THIS is a peek at Disney’s first ever sea rollercoaster, featuring a “thrilling high-speed circuit” – as the launch date is revealed.

An Iron Man-themed rollercoaster called Ironcycle Test Run, will debut on the Disney Adventure cruise ship, along with two other rides as part of the Marvel Landing area.

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Passengers will be able to test drive the new rollercoaster when the cruise ship sets sail for the first time in December 2025.

The Ironcycle Test Run will be Disney Cruise Line’s first traditional rollercoaster and the longest coaster at sea, at 820 feet

Ironcycle Test Run will be part of Marvel Landing, a themed deck area which will include the Pym Quantum Racers go-karts and the Groot Galaxy Spin flat ride.

Disney says the Ironcycle Test Run riders will “test-drive Tony Stark’s latest Ironcycle prototype on a thrilling high-speed circuit” and also participate in “a rapid-fire driving lesson from Tony Stark’s virtual assistant, F.R.I.D.A.Y.”

Kerry Condon voices F.R.I.D.A.Y. in the Marvel films and is also known for her Oscar-nominated role in The Banshees of Inisherin and Better Call Saul.

Condon also stars in “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” debuting on Disney+ in late 2024.

The ride is being touted by Disney as its first rollercoaster on a cruise ship.

Other Disney ships have variations of the AquaMouse attraction but that is a “water coaster”, where riders sit in rafts, which are propelled along a slide path by jets and magnets.

Ironcycle Test Run is Disney Cruise Line’s first example of a more traditional rollercoaster – featuring a vehicle travelling quickly along a track.

The track will sit 30 feet above the Marvel Landing deck.

It will be Disney’s second rollercoaster featuring Iron Man.

The first is Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, where the hero co-stars with Captain Marvel.

The ride in Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris opened in 2022, as a re-theme of the park’s previous Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Other Marvel rollercoasters around the world include Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot in Florida and a forthcoming Spider-Man rollercoaster at Shanghai Disneyland.

Two other rides will also be on the Marvel Landing on the cruise ship.

Pym Quantum Racers is a go-kart-style attraction inspired by the car chase sequences of 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp.

On Groot Galaxy Spin, guests will “fly their own Nova Corp Bass Jumper vehicles” in a themed ride based on Guardians of the Galaxy.

Elsewhere on board, the Avengers Assemble! live stage show will feature live character appearances by Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, Black Panther, Taskmaster, Captain America, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Thor, Loki, and Deadpool.

The Disney Adventure cruise ship will sail three- and four-night voyages from Singapore starting on December 15, 2025.

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FINNAIR adopts Airline Economics by Skailark

Munich, Helsinki 10 September 2024, Skailark, a Data as a Service company which provides its customers with granular, highly accurate cost and revenue data insights, announces that Finnair —recently voted the Best Airline in Northern Europe for the 14^th consecutive year at the World Airline Awards by Skytrax in 2024 – will adopt Airline Economics by Skailark.

Dr. Christian Soyk, CEO & Founder commented:

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Finnair, recently named Northern Europe’s best Airline, as a new client in Europe. We are looking forward to supporting Finnair with our digital twin, providing the most accurate cost and revenue data in the airline industry through our bottom-up modelling approach.”

Christine Rovelli, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Fleet remarked:

“At Finnair, we follow a data driven approach to help make our strategy and planning processes even more robust and efficient. We put Skailark through a tough data validation and were pleased to see the accuracy and granularity of the data. We look forward to working with the Skailark team as we focus on operational efficiency.”

Skailark will provide Finnair with Skailark Airline Economics to support its decision making in a market that is experiencing significant traffic growth. Airline Economics will enable Finnair to include unparalleled market and competitor insights into their decision-making, further supporting profitability and growth targets. Securing this long-term contract adds further validation of the use cases, data, and digital twin approach that Skailark brings to leading aviation brands worldwide.

Airline Economics leverages big data from the entire industry and proprietary advanced machine learning models (ML) to generate relevant cost and revenue data by route, O&D or aircraft type. Cost data can be adjusted by sector length for example to ensure comparability with other operators.

About Skailark:

Recently added to the 2024 Startup Universe compiled by Amadeus, Skailark is empowering the world of aviation with unparalleled data insights, providing a digital twin (data image) of the global aviation industry. Emissions, cost, revenue and other key drivers of all flights of the largest >350 airlines worldwide are modelled. Our cloud-based interface allows unparalleled competitive insights and dynamic modelling capabilities. All for best-informed decision-making on strategy, sustainability, transformation, M&A, fleet, network and aviation policy. Our highly accurate data has already been used by the strongest brands in aviation, consulting, media publishers, and the financial services industry.

About Finnair:

Finnair is a network airline, specialising in connecting passenger and cargo traffic between Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe. Finnair is the only airline with year-round direct flights to Lapland. Customers have chosen Finnair as the Best Airline in Northern Europe in the Skytrax Awards for 14 times in a row. Finnair is a member of the oneworld alliance. Finnair Plc’s shares are quoted on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.

Contact:

Skailark GmbH

Lenggrieser Str. 16

81371 Munich

Contact for enquiries:

Aurelius Noell

aurelius@skailark.com

+43 676 6583567

Finnair media desk

comms@finnair.com

+358 9 818 4020

THERE’S an award-winning holiday park in the UK with its own indoor waterpark, and it’s been named as one of the most underrated sites in England by one expert.

Located just outside Newquay, Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall has won awards with both Visit England and TripAdvisor.

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Travel writer Robbie Lane, who is the face behind the specialist website Holiday Park Guru, named it as one of his favourite lesser-known spots in England.

He previously told Sun Online Travel: “While most independent holiday parks have fewer facilities compared to the big names, there are some that compete on scale and activities including Hendra Holiday Park in Cornwall.”

It’s easy to see why the Cornish holiday park has won favour with industry experts.

Family-owned since 1972, Hendra Holiday Park’s water complex has an indoor pool with a river-rapid, a water cannon, tipping buckets, water fountains and three water flume rides.

There’s also an outdoor pool, with a fun-looking jet ski aqua cruise for kids where they get to ride inflatable jet skis around a mini course, as well as sea scooters.

According to its website, there are also seven golden sand beaches within easy access of the holiday park, including Crantock Beach and Holywell Bay Beach.

Holywell Bay Beach is a wide sandy beach that’s backed by grassy dunes and surrounded by rocky islands.

While the beach is popular among swimmers and surfers, it becomes a haven for kids during low tide when shallow streams and rock pools emerge.

There are plenty of things to do back at Hendra Holiday Park too, including an indoor soft play area, an outdoor play park, complete with swings and climbing frames and a scooter park with ramps.

Several new attractions and activities have also been introduced this year like a nine-hole adventure golf course, a ninja assault course and mini 4×4’s.

Other family-friendly activities include the Hendra Land Train, which tours the holiday park, and it takes guests to neighbouring Newquay for free.

There are three on-site restaurants, including the Terrace Bar and Restaurant, Mario‘s Pizzeria and ice cream shop, Always Sundae.

Hendra Holiday Park also offers a range of evening entertainment for children, featuring its lovable mascots Henry and Henrietta Hippo.

The evening entertainment includes dancing and party games.

Older guests can also watch cabaret performances, comedy shows, live music performance and magic shows later in the evening.

Like with the other holiday parks, there are a range of accommodation options available to book like budget-friendly camping pitches, caravans, premium caravans, holiday homes and lodges.

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Sun Online Travel have found two-night stays on a caravan pitch from £75 per night for four people.

Hendra Holiday Park has been praised by visitors, with a 4.78/5 star rating on website campsites.co.uk.

One person wrote: “Hendra Park is in a great location, just three miles from the centre of Newquay. The staff, facilities and service were very good.”

Another guest added: “Me and my partner had an amazing stay here. There’s lots to do on site and the location is perfect.”

A third person added: “We had a gorgeous four-day camping here with friends.

“The location was amazing – very close to so many gorgeous beaches and amazing fish and chip shops.”

Hendra Holiday is a 10-minute drive from Newquay.

And here are some other water parks in the UK you should visit, including a huge new £250million attraction opening in 2025.

There are also plenty of water parks in Europe, including Livu Akvapark in Latvia and Energylandia in Poland.

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Llwybr Cadfan, a major new pilgrimage trail in North West Wales, launches Saturday 28 September in Tywyn, Gwynedd and offers adventurers and spiritual seekers the chance to explore the region’s breathtaking and historically significant landscapes.

Llwybr Cadfan is a 128 mile (207km) pilgrimage trail and is named after the 6th-century Saint Cadfan. The 12-day journey starts in Tywyn, Gwynedd, and leads pilgrims to the sacred Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) off the Llŷn Peninsula, known for its spiritual significance and breathtaking scenery.

Along the route, pilgrims visit 17 historic churches and six holy wells, connecting with North West Wales’ rich spiritual heritage. The trail winds through areas of outstanding natural beauty and unspoilt coastline in Meirionydd, Eifionydd, and the Llŷn Peninsula.

The Llwybr Cadfan launch takes place at Saint Cadfan’s Church, Tywyn in Gwynedd – the first church on the pilgrimage trail. The launch begins with an opportunity to walk the first stage of Llwybr Cadfan from Saint Cadfan’s Church to St Mary and St Egryn’s Church, Llanegryn, and concludes with a special service featuring Christian singer Cass Meurig and poets Siân Northey and Siôn Aled.

During the day visitors can find out more about the pilgrimage trail and take part in a bilingual poetry workshop inspired by the landscape of the pilgrimage trail. Activities include a kids pilgrimage stamp workshop, a prayer event, and a mini-pilgrimage exploring the historic Cadfan Stone – a 7^th or 8th century stone that holds a linear Latin cross and the earliest known inscription of the Welsh language.

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John, who will be one of the first pilgrims to walk the first stage of the route, says, “The launch of Llwybr Cadfan marks a new chapter in the ongoing tradition and renewed popularity of pilgrimage in Wales. I am delighted to be one of the first pilgrims to walk the first stage of the trail.

“With the success of programmes such as BBC’s Pilgrimage, we have seen more and more people explore their spirituality by walking ancient pilgrimage routes and visiting churches and holy wells to discover our rich Christian heritage as they seek answers to life’s problems.

“The Llwybr Cadfan pilgrimage is an opportunity for individuals to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, experience the tranquillity of nature, spend time with God in prayer and reflection, and return home with a renewed sense of peace.

“I hope and pray that many more people will discover or deepen their spirituality as they embark on what can be a life-changing pilgrimage.”

Pilgrims who walk Llwybr Cadfan will wind their way through ancient oak rainforests, past remote churches, and along expansive beaches, immersing themselves in the natural beauty and spiritual history of the region.

The trail includes historical and religious highlights such as:

• The Two Kings Statue near Harlech Castle, inspired by the tale in the Mabinogi, and anthology of early Welsh folklore compiled in the 12 and 13^th centuries.
• Saint Cybi’s Well, believed to hold healing properties with many people traveling large distances to discover its healing waters.
• St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron – the final rest stop for pilgrims on the journey to Ynys Enlli. The landscape of this area inspired the poetry of Welsh poet and priest R.S. Thomas.

The pilgrimage route is available now and pilgrims are welcome to begin their pilgrimage at any time. Visit https://pererin.com/llwybyr-cadfan/ or download Outdoor Active app and search for Llwybr Cadfan.

Visit bangor.eglwysyngnghymru.org.uk/ for more information about the Open Day and sign up to the walk.

Interviews available in Welsh and English. Contact Matt Batten, Director of Communication, on 07586 469 556 or email mattbatten@cinw.org.uk

City of York Council has announced an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to join its team as the new Director of City Development. This pivotal role comes at a crucial time as the city embarks on an ambitious journey of growth and development, aiming to reinforce York’s position as one of the leading economies in the North of England.

York is renowned for its strong economy, high employment rates, and exceptional quality of life. The new Director of City Development will be at the forefront of driving strategic infrastructure development, major projects, regeneration, and strategic planning, all in alignment with the city’s commitment to sustainability and economic growth.

Ian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer at City of York Council, commented: “York is a city with a prosperous, progressive, and sustainable outlook. For the past two decades, we have focused on growing well-paid employment and expanding our knowledge-based industries, transforming our economy, and adding 20,000 highly skilled jobs. The Director of City Development will play a crucial role in continuing this trajectory, ensuring York remains a place where businesses thrive, and residents prosper.”

The successful candidate will lead on significant projects, including the York Central scheme, one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious city centre regeneration schemes. This transformative project will create a new quarter in the heart of York, featuring 2,500 new homes, extensive commercial space, and 6,500 new jobs, all while preserving the historic fabric and culture of the city.

Helen Whiting, Chief Officer – HR and Support Services at City of York Council, added: “This role presents a unique career opportunity for an ambitious leader who is passionate about making a significant impact. We are looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team, build collaborative partnerships, and drive forward our vision for York as a vibrant, prosperous, and inclusive city. The Director of City Development will be instrumental in shaping the future of York, ensuring it continues to be a place where people want to live, work, and visit.”

The role offers a competitive salary, relocation support, and the chance to work in a city that boasts both tradition and modernity. York’s excellent connectivity, vibrant cultural scene, and commitment to becoming net-zero by 2030 make it an ideal place for a forward-thinking leader to make their mark.

Applications for the Director of City Development role are now open, with a closing date of midnight on Sunday 29 September 2024. Visit www.yorkappointments.co.uk/dcd to apply.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sarah Hunter at our recruitment partners The Resourcing Solution on 07816 251271 / Sarah.Hunter@northyorks.gov.uk.

GOING out late isn’t really a thing in Latvian capital Riga. In fact, most bars shut at 10pm.

But the nightlife is far from what makes this city special, as I learned on a recent visit.

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It’s the fabulously eclectic buildings of the cobbled old town with a mix of stepped gables, pointed spires, pastel-coloured walls and half- timbered facades.

And the unique grub that blends German and Russian influences to create delicious and hearty dishes that leave you yearning for more.

It’s not just me who has fallen in love with this stunning city.

British Airways launched its new winter route from Heathrow to Riga last year and the destination has proved such a hit that flights are being increased to one a week for this season, starting on Monday.

A strategic port town, sitting on the Baltic Sea on Latvia’s west coast, Riga only gained full independence in 1991.

Before that, it was fought over by nearby countries for centuries.

This history has given rise to a wealth of fascinating architecture, from medieval to Gothic, Renaissance and brutalist — something you will notice the minute you start walking around.

The city centre boasts more than 800 art nouveau buildings, dating from the early 20th Century — each as intricately detailed as the last.

Perhaps the most breathtaking examples line Albert Street and Elizabeth Street.

I found myself zig-zagging back and forth across the roads to try to take in every elaborate element, from statues of Atlas holding up his globe, to young women with tumbling locks, and even rudimentary robots.

This is the other great thing about Riga — you can stroll its peaceful streets with ease because, like the rest of Latvia, it has no hills. Little wonder locals jokingly refer to their country as Flatvia.

There is one place in the city that requires a steep climb, though, if you’re up to the challenge. And that’s one of Riga’s most impressive churches, the 13th-century St Peter’s.

At 400ft high, its once-coppery spire, is Riga’s highest point. But as soon I was reassured I could reach the top by elevator, rather than by puffing up hundreds of stairs, I was in — and especially when tickets cost only nine euros.

The panoramic view is absolutely worth the cash (or climb).

Beetroot soup

From there you can see the wide Daugava river which cuts through the city, the shiny golden onion domes of the Nativity of Christ Orthodox cathedral and the elegant columns of the neo-classical National Opera House.

I also spotted modern buildings such as the silver, pyramid-shaped National Library and the 27-storey, cylindrical Saules Akmens office tower.

And if you have a keen eye, you might even see the five U-shaped pavilions that make up the city’s Central Market, a great spot for sampling local food.

Each long, low building in the market is dedicated to a different type of food, from meat to fish or veg, and hearty dishes are the order of the day here.

I was keen to sample as many local delights as possible, including one of the most popular traditional meals — the somewhat unappetising-sounding grey peas with bacon.

It transpires said peas are actually brown, not grey, but don’t let that put you off as this savoury dish certainly carries flavour.

The best places to try local food are the city’s cantines

Laura Millar

And you can see why the warming meal is popular, when temperatures can fall to -20C in winter.

Don’t miss out on karbonade, either, a delicious pork schnitzel, or beetroot-based soup borscht.

The best places to try local food are the city’s cantines — essentially cheap and cheerful canteen-style restaurants — look out for the Lido chain (lido.lv/en).

And it’s worth timing your visit for when the city’s popular and award-winning Christmas markets are in full swing.

They kick off in early December, and you can nibble on enough marzipan, biscuits and roast- ed nuts to keep you full all winter.

One thing is for sure, you will end up leaving Riga, as I did, hungry for more.