ride

April 28 (UPI) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he shared a ride in a U.S. Army helicopter with Kid Rock weeks after the military came under fire for carrying out an Apache flyby of the musician’s home in Nashville.

Hegseth posted photos of himself and Kid Rock with members of the military on Monday.

“Joined my friend @KidRock — and some of our great @USArmy Apache pilots — for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!)” Hegseth wrote.

“Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the brave.”

Sean Parnell, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said Monday’s helicopter ride for Kid Rock was part of the government’s plans to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, The New York Times reported. CNN reported that Parnell said Kid Rock filmed videos to mark Memorial Day, the 250th birthday and his own Freedom 250 concert tour.

“The visit today provided an opportunity for Kid Rock to thank service members, highlight the professionalism of the men and women supporting the mission, and recognize their continued sacrifice in honor of our nation. The department is grateful for Kid Rock’s long-time support of our troops.”

In late March, the U.S. Army said it was conducting an administrative review after Apache helicopters performed a flyby of Kid Rock’s home. Days later, Hegseth shut down the investigation.

“@USArmy pilots suspension LIFTED,” he wrote in a post on X.

“No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.”

On March 28, Kid Rock posted two videos showing two Apache helicopters flying by and hovering near his home, which he has dubbed “The Southern White House.” In one of the videos, the musician can be seem saluting one of the helicopters before raising his fist in the air.

The performer has made several appearances in support of President Donald Trump during his second term in office.

Maj. Jonathon Bless, a spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, said the Army’s probe would verify the helicopters were in compliance with safety and airspace regulations.

“Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism and established flight regulations,” he said.

April 18 (UPI) — On this date in history:

In 1506, the cornerstone was placed for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

In 1775, U.S. patriot Paul Revere began his famous ride through the Massachusetts countryside, crying out “The British are coming!” to rally the minutemen.

In 1906, an earthquake estimated at magnitude-7.8 struck San Francisco, collapsing buildings and igniting fires that destroyed much of what remained of the city. Researchers and historians concluded that about 3,000 people died in the quake and its aftermath, and roughly 250,000 were left homeless.

In 1912, three days after the sinking of Titanic, her survivors arrived in New York City aboard the RMS Carpathia.

In 1923, the original Yankee Stadium opened in New York. The stadium was demolished in 2010 after it was replaced a year prior by the new Yankee Stadium.

File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

In 1942, Lt. Col. James Doolittle led a squadron of B-25 bombers in a surprise raid against Tokyo in response to the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

In 1945, U.S. journalist Ernie Pyle, a popular World War II correspondent, was killed by Japanese machine-gun fire on the island of Ie Shima in the Pacific.

In 1949, the Republic of Ireland formally declared itself independent from Britain.

In 1968, McCulloch Oil Corp. paid $2.24 million to buy London Bridge, which was sinking into the Thames under the weight of 20th century traffic. The oil company rebuilt the bridge bloc by block over Lake Havasu in Arizona.

In 1980, Rhodesia became the independent African nation of Zimbabwe.

In 1983, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, was severely damaged by a car-bomb explosion that killed 63 people, including 17 Americans.

In 1992, an 11-year-old Florida boy sued to “divorce” his natural parents and remain with his foster parents. The boy eventually won his lawsuit.

In 2002, former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., revealed that at least 13 civilians were killed by his U.S. Navy unit in a Vietnamese village in 1969.

File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

In 2007, more than 125 people were killed in a suicide car-bomb explosion near a Baghdad market.

In 2014, an avalanche on what is known as a particularly dangerous route to the top of Mount Everest in the Himalayas killed 16 Sherpa guides.

In 2018, the first movie theaters in Saudi Arabia opened with a public screening of Black Panther.

In 2024, police arrested more than 100 protesters at Columbia University for refusing to leave a large pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. The incident sparked more protests at the school and other campuses across the country.

File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

A thrill-seeking theme park with Europe’s longest dive coaster and highest free-fall ride has been named as the ‘best in the world’, and it’s just hours from the UK

The ‘world’s best theme park’, which has been open for more than 100 years, is just two hours from the UK.

There are hundreds of theme parks across the globe offering a fun-packed day out for the whole family, whether that’s from white-knuckle rides for adrenaline junkies or child-friendly attractions based on some of the most iconic TV characters. There’s always something for everyone, and it’s a sure way to keep the kids entertained.

Impressively, there are theme parks that have been in operation for a century, with multiple generations experiencing the immersive world of rides, coasters and themed adventures. While many might have their preferred amusement park, the Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, was named as the ‘world’s top theme park’ by Blooloop, a network for visitor attractions.

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The Swedish theme park first opened in May 1923 and has been in operation ever since, welcoming around three million visitors every year. Liseberg has 40 rides and attractions, ranging from roller coasters such as the wooden Balder, which speeds around at a max of 90km/h, to the boomerang ride Luna, which travels forward and backwards over a 225-metre-long track.

Yet, Valkyria is perhaps one of the park’s most thrilling roller coasters, with a heart-stopping vertical drop of 50 metres – making it Europe’s longest dive coaster. If that wasn’t enough, the ride plunges vertically into an underground tunnel at a speed of 105km/h, before a variety of loops, turns and twists.

Another standout ride at Liseberg is AtmosFear, Europe’s highest free-fall ride, reaching 146 metres and a speed of 110km/h. AtmosFear first opened in 2011 and has remained a favourite at the theme park for daredevils.

In celebration of the park’s 100th anniversary in 2023, they welcomed the Luna coaster and the Grand Curiosa Hotel. Last year, they also confirmed that a new family attraction, Stormvåg (Storm Wave), will open this summer.

Another incredible attraction at Liseberg, set to open this year or next, is the £95 million (€110) Oceana waterpark. It’s set to boast 19 water slides, a 244-metre river, water go-karts, 6,000 square metres of indoor pools, and 4,000 square metres of outdoor water features.

Liseberg is located on a hillside in the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden, and, given its striking location, escalators are dotted throughout the park to help visitors navigate the steep terrain. It’s Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, with admission from £7.60 (SEK 95) or admission and a ride pass from around £29 (SEK 365).

Flights from the UK to Gothenburg are just under two hours, and start from as little as £13 one-way. The theme park is conveniently located around 20 minutes from the Gothenburg airport, so you could be taking on the thrilling rides in just a few hours after departing from the UK.

What’s more, Liseberg has an on-site hotel called Grand Curiosa Hotel, or there’s alternative accommodation nearby, such as cabins or bed & breakfast rooms at Lisebergsbyn. The centre of Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, is just 10 minutes from the park by public transport, making it an ideal getaway for those wanting to explore somewhere new and visit one of the world’s best theme parks.

For more information, you can visit the Liseberg theme park website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

THE world’s first ride based on the Disney film Up is set to open at Disneyland Paris.

The ride will be based on the much-loved 2009 family film that follows pensioner Carl and boy scout Russell on an adventure.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The ride, named Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings, will open at the theme park next year.

To get to the ride, visitors will queue through four themed zones that represent key moments from the film including Carl’s childhood aviator helmet and goggles and Ellie’s adventure book. 

The carousel ride will boast 48 swings, including special ‘duo’ seats – so a total of 64 people can go on the ride at any one time.

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When the ride spins, the dome above where riders will be seated will tilt, creating the feeling of flying.

To keep on theme with the film, the ride will feature balloon and cloud motifs.

The ride will also be in a garden inspired by Up, in the newly named Disney Adventure World part of the theme park.

DisneylandParis.com states: “Located in Adventure Way, just opposite Raiponce (Rapunzel) Tangled Spin, construction of the future Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings attraction is well underway.

“The name references the Wilderness Explorers, the club of young adventurers that Russell belongs to.”

When guests reach the ride, they’ll get to try out being a trainee adventurer themselves and get the chance to earn an ‘Aviation’ badge as they fly to the soundtrack of the movie.

DisneylandParis.com added: “This family-friendly experience will offer a new take on the ’flying chair carousel’, an iconic attraction in traditional theme parks for over a century.”

Disneyland Paris has also made another announcement that there will be a new experience at Disney Adventure World called The Disney Princess Cavalcade from July 24.

Visitors will be able to see four princesses from four worlds heading off on a journey through the park.

The princesses include Moana with a float themed around the village of Motunui and a float themed around Raya’s Heart Palace.

The parade will start at the entrance of the future The Lion King-themed area and head to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge before returning back to where it started.

Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park) opened at the end of March and is home to the new World of Frozen.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding visited the new land, and here is what she thought.

“Upon entering the Kingdom of Arendelle, I’m greeted by towering Nordic-style houses and a magical Frozen soundtrack.

“Am I actually in Arendelle? Because it sure feels like it.

“The land features a life-sized 36-metre North Mountain with Elsa’s Ice Palace, a Frozen Ever After boat ride, and A Celebration in Arendelle show on the water.

“There is also a Nordic-themed restaurant, as well as themed shopping experiences and character meet and greets.

“The main attraction of the new land is the musical Frozen Ever After boat ride.

“Starting at the Royal Docks, you head through the village and forest, meeting Sven and Olaf on the way; then you glide past Troll Valley and up The North Mountain (and then down the other side!).

“Of course, World of Frozen wouldn’t be complete without its own show.

“The land is set during the Snowflower Festival and as a result, the daily show features your favourite characters as they sing and dance and celebrate the festival together.”

In other theme park news, the UK’s best theme park’s £12million Viking-themed land will open next month.

Plus, a closed UK theme park has revealed a new opening date and it is good news for families.

If you’d like to take a ride on the Goodyear blimp, it turns out you can’t do it wearing heels.

This I learned on Day 2 of Coachella, when the people who promote the tire company’s famous dirigible — they have a nice lady in charge of the blimp’s socials and everything — invited me and my colleagues Rebecca Castillo and Kayla Bartkowski to climb on board for a little cruise over the desert festival.

Before we could get on to the airship that had room for about six to eight people, we had to watch a safety video in which the narrator told us that you can’t wear heels on the blimp — but that if you’d worn them today, you could check with a Goodyear representative and they’d see about other arrangements. (One rep told me she’d already loaned out her sneakers several times Saturday.)

Anyway!

Los Angeles Times reporter Mikael Wood rides the Goodyear blimp flying over Coachella

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

The ride was gentler than I’d anticipated — kind of like a boat ride in a harbor. We took off from a giant dirt field at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal and tooled around for 30 minutes or so; when we got over Coachella, we could see a few hundred Beliebers camped out as close to the main stage as they could get — nine or 10 hours before Bieber’s performance was scheduled to begin.

They looked so little down there — so small in size, so big in Beliebf.

Back on the ground, we had to get off the blimp two by two, each duo replaced by a new pair of folks who’d responded to an email asking if they might want to a ride on a humongous floating billboard.

The ladies who replaced Rebecca and Kayla looked super jazzed; my guy seemed less impressed.

Maybe he’d blimped before.

Sorry, Orlando. Southern California is the theme park capital of the world. Yes, I believe that.

A brief history: Knott’s Berry Farm created a framework that allowed Disneyland to invent the theme park, which Universal Studios tweaked. SoCal innovations, all of them — and the industry remains centered here.

Theme parks are integral to SoCal life. They’re institutions, as familiar as Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park or the Getty. Many of us grew up going to the parks and have archives of fading photos to prove it.

That’s why The Times is launching its first-ever theme park newsletter, a weekly guide to what matters and how to best experience these themed wonderlands. Welcome to Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where I’ll take you on my adventures in make-believe, share news and tips, and go deep on the hidden artistry behind SoCal’s most beloved attractions. (Sign up, and we’ll be in your inbox soon.)

Why theme parks are magical

Maybe you haven’t been to a theme park in a while. And maybe that’s intentional. Yes, ticket prices increase every year, crowds frustrate and your ankle will probably be struck by a stroller. But theme parks are art. They’re meticulously designed, as real as our ability to pretend. Few spaces exist in which so many artistic endeavors collide: architecture, costuming, landscaping, animation, engineering, urban design and more. The delight is in the details.

Theme parks are more than an escape — they reflect and respond to culture. Maybe these are simply the ramblings of a Disney adult and fan of all theme parks, but I won’t apologize for seeking joy, wonder and play. It’s what’s needed right now.

I visit theme parks regularly — probably too often by some people’s standards — but I’m excited every time. The key is to stop viewing them as a checklist of activities. So as we enter the busy spring break and summer seasons, here are some ways to develop a deeper appreciation (and simply have more fun) at our most iconic parks.

Embrace the Disneyland classics

I received pushback when I declared It’s a Small World the best attraction at the Anaheim resort, but hear me out. The ride is designed in the look of animator turned theme park artist Mary Blair, reflective of her color clashes and childlike whimsy. It’s akin to a boat trip through an art gallery. No other attraction is so reflective of a singular art style. The facade, designed by renown Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump and inspired by Blair, mixes glistening white metals and fiberglass with gold leaf accents that nod to the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, a Dutch windmill and more. How many more landmarks can you spot amid the jagged edges and byzantine shapes?

Fun fact: Legend tells that Disneyland used the entire U.S. supply of gold leaf to make the facade. Germany, apparently, came to the rescue.

Don’t skip a ride on the greatest tram tour ever built

Visitors enter the set of Jupiter’s Claim from the movie “Nope” while taking the Universal Studios tram tour in May 2023.

(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Universal Studios’ World-Famous Tram Tour, as it is officially designated, is the most important modern theme park attraction in America. The slow-moving backlot trek existed long before Universal Studios had a theme park, but it changed the industry.

In 1976, one year after Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” opened, the studio put guests face-to-face with a 24-foot shark. Never before had a cultural phenomenon like “Jaws” been so quickly replicated in a theme park. “Ride the movies” is a phrase coined by Spielberg, and it’s an industrywide trend that hasn’t stopped.

Fun fact: Universal consulted submarine builders General Dynamics to construct a shark that could survive long term under water.

Spend an afternoon in America’s first theme park

Knott’s Berry Farm’s entrance as parkgoers ride the Silver Bullet roller coaster behind it in May 2021.

(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

There are times I go to Knott’s Berry Farm and never leave its Ghost Town area, which predates Disneyland and is filled with oddities. A toy shop, for instance, sells actual puppets, and a train ride still features a staged robbery. The park also just remodeled its 72-year-old Bird Cage Theatre, home to outrageous vaudeville-style shows, where a young Steve Martin once performed. It’s a rarity these days to have live theater at a theme park.

Fun fact: The theater’s facade is a replica of the original Bird Cage in Tombstone, Ariz., which has long had a bawdy reputation.

So I hope you’ll sign up for Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where we’ll geek out on the history, the artistry and the future of these spaces. Have a theme park question? Email me, and I hope to answer it in an upcoming edition of the newsletter. Life is tough. We can all use more fun.

Today’s top stories

Billionaire Tom Steyer speaks during Jewish California: Governor 2026 Candidate Forum at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 26.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

Billionaire candidate for California governor faces criticism

• Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate for California governor, faces mounting criticism over his former hedge fund’s prior investments in private prisons now housing undocumented immigrants.
• Steyer says he deeply regrets the investment and left his hedge fund 14 years ago and has since spent hundreds of millions on Democratic causes, particularly efforts to fight climate change.

Artemis II crew flies past the moon

• NASA’s Artemis II crew flew past the moon Monday, traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history and becoming the first to see some sections of the moon’s far side in the sunlight with the naked eye.
• The four astronauts described the far side in eloquent detail: Geometric patterns of browns, blues and greens amid the moon’s typical shades of gray.

L.A.-based relatives of a deceased Iranian leader were arrested

• The niece and grand-niece of an Iranian general have been arrested by immigration agents after the niece celebrated the Iranian leadership and denigrated the U.S.
• The general’s daughter has disputed the family connection, according to Iranian media, which has quoted a statement attributed to her saying that the two women bear no relation to the general.

What else is going on

Commentary and opinions

This morning’s must read

For your downtime

State Route 78.

(Josh Jackson)

Going out

Staying in

And finally … your photo of the day

The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne travels over the Coachella 2004 crowd in an inflated plastic bubble.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Today’s great photo is from Times photographer Robert Gauthier during 2004 Coachella. Here’s a look at The Times’ photos from every year of the festival, including its origins in 1999, legendary performances from Daft Punk, Prince and Beyoncé, and the iconic art installations the festival has hosted over the years.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Jim Rainey, staff reporter
Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com. Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on latimes.com.

Why limit yourself to one beautiful, romantic Italian city when you can pack two into the same break and see, discover, enjoy and eat twice as much?

Italy has so many fascinating cities to explore and it’s incredibly easy to hop between them, and that’s exactly what I found out on a dual-destination interrail trip to Milan and Venice, reports Abby Wells

With its biannual fashion weeks and designer shops galore, Milan is known as the fashion capital of the world – and as something of a seasoned shopaholic, I was looking forward to discovering its glamorous side. Our base while in Milan was Avani Palazzo Moscova, a historic hotel in the Porta Nuova district that housed the city’s first railway station back in 1840.

Its rooms are chic and modern, with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

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How to cover the classic sights of Milan

A number of experiences can be booked through the hotel, helping to make your stay an unforgettable one. First up for us was a two-hour tour of the city in a vintage Fiat 500, during which our driver, Milan-born Federico, took us to places you wouldn’t normally see.

One hidden gem was Villa Invernizzi, a serene oasis in the middle of the bustling city where you can catch a glimpse of flamingos roaming in the gardens. It was great fun whizzing around with the car’s sunroof open, and a must to get a feel for the city.

The next day we had a personalised cosmetics experience at City Lab Cosmetics, where we got to make our own lipstick. Here experts help you discover a shade suited to your skin colour, and you get to choose the finish, formula, scent and even the shape of your lipstick, and see it being made from scratch in the lab – a unique experience.

Then, finally, we got to do some shopping, courtesy of an expert-led tour around some of Milan’s best vintage boutiques. It started with the bargain ones, where I picked up a gorgeous little black bag for five euros, before finishing in a more upmarket store filled with Chanel dresses and Gucci bags (sadly out of my price range).

All the sightseeing certainly helped me work up an appetite and the food I had in Milan was delicious. I mainly stuck to the Italian staples of pasta and risotto. Avani Palazzo Moscova’s restaurant specialised in fish, but our tiramisu, made at the table, was a particular highlight.

Another restaurant definitely worth a visit is Osteria del Gambero Rosso, barely a five-minute walk from the hotel and where the friendly atmosphere made for a really special evening.

Fitting Venice into the same trip

Then it was on to our next stop, Venice, a speedy and easy two-hour train ride away. We walked out of the station to a postcard-worthy view of the canal in all its glory, with gondolas and water taxis going up and down the waterways. It felt like walking onto a film set.

A short walk away was our hotel, Avani Rio Novo Venice, which is tucked away in a sought-after neighbourhood where Venetians actually live, away from the main tourist drag. Here I enjoyed kicking back and enjoying the views of the canal through my room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

How to cover the classic sights of Venice

As it was my first time in Venice, a gondola ride was top of my hit list and it didn’t disappoint. Our gondolier was lovely, happily entertaining us with facts and answering all our questions. One top tip is to make sure you have cash on you, as it’ll often mean you pay a bit less – and the more of you there are, the cheaper it is. As in Milan, the Avani hotel here can book various experiences to show off the best of Venice.

First, we paid a visit to Lunardelli Venezia, a workshop specialising in making wooden furniture and objects. Here we saw the intricate processes behind creating the exceptional designs and also had a go at crafting a piece ourselves.

The hotel also arranged a water taxi to the interconnecting Murano islands, an area known for its glass-making workshops.

The one we visited even supplies beads for Milan Fashion Week. Here we learnt to make our own beads to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir. I couldn’t wait to wear mine on a necklace.

Another must-visit in Venice is St Mark’s Square and we made our way there through narrow alleys and over the historic Rialto Bridge, which crosses the Grand Canal at its narrowest point. Obviously popular, it was very busy, but getting to St Mark’s Square as the sun was setting had a magical feel.

Both of these iconic cities exceeded all my expectations, and the country’s excellent rail network makes city-hopping a smart option when planning your next Italian escape.

Booking the two breaks

Single rooms at Avani Palazzo Moscova Milan Hotel start from £205 per night. Standard rooms at Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel start from £167 per night.

A GERMAN theme park is being completely transformed by a famous French theme park.

Parc Astérix in northern France, which is inspired by the iconic comic series of the same name, is taking over a destination in Germany.

Currently known as Belantis Park, located near major cities including Dresden and Berlin, the theme park will be completely rebranded by 2031.

And work has already begun with the first new land opening at the theme park this spring.

The new land called Idefix’ Adventure Land will be for families with children and is themed around Idefix the dog from the Astérix universe.

There will be four new attractions and while they are yet to be announced, renders of the land show a small flume-style ride, a drop tower, a wagon ride and a spinning chair ride.

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And there are some reports that they will include the ‘Aerobix Flying Machine’, ‘Driving school Frischling’, ‘Idefix’s River Journey’ and ‘Soapbox derby’.

Renders also reveal a large adventure playground with climbing frames and slides.

There will also be a new restaurant, souvenir shop and character meet and greets.

The new land is the first part of the theme park’s transition into the Astérix and Obélix universe, with the park being completely rebranded Astérix Park Germany by 2031.

The next part of the transition – an expansion phase – is set for 2027, which includes a new family rollercoaster that will begin to be built this year.

Once fully complete, the theme park hopes to attract up to 900,000 visitors each year.

In the meantime, the park officially reopens for this year on March 28, however, the new land will not open then.

For those visiting the theme park before the new land opens, they can get a discount on another ticket if they want to return to see the new land.

Filip De Witte, Managing Director of Belantis, said: “At Belantis, we aim to create experiences where the whole family can enjoy thrilling adventures together.

“This year, we’ve lowered our admission prices to make it even easier for families to visit.

“At the same time, we’re expanding our offerings – from a new season pass and the Belantis app to a brand-new themed area opening later in the season.”

The park also has a new show called ‘Why do spiders spin webs?’ which is both educational and entertaining.

There’s also ‘Pirates on the Loose!’, which has been refreshed to include more music, show-fighting moments and interactions that mean audience members can train as a pirate or even discover a hidden treasure chest.

Existing rides include looping rollercoaster, a bobsled coaster and Fluch des Pharao which is a water ride inside a pyramid.

One recent visitor even noted: “There was hardly any queues when we got there, we went on a Sunday, the only time there was queues was in the evening from about 3-5pm.”

Tickets to the park cost €29 (£25.13) per person.

In other theme park news, here are nine of the best theme parks with something new in 2026 from multi-million lands to epic thrill rides.

Plus, a new £50million Minecraft theme park land is set to open in the UK and it will be the first in the world.

The Narvik Stockholm night train, officially known as Nattåg 94, connects the Swedish capital with Narvik in Norway, covering more than 1,500 kilometers each way

From my bunk, I watched my wife ease herself from her bed onto the cabin floor before spinning on the spot to face the toilet door. The track lights of somewhere in the Midlands filtered and crept around the edge of the blind, providing enough illumination for her to find the handle and enter.

Unbeknownst to either of us, in stacking our bags inside the cubicle, we’d primed the above-toilet shower to soak my wife and our possessions with an unwanted blast of water the moment she squeezed in.

My half-waking dreams were cut short by her waterlogged wails as the reality of the Caledonian Sleeper quickly put to bed my night train delusions.

I recall this experience not to say the Sleeper, which connects London with the great cities and Highlands of Scotland, is a bad service. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a greater joy than looking out the window after a night’s kip on the northbound route to see snowcapped mountains and glistening lochs. Not just that, but it compares very favourably cost-wise to a flight and hotel, while being much less environmentally damaging.

But it is to say that returning to my pillow damp, in a bed far too close to a standard issue National Rail toilet (which the private cabins really don’t need) isn’t the classy, James Bond adjacent experience I’d been expecting. Nor was lifting the blind to a crowd of commuters on a Euston platform at 6am, staring back at my pyjamaed self.

OPINION

Milo Boyd

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So, two years on, it was with a similar sense of trepidation that my wife and I clambered aboard the SJ night train at Stockholm Central Station to take on one of Europe’s longest train journeys.

The Narvik Stockholm night train, officially known as Nattåg 94, connects the Swedish capital with Narvik in Norway, covering more than 1,500 kilometers each way. Departing from Stockholm Central Station in the evening, it takes about 18 hours to complete the trip.

Rather than tacking up the west along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, the train shoots straight up from Stockholm, trundling through some of Sweden’s 28 million hectares of forests, as well as flatlands and swamps.

The final stop on the line may be familiar to war history buffs. During WW2, the British Navy entered the Norwegian fjords through the ice-free, Gulf Stream-warmed port of Narvik in pursuit of Nazi ships. They launched a dramatic and comprehensive assault that would be Hitler’s first major strategic defeat of the war.

The reason the Allied and Axis powers threw resources at this far-flung patch of Lapland is iron ore. The northernmost Swedish city of Kiruna is home to the world’s largest underground iron ore mine, which now delivers 90% of all of Europe’s supply. Securing the ore and the trainline that has been delivering it to Narvik since 1902 was crucial for powering both sides’ war machines.

In March, 124 years after the route first opened, I hopped aboard the sleeper to Kiruna – two hours shy of the final stop, but well into the Arctic Circle.

It was, in a word, fantastic.

Upon entering my second-class private cabin, I was worried it’d be a little cramped for my wife and me. However, unlike the Caledonian Sleeper, which has two unmovable beds, the SJ’s three bunks can be flipped back into the wall. When you’re not kipping, the middle can be folded away, making way for a hidden backrest below and turning the bottom bunk into a comfy sofa.

My wife and I lounged in this set-up for the majority of our trip, reading our books and watching the Swedish countryside trundle on by, including the amusingly named town Bastuträsk (sauna swamp).

I would not be as bold as to argue that the Swedish landscape is as beautiful as the Highlands. Its lakes may be bigger and its mountains significantly higher, but there are few places as moving as Rannoch Moor or as stunning as the peak of Mam Ratagan Pass.

But equally, Sweden is no slouch in the beauty stakes, and it’s surprisingly varied. In riding up two-thirds of the country, you’ll see glistening blue lakes turn to great frozen expanses; the four mighty, free-flowing national rivers Torne, Kalix, Pite, and Vindel; more ancient forest than almost anywhere else in Europe; and finally the Kölen mountain range.

The train is certainly not new, but it has a solid, vintage feel that contrasts with some of the slightly flimsy modern trains I’ve ridden on. There was something unusually soothing about the reassuring clunk of the door and the Scandi-design approved clothes hooks. The addition of a Bakelite radio alarm clock above each bed was the cherry on the 70s cake.

Unlike in the Sleeper, where we’d stacked our bags in the bathroom due to a lack of cabin space, two storage racks just below the ceiling kept the gangway clear and the room spacious-feeling.

A similar design divergence came with the toilet. The Caledonian Sleeper’s en-suite option sounds luxurious, but in reality, it’s an unwanted, even unpleasant feature. The shower room doubles as a lavatory, with a heavy, workmanlike lid covering the toilet and serving as a place to perch beneath the stream. There was something a little alarming about sleeping so close to a mechanical, seemingly suction-powered WC, and claggy about steam and shower drizzle drifting into the bedroom.

On the SJ, the idea of an ensuite is abandoned. Instead, the cabins have a mechanical shower keycard, which can be used to open the shower at the end carriage. They have a changing area, a stack of thick, fresh towels, impressive water pressure, and even a hairdryer.

After a surprisingly good night’s sleep and a spruce up in the best on-the-move bathroom I’ve ever experienced, I was feeling fresh and ready to check out the buffet car.

The carriage is divided into four seating areas around solid tables, with windows along the length of the carriage. This, and the ‘påtår’ bottomless tea or coffee system in play, meant there was little else to do but sit back, relax and watch the Arctic slip by.

Book it

The starting price of the SJ night train from Stockholm to Kiruna is 1,125 SEK (£90) for a couchette and 1,695 SEK (£136) for a 2^nd class sleep carriage.

Book at www.sj.se/en

Disneyland Paris is opening World of Frozen later this month and we got a first look at the brand new Frozen Ever After ride, as well as where you can meet the princesses and see Olaf

Disneyland Paris is set to open its huge new World of Frozen land later this month – and I was lucky to get a sneak peek beforehand.

When Anna and Elsa open up the gates on March 29 in Walt Disney Studios Park (which will rebrand as Disney Adventure World on the same day), visitors will be treated to a host of exciting offerings in Arendelle.

That includes brand new ride Frozen Ever After (you can read my verdict on this one below), as well as meet and greets with both Anna and Elsa, interactions with a very impressive Olaf animatronic, and plenty more fun including a chance to hang out with Oaken ahead of his Big Summer Blowout, and chatting to the villagers to hear various fun tales from around the land.

There’s also a new restaurant, shows and heaps of Easter eggs for all Frozen fans. Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the new land – including my review of the new ride, and tips on where to actually meet the characters…

The new Frozen themed ride

For the first time (in forever), Disneyland Paris has a Frozen themed ride. ‘Frozen Ever After’ is a gentle boat ride where you sail through the Kingdom of Arendelle and head towards Elsa’s ice castle.

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It’s definitely a family-friendly ride but be warned there are a few drops along the way that caught me off guard – including one particularly steep section which was a little more thrilling than I had expected! The ride has all of the makings of that Disney magic; beautiful sets, impressive animatronics, and all of the iconic songs that have become such a staple in most families’ households (whether parents like it or not).

I think overall it’s going to be a hit; it’s got enough of the original Frozen magic for the kids, but for parents it’s got a bit more thrill and fun to it as well. The queue itself also features plenty of little surprises and sets full of hidden gems that will no doubt keep kids entertained while they wait for their turn to board the boats.

Where to meet the characters

If you want to meet Anna and Elsa, you’re going to have to book in for the experience. I think the system could actually work out better for families; no need to spend hours in a queue, and you can actually plan your day around the meet and greet if it’s going to be very important for your kids to meet the Arendelle royals.

If you do manage to bag a slot, the overall experience is pretty intimate feeling. There’s a waiting hall adorned with paintings of Anna, Elsa and their parents, as well as a few paintings you might recognise from ‘For the First Time in Forever’. You wander along the halls of the royal palace before turning a corner into a private room where Anna and Elsa are ready and waiting to greet you. It’s a lovely experience overall, and as you’re the only ones in the room with the princesses and photographer, it means families will get some proper quality time with them all.

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If you don’t book a slot, there are plenty of other character interactions throughout the land. Oaken can be found wandering around the land – and a simple ‘Yoohoo!’ call grabs his attention – or you can keep an eye out for the adorable baby troll Mossie who’s more than willing to have a natter. The Arendelle villagers are also around to chat to kids and share their favourite tales from the kingdom.

Even though I knew he was an AI-powered animatronic, he looked absolutely real – it’s a real feat of engineering. kids around us were in complete awe. Although it’s not a traditional ‘meet and greet’ with photos, you can watch him interact with a villager and the crowd, so it makes for a fun show. He’ll make his appearances throughout the day, so keep your eyes peeled!

New show and general atmosphere

The overall atmosphere at World of Frozen is just a lot of fun. A Celebration in Arendelle is a fun new show that takes place on the waters of the land’s bay, featuring Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff – another chance to get a glimpse of your favourites – with plenty of music and enchantment.

I was pretty blown away by the design of World of Frozen too; from the moment you walk up, you feel like you’re instantly transported into the films. The Nordic-inspired buildings, food and the instrumental takes on the film’s iconic soundtrack all come with a dose of that Disney magic, not to mention there’s so much attention to detail.

READ MORE: All the new rides and lands coming to UK theme parks in 2026 – full list

There are photo opps everywhere, but two main areas were a hit with the crowd when I was there; the first was the large ice-inspired fountain right by the entrance to the kingdom, and the second was in front of the entrance to ‘Frozen Ever After’, as you can get a picture with a mountainous backdrop that features Elsa’s ice castle too.

The food

World of Frozen has a brand new restaurant, the Nordic Crown Tavern. This quick service restaurant has a menu inspired by Scandinavian cuisine, featuring the likes of salmon, meatballs, quinoa and mashed potato.

Prices range from €12-€20 depending on what you choose, but the portions were pretty generous. I went for the vegan meatballs and mashed potato combination, and I was genuinely impressed at the quality – it left me feeling full up for most of the afternoon, but not so full that I couldn’t get a cheeky ice cream or two later!

The restaurant itself is full of charm, with portraits of the characters and paintings throughout, as well as hidden features (there’s a little cat that you can try and spot from the queue for the food), and it definitely felt like an extension of the rest of the land.

It’s only one part of Disney Adventure World

World of Frozen is undoubtedly the new land that’s got everyone excited, but it’s actually just one part of a much wider expansion for the theme park. Walt Disney Studios Park may be what Kristoff and friends would deem a ‘Fixer Upper’, but it’s being completed transformed into Disney Adventure World. That comes with heaps of fun new additions alongside the opening of World of Frozen.

This will include ‘Adventure Way’ where you’ll find another new ride; Raiponze Tangled Spin, a little bit like the teacups, inspired by the scene in Tangled where Flynn and Rapunzel sing ‘I See the Light’. There are also plenty of food stalls, fun interactions with the likes of Mickey, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins, and even a dance show featuring Rapunzel herself.

This is all laid out around a large lake which becomes the setting for the brand new ‘Cascade of Lights’ show at night. I won’t spoil too much, but let’s just say the drones, pyrotechnics and music were absolutely spectacular.

• Package prices start from £129pp per night, based on a Disney Hotel Cheyenne & Ticket package for 2 adults and 2 kids staying four nights/five days, between July 31-August 28. Subject to availability. You can find out more and book at disneylandparis.com.

It has been branded ‘brutal’ and ‘absolute hell’

The world’s longest bus journey spans 4,000 miles and has racked up a negative reputation. It takes over 100 hours to travel the route, which is roughly six days.

The journey connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans as it goes from Lima in Peru to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is made possible thanks to the Trans-Oceanic Highway.

The legendary Transoceánica holds the title of being the longest regularly scheduled, direct commercial bus route in the world.

It runs weekly by the Brazilian bus company and passes through coastal cities, savannas, wetlands, rainforests and the Andes Mountains.

The bus departs on Thursdays at 1pm and promises to be a ride passengers won’t forget. There are 44 regular seats and 12 sleeping berths on board. There’s also a toilet, small sink, water dispenser and Wi-Fi.

However, there are no showers on board. To be able to wash, passengers use facilities during the three scheduled stops per day at roadside stations.

The bus is driven by two alternating drivers, with one resting in a sleeping cabin while the other drives. According to Check My Bus, the ticket price is approximately R$1,300, which is around £186.

From the bus, passengers are able to see world-famous sites including the Amazon Basin, Andes Mountains, Christ the Redeemer and Machu Picchu.

Starting in Rio de Janeiro, the bus makes its way through São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Acre, until it reaches the border with Peru.

It then goes through the Peruvian Amazon, crosses the Andes and takes the Transoceanic Highway to Lima, the capital of Peru.

Despite the stunning scenery, some passengers have found the journey very tricky.

YouTuber Noel Phillips travelled the route and branded it “gruelling” and “absolute hell”. He said that on the bus, personal space was a non-existent concept.

In a video documenting the trip, Noel said: “Nobody has [headphones]; everyone just plays everything on full blast. And when they can’t hear it above everybody else’s, they just turn theirs up so in the end you just have 15 phones playing different things at 55,000 decibels.”

Noel admitted that by the time he reached Brazil, the journey felt repetitive. He faced a number of delays on his journey as well as a lack of heating on the bus.

A POPULAR ride at Thorpe Park has closed after nearly 40 years.

The Chertsey-based theme park’s Rumba Rapids was a river rapids ride where passengers would board a boat able to carry up to eight people at a time.

The ride originally opened back in 1987 as ‘Thunder River’ and was Thorpe Park’s first thrill ride, but has not been running since the end of the 2025 season.

Jack Silkstone, a theme park vlogger, posted a reel on Instagram announcing the news.

The post states: “After 39 years of soaking thrill seekers, Rumba Rapids at @thorpeparkofficial has now permanently closed.

“Join me as I take a trip down memory lane to look back at the history, rethemes and memories of one of Thorpe Park’s longest-running attractions.”

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Thorpe Park has shared the video to its Instagram story, as well as commenting on the video: “Thank you for helping us pay tribute to such an iconic ride!”

In an official statement, a Thorpe Park spokesperson told Sun Travel: “After nearly four decades of making a splash, Rumba Rapids at Thorpe Park has permanently closed.

“First opening as Thunder River in 1987, the iconic water raft ride has been soaking generations of thrillseekers ever since.

“While we don’t have plans to share just yet on what’s next, we’re always reviewing our line-up of world-class rides and attractions to make sure Thorpe Park remains the UK’s most thrilling theme park.”

Riders would begin at the highest point of the ride on a turntable belt before turning sharply and heading down a curve to make the boat spin.

The boat would then head into a tunnel with a waterfall effect, before exiting the tunnel and entering the wave section of the ride.

The riders would then pass under a bridge and pass a photo opportunity.

The Rumba Rapids was the park’s second-oldest ride at the time of its closure.

Taking to social media, several fans have expressed their sadness at the news.

One person commented: “Sad times. I always enjoyed going on this to have a break and a chill from all the coasters.”

Another person said: “End of an era, the soundtrack alone was ICONIC.”

Over the years the park has been rebranded a few times, including in 2002 becoming Ribena Rumba Rapids with the colour theming changing from yellow to purple and the ride got its own soundtrack.

In 2007, the partnership with Ribena ended and the ride became Rumba Rapids.

A decade later the ride was re-themed to fit in with the design of the Jungle area of Thorpe Park.

Thorpe Park also recently announced that they would be closing the waterpark after more than 35 years.

Instead, Amity Beach pool will be replaced with a new attraction called The Launchpad, which will be a recharge zone.

In other theme park news, an English seaside theme park has scrapped its entry fees and will soon have a huge new ‘showstopper ride’.

Plus, the European theme park you won’t have heard that’s revealed a huge £78million expansion plan and you can fly there for £14.