it doesn’t leave any type of white cast after application.

The Details: SPF 36 | 1.69 ounces

Travel + Leisure / Shana Stahl

Other Travel-size Sunscreens We Tested

This was a competitive test, and many of us gave rave reviews. However, the five sunscreens listed below fell slightly short during testing due to a few minor issues like scent and white cast.

• Sun Bum Original SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion : The consistency is thick and hydrating, so we recommend it for the body. However, some rubbed off into our eyes and caused stinging, so we would be cautious about using it on the face.
• La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen, Melt-in Milk Lotion Face and Body Sunscreen : The sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast, and it feels very nourishing like a thick lotion, but the chemical smell is overpowering and harsh.
• Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 30 : The chemical formula rubs in completely sheer, which is ideal for wearing it on the face, but we wish the SPF was higher than 30.
• EltaMD UV Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen Sport Lotion : The mineral sunscreen stayed on our skin for the duration of a sweaty workout without transferring onto clothing. However, there is a slightly greasy residue and white cast after application that we didn’t love.
• CeraVe Broad-spectrum Mineral Sunscreen Stick : The stick formula is similar to deodorant, so it’s a little thick and tacky, but it rubs in very smoothly and sheer. We love the small size for tossing in a purse or carry-on.

Over two weeks, T+L tested 20 bottles of liquid, stick, and spray sunscreens. All of the bottles were intended to meet general carry-on liquid requirements that limit containers to 3.4 fluid ounces.

Whether we used the sunscreen at the beach, in the pool, or for any outdoor activity, we rated the formulas based on texture, opacity, water resistance, and transfer resistance. We applied the sunscreen at least seven times all over the body to get the most accurate usage impressions and to get an idea of how long the sunscreen could last for a vacation.

After thorough testing, our favorite sunscreens were easy to apply, rubbed on smoothly without a white cast leftover, and didn’t transfer when we put on clothes over the sunscreen. The best sunscreens didn’t come off instantly when the tester came into contact with sweat or water, and the formulas didn’t irritate the skin or leave a greasy residue. We rated the overall value of each sunscreen after testing was complete, uncovering the prices to evaluate the worth of the sunscreen compared to the price.

Tips for Buying Travel-size Sunscreen

Look at spf and uv protection.

The rule of thumb is to look for SPF 30 or higher. It can be easy to forget to reapply sunscreen after going in the water, so you’ll want to make sure you add more sunscreen after two hours or 80 minutes in the water.

Consider stick, liquid, or spray 

Most sunscreens are in liquid form, but there are also sunscreens in sticks and aerosol spray, too. A stick can be easier to travel with — especially as an addition to your camping gear for kids — as you won’t have to worry about any liquid spilling (or, if you're flying, meeting the 3.4-ounce travel size requirement for carry-ons). No matter what kind of sunscreen you get, you’ll always want to keep your eye out for broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and SPF 30 or higher.

Know the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen

Mineral or physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin and acts as a reflection to ward off harmful sun rays, whereas chemical sunscreen absorbs the rays. Mineral sunscreen has ingredients like zinc or titanium dioxide that can be better suited for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Chemical sunscreen is usually a little bit thinner and goes on sheerer than mineral sunscreen, so you’ll want to factor in the differences depending on the ingredients and application you’re looking for in a sunscreen.

Opt for reef-safe sunscreen if you're heading to the beach

A lot of sunscreens can contain active ingredients that are harmful to reefs and ocean wildlife. If you look at the active ingredients lists of a bottle of sunscreen and see oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, or homosalate, then the formula wouldn't be considered reef-safe. See the full list of harmful ingredients , according to the Coral Reef Alliance.

Although it varies by airline, the typical limit for liquids in a carry-on suitcase is 3.4 ounces. Usually, you can bring up to a 1-quart size bag full of liquids on an airplane, otherwise, you’ll want to check your bag if you have lots of liquids to bring.

Bringing an aerosol can like spray sunscreen in a carry-on is allowed on most airlines. However, the 3.4-ounce limit still applies, so if your spray is over the limit, you’ll need to check it to avoid potentially having to throw it away in the TSA security line .

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes about and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna tested a travel-size sunscreen herself and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best travel-size sunscreen based on a series of tests completed by T+L editors, writers, and other expert product testers.

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The sun is an ordinary star, one of about 100 billion in our galaxy, the Milky Way. The sun has extremely important influences on our planet: It drives weather, ocean currents, seasons, and climate, and makes plant life possible through photosynthesis.

Biology, Earth Science, Astronomy, Physics

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The sun is an ordinary  star , one of about 100 billion in our galaxy , the Milky Way. The sun has extremely important influences on our planet: It drives weather, ocean currents, seasons, and  climate , and makes plant life possible through  photosynthesis . Without the sun’s heat and light, life on Earth would not exist. About 4.5 billion years ago, the sun began to take shape from a  molecular cloud  that was mainly composed of hydrogen and helium. A nearby  supernova  emitted a shockwave, which came in contact with the molecular cloud and energized it. The molecular cloud began to  compress , and some regions of gas collapsed under their own  gravitational pull . As one of these regions collapsed, it also began to  rotate  and heat up from increasing pressure. Much of the hydrogen and helium remained in the center of this hot, rotating mass. Eventually, the gases heated up enough to begin  nuclear fusion , and became the sun in our  solar system . Other parts of the molecular cloud cooled into a disc around the brand-new sun and became planets, asteroids, comets, and other bodies in our solar system. The sun is about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles) from Earth. This distance, called an  astronomical unit  (AU), is a standard measure of distance for  astronomers and astrophysicists. An AU can be measured at light speed, or the time it takes for a photon of light to travel from the sun to Earth. It takes light about eight minutes and 19 seconds to reach Earth from the sun. The  radius  of the sun, or the distance from the very center to the outer limits, is about 700,000 kilometers (432,000 miles). That distance is about 109 times the size of Earth’s radius. The sun not only has a much larger radius than Earth—it is also much more massive. The sun’s mass is more than 333,000 times that of Earth, and contains about 99.8 percent of all of the mass in the entire solar system! Composition The sun is made up of a blazing combination of gases. These gases are actually in the form of plasma . Plasma is a state of matter similar to gas, but with most of the particles  ionized . This means the particles have an increased or reduced number of electrons. About three quarters of the sun is hydrogen, which is constantly fusing together and creating helium by a process called nuclear fusion. Helium makes up almost the entire remaining quarter. A very small percentage (1.69 percent) of the sun’s mass is made up of other gases and metals: iron, nickel, oxygen, silicon, sulfur, magnesium, carbon, neon, calcium, and chromium This 1.69 percent may seem insignificant, but its mass is still 5,628 times the mass of Earth. The sun is not a solid mass. It does not have the easily identifiable boundaries of rocky planets like Earth. Instead, the sun is composed of layers made up almost entirely of hydrogen and helium. These gases carry out different functions in each layer, and the sun’s layers are measured by their percentage of the sun’s total radius. The sun is permeated and somewhat controlled by a  magnetic field . The magnetic field is defined by a combination of three complex mechanisms: a circular electric current that runs through the sun, layers of the sun that rotate at different speeds, and the sun’s ability to conduct  electricity . Near the sun’s  equator , magnetic field lines make small loops near the surface. Magnetic field lines that flow through the poles extend much farther, thousands of kilometers, before returning to the opposite pole. The sun rotates around its own axis, just like Earth. The sun rotates counterclockwise, and takes between 25 and 35 days to complete a single rotation. The sun  orbits clockwise around the center of the Milky Way. Its orbit is between 24,000 and 26,000 light-years away from the galactic center. The sun takes about 225 million to 250 million years to orbit one time around the galactic center. Electromagnetic Radiation The sun’s energy travels to Earth at the speed of light in the form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The  electromagnetic spectrum  exists as waves of different frequencies and  wavelengths . The  frequency  of a wave represents how many times the wave repeats itself in a certain unit of time. Waves with very short wavelengths repeat themselves several times in a given unit of time, so they are high-frequency. In contrast, low-frequency waves have much longer wavelengths. The vast majority of electromagnetic waves that come from the sun are invisible to us. The most high-frequency waves emitted by the sun are gamma rays, x-rays, and  ultraviolet radiation  (UV rays). The most harmful UV rays are almost completely absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere. Less potent UV rays travel through the atmosphere, and can cause sunburn. The sun also emits  infrared radiation —whose waves are a much lower-frequency. Most heat from the sun arrives as infrared energy. Sandwiched between infrared and UV is the visible spectrum, which contains all the colors we, as humans, can see. The color red has the longest wavelengths (closest to infrared), and violet (closest to UV) the shortest. The sun itself is white, which means it contains all the colors in the visible spectrum. The sun appears orangish-yellow because the blue light it emits has a shorter wavelength, and is scattered in the atmosphere—the same process that makes the sky appear blue. Astronomers, however, call the sun a “yellow dwarf” star because its colors fall within the yellow-green section of the electromagnetic spectrum. Evolution of the Sun The sun, although it has sustained all life on our planet, will not shine forever. The sun has already existed for about 4.5 billion years. The process of nuclear fusion, which creates the heat and light that make life on our planet possible, is also the process that slowly changes the sun’s composition. Through nuclear fusion, the sun is constantly using up the hydrogen in its core : Every second, the sun fuses around 620 million metric tons of hydrogen into helium. At this stage in the sun’s life, its core is about 74 percent hydrogen. Over the next five billion years, the sun will burn through most of its hydrogen, and helium will become its major source of fuel. Over those five billion years, the sun will go from “yellow dwarf” to “ red giant .” When almost all of the hydrogen in the sun’s core has been consumed, the core will contract and heat up, increasing the amount of nuclear fusion that takes place. The outer layers of the sun will expand from this extra energy. The sun will expand to about 200 times its current radius, swallowing Mercury and Venus. Astrophysicists debate whether Earth’s orbit would expand beyond the sun’s reach, or if our planet would be engulfed by the sun as well. As the sun expands, it will spread its energy over a larger surface area, which has an overall cooling effect on the star. This cooling will shift the sun’s visible light to a reddish color—a red giant. Eventually, the sun’s core reaches a temperature of about 100 million on the  Kelvin scale (almost 100 million degrees Celsius or 180 million degrees Farenheit), the common scientific scale for measuring temperature. When it reaches this temperature, helium will begin fusing to create carbon, a much heavier element. This will cause intense solar wind and other solar activity, which will eventually throw off the entire outer layers of the sun. The red giant phase will be over. Only the sun’s carbon core will be left, and as a “ white dwarf ,” it will not create or emit energy. Sun’s Structure The sun is made up of six layers: core, radiative zone , convective zone, photosphere , chromosphere , and corona . Core The sun’s  core , more than a thousand times the size of Earth and more than 10 times  denser than lead, is a huge furnace. Temperatures in the core exceed 15.7 million kelvin (also 15.7 million degrees Celsius, or 28 million degrees Fahrenheit). The core extends to about 25 percent of the sun’s radius. The core is the only place where nuclear fusion reactions can happen. The sun’s other layers are heated from the nuclear energy created there. Protons of hydrogen atoms violently collide and fuse, or join together, to create a helium atom. This process, known as a PP (proton-proton) chain reaction, emits an enormous amount of energy. The energy released during one second of solar fusion is far greater than that released in the explosion of hundreds of thousands of hydrogen bombs. During nuclear fusion in the core, two types of energy are released: photons and neutrinos . These particles carry and emit the light, heat, and energy of the sun. Photons are the smallest particle of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Neutrinos are more difficult to detect, and only account for about two percent of the sun’s total energy. The sun emits both photons and neutrinos in all directions, all the time. Radiative Zone The radiative zone of the sun starts at about 25 percent of the radius, and extends to about 70 percent of the radius. In this broad zone, heat from the core cools dramatically, from between seven million K (12 million°F or 7 million°C) to two million K (2 million°C or 4 million°F). In the radiative zone, energy is transferred by a process called thermal radiation. During this process, photons that were released in the core travel a short distance, are absorbed by a nearby ion, released by that ion, and absorbed again by another. One photon can continue this process for almost 200,000 years! Transition Zone : Tachocline Between the radiative zone and the next layer, the convective zone, there is a transition zone called the tachocline. This region is created as a result of the sun’s differential rotation . Differential rotation happens when different parts of an object rotate at different velocities. The sun is made up of gases undergoing different processes at different layers and different latitudes. The sun’s equator rotates much faster than its poles, for instance. The rotation rate of the sun changes rapidly in the tachocline. Convective Zone At around 70 percent of the sun’s radius, the convective zone begins. In this zone, the sun’s temperature is not hot enough to transfer energy by thermal radiation. Instead, it transfers heat by thermal  convection  through thermal columns. Similar to water boiling in a pot, or hot wax in a lava lamp, gases deep in the sun’s convective zone are heated and “boil” outward, away from the sun’s core, through thermal columns. When the gases reach the outer limits of the convective zone, they cool down, and plunge back to the base of the convective zone, to be heated again. Photosphere The photosphere is the bright yellow, visible "surface" of the sun. The photosphere is about 400 kilometers (250 miles) thick, and temperatures there reach about 6,000K (5,700°C, 10,300°F). The thermal columns of the convection zone are visible in the photosphere, bubbling like boiling oatmeal. Through powerful telescopes, the tops of the columns appear as  granules crowded across the sun. Each granule has a bright center, which is the hot gas rising through a thermal column. The granules’ dark edges are the cool gas descending back down the column to the bottom of the convective zone. Although the tops of the thermal columns look like small granules, they are usually more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) across. Most thermal columns exist for about eight to 20 minutes before they dissolve and form new columns. There are also “supergranules” that can be up to 30,000 kilometers (18,641 miles) across, and last for up to 24 hours. Sunspots , solar flares , and solar prominences take form in the photosphere, although they are the result of processes and disruptions in other layers of the sun. Photosphere: Sunspots A sunspot is just what it sounds like—a dark spot on the sun. A sunspot forms when intense magnetic activity in the convective zone  ruptures a thermal column. At the top of the ruptured column (visible in the photosphere), temperature is temporarily decreased because hot gases are not reaching it. Photosphere: Solar Flares The process of creating sunspots opens a connection between the corona (the very outer layer of the sun) and the sun’s interior. Solar matter surges out of this opening in formations called solar flares. These explosions are massive: In the period of a few minutes, solar flares release the equivalent of about 160 billion megatons of TNT, or about a sixth of the total energy the sun releases in one second. Clouds of ions, atoms, and electrons erupt from solar flares, and reach Earth in about two days. Solar flares and solar prominences contribute to  space weather , which can cause disturbances to Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field, as well as disrupt satellite and telecommunications systems. Photosphere: Coronal Mass Ejections Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are another type of solar activity caused by the constant movement and disturbances within the sun’s magnetic field. CMEs typically form near the active regions of sunspots, the correlation between the two has not been proven. The cause of CMEs is still being studied, and it is hypothesized that disruptions in either the photosphere or corona lead to these violent solar explosions. Photosphere: Solar Prominence Solar prominences are bright loops of solar matter. They can burst far into the coronal layer of the sun, expanding hundreds of kilometers per second. These curved and twisted features can reach hundreds of thousands of kilometers in height and width, and last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Solar prominences are cooler than the corona, and they appear as darker strands against the sun. For this reason, they are also known as filaments. Photosphere: Solar Cycle The sun does not constantly emit sunspots and solar ejecta; it goes through a cycle of about 11 years. During this solar cycle, the frequency of solar flares changes. During solar maximums, there can be several flares per day. During solar minimums, there may be fewer than one a week. The solar cycle is defined by the sun’s magnetic fields, which loop around the sun and connect at the two poles. Every 11 years, the magnetic fields reverse, causing a disruption that leads to solar activity and sunspots. The solar cycle can have effects on Earth’s climate. For example, the sun’s ultraviolet light splits oxygen in the stratosphere and strengthens Earth’s protective  ozone layer . During the solar minimum, there are low amounts of UV rays, which means that Earth’s ozone layer is temporarily thinned. This allows more UV rays to enter and heat Earth’s atmosphere. Solar Atmosphere The solar atmosphere is the hottest region of the sun. It is made up of the chromosphere, the corona, and a transition zone called the solar transition region that connects the two. The solar atmosphere is obscured by the bright light emitted by the photosphere, and it can rarely be seen without special instruments. Only during  solar eclipses , when the moon moves between Earth and the sun and hides the photosphere, can these layers be seen with the unaided eye. Chromosphere The pinkish-red chromosphere is about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) thick and riddled with jets of hot gas. At the bottom of the chromosphere, where it meets the photosphere, the sun is at its coolest, at about 4,400K (4,100°C, 7,500°F). This low temperature gives the chromosphere its pink color. The temperature in the chromosphere increases with altitude, and reaches 25,000K (25,000°C, 45,000°F) at the outer edge of the region. The chromosphere gives off jets of burning gases called  spicules , similar to solar flares. These fiery wisps of gas reach out from the chromosphere like long, flaming fingers; they are usually about 500 kilometers (310 miles) in diameter. Spicules only last for about 15 minutes, but can reach thousands of kilometers in height before collapsing and dissolving. Solar Transition Region The solar transition region (STR) separates the chromosphere from the corona. Below the STR, the layers of the sun are controlled and stay separate because of gravity, gas pressure, and the different processes of exchanging energy. Above the STR, the motion and shape of the layers are much more dynamic. They are dominated by magnetic forces. These magnetic forces can put into action solar events such as coronal loops and the solar wind. The state of helium in these two regions has differences as well. Below the STR, helium is partially ionized. This means it has lost an electron, but still has one left. Around the STR, helium absorbs a bit more heat and loses its last electron. Its temperature soars to almost one million K (one million°C, 1.8 million°F). Corona The corona is the wispy outermost layer of the solar atmosphere, and can extend millions of kilometers into space. Gases in the corona burn at about one million K (one million°C, 1.8 million°F), and move about 145 kilometers (90 miles) per second. Some of the particles reach an  escape velocity  of 400 kilometers per second (249 miles per second). They escape the sun’s gravitational pull and become the solar wind. The solar wind blasts from the sun to the edge of the solar system. Other particles form coronal loops. Coronal loops are bursts of particles that curve back around to a nearby sunspot. Near the sun’s poles are coronal holes. These areas are colder and darker than other regions of the sun, and allow some of the fastest-moving parts of the solar wind to pass through. Solar Wind The solar wind is a stream of extremely hot, charged particles that are thrown out from the upper atmosphere of the sun. This means that every 150 million years, the sun loses a mass equal to that of Earth. However, even at this rate of loss, the sun has only lost about 0.01 percent of its total mass from solar wind. The solar wind blows in all directions. It continues moving at that speed for about 10 billion kilometers (six billion miles). Some of the particles in the solar wind slip through Earth’s magnetic field and into its upper atmosphere near the poles. As they collide with our planet's atmosphere, these charged particles set the atmosphere aglow with color, creating  auroras , colorful light displays known as the Northern and Southern Lights. Solar winds can also cause solar storms . These storms can interfere with satellites and knock out  power grids on Earth. The solar wind fills the heliosphere, the massive bubble of charged particles that encompasses the solar system. The solar wind eventually slows down near the border of the heliosphere, at a theoretical boundary called the  heliopause . This boundary separates the matter and energy of our solar system from the matter in neighboring star systems and the  interstellar medium . The interstellar medium is the space between star systems. The solar wind, having traveled billions of kilometers, cannot extend beyond the interstellar medium. Studying the Sun The sun has not always been a subject of scientific discovery and inquiry. For thousands of years, the sun was known in cultures all over the world as a god, a goddess, and a symbol of life. To the ancient Aztecs, the sun was a powerful deity known as Tonatiuh, who required human sacrifice to travel across the sky. In Baltic mythology, the sun was a goddess named Saule, who brought fertility and health. Chinese mythology held that the sun is the only remaining of 10 sun gods. In 150 B.C.E., Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy created a geocentric model of the solar system in which the moon, planets, and sun revolved around Earth. It was not until the 16th century that Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus used mathematical and scientific reasoning to prove that planets rotated around the sun. This heliocentric model is the one we use today. In the 17th century, the telescope allowed people to examine the sun in detail. The sun is much too bright to allow us to study it with our eyes unprotected. With a telescope, it was possible for the first time to project a clear image of the sun onto a screen for examination. English scientist Sir  Isaac Newton  used a telescope and prism to scatter the light of the sun, and proved that sunlight was actually made of a spectrum of colors. In 1800, infrared and ultraviolet light were discovered to exist just outside of the visible spectrum. An optical instrument called a spectroscope made it possible to separate visible light and other electromagnetic radiation into its various wavelengths.  Spectroscopy  also helped scientists identify gases in the sun’s atmosphere—each element has its own wavelength pattern. However, the method by which the sun generated its energy remained a mystery. Many scientists hypothesized that the sun was contracting, and emitting heat from that process. In 1868, English astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer was studying the sun’s electromagnetic spectrum. He observed bright lines in the photosphere that did not have a wavelength of any known element on Earth. He guessed that there was an element isolated on the sun, and named it helium after the Greek sun god, Helios. Over the next 30 years, astronomers concluded that the sun had a hot, pressurized core that was capable of producing massive amounts of energy through nuclear fusion. Technology continued to improve and allowed scientists to uncover new features of the sun. Infrared telescopes were invented in the 1960s, and scientists observed energy outside the visible spectrum. Twentieth-century astronomers used balloons and rockets to send specialized telescopes high above Earth, and examined the sun without any interference from Earth's atmosphere. Solrad 1  was the first spacecraft designed to study the sun, and was launched by the United States in 1960. That decade, NASA sent five  Pioneer  satellites to orbit the sun and collect information about the star. In 1980, NASA launched a mission during the solar maximum to gather information about the high-frequency gamma rays, UV rays, and x-rays that are emitted during solar flares. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory ( SOHO ) was developed in Europe and put into orbit in 1996 to collect information. SOHO has been successfully collecting data and forecasting space weather for 12 years. Voyager 1  and  2  are spacecraft traveling to the edge of the heliosphere to discover what the atmosphere is made of where solar wind meets the interstellar medium. Voyager 1 crossed this boundary in 2012 and Voyager 2 did so in 2018. Another development in the study of the sun is  helioseismology , the study of solar waves. The turbulence of the convective zone is hypothesized to contribute to solar waves that continuously transmit solar material to the outer layers of the sun. By studying these waves, scientists understand more about the sun’s interior and the cause of solar activity. Energy from the Sun Photosynthesis

Sunlight provides necessary light and energy to plants and other producers in the  food web . These producers absorb the sun’s radiation and convert it into energy through a process called photosynthesis. Producers are mostly plants (on land) and algae (in aquatic regions). They are the foundation of the food web, and their energy and  nutrients are passed on to every other living organism. Fossil Fuels Photosynthesis is also responsible for all of the fossil fuels on Earth. Scientists estimate that about three billion years ago, the first producers evolved in aquatic settings. Sunlight allowed plant life to thrive and adapt. After the plants died, they decomposed and shifted deeper into the earth, sometimes thousands of meters. This process continued for millions of years. Under intense pressure and high temperatures, these remains became what we know as fossil fuels. These microorganisms became petroleum, natural gas, and coal. People have developed processes for extracting these fossil fuels and using them for energy. However, fossil fuels are a  nonrenewable resource . They take millions of years to form. Solar Energy Technology Solar energy technology harnesses the sun’s radiation and converts it into heat, light, or electricity. Solar energy is a  renewable resource , and many technologies can harvest it directly for use in homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Some solar energy technologies include solar voltaic cells and panels, solar thermal collectors, solar thermal electricity, and solar architecture . Photovoltaics use the sun’s energy to speed up electrons in solar cells and generate electricity. This form of technology has been used widely, and can provide electricity for rural areas, large power stations, buildings, and smaller devices such as parking meters and trash compactors. The sun’s energy can also be harnessed by a method called “concentrated solar power,” in which the sun’s rays are reflected and magnified by mirrors and lenses. The intensified ray of sunlight heats a fluid, which creates steam and powers an electric  generator . Solar power can also be collected and distributed without machinery or electronics. For example, roofs can be covered with vegetation or painted white to decrease the amount of heat absorbed into the building, thereby decreasing the amount of electricity needed for air conditioning. This is solar architecture. Sunlight is abundant: In one hour, Earth’s atmosphere receives enough sunlight to power the electricity needs of all people for a year. However, solar technology is expensive, and depends on sunny and cloudless local weather to be effective. Methods of harnessing the sun’s energy are still being developed and improved.

Like a Diamond in the Sky White dwarf stars are made of crystallized carbon diamond. A typical white dwarf is about 10 billion trillion trillion carats. In about five billion years, says Travis Metcalfe of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, our sun will become a diamond that truly is forever.

Solar Constant The solar constant is the average amount of solar energy reaching Earth's atmosphere. The solar constant is about 1.37 kilowatts of electricity per square meter.

Solarmax 2013 will bring the next solar maximum (solarmax), a period astronomers say will bring more solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar storms, and auroras.

Sun is the Loneliest Number The sun is pretty isolated, way out on the inner rim of the Orion Arm of the Milky Way. Its nearest stellar neighbor, a red dwarf named Proxima Centauri, is about 4.24 light-years away.

Sunny Days at Space Agencies NASA and other space agencies have more than a dozen heliophysics missions, which study the sun, heliosphere, and planetary environments as a single connected system. A few of the ongoing missions are: ACE : observing particles of solar, interplanetary, interstellar, and galactic origins AIM : determining the causes of the highest-altitude clouds in Earths atmosphere Hinode : studying the sun with the worlds highest-resolution solar telescopes IBEX : mapping the entire boundary of the solar system RHESSI : researching gamma rays and X-rays, the most powerful energy emitted by the sun SOHO : understanding the structure and dynamics of the sun SDO : a crown jewel of NASA, aimed at developing the scientific understanding necessary to address those aspects of the sun and solar system that directly affect life and society STEREO : understanding coronal mass ejections Voyager : studying space at the edge of the solar system Wind : understanding the solar wind

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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‘Extreme’ solar storm triggers Northern Lights as far south as Florida with encore possible tonight

Skies across the u.s. lit in a spectacular colorful glow not seen in years to decades as massive solar flares slammed into earth on friday, triggering "extreme" levels of geomagnetic activity. and the show may not be over for a while..

Strongest solar action in a decade impacting Earth right now

Aurora viewers will want to keep their eyes to the sky this weekend as a solar flare from the Sun is impacting Earth right now. Current forecasts indicate this storm will continue into Saturday morning across North America.

Skies across the U.S. were lit in a spectacular, colorful glow at levels not seen in years or decades as massive solar flares slammed into Earth on Friday.

Northern Light displays, typically relegated to states along the Canadian border during a typical geomagnetic storm, reached as far as the Gulf Coast, with pink, green and purple skies reported in Florida, Texas and Alabama. 

The SWPC says satellites observed conditions that reached level 5 on their 5-point scale of geomagnetic activity on Friday evening, noted as an "extreme" event and the first such storm to reach that level since October 2003.  While conditions have since drifted back to a level 4 storm Saturday morning, more geomagnetic activity is heading Earth's way over the weekend from additional solar flares, possibly lasting into early next week.

NOAA observed yet another massive X-class solar flare released from the Sun on Friday evening, rating it as X5.4 on their scale, among the strongest flares of recent activity. 

10 May 2024, Brandenburg, Sieversdorf: Light green and violet-reddish auroras glow in the night sky in the Oder-Spree district of East Brandenburg. The northern lights (aurora borealis) are produced by a cloud of electrically charged particles from a solar storm in the earth's atmosphere. (Photo by Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, glow on the horizon over Basingstoke in Hampshire. Picture date: Friday May 10, 2024. (Photo by Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)

A brilliant display of the Aurora Australis (aka the "Southern Lights") over New Zealand as a severe geomagnetic storm reaches Earth on May 10, 2024.  (@AndrewDickson13 via X)

10 May 2024, Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg: Northern lights appear over the Dreisamtal valley in the Black Forest near Freiburg. (Photo by Valentin Gensch/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Clear skies led the Northern Lights to be visible in Texas and New Mexico (@NWSElPaso)

FOX Weather Storm Tracker Mark Sudduth caught a stunning view of the aurora over South Carolina while in a plane. (Mark Sudduth)

View from Concord, N.C. (Jay Caceres)

Outside of the NWS office in Caribou, Maine. ( )

Forecasters at the NWS office in Calera, AL saw the aurora and the space station. (@NWSBirmingham)

SEE MORE: EXTREME GEOMAGNETIC STORM TRIGGERS JAW-DROPPING AURORAS AROUND THE WORLD

Aside from brilliant and widespread displays of the aurora, geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations, the SWPC says. The last time Earth experienced a Level 5 geomagnetic event, there were power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.

THE HISTORY OF EARTH'S GREATEST SOLAR STORMS

"We have notified all of our infrastructure operators that we coordinate with, such as satellite operators, communication folks, and of course, the power grid here in North America," SWPC coordinator Shawn Dahl said Friday. "So they are able and prepared to take mitigation efforts as much as possible throughout this event if it should unfold to the levels that we currently are anticipating."

SpaceX's Starlink service warned on its website Saturday morning that it was experiencing "degraded service," though it didn't give further details. Yet SpaceX head Elon Musk had earlier posted on X that the Starlink satellites were under a lot of pressure due to the geomagnetic storm and were still holding up.

Massive sunspot 17 times the size of Earth creating multiple flares

Two massive sunspots have recently merged and spit out at least three X-class (largest) and several M-class (second-largest) solar flares . According to NOAA, the explosive acceleration of charged and superheated plasma, known as a coronal mass ejection or CME, speeds through space and expands. 

The new sunspot is 17 times the diameter of the Earth.

"These two sunspot clusters are magnetically complex and much larger than Earth. Together they have been the source of frequent M-class flares (minor to moderate)," stated the Space Weather Prediction Center. "RGN 3664 (the combined sunspot region) continues to grow and increase in magnetic complexity and has evolved into a higher threat of increased solar flare risk."

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured these images of the solar flares — as seen in the bright flashes in the left image (May 8 flare) and the right image (May 7 flare). The image shows a subset of extreme ultraviolet light that highlights the extremely hot material in flares and which is colorized in orange.

(NASA/SDO / NOAA)

Amid the multiple solar flares, NOAA space weather forecasters have observed at least seven CMEs from the sun, with the first impacts arriving early Friday afternoon ET. Heightened solar conditions are expected to persist perhaps as long as Sunday.

"This is an unusual and potentially historic event," the SPWC stated.

WHAT IS A GEOMAGNETIC STORM?

Another sunspot also released strong CMEs this week and continues to be active. According to NOAA, the bulk of five CMEs will collide with Earth in a glancing blow as early as midday Friday through Sunday.

How flares can set off geomagnetic storms

"Flares are when the sun brightens, and we see the radiation, and that's kind of the muzzle flash," explained Professor Peter Becker of George Mason University in an earlier interview. "And then the cannon shot is the coronal mass ejection (CME) . So, we can see the flash, but then the coronal mass ejection can go off in some random direction in space, but we can tell when they're actually going to head towards Earth. And that gives us about 18 hours of warning, maybe 24 hours of warning before those particles get to Earth and start messing with Earth's magnetic field." 

SOLAR SUPERSTORM COULD ‘WIPE OUT THE INTERNET’ FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS, SCIENTIST SAYS

An illustration of Earth's magnetic field shielding our planet from solar particles.

(NASA/GSFC/SVS / NASA)

NOAA warns of a wide area blackout of high-frequency radio communications for hours. The geomagnetic storm could also cause widespread voltage irregularities in power systems, which trigger false alarms on security devices, cause drag on low earth orbit satellites preventing them from orienting and cause range errors and a loss-of-lock for GPS systems.

X-class solar flares are the largest explosions in the solar system. According to NASA, the biggest X-class flares can produce as much energy as 1 billion atomic bombs. M-class flares are the second-strongest flares, and they can cause minor radiation storms and harm astronauts.

Solar cycle peaking , making solar storms more plentiful

Tree rings and ice cores are evidence of much larger solar superstorms in the past. 

In 1859, the great Carrington Event, generally regarded as Earth's greatest solar storm in recent history, covered nearly the entire planet in aurora.  About 14,000 years ago, a solar flare, possibly hundreds of times stronger than the Carrington flare, impacted Earth. 

Northern lights visible from Europe

Friday's aurora was visible across much of Europe. NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center classified the event as a G5, the highest level on its geomagnetic storm scale.  

NOAA forecasts the current 11-year solar cycle to peak sometime in 2024 or early 2025, and solar activity is likely to remain active for the next several months or even a few years. 

NOAA PREDICTS STRONGER PEAK OF SOLAR ACTIVITY IN 2024 THAN ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED

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Sun Princess Fact Sheet

Sun Princess is the most impressive, luxurious and stunning Love Boat ever created and introduces an innovative ship platform designed exclusively for the world’s most iconic cruise brand.

With spacious yet intimate venues with more room to explore, Sun Princess debuts new eye-catching architectural elements including The Dome, a groundbreaking geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The outward and suspended Sphere, the namesake of this new class of ship, takes the central Piazza hub of the ship into a new dimension. Guests are enveloped with expansive ocean views and an open concept, inspired to deliver the desired lifestyle of relaxed indoor and outdoor living.

Class: Sphere-Class

Guest Capacity: 4,300 (lower berths)

Crew: 1,600

Tonnage: 177,882

Builder: Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani, Monfalcone

Length: 1,133 feet

Height: 200 feet

Breadth: 139 feet

Maximum Speed: 22 knots

Number of Decks: 21

Guest Staterooms: 2,157 total, featuring 80 suites

Accessible Staterooms: 51

Connecting Staterooms: 100

Showstopping Entertainment in Technically Advance Spaces

Mesmerizing shows and engaging activities are found all over the ship, highlighted by transformational entertainment venues. The Princess Arena, the most technologically advanced Princess Theater design, has threeconfigurations to maximize sight lines and deliver a truly captivating experience. With a pool by sunlight and a stage for shows by starlight, the glass-enclosed Dome, inspired by the hills of Santorini, features acrobatic performances created in partnership with the renowned Cirque Éloize.

• Princess Arena (Capacity: 990)
• Princess Casino
• Princess Live! (Capacity: 200)
• The Dome (Capacity: 250)
• The Piazza (Capacity: 300)

Extraordinary Experience

Following the successful debut of the first extraordinary experience with 360 onboard Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess, the next in the series is Spellbound by Magic Castle , in partnership with the famed Hollywood icon. The newest extraordinary experience blends the captivating world of magic with the art of mixology. The unique venue features incredible feats of magic from talented magicians, surprises in themed rooms and theatrical cocktails.

The Greatest Foodie Destination at Sea

Sun Princess serves up 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end ingredients and culinary experiences. Highlights include Love by Britto, an artistic-inspired dining experience celebrating love, in partnership with Romero Britto; The Butcher’s Block by Dario, in partnership with the world’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini; Makoto Ocean, in partnership with Master of Edomae-style sushi Makoto Okuwa; and Umai Teppanyaki, where world-class cuisine intertwines with captivating performance.

Celebrity Collaborations

• Good Spirits at Sea – Rob Floyd, celebrity mixologist
• Makoto Ocean – Makoto Okuwa, Master of Edomae-style sushi
• Love by Britto – Romero Britto, world-renowned artist
• Master Winemaker Wine Tasting – Gerard Bertrand, Master Winemaker of the Year
• Royal Afternoon Tea – Darren McGrady, Royal Chef
• SMiZE Cream – Tyra Banks, supermodel and businesswoman
• The Butcher’s Block by Dario – Dario Cecchini, the world’s most famous butcher
• The Catch by Rudi – Rudi Sodamin, Head of Culinary Arts for Princess Cruises

Main & Casual Dining (included in cruise fare) :

• The Eatery (Capacity: 742)

• Horizons Dining Room

• Soleil Dining Room, Deck 6 - traditional dining (Capacity: 941)
• Eclipse Dining Room, Deck 7 - anytime dining (Capacity: 664)
• All American Dining Room - Deck 8 (Capacity: 326)

• International Café (Capacity: 20)

• The Lido (Capacity: 414 – shared seating)

• Lido Greens
• Lido Tacoso Lido Coffee & Cones

• Promenade Dining (Capacity: 570)

• Promenade Grill
• Promenade Ice Cream
• Promenade Slice

Specialty Dining* - includes a fee – some are complimentary with Princess Plus or Premier Package:

• Alfredo’s Pizzeria (Capacity: 88)
• Crown Grill (Capacity: 132)
• Love by Britto (Capacity: 68)
• Makoto Ocean (Capacity: 70)
• O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Capacity: 86)
• Sabatini’s (Capacity: 116)
• The Butchers Table by Dario (Capacity: 88)
• The Catch by Rudi (Capacity: 88)
• Umai Hot Pot (Capacity: 57 – shared with Teppanyaki)
• Umai Teppanyaki (Capacity: 57 – shared with Hot Pot)

Signature & Reserve Collection:

• Reserve Collection Restaurant (Capacity: 180)
• Signature Lounge (Capacity: Flexible)
• Signature Restaurant (Capacity: 124)

Bar Offerings:

• Bellini’s Cocktail Bar (Capacity: 55)
• Cascade Bar
• Coffee & Cones (Capacity: 150)
• Coffee Currents (Capacity: 55)
• Crooners (Capacity: 86)
• Good Spirits at Sea (Capacity: 40)
• Lido Bar (Capacity: 150)
• Sea View Bar (Capacity: 60)
• Sun Bar (Capacity: 150)
• The MIX (Capacity:150)
• Promenade Bars
• Wheelhouse Bar (Capacity: 70)

Room Service*:

• 24-hour Room Service (*carries a one-time delivery fee or complimentary with Princess Plus or Premier Package)

Sanctuary Collection

Elevating the art of relaxation and serenity Sun Princess debuts the exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection (debuting Oct. 14, 2024). Guests reserving Sanctuary Collection accommodations, including the designated 80 Signature Collection Suites, 123 Mini-Suites or 12 Premium Deluxe Balconies enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top-deck retreat area, The Sanctuary, along with a host of additional and high-end amenities to enhance their voyage. These indulgences include exclusive private dining and relaxation areas, a luxurious stateroom experience, as well as the Princess Premier bundle to top off the all-inclusive allure of the Sanctuary Collection.

Family & Kids

Park19, the most engaging family activity zone ever featured on a Princess ship, features nine activities for the entire family to enjoy in a newly envisioned space perfect for fun and sun for all generations.

• Coastal Climb
• The Lookout
• Infinite Horizon
• Hammock Area
• Splash Zone
• Recreational Court
• Jogging Track

Age-appropriate activities abound in the Youth & Teen Centers, designed for guests ages six months to 17.

• Firefly Park Kids Club - ages 3-7 (Capacity: 70) *Parents with children six months to 2 years may enjoy the play area under their supervision
• Movies Under the Stars
• Neon Grove Tweens Club - ages 8-12 (Capacity: 100)
• The Underground Teen Lounge - ages 13-17 (Capacity: 100)

Relaxation and Wellness

In these all-new spaces, guests can recharge by simply taking in the ocean vistas around them. The Sea View Terrace sets the tone at the front of the ship, while the new Wake View Terrace features an infinity pool and unparalleled views. The two-story Lotus Spa and Lotus Salon offer relaxing treatments and services for guests to enjoy any time during their voyage.

Outdoor Spaces for Relaxation:

• Sea View Terrace (Capacity: 206)
• Signature Sun Deck
• The Sanctuary* (Capacity: 200)
• Wake View Terrace (Capacity: 100)

Pools & Hot Tubs:

• 5 Pools – 2 Lido-Deck Pools, Dome (indoor/outdoor), Sanctuary Pool and WakeView Pool
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Studio
• Lotus Salon
• Wellness Studio

Guests will experience an extraordinary retail journey in a transformed space that will include over 25 brands available to cruise guests for the first time at sea. Within the more than 5,800 square feet of retailspace, spread over two decks, will be a line-up of more than 200 premium brands from fine jewelry and watches to fashion, fused with an evolving blend of lifestyle and experiential activations.

• Deck 8 features The Breitling Boutique , featuring the first-at-sea Breitling Lounge concept and the latest TAG Heuer boutique design, as well as The Fine Timepieces Boutique , which feature a selection of signature timepieces for both men and women from Longines, Rado, Tissot, Hamilton, in addition to pre-owned Rolex watches.
• Within The Beauty & Wellness Boutique on Deck 8 guests will find the world’s top cosmetic and skincare brands, such as Chanel, Dior, Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Clinique, and a curated range of sustainable and organic skincare brands including Comfort Zone, Neom Organics, This Works, Rituals and unisex clean skincare by REN Skincare.

More Information :

www.princess.com/sunprincess

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Media Relations Department, Princess Cruises 24305 Town Center Drive Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Phone : 1 661 753 1530 Email :  [email protected]

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Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

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Moscow   Travel Guide

Why Go To Moscow

Moscow's opulence and high culture is a sight to be seen. Forget what you learned about Russia in grade school. This lavish capital of a formerly communist nation has fully embraced the luxuries, excesses and decadence of Western capitalism. Like many former Soviet countries, Mother Russia struggles to successfully confront issues of widespread poverty, alcoholism, failing healthcare, and environmental protection. But Moscow has burgeoned into one of the most expensive, exclusive and largest travel destinations in the world. It comes complete with world-class museums, magnificent palaces, $1,000-a-night hotels, "face-control" nightclubs and internationally-renowned restaurants. Don't think you can afford Moscow? Don't be afraid. You can still find affordable deals if you are vigilant. This metropolis has a big and bold character and grandiose setting that's definitely worth getting to know.

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

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Best of Moscow

Best hotels in moscow.

• # 1 in Hotel Metropol Moscow
• # 2 in Radisson Collection Hotel, Moscow
• # 3 in Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow

Best Things to Do in Moscow

• # 1 in Red Square
• # 2 in Tretyakov Gallery
• # 3 in St. Basil's Cathedral

Moscow Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Moscow is April and May, when the temperature creeps into the 50s and 60s, the sun begins to shine for significant portions of the day, and hotel rates have yet to skyrocket into peak ranges. Of course, the golden period is summer, when the city is warm and bustling. But if you want to (slightly) spare yourself from the perpetually expensive rates, try the shoulder seasons in the spring and early fall. Preferably spring, since fall experiences more rainfall and less sunlight. Winters are brutally cold, but this is when you'll get a true glimpse into the Moscow experience (A frost-bitten walk through Red Square seems to intensify the historical significance of this great capital city).

Weather in Moscow

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

A little Russian English is spoken only in major hotels and restaurants, and you'll find mostly Russian speakers in the less tourist-heavy areas. American visitors also struggle with the Cyrillic spellings and pronunciations. Practice some key Russian phrases on the long flight over.

A little tipping Unlike most other European cities, tipping (five to 10 percent) in restaurants is the custom.

A lot of vodka This Russian drink of choice (yes, they usually consume it straight) is found at any bar. But if you wish to taste it and learn about its origins, the Moscow Distillery Cristall is your best bet.

How to Save Money in Moscow

If it seems too good to be true It probably is. Take that proverb to heart in Moscow, and don't expect the Czarist medal you purchased off a street vendor to be worth anything more than a good memory.

If you're oblivious on the subway You'll probably leave several rubles lighter. Pickpockets prey on unsuspecting foreigners in crowded places, particularly metro cars. Beware!

If you're not scared of the dark You may be able to handle Moscow's long nights in fall, winter and spring, when hotels offer the lowest rates. December sees an average of 18 hours of sunlight … in total.

Culture & Customs

English is spoken in major hotels and restaurants, but you'll find mostly Russian speakers in the less tourist-heavy areas, such as at the market or in small inns. Some helpful Russian greetings include the informal hello (pronounced, pri-VET ); the formal hello ( Zdravst-vwee-tye ); the informal goodbye ( pah-KAH ); and the formal goodbye ( Dah svih-DA-nee-ye ). To thank someone, say " Spas-EE-ba ."

What to Eat

Traditional Russian fare focuses on hearty meat dishes and cold soup, a particularly Russian specialty. But don't arrive in Moscow thinking you'll experience only the old cuisine. Russia's new personality has been accompanied by a lavish taste for international cuisine, especially Asian food. Sushi and Asian fusion restaurants are among the most popular in the city, and other dining options include American and Italian cuisine. Eating out, like everything in Moscow, can be very expensive, but you can find cheaper restaurants in shopping centers and areas outside the city center. 

Stay alert for pickpockets when using public transport and when visiting the main tourist sites. Many an unsuspecting traveler has been relieved of some rubles on the Moscow Metro and near Red Square. Also, make sure to exercise extra caution when leaving bars and clubs at night.

There have been cases of corrupt police asking for random fines -- if this occurs, get the officer's number and name and ask to go to the police station with him or her.

Getting Around Moscow

The best way to get around Moscow is the metro. Faster and more efficient than the trolley buses and trams, this extensive system has stations that contain beautiful ornamentation, sculptures and mosaics. You could rent a car, but it's best to use public transportation to avoid the city's perpetually congested roads. Plus, street signs are all in Russian. In fact, English signs are nonexistent in the public transit system as well, so it's best to quickly get familiar with a map. Most travelers arrive through Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), but there are several other airports that serve the metro area. Several buses and a metro line shuttle airport travelers to and from downtown.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Acquiring a visa to travel in Russia is a bit more complicated and expensive than visiting other countries. Every foreign traveler entering Russia must have a Russian-based sponsor (like a hotel, tour company, university or relative). In addition to a valid U.S. passport, you must also obtain a travel visa from a Russian embassy or consulate prior to arriving in Russia. If you plan to stay in Russia for more than seven days, you have to register your visa and migration card (the white paper document given by the border police on first entry to Russia) with the Federal Migration Service. Visas can cost anywhere from $160 to $250 per person, depending on the length of your stay. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department website .

Red Square is one of the most famous squares in the world.

Explore More of Moscow

Things To Do

Best hotels.

You might also like

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Where in the world do you want to cruise? Chances are the recently refurbished Norwegian Sun can take you there with cruises into the frozen wilderness of Alaska or exotic, immersive experiences with our Extraordinary Journeys . Whilst you're becoming a world traveller, you won't have to worry about what to do or where to go, as there are plenty of dining options, a wide variety of bars and lounges, the relaxing Mandara Spa, and the always-exciting Sun Casino. Caribbean , sun-drenched Bahamas , the world's greatest shortcut the Panama Canal , or -->

• Ship 78,309 Gross Register Tonnage
• Guest 1,878 Guest Capacity double occupancy
• Length 258 m Overall Length
• Width 37 m Max Beam
• Year 2021 Refurbished Year Built 2001
• Crew 906 Ship Crew

Norwegian Sun CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHTS

NEW! --> Exquisitely Refurbished from Bow to Stern

Refurbished in 2021, Norwegian Sun is shining bright. Experience Bliss Ultra Lounge and dance the night away on Deck 6, head up to Deck 12 for Spinnaker Lounge, or grab a bite at Los Lobos Cantina. These are just a few of the exciting changes on board. Come see what's new.

Thrilling Entertainment

From the stages to the lounges, we'll have you singing along, moving your feet and getting into the groove. Take a walk on the wild side in the production of Rock You Tonight, a high-energy tribute to such rock icons as Queen, Journey and The Who.

Indulge in Extraordinary Dining Options

Sit down to a multicourse meal with a great bottle of wine. Or grab a burger hot off the grill. Go French, Italian, Brazilian, Asian - you name it. With a wide variety of dining options, your taste buds will always be in for a thrill.

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Set sail from one destination and end in another. It's the ultimate way to experience it all.

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Witness the fiery lava flow of Kilauea. Sail along the lush natural landscape. Sip a Mai tai in Maui.

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See Sun STATEROOMS

• Club Balcony Suite

Indulge in luxury at sea. These spacious suites are ideal for two…or the entire family. Enjoy the finest amenities including sweeping private balconies.

Step through sliding-glass doors to a dramatic, ever-changing seascape. Enjoy the extra space of a sitting area, room to sleep up to four comfortably, and a luxurious bath and shower.

See the world in a whole new way. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to your own private balcony. Well-appointed and stylish accommodations offer plenty of room to unwind inside.

Discover the beauty of style and comfort. Cozy and modern staterooms feature excellent appointments. Accented by stylish touches and clear views of the ocean.

Set sail in comfort and style. You'll find everything you need here inside. Stylish and modern appointments include a TV, sitting area and more.

Experience WHAT’S ON BOARD

• Speciality Dining
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Serving a wide variety of culinary delights to please every palate, our complimentary dining options include two main dining rooms, a help-yourself buffet and a variety of casual cafés, grills and on-the-go choices. Plus, our Main Dining Rooms offer a menu that changes daily, Chef's Signature Dishes and carefully selected wine recommendations, guaranteeing a different culinary adventure with every visit.

Enjoy a night of gastronomic proportions at one of our many speciality restaurants. Sip your favourite cocktail as you select from choice cuts of Angus beef at Cagney's Steakhouse. Enjoy delicious pasta made with the freshest ingredients inside our rustic and chic Italian eatery, La Cucina. Or savour French cuisine at Le Bistro. No matter what you choose, our speciality dining options feature the tastes you'll crave.

With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favourite may take a few days. Grab a cocktail inside the Atrium Café & Bar or at the stylish Bliss Lounge and Bar. Or catch the game and a cold one at our sports bar. Whether you're looking to meet up with friends or make new ones, there's always an opportunity to mix it up.

When it comes to the entertainment on Norwegian Sun, there's never a dull moment. Tickle your funny bone during our comedy variety show inside the Stardust Theatre. Enjoy a magical evening with our magician and comedy show. Or don your best attire and dance the night away during Norwegian's Night Out. It's showtime. All the time.

From top to bottom and from bow to stern, Norwegian Sun has enough onboard activities to fill every minute of your cruise. Indulge in a refreshing swim in the pool or a relaxing dip in one of our hot tubs on the pool deck. Wanna get lucky? Bet it all at our award-winning Casinos at Sea®. And when all is said and done, enjoy a pamper session at Mandara Spa. With so much to do, we'll always have you coming back for more.

When you want some "me" time, look no further than Mandara Spa®. Relax with a hot-stone massage, one of over 50 speciality treatments offered. At our onboard spas, treatments range from the classic to the luxurious. Let our pampering professionals soothe and rejuvenate you with facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

Forget to pack something? No worries! Our gift shops onboard carry everything you'll need for fun in the sun. Shop from a variety of souvenirs, cosmetics, clothing, snacks and sundry items. Treat yourself at our duty-free shops full of fantastic savings on fine jewellery, accessories, perfume, liquor and tobacco.

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Travel | Skip the luau. Party like a cowboy in…

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Travel | skip the luau. party like a cowboy in hawaii’s paniolo country instead..

Heaps of delicious food and dancing usually translate to a luau in Hawaii, but on the Big Island, it can also mean the Paniolo Sunset BBQ dinner in the rolling green pastures of Waimea. The weekly dinner and dancing event at Kahua Ranch is inspired by the Hawaiian Islands’ long history of cattle ranching, which reaches all the way back to King Kamehameha I.

In an entertaining account from Big Island country singer Dave Toland, cattle arrived in the Hawaiian Islands as a gift from British explorer Captain George Vancouver to the king in the late 1700s. That one bull and six cows grew to become a major industry out of Hawaii, which is historically better known for its sugar cane plantations.

‘Paniolo’ refers to cowboys in Hawaiian, and according to Toland, the word came from the interaction between Mexican vaqueros who arrived to assist the burgeoning industry and Hawaiians who did not yet know how to wrangle cattle.

“When them vaqueros came over here, they were called Espanols, and they spoke what they call Espanol,” Toland said. “Well, they couldn’t speak a word of Hawaiian. And them Hawaiian folks, they couldn’t speak one word of Espanol. And the problem is that in the Hawaiian alphabet, there ain’t no S. So when the Hawaiians tried to pronounce Espanol, it came out paniolo.”

I heard the brief history lesson over the flames of a fire pit, not far from an overlook with expansive views of rolling green hills stretching all the way to the ocean. The views can deliver spectacular sunsets thanks to Hawaii microclimates that can bring cream puff clouds over the horizon and, occasionally, a rainbow over the hills.

Dinner, eaten at communal tables, is a tightly curated menu of delicious offerings – prime rib, barbecue chicken, asparagus, potatoes, baked beans, sweet rolls and salad. Dessert recently included thick brownie slabs and macadamia nut pie. Alcohol is served at a cash bar, while water, canned sodas and fruit juices, coffee, and hot chocolate are free.

Multiple trips to the food table are encouraged, but given the large oval plates and heaping servings given on the first round, another trip may not be necessary. All that food can be worked off with some line dancing to live music, a game of horseshoes or cornhole, or attempting to learn how to rope a steer. Attendees can also brand a piece of wood as a souvenir, grab a freshly made s’more, or take advantage of the 2,000-foot elevation to view the stars  – if they’re lucky, an astronomer might be on hand with a powerful telescope.

The three-hour dinner is priced at $85 per adult and $42.50 per child over 5 years old. For comparison, admission to a luau on the Big Island starts at $130+ per person.

Most of the year, the Paniolo Sunset BBQ Dinner occurs weekly on Wednesdays, but Monday nights are added during the summer tourist season. Reservations must be made in advance online.

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Money blog: 'Loud budgeting' - The money-saving trend that has nothing to do with giving up your daily coffee

Created accidentally by a comedian, "loud budgeting" is breaking down the taboo of speaking about money. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money features, and leave a comment, and we'll be back with rolling personal finance and consumer news on Monday.

Saturday 11 May 2024 09:05, UK

Weekend Money

• 'Loud budgeting': The money-saving trend that has nothing to do with giving up your daily coffee
• What is most in-demand period property?
• £12m tea advert, downsizing, £320 tasting menus and job interview mistakes: What readers have said this week
• Free childcare applications about to open for new age band
• Where has huge week for UK economy left us?

Best of the week

• How to avoid a holiday data roaming charge (while still using the internet)
• Mortgage rates up again this week - here are the best deals on the market
• My daughter discovered undeclared £600 management fee after buying her flat - can we complain?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Money saving trends are constantly popping up on social media - but one in particular has been gaining huge amounts of attention.

Created accidentally by a comedian, loud budgeting is breaking down the taboo of speaking about money.

The idea is based on being firmer/more vocal about your financial boundaries in social situations and setting out what you are happy to spend your money on, instead of "Keeping up with the Joneses". 

On TikTok alone, videos published under the hashtag #loudbudgeting have garnered more than 30 million views - and that figure is continuing to climb. 

We spoke to Lukas Battle - the 26-year-old who unintentionally created the trend as part of a comedy sketch. 

Based in New York, he came up with the term in a skit about the "quiet luxury" hype, which had spread online in 2023 inspired by shows like Succession. 

The term was used for humble bragging about your wealth with expensive items that were subtle in their design - for example, Gwyneth Paltrow's  £3,900 moss green wool coat from The Row, which she wore during her ski resort trial...

"I was never a big fan of the quiet luxury trend, so I just kind of switched the words and wrote 'loud budgeting is in'. I'm tired of spending money and I don't want to pretend to be rich," Lukas said. 

"That's how it started and then the TikTok comments were just obsessed with that original idea." 

This was the first time he mentioned it...

Lukas explained that it wasn't about "being poor" but about not being afraid of sharing your financial limits and "what's profitable for you personally". 

"It's not 'skip a coffee a day and you'll become a millionaire'."

While talking money has been seen as rude or taboo, he said it's something his generation is more comfortable doing. 

"I've seen more debate around the topic and I think people are really intrigued and attracted by the idea," he said. 

"It's just focusing your spending and time on things you enjoy and cutting out the things you might feel pressured to spend your money on."  

He has incorporated loud budgeting into his own life, telling his friends "it's free to go outside" and opting for cheaper dinner alternatives.

"Having the terminology and knowing it's a trend helps people understand it and there's no awkward conversation around it," he said. 

The trend has been a big hit with so-called American "finfluencers", or "financial influencers", but people in the UK have started practising it as well. 

Mia Westrap has taken up loud budgeting by embarking on a no-buy year and sharing her finances with her 11.3k TikTok followers. 

Earning roughly £2,100 a month, she spends around £1,200 on essentials, like rent, petrol and car insurance, but limits what else she can purchase. 

Clothes, fizzy drinks, beauty treatments, makeup, dinners out and train tickets are just some things on her "red list". 

The 26-year-old PHD student first came across the idea back in 2017, but decided to take up the challenge this year after realising she was living "pay check to pay check". 

She said her "biggest fear" in the beginning was that her friends wouldn't understand what she was doing, but she found loud budgeting helped. 

"I'm still trying my best to just go along with what everyone wants to do but I just won't spend money while we do it and my friends don't mind that, we don't make a big deal out of it," she said. 

So far, she has been able to save £1,700, and she said talking openly about her money has been "really helpful". 

"There's no way I could have got this far if I wasn't baring my soul to the internet about the money I have spent. It has been a really motivating factor."

Financial expert John Webb said loud budgeting has the ability to help many "feel empowered" and create a "more realistic" relationship with money.

"This is helping to normalise having open and honest conversations about finances," the consumer affair manager at Experien said. 

"It can also reduce the anxiety some might have by keeping their financial worries to themselves." 

However, he warned it's important to be cautious and to take the reality of life into consideration. 

"It could cause troubles within friendship groups if they're not on the same page as you or have different financial goals," he said.

"This challenge isn't meant to stop you from having fun, but it is designed to help people become more conscious and intentional when it comes to money, and reduce the stigma around talking about it." 

Rightmove's keyword tool shows Victorian-era houses are the most commonly searched period properties, with people drawn to their ornate designs and features.

Georgian and Edwardian-style are second and third respectively, followed by Tudor properties. Regency ranked in fifth place.

Rightmove property expert Tim Bannister said: "Home hunters continue to be captivated by the character and charm of properties that we see in period dramas.

"Victorian homes remain particularly popular, characterised by their historic charm, solid construction, and spacious interiors. You'll often find Victorian houses in some of the most desirable locations which include convenient access to schools and transport links."

Throughout the week Money blog readers have shared their thoughts on the stories we've been covering, with the most correspondence coming in on...

• A hotly contested debate on the best brand of tea
• Downsizing homes
• The cost of Michelin-starred food

Job interview mistakes

On Wednesday we reported on a new £12m ad from PG Tips in response to it falling behind rivals such as Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and Tetley....

We had lots of comments like this...

How on earth was the PG Tips advert so expensive? I prefer Tetley tea, PG Tips is never strong enough flavour for me. Shellyleppard

The reason for the sales drop with PG Tips could be because they increased the price and reduced the quantity of bags from 240 to 180 - it's obvious. Royston

And then this question which we've tried to answer below...

Why have PG Tips changed from Pyramid shape tea bags, to a square? Sam

Last year PG Tips said it was changing to a square bag that left more room for leaves to infuse, as the bags wouldn't fold over themselves.

We reported on data showing how downsizing could save you money for retirement - more than £400,000, in some regions, by swapping four beds for two.

Some of our readers shared their experiences...

We are downsizing and moving South so it's costing us £100k extra for a smaller place, all money from retirement fund. AlanNorth

Interesting read about downsizing for retirement. We recently did this to have the means to retire early at 52. However, we bought a house in the south of France for the price of a flat in our town in West Sussex. Now living the dream! OliSarah

How much should we pay for food?

Executive chef at London's two-Michelin-starred Ikoyi, Jeremy Chan, raised eyebrows when he suggested to the Money blog that Britons don't pay enough for restaurant food.

Ikoyi, the 35th best restaurant in the world, charges £320 for its tasting menu. 

"I don't think people pay enough money for food, I think we charge too little, [but] we want to always be accessible to as many people as possible, we're always trying our best to do that," he said, in a piece about his restaurant's tie up with Uber Eats... 

We had this in... 

Are they serious? That is two weeks' worth of food shopping for me, if the rich can afford this "tasting menu" then they need to be taxed even more by the government, it's just crazy! Steve T

If the rate of pay is proportionate to the vastly overpriced costs of the double Michelin star menu, I would gladly peel quail eggs for four-hour stints over continuing to be abused as a UK supply teacher. AndrewWard

Does this two-star Michelin star chef live in the real world? Who gives a toss if he stands and peels his quails eggs for four hours, and he can get the best turbot from the fishmonger fresh on a daily basis? It doesn't justify the outrageous price he is charging for his tasting menu. Topaztraveller

Chefs do make me laugh, a steak is just a steak, they don't make the meat! They just cook it like the rest of us, but we eat out because we can't be bothered cooking! StevieGrah

Finally, many of you reacted to this feature on common mistakes in job interviews...

Those 10 biggest mistakes people make in interviews is the dumbest thing I've ever read. They expect all that and they'll be offering a £25k a year job. Why wouldn't I want to know about benefits and basic sick pay? And also a limp handshake? How's that relevant to how you work? Jre90

Others brought their own tips...

Whenever I go for an interview I stick to three points: 1. Be yourself 2. Own the interview 3. Wear the clothes that match the job you are applying Kevin James Blakey

From Sunday, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old in England will be able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

This will then be granted from September. 

Check if you're eligible  here  - or read on for our explainer on free childcare across the UK.

Three and four year olds

In England, all parents of children aged three and four in England can claim 15 hours of free childcare per week, for 1,140 hours (38 weeks) a year, at an approved provider.

This is a universal offer open to all.

It can be extended to 30 hours where both parents (or the sole parent) are in work, earn the weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage, and have an income of less than £100,000 per year.

Two year olds

Previously, only parents in receipt of certain benefits were eligible for 15 hours of free childcare.

But, as of last month, this was extended to working parents.

This is not a universal offer, however.

A working parent must earn more than £8,670 but less than £100,000 per year. For couples, the rule applies to both parents.

Nine months old

In September, this same 15-hour offer will be extended to working parents of children aged from nine months. From 12 May, those whose children will be at least nine months old on 31 August can apply to received the 15 hours of care from September.

From September 2025

The final change to the childcare offer in England will be rolled out in September 2025, when eligible working parents of all children under the age of five will be able to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week.

In some areas of Wales, the Flying Start early years programme offers 12.5 hours of free childcare for 39 weeks, for eligible children aged two to three. The scheme is based on your postcode area, though it is currently being expanded.

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to free early education of 10 hours per week in approved settings during term time under the Welsh government's childcare offer.

Some children of this age are entitled to up to 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare over 48 weeks of the year. The hours can be split - but at least 10 need to be used on early education.

To qualify for this, each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year, be employed and earn at least the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage, or be enrolled on an undergraduate, postgraduate or further education course that is at least 10 weeks in length.

All three and four-year-olds living in Scotland are entitled to at least 1,140 hours per year of free childcare, with no work or earnings requirements for parents. 

This is usually taken as 30 hours per week over term time (38 weeks), though each provider will have their own approach.

Some households can claim free childcare for two-year-olds. To be eligible you have to be claiming certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, or have a child that is in the care of their local council or living with you under a guardianship order or kinship care order.

Northern Ireland

There is no scheme for free childcare in Northern Ireland. Some other limited support is available.

Working parents can access support from UK-wide schemes such as tax credits, Universal Credit, childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare.

Aside from this, all parents of children aged three or four can apply for at least 12.5 hours a week of funded pre-school education during term time. But over 90% of three-year-olds have a funded pre-school place - and of course this is different to childcare.

What other help could I be eligible for?

Tax-free childcare  - Working parents in the UK can claim up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of their children to help with childcare costs. 

If the child is disabled, the amount goes up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year).

To claim the benefit, parents will need to open a tax-free childcare account online. For every 80p paid into the account, the government will top it up by 20p.

The scheme is available until the September after the child turns 11.

Universal credit  - Working families on universal credit can claim back up to 85% of their monthly childcare costs, as long as the care is paid for upfront. The most you can claim per month is £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children.

Tax credits -  People claiming working tax credit can get up to 70% of what they pay for childcare if their costs are no more than £175 per week for one child or £300 per work for multiple children.

Two big economic moments dominated the news agenda in Money this week - interest rates and GDP.

As expected, the Bank of England held the base rate at 5.25% on Wednesday - but a shift in language was instructive about what may happen next.

Bank governor Andrew Bailey opened the door to a summer cut to 5%, telling reporters that an easing of rates at the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting on 20 June was neither ruled out nor a fait accompli.

More surprisingly, he suggested that rate cuts, when they start, could go deeper "than currently priced into market rates".

He refused to be drawn on what that path might look like - but markets had thought rates could bottom out at 4.5% or 4.75% this year, and potentially 3.5% or 4% next.

"To make sure that inflation stays around the 2% target - that inflation will neither be too high nor too low - it's likely that we will need to cut Bank rate over the coming quarters and make monetary policy somewhat less restrictive over the forecast period," Mr Bailey said.

You can read economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Bank's decision here ...

On Friday we discovered the UK is no longer in recession.

Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% between January and March, the Office for National Statistics said.

This followed two consecutive quarters of the economy shrinking.

The data was more positive than anticipated.

"Britain is not just out of recession," wrote Conway. "It is out of recession with a bang."

The UK has seen its fastest growth since the tailend of the pandemic - and Conway picked out three other reasons for optimism.

1/ An economic growth rate of 0.6% is near enough to what economists used to call "trend growth". It's the kind of number that signifies the economy growing at more or less "normal" rates.

2/ 0.6% means the UK is, alongside Canada, the fastest-growing economy in the G7 (we've yet to hear from Japan, but economists expect its economy to contract in the first quarter).

3/ Third, it's not just gross domestic product that's up. So too is gross domestic product per head - the number you get when you divide our national income by every person in the country. After seven years without any growth, GDP per head rose by 0.4% in the first quarter.

GDP per head is a more accurate yardstick for the "feelgood factor", said Conway - perhaps meaning people will finally start to feel better off.

For more on where Friday's figures leaves us, listen to an Ian King Business Podcast special...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money .

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

If you've missed any of the features we've been running in Money this year, or want to check back on something you've previously seen in the blog, this archive of our most popular articles may help...

Loaves of bread have been recalled from shelves in Japan after they were found to contain the remains of a rat.

Production of the bread in Tokyo has been halted after parts of a "small animal" were found by at least two people.

Pasco Shikishima Corp, which produces the bread, said 104,000 packages have been recalled as it apologised and promised compensation.

A company representative told Sky News's US partner network, NBC News, that a "small black rat" was found in the bread. No customers were reported to have fallen ill as a result of ingesting the contaminated bread.

"We deeply apologise for the serious inconvenience and trouble this has caused to our customers, suppliers, and other concerned parties," the spokesman said.

Pasco added in a separate statement that "we will do our utmost to strengthen our quality controls so that this will never happen again. We ask for your understanding and your co-operation."

Japanese media reports said at least two people who bought the bread in the Gunma prefecture, north-west of Tokyo, complained to the company about finding a rodent in the bread.

Record levels of shoplifting appear to be declining as fewer shopkeepers reported thefts last year, new figures show. 

A survey by the Office for National Statistics shows 26% of retailers experienced customer theft in 2023, down from a record high of 28% in 2022.

This comes despite a number of reports suggesting shoplifting is becoming more frequent. 

A  separate ONS finding , which used police crime data, showed reports of shoplifting were at their highest level in 20 years in 2023, with law enforcements logging 430,000 instances of the crime.

Let's get you up to speed on the biggest business news of the past 24 hours. 

A privately owned used-car platform is circling Cazoo Group, its stricken US-listed rival, which is on the brink of administration.

Sky News has learnt that Motors.co.uk is a leading contender to acquire Cazoo's marketplace operation, which would include its brand and intellectual property assets.

The process to auction the used-car platform's constituent parts comes after it spent tens of millions of pounds on sponsorship deals in football, snooker and darts in a rapid attempt to gain market share.

The owner of British Airways has reported a sharp rise in profits amid soaring demand for trips and a fall in the cost of fuel.

International Airlines Group said its operating profit for the first three months of the year was €68m (£58.5m) - above expectations and up from €9m (£7.7m) during the same period in 2023.

The company, which also owns Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling, said earnings had soared thanks to strong demand, particularly over the Easter holidays.

The prospect of a strike across Tata Steel's UK operations has gained further traction after a key union secured support for industrial action.

Community, which has more than 3,000 members, said 85% voted in favour of fighting the India-owned company's plans for up to 2,800 job losses, the majority of them at the country's biggest steelworks in Port Talbot, South Wales.

Tata confirmed last month it was to press ahead with the closure of the blast furnaces at the plant, replacing them with electric arc furnaces to reduce emissions and costs.

In doing so, the company rejected an alternative plan put forward by the Community, GMB and Unite unions that, they said, would raise productivity and protect jobs across the supply chain.

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