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

A LESSER-KNOWN city in Bulgaria has been named a trending destination for 2025 by Lonely Planet.

Earlier this week, travel giant Lonely Planet named the 10 best cities to visit next year as part of its Best in Travel 2025 series.

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While none in the UK made the cut, there were a number from Europe that did feature, including Bansko in Bulgaria.

Located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, Bansko is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes.

Ellie Sugareva, who is the Team Manager for Bulgaria at Crystal Ski Holidays, wasn’t surprised to see Bansko as a trending destination.

Talking exclusively to the Sun Newspaper, she said: “Bansko has the beauty of an old traditional Bulgarian town in the foothills of Pirin mountains.

“It’s a case of new meets old with cobbled lanes and terracotta roofs in the UNESCO-protected centre, which is surrounded by streets lined with bars, clubs and restaurants.

“Even though it’s Bulgaria’s biggest ski area, it has a lot to offer beyond the slopes too including; museums for those who want to tap into the local culture, restaurants offering traditional meals as well as modern cafes and themed restaurants in the new part of town.

“Other activities such as Bankso’s outdoor ice-skating rink (the largest in Bulgaria) are the perfect outing for groups and families.

Bulgarian-born Pav Todorova, 28, originally from Plovdiv, visited on school trips and holidays with her family.

She added: “As a Bulgarian, Bansko has a true Balkan vibe that holidaymakers won’t get from popular ski destinations in western Europe.

“You’ve got delicious food, music, cheap booze and plenty of spas.”

But it’s not just Ellie and Pav who are already rating Bansko as a holiday destination, celebs like Gary Dourdan from American TV show CSI have been spotted on holiday in the Bulgarian city.

The cheap prices in Bansko are another draw for visitors, with Ellie adding: “Bansko offers great value for money – expenditure on food and drink will go a lot further here, making it an attractive choice to budget-conscious travellers, including families and beginner skiers.”

Food and drink in Bansko is cheap too, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing £8 per person.

Pints of beer are said to cost just over £2, with a bottle of wine coming in at £5.

Home to just 12,000 residents, the city’s compact size is another draw.

Ellie added: “Bansko is also more compact compared to most big resort names in France, Italy, Austria, and with its well-known hospitality presence, the town’s friendly residents are used to welcoming tourists.”

Those holidaymakers who want to go to Bansko for its skiing and snowboarding should visit the city between December and March because it gets reliable snow cover.

The ski resort has a good mix of levels, with eight blue runs, eleven red runs and two black runs.

Other winter activities include ATV safaris through the Pirin Mountains, a snowshoeing trip over the Rhodope range and sledding.

Away from the snowsports, there are plenty of other things to do in Bansko throughout the rest of the year.

The city’s old town is a maze of cobbled streets and traditional stone buildings, with the Holy Trinity Church and its towering bell tower being a highlight.

There are a couple of museums like Velyanov House.

Set inside a traditional Bulgarian stone building, the house is decorated with paintings and carved wooden ceilings.

Other buildings in Bansko’s old town have been turned into mehanas, old-style taverns that serve traditional Bulgarian food and wine.

Local folk musicians also perform inside the mehanas.

Order local delicacies like Chomlek (beef stew), Kapama (a sauerkraut dish) bob Chorba (bean soup) and Sirene po Shopski (baked tomatoes, cheese and eggs).

Bansko is a two and a half hour drive from Sofia, the Bulgarian capital – and Brits can fly there with Wizz Air and Ryanair with return fares costing £30.

The local language in Bansko is Bulgarian although people may speak English at the beach resorts.

Bulgaria is currently three hours ahead of the UK and the local currency is the Bulgaria lev with £10 getting around 22 lev.

Brits can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days without a visa but your passport must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave.

Earlier this year, Pav also revealed the little-known beaches holidaymakers should visit instead of heading to Sunny Beach.

One of those places is Veleka Beach in Sinemorets, which is a tiny strip of land between the two bodies of water.

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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.

Following its grand opening, Eat My Pizza has begun making waves across Leytonstone and East London with its innovative pizza creations.

With its fusion of traditional Italian cuisine and modern East London flair, a carefully curated menu featuring signature pizzas, small plates, and a range of local and Italian beverages the restaurant has managed to impress many and become the top rated restaurant in Leytonstone in the short period between it’s soft launch and grand opening.

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT

Eat My Pizza isn’t just a pizzeria – it’s a neighbourhood spot designed for the local community.

Housed in the historic Barclays Bank building, we’ve transformed this 1900s space into a welcoming eatery where locals can relax and enjoy a laid-back, yet top-quality, dining experience.

Our menu blends authentic Italian dishes with modern, locally inspired twists, offering something for everyone. From beloved classics to our signature pizzas and small plates like veal meatballs and baked artichokes, each dish promises bold flavours and fresh ingredients.

OUR MISSION

Eat My Pizza is the creation of a passionate team with a track record of popular East London restaurants, including FIGO restaurant.

Our mission is to create a welcoming space that combines the rich heritage of Italian cuisine with the innovative and unique flair of Leytonstone.

A place where locals can get together and enjoy a glass of good wine over some of our smaller dishes after work, allowing the space to fit within the customer’s needs – whether this is a three-course meal or a relaxed evening with friends or loved ones.

OUR SPACE

Housed in a beautifully restored 1900s Barclay’s Bank building, Eat My Pizza features:

– Chic ceramic tiled floors

– Stylish red banquettes

– Cozy booths with glimpses of our open kitchen

– An airy dining room with long opening hours from 9 AM to 11 PM

– Ultra-modern bar Juxtaposed against vintage style furnishings and colour palette

WHIZZING along the water holding on for dear life wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for a peaceful cruise to the Norwegian fjords.

We boarded the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) just a hundred metres or so from the MSC Virtuosa, our cruise liner home for the week — kitted out in waterproof overalls and goggles as we soaked up the views of the fishing villages and wildlife surrounding the seaside town of Maloy.

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This is just one of the dozens of excursions MSC Cruises offers on a week-long Norwegian Fjords voyage.

I’m one of 6,000 guests on board the sold-out ship — 330 metres long and 19 decks — with Kelly, my wife, and our daughters Savannah, 13, and Scarlett, ten.

We are first-time “cruisers” and I have to admit I was slightly overwhelmed when I first boarded as there’s just so much to do on and off the enormous ship.

The day trips, expertly organised by the cruise team, offer a hassle-free way to see the highlights of the surrounding areas on one of four port stops.

And they really do make a Norwegian Fjord cruise the experience of a lifetime.

At our first stop, in Haugesund, the breathtaking Langfoss waterfall awaited us, voted one of the top ten most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

I had expected a tranquil trickle of water surrounded by tourists posing for Instagram photos.

But instead we were greeted by a ferocious torrent of water falling from 600 metres above our heads.

For our day-long visit to Flam we jumped on a coach to the Stegastein viewpoint where tourists can walk out on a special gangway suspended some 650 metres above the fjord below.

Our final stop took us to Kristiansand which is on the southern tip of the country.

We hadn’t booked an excursion for this stop so were free to explore solo.

Picking up a map, we headed to the local nature park.

A wrong turn paid off, leading us to most beautiful lake where swimmers were taking advantage of the good weather.

Wide of the mark

Do remember your swimming kit when you leave the boat as there are plenty of beaches and lakes to enjoy a quick dip.

The delight of a cruise holiday is that you are taken to the heart of some beautiful spots — without the hassle of airports, trains and hire cars.

All those preconceptions of cruises being for the retired are wide of the mark.

Our fellow holidaymakers were families and couples of all ages and with so much flexibility this is a perfect solution for a multi-generational holiday.

Our room on our “home from home” the MSC Virtuosa had a double bed, bunk beds for the kids and a balcony offering fresh air and incredible sea views.

Not that we spent much time there as there were five swimming pools, Jacuzzis and a staggering 21 bars to enjoy — five of them serving tipples outside.

If you do want to take full advantage of those bars it’s best to purchase a drinks package before you board as it can work out a lot cheaper.

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For dinner we were assigned to the Il Campo restaurant and to avoid overcrowding, passengers are offered one of three sitting times.

Or you can head to one of the speciality restaurants, including the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse.

Mexican, Vietnamese, tepanyaki and sushi are also on offer.

If you just fancy grabbing food at your convenience, the Marketplace Buffet serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and late-night snacks until 1am.

Evenings are spectacular with passengers encouraged to dress up for theme nights including White Night and Sunshine Night.

Attire is superp-smart for the Gala Night with some passengers even donning tuxedos and cocktail dresses.

Booking is essential for evening entertainment in Le Grand Theatre where we saw stunning singing and dancing with Abba and Michael Jackson tributes standing out.

And special mentions go to stand-up comedian Tucker, who had us in stitches, as well as hypnotist Chris Caress, whose power of persuasion saw several guests lose all their inhibitions.

We may have been first-time cruisers this time round — but we will back for more.

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