preloaddefault-post-thumbnail

Please note, this competition is now closed.

19:20pm

That’s a wrap, everyone…

Paul has completed his Cheapflights challenge in Malta. 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 Malta right now. If Paul’s trip has you dreaming of sunshine, turquoise sea and grilled octopus, you can launch a flight search to Malta here.

Don’t forget, you’ve also got until 23:55pm BST on Sunday 9th October to enter our competition to WIN flights to Malta. Good luck!

18:55pm

St Julian’s, it’s been a pleasure.

18:45pm

Current location – Badass Burgers St Julian’s.

17:50pm

Well, seeing as we love Malta. Let’s see how Paul gets on with this challenge…

17:45pm

Made it to St. Julian’s Bay.

17:35pm

What’s the verdict Paul?

Kinnie, Malta’s favourite soft drink, is a unique tasting bitter-sweet soft drink with orange flavouring and aromatic herbs.

16:55pm

It’s challenge time…

16:00pm

We’re just going to leave next week’s weather forecast here…

And this…

Enjoy!

Search flights to Malta

15:45pm

It was never in doubt, OF COURSE you want Paul to swim at Golden Bay beach. We hope he has his trunks ready…

15:33pm

14:40pm

It’s that time again. Paul’s at Popeye Village and we’re giving you the chance to decide what he does next. Should he take a dip at Golden Bay beach? YES or NO?

Poll closed. You voted Yes to send Paul swimming.

14:35pm

Hello Popeye Village.

14:30pm

We know where we’d rather be…

14:20pm

Fact of the day. There are no forests, mountains or rivers in the whole of Malta.

14:05pm

And a quick visit to The Mdina Dungeons before he sets off to Popeye Village.

14:00pm

Hanging out with the knights of St. John.

13:50pm

Popeye Village it is. Toot toot!

13:15pm

Where should Paul head to next?

This poll has now closed. You’ve sent Paul to Popeye Village.

13:05pm

You chose octopus. Paul Steele ate it.

12:30pm

We can hardly tell the difference… We’ll give you that one Paul.

What’s he doing this far south of the wall?

12:15pm

Should Paul take a trip to Popeye Village? Originally built as a film set for the production of the 1980 musical production ‘Popeye’.

12:10pm

The hunt to find a Jon Snow lookalike is still on…

12:00pm

Paul takes a snap of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a 17th century masterpiece located in the heart of Mdina.

11:45am

Hope you’re hungry Paul?

This poll has now closed… octopus it is.

11:40am

Wow, what a view.

11:10am

If all of this excitement has made you want to jump on the next plane to Malta. You can launch a flight search on the Cheapflights website here. Remember you can also book your hotel with us too. Just take a look at the pad Paul is staying in, fancy hey?

11:05am

We think it’s about time for a challenge. Don’t you?

11:00am

Recognise these gates? Mdina – commonly called the Silent City, was the setting in Game of Thrones season one when Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel ride into King’s Landing to investigate the attack on Bran.

10:55am

Off to King’s landing we go…. (aka the old gate of Mdina).

10:45am

This could have been Paul if you voted to send him to St Paul’s Pool this morning.

via GIPHY

10:30am

Time to get voting…

This poll has now closed. You’ve decided to send Paul to the Old Gate of Mdina. 

10:25am

Which Maltese filming location should our travel blogger Paul Steele visit today? King’s landing or Littlefinger’s brothel? He better be quick… Winter is coming.

via GIPHY

10:20am

Did you know? Malta’s Megalithic Temples are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.

10:15am

Time for a selfie at the 5,000-year-old Hagar Qim temple.

10:12am

Rainy day activities in Malta. Beats the cinema right?

9:40am

Fun fact: Maltese fishing boats (luzzu) have painted eyes to protect fishermen while at sea.

9:30am

Malta still looks great, even in drizzle.

9:10am

Paul won’t let a bit of rain dampen his spirits.

7:00am

Good morning Malta. Soaking up the sights with a morning coffee on the terrace.

9:30pm

And that’s a wrap for day number 1… Tune in tomorrow morning to follow Paul as he continues on his #CheapflightsChallenge in Malta.

9:15pm

Should Paul take a boat ride in the Blue Grotto sea caves or dive into the crystal clear waters St. Peter’s Pool? Vote now…

Voting has now closed. Paul is on his way to the Blue Grotto. 

8:41pm

8:15pm

Paul explores Valletta by night.

8:00pm

And we’re live…

7:43pm

Paul gives the local cuisine a go… How does the rabbit stew taste?

7:10pm

Malta’s Blue Grotto or St Peter’s Pool. Where should Paul go in the morning?

7:00pm

Stay tuned Facebook fans…

6:50pm

You’re sending Paul to The Pub. Not the most original name in the world, but we hear they do a good pint!

6:08pm

Here’s Malta, showing off again.

5:30pm

Voting has now closed. You’ve chosen to send Paul to The Pub.

5:25pm

Time for a night cap?

4:55pm

Malta has just been revealed as the top ‘secret’ destination to visit by Lonely Planet. We can sure see why…

4:36pm

It’s time for another challenge.

4:30pm

Looks like Malta has red post boxes too.

4:15pm

Did you know? Malta has the most public holidays of any country in the EU – anyone else fancy relocating?

4:00pm

2:25pm

The public voted…

2:15pm

Fun fact: The red phone box is not only a familiar sight on the streets of the United Kingdom but also Malta due to the British history. They were designed in the colour red to make them easy to spot.

2:10pm

Voting has now closed. Paul is going on a horse and carriage ride. 

2:00pm

It’s time for challenge number 2.

1:50pm

What a view.

1:30pm

Tummy full. Time to explore the streets of Valletta.

1:15pm

Well deserved, we reckon!

13:00pm

When in Malta…

12:50pm

What should Paul do after lunch?

12.45pm

We’ll go easy on you Paul with the first challenge…

12.30pm

You’ve decided Paul is having a pastizzi for lunch. We hope you’re hungry Paul!

12:00pm

It’s approaching lunch time. Get those votes in.

Voting for the poll has now closed.

11:50am

Poll update: Pastizzi is in the lead. Bring us back one Paul!

11:35am

Did you know? Malta isn’t just 1 island, it’s 7. Gozo, Comino & Malta are the largest and the others are uninhabited.

11:30am

Paul has picked up his car – thanks to our friends at CarTrawler. He’s all set for an adventure around Malta.

Feeling inspired? Plan your own road trip with car hire at Cheapflights.

11:10am

We hope you’re hungry Paul. It’s now between Pattizi and Rabbit Stew.

11:00am

Weather update.

10:50am

10:45am

Fun fact of the day. Britney Spears’ great-great grandfather was born in Malta.

10:30am

Pattizi and Sea urchin pasta is neck and neck… Which would you rather try?

10:15am

It’s time to get voting again. Which Maltese delicacy should Paul tuck into for lunch?

10:00am

Hello Valletta. You’ve sent Paul to the waterfront.

9:40am

Travel update: Paul is almost in sunny Malta.

“We’re not at all jealous.” says the team at Cheapflights HQ. 

5:45am

Paul has arrived at Manchester Airport to take on the #CheapflightsChallenge ahead.

Vote now to determine the first thing Paul does when he gets to Valletta. Voting closes when he lands.

Voting for the poll has now closed. And you’ve sent Paul toValletta Waterfront.

The Contender:

Paul Steele, aka the Bald Hiker, is back for another Cheapflights Challenge (don’t remember the first one? Catch up here). And he’s ready and raring to go.

The Challenge:

We’re sending the ‘world’s most influential travel writer’ on a 48-hour trip to the beautiful island of Malta (on a flight booked via Cheapflights’ smart search, obviously). He’ll be packing a lot in to two days and, the best part is, where he goes and what he does is entirely up to you. We’ll be hosting polls on this blog post throughout the challenge, and you can vote to decide his itinerary. Maybe you want him to tick off some Game of Thrones filming locations. Or perhaps you’d like him to check out the incredible beaches. Whatever he does, we won’t make things easy for Paul – we’ll be setting him plenty of challenges along the way!

About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

Explore more articles