Please note, this competition is now closed.
Day 2
17:45pm
That’s a wrap, everyone! Paul is on the plane, taking off for London Stansted very soon. Thanks for following along and helping us design his trip. Looks like he had a fab time!
We don’t know about you, but we’re all wishing we were in Barcelona right now. If Paul’s trip has you dreaming of sunshine and tapas, you can launch a flight search to Barcelona here.
Don’t forget, you’ve also got until 11.55pm BST on Tuesday 31st May to enter our competition to WIN flights to Barcelona. Good luck!
17:15pm
Go on. We dare you…
One final task @Paul_Steele. Challenge the person next to you on the plane to a thumb war! We need photo evidence! #CheapflightsChallenge
— Cheapflights (@Cheapflights) May 19, 2016
17:00pm
The #CheapflightsChallenge has almost come to an end. Only 45 mins until Paul boards the flight home.
Room for one more airport challenge?
16:50pm
Paul passes a chocolate factory at the airport.
You know it’s a tradition to bring a bag full of chocolates back to the Cheapflights office after a holiday? *Note to you Paul*
16:40pm
Challenge passed with flying colours. Nice work Paul.
Ok @Cheapflights you wanted tacky you're getting it 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/dyaiBt5Y41
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 19, 2016
15:45pm
Alas on way to airport now. Souvenir hunt tbc!! 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge @Cheapflights
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 19, 2016
15:05pm
Monkeying around on the Barceloneta beach front.
14:40pm
Down to the last €25 now. Time for one last shopping challenge.
Thanks to Revolut for donating the spending money for the #CheapflightsChallenge.
Bring us back a present @paul_steele! Get the tackiest souvenir you can find for under 5 euros. #CheapflightsChallenge
— Cheapflights (@Cheapflights) May 19, 2016
14:35pm
14:30pm
As voted by you.
Cheers!
Challenge completed.. jug of sangria on the beach.. go! 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/lcJgDu69k2
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 19, 2016
13:35pm
13:30pm
You’ve decided to give Paul a well-deserved jug of sangria on Barceloneta beach. When in Spain…
13:00pm
Just leaving the market and heading to the beach. Last chance to vote in the latest poll to decide what Paul does on the beach. (Scroll down for poll).
12:30pm
Pig trotter challenge. Completed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJmV4ixRO9E&feature=youtu.be
12:12pm
Paul has been a busy man so far… we think he deserves a bit of a break. We’re sending him to Barceloneta beach for his last few hours in Barcelona. What should he do when he gets there? You decide. Get voting while he’s at La Boqueria market.
12:05pm
On the look out for a challenge at the food market. Don’t worry Paul, we won’t be that mean…
11:35am
Keep the suggestions coming for the food challenge… We couldn’t resist tweeting some tricky ones too.
Get a cone of ham!
— Samantha Shillabeer (@SamShillabeer) May 19, 2016
Chilli challenge!? 🌶 🌶🌶 Make sure you have some milk handy. @paul_steele @Cheapflights #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/lz3NooywrJ
— Cassie McClements (@CassieMcc) May 19, 2016
Try typical Catalan dishes in La Boqueria such as baked snails or stewed pig's trotters! #CheapflightsChallenge
— Esme Fox (@EsmeFox) May 19, 2016
11:10am
There’s still time to enter our competition. Bag yourself a trip to Barcelona here.
10:55am
Jardins de Joan Brossa. Done.
10:35am
The votes are in. Time for Paul to visit the Jardins de Joan Brossa.
10:30am
Hello from Montjuïc Castle overlooking Barcelona 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge
More @Cheapflights https://t.co/EQLcHnIaV1 pic.twitter.com/m6fXNJ8b05— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 19, 2016
10:00am
Quick-fire poll: Olympic Park or Jardins de Joan Brossa?
Voting now closed. Jardins de Joan Brossa is the winner.
09:35am
At the top… Montjuïc Castle.
09:25am
Taking in the views – great day for it!
09:15am
So many of you have recommended La Boqueria food market, so we’re sending Paul there after his cable car ride.
@paul_steele check out the local cuisine and food stuff at La Boqueria and have paella at Marta Amb Tu Cuinem 🙂
— Luis Roman de Jesus (@MilesAndBandaid) May 18, 2016
09:00am
Withdrawing some euros for a busy day ahead. Who knows what will be on the itinerary today?
Thanks again to Revolut for the spending money for the trip.
08:45am
Time for a spot of sightseeing…
08:30am
The public have chosen to send you on a cable car up to Montjuïc Castle. Enjoy the view!
Day 1
21:45pm
That’s it for tonight everyone. We’ll be back bright and early to send Paul on his first activity for the day.
Now for some much needed zzzz.
21:35pm
Don't take quick photos in flamenco club… you'd think I'd started a riot 😀#CheapflightsChallenge @Cheapflights
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
20:35pm
Paul, you’re on your way to a Flamenco show. Have fun!
20:20pm
It’s that time again… we need your votes. Where should Paul go first on day 2?
Voting for the activity poll has now closed. A ride on a cable car it is.
20:00pm
Paul tucking in to some delicious Tapas – as voted by you.
19:20pm
Cheapflights 1 – Paul 0
Hunted up and down Las Ramblas for a street performer.. non seen sorry! 😀 ok.. I'm hungry! #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/IA1FVPGb0D
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
18:35pm
“Take a selfie with a street performer on Las Ramblas.”
Okey dokey.. challenge on.. 😀#CheapflightsChallenge https://t.co/YMfcdlKtju
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
18:00pm
Still a few hours to go until dinner but we could do with your help deciding what Paul is going to eat tonight.
We’re not jealous at all – says the Cheapflights team whilst drooling.
Voting now closed for the dinner poll. Tapas it is!
17:45pm
Great suggestions on the neighbourhood.
17:30pm
Time to check in. Then off to explore the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas.
We think it’s about time for a challenge… Don’t you?
17:15pm
Thanks for the suggestion @wezwilde.
16:55pm
No luck cutting in line. Off to the pub for a cheeky pint instead.
@paul_steele get a crafty Guinness in the Irish pub opposite the 💒 #CheapflightsChallenge @Cheapflights #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/PLp4I3oujK
— wezwilde (@wezwilde) May 18, 2016
16:40pm
Phew! Made it. Hello from Gaudi's Sagrada Familia 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/dOnMOXLIz3
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
16:30pm
Paul is currently outside the La Sagrada Familia trying to sweet talk his way in… Wish him luck.
15:50pm
Hola Barcelona!
Paul hailed a taxi and is on his way to get that all important selfie at La Sagrada Familia. We can’t wait to see it.
15:00pm
You’ve decided to send Paul straight to La Sagrada Familia. He’ll be on his way shortly.
14:30pm
Half an hour left to vote…
Voting has now closed for the activity poll.
14:15pm
A big thank you to our friends at Revolut who donated £350 spending money for the Cheapflights Challenge! Paul will be able to send and spend money in Barcelona (or anywhere around the world) with no fees at all. Check out their site here: http://bit.ly/1snaGLm
13:50pm
Travel update: Paul is spotted flying over France.
13:35pm
Haven’t entered our competition yet? Bag yourself a trip to Barcelona here.
12:45pm
Bye bye rainy London.
12:20pm
First photo challenge completed. We’re impressed Paul!
Challenge you set for airport done!! Cabin crew pic! 😀 #CheapflightsChallenge pic.twitter.com/la0NRlHNE1
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
11:55am
Next up… activities. Where should Paul go straight from the airport?
Activity poll has now closed. Paul is heading to La Sagrada Familia.
11:45am
The votes are counted. Paul is staying in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Great choice! Now to browse the Cheapflights app for hotels.
11:30am
It’s time for a challenge Paul.
“Get a selfie with cabin crew or a pilot.”
On the lookout!! #CheapflightsChallenge https://t.co/pDB7dT3rq0
— Paul Steele aka BaldHiker (@paul_steele) May 18, 2016
10:45am
And he’s arrived at a rainy Stansted Airport.
10:15am
Where should Paul stay in Barcelona? Trendy Gràcia vs the historical Gothic Quarter?
You have until 11:30am to vote.
9:40am
All aboard the Stansted Express.
9:35am
Don’t forget to enter the competition to WIN a trip to Barcelona. We’ll be giving one lucky travel enthusiast and a friend the chance to follow in Paul’s footsteps. Recreating the exact journey that he takes. Enter here.
9:30am
Great news Paul. Everyone has voted and chosen to send you to Barcelona!
You’ll be on the 12:45pm flight from Stansted Airport.
9:00am
He’s on his way…
8:30am
He’s about to leave London Stansted Airport, browsing today’s flights on the Cheapflights app. Rome, Barcelona and Prague are all under £150 departing this morning.
Where should we send him next? VOTE NOW. Go, go, go…
Voting for the destination has now closed. And you’ve sent Paul to Barcelona.
7:30am
Paul Steele, aka the BaldHiker is at Cheapflights HQ ready and rearing to take on the #CheapflightsChallenge ahead. But where will we send him? That’s up to you…
Voting for the airport has now closed. And you’ve sent Paul to London Stansted Airport.
Gatwick or Stansted? Which airport should Paul head to?
The Contender:
Paul Steele, aka the BaldHiker. The world’s most influential travel writer, as reported by Mail Online.
The Challenge:
Paul will arrive at Cheapflights HQ in central London on Wednesday morning, ready for a 48-hour city break. But this is no ordinary trip… he will have no idea where he is heading and you (the public) will be creating his itinerary, live. Yep, that’s right, you’ll be sending him to the airport, choosing his destination, even deciding what he should have for dinner. We won’t make it easy for him, as there will be plenty of challenges along the way.
The Competition:
To add to all the excitement, we’ll be giving one lucky travel enthusiast and a friend the chance to follow in Paul’s footsteps. Recreating the exact journey that he takes.
Watch this space for our live blogging, starting early morning Wednesday 18th May. And keep an eye on our live commentary on Twitter. Follow us @Cheapflights, follow Paul @Paul_Steele, and keep an eye on the hashtag #CheapflightsChallenge to follow his adventure.