interasia travel and tours

Asia Highlights, Explore Asia Your Way!

Discover the best of Asia with Asia Highlights. We are experts in creating personalized, unforgettable travel experiences , backed by our best-rated reputation and our broad network of company-managed local services .

With over 10,000 five-star reviews , we excel in stress-free travel planning and delivery . Whether you're marking a milestone or dreaming of a relaxing getaway, we're here to guide you across the finest Asian destinations including Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, and Central Asia . Let's co-create your timeless memories across Asia!

The Most Popular Asian Tours

We present our most popular tours according to customers' choices over recent years. You can treat them as inspiration for your private travel and tailor them according to your requirements.

8-Day Essential Japan Family Trip with Disneyland

2-week japan private family vacation, 12-day best of thailand and cambodia tour, 14-day vietnam, cambodia and laos itinerary: premium private tour, 15-day best of thailand, cambodia, and vietnam tour, 19-day highlights of southeast asia: thailand, cambodia, and vietnam.

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

The Most Popular Festival Tours in Asia 2024/2025

8-day diwali festival in india golden triangle tour 2024, 10-day best of thailand lantern festival tour 2024, 11-day india holi festival tour 2025, 7-day japan cherry blossom tour 2025, 10-day japan cherry blossom tour 2025, 2 week japan cherry blossom tour, articles that interest asia highlights' clients most.

Our editors' team is dedicated to providing you with the most useful and up-to-date travel articles.

How to Plan an Incredible Family Trip to Japan

How to plan a japan cherry blossom trip, how to plan your first trip to thailand, how to plan a thailand and vietnam trip, how to visit thailand, cambodia, and vietnam, 10 days in vietnam: top 5 itineraries, 2 weeks in southeast asia: top 5 itineraries, 2 weeks in india: top 4 itineraries, the most popular travel destinations in asia.

For over 20 years, we have been committed to providing you with quality private tours that offer unique experiences in Japan , Thailand , Vietnam , Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar , Singapore , Indonesia (Bali) , India , Nepal , Bhutan , Sri Lanka , China , Mongolia, the Caucasus and Central Asia , whether it's for family fun, romantic couples, milestone celebrations, or checking off a bucket list .

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

Sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why Asia Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

The Top 11 Things to Do in Belgorod, Russia

It's likely that you've never heard of Belgorod—and it's understandable. Located in southwestern Russia, on the banks of the Donets river near the border with Ukraine, Belgorod has a population of only a few-hundred thousand, and an industrial aesthetic that largely hearkens back to Soviet times. With this being said, Belgorod is one of Russia's fastest growing cities. It's also almost completely lacking in tourists, which makes it the perfect place to have a truly authentic experience. Read on for the top things to do in this growing city.

Marvel at an 18th-Century Cathedral

N-Sky / Getty Images

The most obvious antidote to the decidedly Soviet aesthetic of Belgorod's city center? That would be Smolensky Cathedral, a beautiful but humble Russian Orthodox church that dates back to the 18th century. Clad in a turquoise-colored paint that looks great during any season and under every light, this is definitely among the top things to do in Belgorod. The cathedral is still open to parishioners daily, allowing visitors to marvel at the interior as well.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Andrey Tutov / Getty Images

Another way to transcend the concrete housing blocks that definite Belgorod's cityscape is to take a more figurative approach. Namely, the lions and tigers and bears that call Belgorod Zoo home are, in spirit if not in reality, a perfect antidote to the feeling of being back in Soviet times, which might occasionally befall you elsewhere.

Have a Scream in Central Park

Known officially, in Russian, as Tsentral'nyy Park Kul'tury I Otdykha Imeni V.i. Lenina, Belgorod's answer to Central Park is neither as grand nor as well-manicured as its New York counterpart. However, this green space isn't just for relaxing. In fact, it's home to a number of roller coasters and other kid-friendly rides, which make it a great spot for the whole family to have a thrill—although you can definitely chill, too.

Watch a Battle Unfold in Miniature

Jupiter Images / Getty Images

The Battle of Kursk was one of the decisive dramas of World War II for the Soviets in their firsts against Nazi tyranny. The hostile conditions that underlied this battle, which took place not far from Belgorod, have thankfully let up significantly. However, if you visit the aptly-named Belgorod Diorama Museum , you can observe a painstaking model of the battle, from start to finish, that local artists have put together.

Admire Terrific Taxidermy

Belgorod's has an interesting history—and not just related to military conflicts. Belgorod's history, human and animal alike, are on display at the Belgorod State Historical Museum ; including taxidermied bodies of animals that make their home in surrounding Belgorod Oblast.

Learn About Vladimir Mayakovsky

Although the Belgorod Literary Museum features the work of a number of writers, the focal point of its exhibition is Vladimir Mayakovsky, who originally hailed from Georgia for what it's worth. Even if you can't read Russian, it's fascinating to learn about the story of Mayakovsky, who was a renowned writer before the Russian Revolution, and who used his considerable skill to stealthily craft satire about Soviet communism until his death by suicide in 1930.

Enjoy a Lush Botanical Garden

Alexander Polmodorov / Getty Images

Construction of buildings in Belgorod might've taken a utilitarian approach, but the botanical garden at Belgorod State University is anything but. With expansive exhibitions both outdoors and indoors, which allows plants that couldn't otherwise survive in Russia to bloom and thrive, the garden is a veritable explosion of color and lushness, and a trip there might make you forget exactly where you are.

Travel the World Through Photos

Like much of the rest of Russia, Belgorod has cold, wet and even snowy weather for much of the year. The beautiful exhibitions inside the Belgorod Photo Art Gallery are the perfect way to brighten your day, even if it simply feels dull because you've walked past one too many Soviet buildings. Spanning Russian and the rest of the world, and featuring both contemporary and historical photography, this is a great opportunity to travel the world without leaving Russia.

Discover Different Churches

Artyom Mirniy / Getty Images

The aforementioned Smolensky Cathedral is probably the most traditionally Russian counter-example to the Soviet architecture that otherwise dominates the city, but there are other options as well. Churches such as the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith are particularly atmospheric, as their use of unpainted wood evokes the forests that surround Belgorod city.

Take a Beach Day (if It's Warm)

Aquatarkus / Getty Images 

While it's not a typical beach day, one of the best things to do in Belgorod on a sunny day, is to head to the shores of the Donets River. Aim to visit the portion of the river that forms forms a sort of lake just northeast of the city center. It's is neither tropical nor particularly idyllic, but it's an ideal spot for some R&R by the water.

Continue on to Ukraine—Or Not

Because Belgorod sits near the Russian border with Ukraine, many travelers who pass through the city (and, in spite of all the things to do in Belgorod, many visits are doing just that) are ultimately bound for Ukraine or the Crimean Peninsula. Chances are good that a trip to Ukraine is in your future if Belgorod is as well.

The Top 10 Things to Do in Tver, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Sochi, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Astrakhan

The Top 18 Things to Do in Vladivostok, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Novgorod, Russia

The Top 12 Things to Do in Omsk

10 Must-Visit Palaces and Castles in Russia

Top 12 Things to Do in Kazan, Russia

Business Travel Tips for Russia

What You Need to Know About Kizhi Island

How to Go to Russia – How Do I Get to Russia?

How to Visit Russia as an American

Top 12 Things to Do in Irkutsk

Christmas Traditions in Russia

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

Belgorod Travel Guide

Things to do in Belgorod

Tsentral'nyy Park Kul'tury I Otdykha Imeni V.i. Lenina

Belgorodskiy Park Dinozavrov

Grinnfil'm

Niu Belgu, Uchebno-Sportivnyy Kompleks Im. Svetlany Khorkinoy

Smotrovaya Ploshchadka

Muzey-Diorama "Kurskaya Bitva. Belgorodskoye Napravleniye"

Kinoteatr Pobeda

Cinema Star

Naberezhnaya Reki Vezolka

What to eat.

Restaurant Preobrazhenskiy

Les&Lis

Oi-Vse! Cafe

Coffee Shop KoMoD

Burgernaya Artel

Best of Belgorod

Popular 4-star select hotels near belgorod.

Iceberg Premium

Aquamarine Hotel & Spa

Harten Business & International Hotel

Mercure Voronezh Hotel

Petrovskij Passazh Hotel

Vetryakov Hotel

Hotel Complex Grinn

Other recommended cities.

• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

Why food tours have become my family's favorite way to see a new city

A rriving in a new city can be a little overwhelming, especially when traveling with kids. Should you hit the touristy spots ? Lean into the history of a location? No matter how much research you do in advance, it can take a lot of work to get your bearings, especially when you add in jet lag after a long day of travel. 

I’ve taken my three kids all over the world, and our favorite way to experience a new city is with a food tour. When I started booking these, I was looking for something active, and the food bribery seemed like a good motivator. It’s often hard to find activities that all three of my kids will enjoy, and food tours appeared to be the ticket. Bonus: I enjoy them too! 

HAPPY AND HEALTHY: Food allergy travel tips: How to eat safely on vacation

Experiencing a city’s food culture is a great way to learn its traditions and customs. But on our own, we tend to gravitate towards familiar foods instead of trying something new. Not to mention the language barrier means we miss a lot on menus. That’s where a food tour really shines. It’s a great way to have a local guide show you the ropes and explain the foods you’re trying. Here are some of the reasons I love taking my kids on food tours.

You’ll get to visit under-the-radar spots and skip the line at popular spots

A typical food tour starts with meeting your tour guide and roaming a new city’s streets. You can expect to try well-known foods, like crêpes in Paris and po’ boys in New Orleans, as well as as-yet-unknown-to-you creations like wild boar salami and powdered sugar-topped dunes blanches. 

I appreciate how seamless these tours are. The tour guide pre-arranges our arrival with the business, so the food is ready as soon as we arrive. This is great for families because kids aren’t particularly good at waiting in line, even with the promise of something tasty. On a donut tour in Seattle, there was a long line when we arrived at Daily Dozen Doughnut Company in Pike Place Market. Our tour guide went right to the front and got us our donuts without waiting more than a few minutes. We enjoyed them on the go while we explored the nearby Gum Wall (a disgusting kid favorite). 

SIMPLY DELICIOUS: It’s not just buffet lines at these 7 standout all-inclusive resorts with the best food

While eating, the tour guide will share interesting facts about the business you are visiting and its place in the city’s food scene. In New Orleans, a visit to Coronet had us tasting gumbo and learning about the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisines. A stop at a bakery in Bordeaux led to a discussion about the region’s wine influence and how it led to the creation of the canalés the city is famous for. This incorporated learning works well for kids and adults alike. 

Kids are more likely to try new foods on tours

I’ve found that when I take these food tours with my kids, they are much more likely to try foods that they typically would turn their noses up at. Is it peer pressure? The need to impress our helpful guide? Whatever the reason, I’m always excited when they willingly try unique foods like escargot and blood sausage. I was especially impressed when my 8-year-old declared, “This smells like truffles!” when we sampled cheese in Paris. And he was right! 

BON APPETIT: 9 best companies for culinary tours in 2024

Someone else does all the planning

As the family travel planner, I usually book the excursions, choose the hotel, and make the restaurant reservations. Food tours allow me to leave the planning and organization to someone else. We just show up and follow our guide to taco stands, meat markets, and beignet bakeries. 

When we were in Portland, Oregon, last summer, I knew I wanted to visit some of the food truck pods that the city is known for. As I started planning where we’d go, I realized they were spread throughout the city, and we hadn’t rented a car. The solution: a biking food tour. 

We met up with our biking tour guide and got fitted for bikes and helmets before we set off to our first stop, a coffee shop. Here, we sipped on iced ube lattes and learned about the city’s strong biking culture and the many safety elements we’d see when biking through the city. We stopped at a lovely rose garden to discuss Portland’s designation as the “City of Roses,” and then headed to our first food truck pod for breakfast burritos. 

MAKE MEMORIES: 50 family vacation ideas for the best trips ever

I was surprised when my teens asked our guide about Portland’s urban sprawl and gentrification, but this further supported my love for all food tours as they engage kids’ curiosity and offer access to locals who can provide information on a city that I cannot. 

Food tours offer a bit of local history along the way

If your family is really into history, you can find a history tour in most new cities you visit. But I like food tours because they offer tidbits of history sprinkled throughout the tour as part of the whole experience. 

On a Paris food tour, we stopped for a short break to fill our water bottles at one of the city’s Wallace fountains. Even though we’d been in the city for a few days, none of us realized that there was a freshwater source on many street corners. Our guide told us that Sir Richard Wallace gifted these ornate cast iron drinking fountains to the city as philanthropy when fresh drinking water wasn’t readily available. They still flow today!

Tour guides are amazing sources for recommendations beyond the tour

The guides on food tours really want you to have a fantastic experience in their city, which goes beyond what they offer on the tour itself. In Lisbon, our tour guide assisted us in getting a reservation for a fado music performance with dinner for the next day. Our Paris tour guide gave us his number and sent a list of recommended restaurants via WhatsApp. It’s very helpful to have these connections in a new city, should you need it. 

Tips for taking a food tour: 

• Book your tour early in your trip so you can take advantage of your guide’s recommendations for the remainder of your stay. 
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring water and sunscreen. 
• Come hungry! You’ll be trying lots of different foods along the way and you don’t want to hit your limit too early.
• Be open to trying new things. 
• Tip your guide for a job well done.

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 12 hotels with a major culinary focus
• Are Beaches Resorts worth the money? Here’s what we think
• 11 best tour companies for families

The post Why food tours have become my family’s favorite way to see a new city appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

More From Forbes

The best hotels, cruises and more for 2024, according to virtuoso travel experts.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Taj Mahal private experience arranged by Virtuoso winner Best Ultra Luxury Operator Micato Safaris

The luxury travel network Virtuoso revealed the nominations and winners for its 2024 Best of the Best awards at this year's Virtuoso Travel Week held in Las Vegas this month. The 36th annual gala spotlights the network's most popular travel agencies, advisors, and preferred partners.

Virtuoso surveyed hundreds of travel agencies and more than 12,000 high-end travel advisors to select the winners in each category, ranging from the most innovative experience to the best achievement in design. I have personally visited many of the nominated properties and agree with some of these selections, although many deserving countries still need to be included in these honors. Strangely, Italy garnered most of this year's Hotel of the Year nominations, and no U.S. hotel was included in the new hotel category. Winners will be updated following the ceremony.

Bulgari Hotel Rome terrace

Hotel Of The Year

Bulgari Hotel Roma (Italy)

Located on a historic address at Piazza Augusto Imperatore, in the Campo Marzio area, the Hotel is adjacent to the top sites including Via del Corso, and Spanish Steps. The 114 room and suite hotel incorporate stunning Italian elegance in every detail of its design, hospitality and experience.

Stranger Things Season 5 Leak—Hacker Claims New Episodes Release In 48 Hours

Bitcoin suddenly braced for an elon musk and donald trump bombshell amid wild crypto price swings, ‘twisters’ debuts on digital streaming this week, hotel hassler rome (italy).

For over a century the Hassler, located in enviable position at the top of the Spanish Steps has been a legend in Rome. The 87 rooms and suites offer city or garden views and feature some of the most stunning suites in the country. The famed Michelin starred Imàgo restaurant is on the 6th floor with dramatic city views, and of course the famed Hassler Bar is where you can rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty.

J.K. Place Capri (Italy)

This legendary hotel is positioned directly on the water's edge and appears like a nautically inspired mansion. The 22 rooms (20 with sea views) provide the ultimate glamour getaway from the bustle of the island center. One of the only hotels on the island that’s right on the ocean, and in the old town, on a cliff overlooking the harbor.

Passalacqua (Italy)

One of the 50 Best Hotels in the World , this 18th century villa on the edge of Italy's Lake Como features 24-suites divided between three buildings: the 18th-century Villa, the neighboring Palazz, and the lakeside Casa al Lago.

The Dewberry Charleston (USA)

The mid-century decor in this 155, including 48 suites hotel is one of the highlights attracting a devoted hipster crowd. The former federal building offers a mix of marble, dark wood and brass, and has become quite the culinary destination for foodies.

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel Riviera Maya

Best New Or Reimagined Hotel

Carlton Cannes (France)

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel Riviera Maya (Mexico)

Raffles London at The OWO (England)

Rosewood Munich (Germany)

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

Best Wellness Property

*winner: miraval arizona resort & spa (tucson, arizona).

Featuring a wide range of casita-style rooms, suites, villas, and retreats, all are designed for comfort and wellness. Surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Sonoran Desert and sweeping Santa Catalina Mountains, the resort offers wellness programs, spa treatments, healthy cuisine, and world-class wellness specialists.

Cloister at The Boca Raton (Florida)

Grand Hotel Victoria Concept & Spa (Lake Como, Italy)

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection (Costa Rica)

SHA Wellness Clinic (Spain)

Best Ocean Cruise Line

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Virgin Voyages

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, winner of the 2023 Virtuoso Award

Best River Cruise Line

AmaWaterways

Aqua Expeditions

Tauck River Cruising

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Best Expedition Cruise Line

Lindblad Expeditions

Quark Expeditions

Best Tour Operator

WINNER: Micato Safaris . Nominees were Abercrombie & Kent USA, LLC, Classic Vacations, Tauck, Wilderness

Best Adventure Operator

WINNER: Lindblad Expeditions . Nominees were Backroads, Big Five Tours & Expeditions, Inc, G Adventures, Swain Destinations

Wharekauhau Country Estate in New Zealand

Hotelier Of The Year

According to Virtuoso, “This award recognizes an experienced hotel manager with unparalleled leadership and vision, an unrelenting passion for the industry, an engaged commitment to the network of Virtuoso travel advisors, and an astute appreciation for detail.”

Nominees are: Allen Highfield (Montage Healdsburg, California), Andrew Pike (The Milestone Hotel and Residences, London), Conor O’Leary (Gleneagles, Scotland), Richard Rooney (Wharekauhau Country Estate, New Zealand), Simone Giorgi (Park Hyatt Milano)

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

BREAKING: USA Gymnastics says its efforts to get Jordan Chiles' bronze medal reconsidered have been rejected

Harris to embark on a seven-state campaign blitz with her VP pick

Vice President Kamala Harris will set out this week on a swing-state campaign blitz, giving her a far heavier travel schedule than her opponent, former President Donald Trump.

It will be a critical week for Harris, who is rushing to introduce herself to voters with just three months until Election Day. It will also be the first time she will appear with her yet-to-be-announced running mate.

Starting Tuesday, Harris will campaign across seven swing states over five days, one of the heaviest weeks of campaign-related travel in the general election.

Her team has vetted six contenders to be her running mate: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Walz, Shapiro and Kelly each met separately with Harris on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the meetings.

Harris is set to appear alongside her running mate for the first time Tuesday in Philadelphia , where the pair will kick off the cross-country tour.

Her travel swing is a stark contrast to the pace of Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump has delivered remarks in 10 states since the June 27 debate, while Biden traveled to campaign stops in eight states during the final 24 days of his candidacy. Harris’ travel this week will take her to seven states in less than a fourth of the time.

Harris will visit five states that she and Biden flipped blue in 2020: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona. She will also make stops in North Carolina, which Biden lost by a slim margin, and Nevada, where Democrats won narrowly.

The trip highlights the generational gap between Harris compared with Biden and Trump, Democratic allies said.

Biden’s candidacy was consistently plagued by voter concerns about his age, and his final weeks as the presumptive nominee were punctuated by a stream of congressional Democrats urging him to pass the torch to a new generation.

“Age really does matter” when it comes to a candidate’s ability to commit to long campaign trips, said Amanda Renteria, who was the national political director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

Harris, 59, is a generation younger than Trump, 78, and Biden, 81.

In 2020, Biden was the oldest presidential winner in history. If elected, Trump would be the oldest sitting president by the end of his term.

“It is amazing what candidates can do when they’re traveling around, and you don’t know what time it is, and you don’t know what day it is, but everyone’s in it,” she said. “And you can only sustain that for so long. And when you’re at the age of Trump, I don’t know how you keep up with that.”

Trump is scheduled this week to hold a rally Friday and deliver remarks at a dinner in Montana, a state he won in 2020 with 56.9% of the vote. He is also scheduled to hold a fundraiser Saturday in Colorado, which Biden won by a similar margin in 2020. Neither state is considered to be a swing state.

Reached for comment, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung pointed to the overall difference in the number of Trump and Harris campaign trips.

"In this cycle, President Trump has by far visited more battleground states, held more rallies, held more fundraisers, done more interviews and engaged with local reporters," Cheung said of Trump, who launched his campaign more than a year and a half before Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.

"Kamala Harris can’t even give a simple media interview since she was anointed the Democrat nominee," he continued. Harris has not held a sit-down media interview since Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, though she has answered journalists' questions in media gaggles.

In the days after Biden's widely panned June debate in Georgia, his campaign was in damage control mode. Biden spoke at a North Carolina rally and traveled to fundraisers in New York, New Jersey and Virginia before he held a rally in Wisconsin.

His next campaign trips were to Pennsylvania, Michigan and Nevada, the last of which was cut short when he contracted Covid. Days later, he dropped out of the race.

Democratic National Committee spokesperson Abhi Rahman said that if Biden had stayed in the race, "I'm sure that there would have been blitzes like this, as well."

But now "there's definitely a lot of desire to make sure that the vice president is defining herself and her VP before Republicans get a chance to," Rahman said. "So the timing of this definitely goes with that."

When Biden was the presumptive nominee, the Trump campaign aimed many of its attacks at his cognitive ability, leaning into voters' concerns about his age. But with Harris' being a generation younger than Trump, Republicans have had to pivot their approach.

"I think she's making a point of her relative youth and vitality," said Bill Galston, a Brookings Institution fellow and official in President Bill Clinton's administration. "It's a point that she doesn't have to talk about because she's just showing it."

Harris' campaign swing is also consistent with how candidates typically pick up the pace as the election draws closer, said Aleigha Cavalier, a Democratic strategist at the strategy and marketing agency Precision Strategies. But she said Harris' travel pace compared to Trump's and Biden's is "a real advantage."

"I think the fact that she's willing and able to do this many events in a small amount of time is something that can make a real difference, especially when we're less than a hundred days out" from the election, Cavalier said.

Traveling for campaign events can create more opportunities for local media coverage, accelerate fundraising and identify potential future volunteers, said Eric Jaye, a Democratic consultant at Storefront Political Media, a campaign consulting firm. But most important, candidates are activating thousands of "micro-influencers" at rallies, he said.

"They're all holding up their phones, and they're all publishers," he said, adding that when rallygoers post pictures of themselves with a candidate, "that will go out to their networks, which is an endorsement for their networks."

"If you can get 10,000 people to share that they trust Kamala Harris, that has an impact as a form of media and communication in and of itself," Jaye said. "So essentially these are conventions of micro-influencers."

Already, the Harris campaign has touted a groundswell of volunteer support, noting in a memo released Saturday that over the previous 12 days, volunteers had placed 2.3 million phone calls and knocked on 172,000 doors.

The seven-state tour “shows that she has a ton of energy,” Renteria said. “It shows that her campaign is ready to go and is thinking through things and able to execute well. So it’s super exciting.”

Megan Lebowitz is a politics reporter for NBC News.

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Newsletters
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Ukrainian forces enter Belgorod Oblast as Kursk incursion continues, media say

Ukrainian troops have apparently entered Russia's Belgorod Oblast during the ongoing incursion into Kursk oblast, Ukrainian media reported based on a video published on the morning of Aug. 10.

In the video, posted by Ukrainian media, five uniformed men with blue tape armbands are standing outside the building as one of them says: "I wish you health, the 252nd battalion is in the village of Poroz, Belgorod Oblast . Glory to Ukraine!"

The soldiers in the video held the battalion's flag and a Georgian flag, and the sign on the building behind them reads "Porozovsky Village Club."

According to the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, the Ukrainian-based fact-checking project VoxCheck confirmed the video as filmed in Poroz, three kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

The date of the video's filming is unknown. It is also unknown whether it was a raid or an expansion of the ongoing cross-border incursion into Russia, Suspilne said.

While Ukrainian officials and military command have so far not officially commented on the operation in Kursk Oblast, media are forced to rely on limited and questionable information circulated by Russian Telegram channels and videos of Ukrainian forces that often surface anonymously.

Russian authorities on Aug. 9 introduced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to Ukraine's incursion.

Earlier on Aug. 9, Russia's Defense Ministry said it was sending additional military equipment to Kursk Oblast's Sudzha district, 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.

However, Russia “may be resisting” the pressure to redeploy troops from the other frontline directions to Kursk, as it could disrupt Russian offensive operations in Ukraine’s east , according to the report by the Institute for the Study of War on Aug. 9.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Viacheslav Gladkov announced on Aug. 10 that the entry to the village of Poroz is closed due to a “counter-terrorism operation regime.”

He also claimed that “residents who have just left say they have not seen the enemy and have not heard any shooting.”

About 10 people still remain in the village, Gladkov added.

Read also: Ukraine’s unprecedented attack on Kursk Oblast brings war back to Russian soil

We’ve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent .

Recommended Stories

Kamala harris and tim walz's campaign tour poster looks like its for a concert. it's by design..

The Harris campaign has exemplified how intertwined politics and pop culture are.

The 'Trump trade' is fading

Less than a month ago, traders were staring to place bets on a Trump presidential win, including a GOP sweep of Congress. Those bets are now off.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders's RNC speech gets standing ovation: 'Not even an assassin's bullet could stop' Trump

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders received a standing ovation on the second night of the Republican National Convention.

'Tampon Tim': How internet users have redefined the Trump campaign's attack on Tim Walz

The Trump campaign has tried to villanize Gov. Tim Walz as "too liberal" to its supporters by going after a bill he signed in 2023.

Wall Street banters about the effects of a Trump-led Republican sweep

Markets are reacting again to Trump. Here is some of the chatter on the Street after a few wild weeks in the political sphere.

Vance defends 'cat lady' comments, suggests Trump won't ban abortion pill in morning show appearances

Vance spoke candidly about his views on abortion, families and cat ladies.

This is VP candidate Tim Walz's 1970 International Harvester Scout

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz got the nod to be Kamala Harris' VP running mate, and he's got quite a cool classic vehicle.

Here's how Tesla's Elon Musk explains his support for an anti-EV presidential ticket

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is fervently backing (and apparently bankrolling) a Republican presidential ticket deeply skeptical of government EV subsidies, despite the fact his company has received billions in government support. Donald Trump disparages electric vehicles at every campaign stop.

4 takeaways from Tim Walz’s first campaign speech as Kamala Harris’s running mate

Hours after being named as Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced himself to American voters Tuesday with a forceful speech at a Philadelphia rally in which he sought to portray the Democratic ticket as full of optimism and “joy.”

Biden dropped out. Trump should too.

Baby boomers have held the presidency for 32 straight years. Enough!

Biden calls Trump a 'genuine danger to American security' in first interview since dropping out of 2024 race

Biden addressed why he dropped out of the race, and why he believes democracy is at stake this election.

Elon Musk and the other billionaires backing Trump won’t put him over the top

Elon Musk has pledged millions to help Donald Trump win a second term. It could end up helping Joe Biden--if Biden plays it right

Donald Trump wants a 'say' in setting interest rates

Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would like a 'say' in setting interest rates if he is re-elected, further raising the prospect that the Republican nominee could seek to reduce the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Jobless claims hit highest level since August

Jobless claims picked up last week in the latest sign of a cooling labor market.

A Harris win would lead to historic firsts for Minnesota's governorship

If Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris emerges victorious in November, Minnesota would make history.

Republicans want to dismantle the Department of Education. What would that look like?

At the Republican National Convention, multiple speakers brought up the potential GOP policy that would put education in the hands of parents rather than the federal government.

Recession? Really? Come on...: Morning Brief

All this recession talk looks overblown.

Paris Olympics: Pro-Palestinian group makes what organizers acknowledge are 'anti-Semitic gestures' during Israeli national anthem at soccer match

A complaint has been lodged by Paris 2024.

Over 100 VCs pledge support for Kamala Harris

More than 100 VCs, including Reid Hoffman, Vinod Khosla and Mark Cuban have pledged to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Mobilizing under the group VCsForKamala, the VCs are also soliciting donations for Harris' campaign. VCsForKamala, along with recent open-letter tech worker campaigns like Tech for Kamala, aim to push back against the notion that Silicon Valley has largely embraced ormer President Donald J. Trump.

Will Tim Walz pay off as Kamala Harris's running mate?

Minnesota's governor has strong blue-collar roots and a likable demeanor, but critics say his nice guy persona can't cover up his shortcomings.

• China in Style 15 Days
• China in Depth 22 days
• The Silk Road 18 Days
• China Wishlist 17 days
• Mongolia Modules 4 to 7 Days
• Uzbekistan Folk Art & Craft
• Ancient Capitals by Rail 18 days
• China’s Hidden Beauty 18 Days
• Tibet Experience 12 Days
• China Essentials 10 days
• Wonders of South East China 10 Days
• Lhasa Short Stop 5 Days
• Yangtze Experience 4 and 5 Days
• Beijing Short Stop 5 Days
• Shanghai Short Stop 5 Days
• Hong Kong Short Stop 5 Days
• Guilin Short Stop 5 Days
• Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer 19 Days
• Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Highlights 17 Days
• Vietnam Explorer 14 days
• Angkor & Vietnam 14 Days
• Best of Vietnam 17 Days
• Vietnam & Cambodia Free & Easy 17 Days
• Vietnam Highlights 11 Days
• Vietnam in Style with Phu Quoc 13 Days
• Vietnam Wonders – 12 days
• Vietnam Essentials 11 days
• Vietnam Family Holiday 11 Days
• Hanoi to Angkor Cruise & Tour – 18 days
• Sapa Explorer 5 Days
• North Vietnam Weekend 4 days
• Hanoi Explorer 6 Days
• Saigon Short Stop 5 Days
• InterAsia India Special
• Best of India 19 Days
• India in Style 20 Days
• Royalty & Tigers 15 Days India
• Northern Heritage 11 Days
• Delhi & Agra Short Stop 5 Days
• Sri Lanka Highlights 13 Days
• Sri Lanka in Depth 16 Days
• Thai Temptations 11 Days
• Bangkok to the North 9 Days
• Bangkok Short Stop 5 Days
• Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai Short Stop 6 Days
• Sabah Adventure 11 Days
• Kuala Lumpur Short Stop 4 Days
• Singapore & Malay Peninsula 14 days
• InterAsia Cambodia Special
• Cambodia Highlights 6 Days
• Angkor Short Stop 4 Days
• Laos Explorer 8 days
• Laos Overland 7 Days
• Luang Prabang Short Stop 4 Days
• Myanmar in Depth 13 days
• Myanmar in Style 13 Days
• Best of Myanmar 9 Days
• The Strand River Cruises Myanmar
• Sanctuary Ananda River Cruises Myanmar
• Japan at Cherry Blossom Time – 15 Days
• Korea Highlights 11 Days
• Korea Explorer 7 Days
• Seoul Short Stop 5 Days
• Taiwan Essentials 7 Days
• Taiwan Highlights 10 Days
• Trekking Nepal 13 Days
• Best of Nepal 10 days
• Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland 12 Days
• Best of Bhutan 11 Days
• News and Travel Specials

booking page

[customcontact form=4]

InterAsia Tours

60 Market Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: 03 9873 7466

Mobile: 0432 061 851