Cranking up the heat, My Destination took the competition to sweltering extremes with last night’s BBB challenge: a Firewalk.  No one said it would be easy. After preparing themselves mentally and physically with a series of emotional exercises, the group connected through discussions about individual life goals and ambitions. A circle of trust was established. Not to be entered into lightly, this ritualised practice of firewalking derived from the Hopi Indians can only be achieved through positive thinking and a semi-meditative state. We should know, My Destination’s own Miss Anna Lucy Terry got a smack on the hand for not taking things seriously (naughty, naughty)!

Before taking to the coal-bed stage, the finalists first took part in a ceremonial ‘Arrow Breaking’ session to eliminate all fears and limitations. Jotting down their biggest fears on the body of the arrow, they crushed the spires on wooden boards to eradicate feelings of dread. Finally, a symbolic sheet of parchment was burnt amongst the billowing plumes of the fire.

It was time.

Stepping up to the mark, Ricardo valiantly launched himself forward across the hot embers. Braving searing coals to the shouts of “Get off the couch!” his proactive nature was plain for all to see. Josh followed suit embodying of a human hot potato, leaping from one foot to the other in an overzealous manner. He self- titled this unique style the chicken walk. The Vagabrothers chose to celebrate their year of harmony by crossing the finish line together whilst the girls showed solidarity by walking through to chants of “Girl Power!”

Everyone came out the other side unscathed, emotionally drained and physically exhausted. All except Dave who took a tumble at the final hurdle, landing on a thorny bed of stinging nettles – the less said on this the better!

For this reason, there was no sole winner on this task; only a badge of honour for everyone who laughed in the face of danger and showcased their true inner strengths.

You lot have true cojones. Not to mention asbestos feet.

A huge thanks to the firewalk instructors at Lisa Clifford for making this challenge possible.

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Hotfooting it to the Finish Line

As Day Two of Winners’ Week dawns, we can’t help but think the contestants are in for a treat!

The Top 10 will begin the day by getting another little taste of what York has to offer, as we sweeten the deal with a creative culinary task.

Then the daring group will be high as a kite at the thought of the afternoon’s activity, but which cheeky monkey will come out with flying colours?

Still wired from the afternoon’s challenge, the buzzing finalists will stir up a storm when they see what we’re throwing into the mix at the evening’s events.

Want to see what they’re up to?  Follow the action on the blog, keep up to date on Facebook and chat to the #MyBBB community (including the Top 10) on Twitter!

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Winners’ Week: Tuesday – Leap of Faith!

Following a quick stop off at Platform 9 and ¾ (or King’s Cross for us local Londoners), the contestants were ushered onto a train out of town.  Cody couldn’t contain his excitement when he thought they were being taken to Hogwarts but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. York beckoned.

After traversing the city walls and hopping aboard a whistle-stop tour by bus, the finalists were allotted their first task of the day: a treasure hunt around the historic streets of York.  Under the watchful eye of question master Matthew, riddles and clues were doled out over the course of the day. All was fair in love and war as they scrambled over Roman walls, burrowed beneath medieval bridges and deciphered Da Vinci Code-esque clues, all in a bid to amass the largest amount of metaphorical gold (euros in this case). Joining forces for the day Team Canada included Véronique, Giselle, Cody and Ricardo (an honorary Canadian), Team AfroThunder banded together João, Nasuna, Ceara and Josh, whilst Team Forked Up (don’t ask!) featured none other than Barbara, Dave and the Vagabrothers.

Matthew did his best to reign in the unruly lot but their boundless enthusiasm was uncontainable.  Pestering members of the public and approaching the mayor of York himself, doors were slammed in their faces as they went up against the clock. Fluttering his eyelids to get ahead, Josh proved there was nothing he wouldn’t do to reign supreme. Dave lagged behind looking like a lost puppy scrounging for treats, while Ceara leaped around looking for toilet facilities and chatted to every single person in sight. João managed to lose his team three times on the trot and Team AfroThunder decided it was all a bit much, throwing in the towel to get ice cream instead. Pipping everyone to the post, however, Team Forked Up showed they could handle the heat on the hunt, solving all the clues to finish first.

So the question left on everyone’s lips: are the contestants gold diggers or do they really have hearts of gold?

That, my friends, is yet to be decided…

A special thanks to Exploring York for taking the contestants on such a fantastic tour of the city.

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Gold Diggers or Hearts of Gold?

It’s Day One of the highly anticipated Winners’ Week and boy are they in for a scorcher!

As the terrific Top 10 hot-foot it up to the historical city of York, they’ll spend the day on a fierce hunt to find the city’s most prized sights.

As evening draws in, the night’s events look to be hotting up with a surprise in store for the contestants… But who can handle the heat, and who’ll be left out in the cold?

Want to see what they’re up to?  Follow the action on the blog, keep up to date on Facebook and chat to the #MyBBB community (including the Top 10) on Twitter!

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Winners’ Week: Monday – York’idding Me!

Thrown together in a cacophony of cameras, cuddles and catch-ups, our Top 10 were greeted by the My Destination team for an initiation to Winners’ Week at London Waterloo.  Starting gently, we led the bamboozled lot to Southbank for celebratory a Bucks Fizz and regal greeting from CEO Neil.

Hot-footing it to the Thames’ edge, we led them aboard the London Eye River Cruise for a crash course in local history and culture before a snappy cinema trip at the attraction’s 4D experience. Next, our 10 were whizzed around the London Eye itself for a bird’s eye view of the capital.

Testing their navigational skills, we wandered over the river towards our next appointment where Dave and Barbara took a wrong turn, resulting in an arduous (10 minute) quest of crossing paths and disappearing bridges – Barbara was so worried for her life, she nearly turned cannibalistic!

Catching up with the cheeky duo, the evening was spent in a medieval lair, singing merry tunes, shouting at ‘WENCHES!’ and glugging on frothy mead.

Check out our footage from the first day of Winners’ Week  and stay tuned for more…

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And so it begins…

 As one of the UK’s most charismatic cities, Bristol plays host to hordes of tourists each year.  It would be an easy task to follow in the footsteps of this crowd, however, there is nothing to be gained from being part of the mundane masses. Instead, why not learn how to navigate the city like a true local and experience Bristol as one of its own?

What to do

Bristol is a city dedicated to cycling and with over 3,000 bike parking spaces, traffic free routes and designated cycling paths, Bristol ranks among Europe’s greatest cycling cities. The Bristol Bicycle Project specialises in retrieving and repairing unwanted bikes and then donating them to those in need. The project also has bikes for hire for just £25.  If you fancy seeing Bristol’s neighbouring town, Bath, why not head for the Bristol to Bath cycle path? The path is 13 miles long so not a jog in the park however, if you ever get tired there are plenty of refreshment stops en-route.

If you are looking for some decent entertainment in Bristol, the Tobacco Factory theatre is a safe bet. Sat in Bristol’s ever-growing Southville area, it consistently showcases innovative and inspiring works of drama which continue to draw in Bristolians from all walks of life. The company recently also opened up a second theatre, ‘The Brewery’ which, with 90 seats, is an even more intimate venue.

Where to go

Stokes Croft is a self-sustained cultural wonderland that carries much of Bristol’s renegade spirit. Way off the tourist trail, it feels almost like its own town. Its roads have long become art galleries; filled with murals and graffiti which often strike political notes in the area. Stokes Croft houses countless of quirky businesses that offer a different viewpoint from the cities more commercial venues, such as Cafe Kino. Cafe Kino is a worker co-operative with a longstanding commitment to ecological practices and ethically-sourced food. It also regularly invites its customers to life drawing classes.

Sat on the scenic Habourside, El Puerto is a Spanish tapas restaurant that has called Bristol its home for over eight years now. With its Mediterranean offerings and its charming atmosphere, it has become one of the most popular places to eat in Bristol. If you, like so many of us, feel like forgetting about England’s grey clouds (at least for a meal), then this is the spot. On Wednesdays nights it also puts on thrilling jazz shows where all of the city’s jazz-cats come out to play.

Where to party

With stage diving and crowd surfing fully encouraged, The Fleece is the definitely the place to go if you are hoping for a no holds barred night. As one of the largest music venues in Bristol The Fleece has gathered a loyal following and plays host to some of Bristol’s best nights out. As well as showcasing household names, The Fleece continues to nurture up-and-coming talents. Radiohead and Oasis are just two of the bands who played their hearts out at The Fleece during their years of bunking up.

                               Photo Credit: Flickr Shirin Kasraejan

The Coronation Tap cider house has stood in Bristol’s Clifton neighbourhood since the 18^th century. In its time it has seen mayors come and go, witnessed Bristol thrive and languish and even survived a war, yet the demand for its cider never dulled. By now the Coritap has pretty much become a landmark and remains one of the bars in Bristol the locals just can’t get enough of. The atmosphere is exciting and their cider is yet to be rivalled so, if you fancy a cheerful drink then there is no better place.

                                                         Photo Credit: Flickr dichohecho

Bristol remains one of England’s cultural gems and is definitely worth a trip. Be sure to explore the city as a true local would and discover all of Bristol’s hidden quirks, because it keeps its secrets hidden well.

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How to Live Like a Local in Bristol

The time has come! The Biggest, Baddest Bucket List Top 10 Finalists have landed on UK soil!

After welcoming the weary winners to our shores, we’ll ship them off for an afternoon at one of London’s most famous sites.  But don’t worry, it’s not all plain sailing, we’ll be keeping a beady eye on them as the night draws in and the celebrations start…

Want to see what they’re up to?  Follow the action on the blog, keep up to date on Facebook and chat to the #MyBBB community (including to Top 10) on  Twitter!

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Winners’ Week: Sunday – A Warm Welcome

During my flight to the land of leprechauns and Guinness, otherwise known as Ireland, I took some time to consider my trip expectations. Apart from the aforementioned mythical creature and beer, I associated Ireland with green hills, funny accents and shamrocks. In other words, a whole bunch of stereotypes.

While Guinness and greenery were certainly in abundance and there were a few laughable phrases – ‘tirty-tree’ became the mantra of the trip – Ireland really surprised me and took my breath away with its stunning natural beauty.

As we drove along the north coast of Ireland, we made our first scenic stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Ballintoy, County Antrim. The walk to the bridge affords some stunning coastal views and then it’s time to face your fears as you cross the Rope Bridge, located 30 metres above the sea. To be honest, unless you have a crippling fear of heights, you should be okay…

Next stop was the famous Giant’s Causeway. As the name suggests, this unique rock formation is rumoured to be the handiwork of a giant called Finn McCool, who attempted to bridge the gap between Ireland and Scotland. Others say the thousands of basalt columns are the result of a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. I think I like the first explanation better…

We took the coastal walk along the cliff tops before descending down to the shore and the Causeway, where we leapt from step to step. The Atlantic Ocean acted as the perfect backdrop for some quality photos and as we gazed around the awe-inspiring columns, it was easy to see why the Causeway is the stuff of legend:

Journeying between Galway and Limerick, we paid a visit to the famous Cliffs of Moher, situated on Ireland’s south-west coastline in County Clare. The Cliffs have been immortalised in a number of movies and television shows over the years, including appearing as the Cliffs of Insanity in the 1987 film, The Princess Bride.

From the Visitor Centre, you can walk to the left or right or both to get different viewpoints of the cliffs. Wherever you end up, you’re guaranteed to get some spectacular shots:

While Ireland’s coastline has a lot to boast about, let’s not forget the country’s many castles. Not only do these aging ruins remind us of a time long ago, they can also be the centrepiece in a memorable photo. Our trip saw us visit Dunluce Castle, Dungaire Castle, Bunratty Castle and my favourite, Blarney Castle.

Located near Cork, Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone, as well as a Poison Garden, Wishing Steps and the Witch Stone. Legend has it that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will be endowed with the gift of eloquence. Winston Churchill visited and kissed the Stone in 1912, so this may be more than a legend…

Finally, a blog about scenic Ireland wouldn’t be complete without the Ring of Kerry. This circular trail can be found in the country’s south and has many roadside stops where you can take in the endless amounts of beautiful coastal and mountain views.

While they say photos never really do a place justice, I think one thing is pretty clear: from top to bottom, east to west, Ireland is an absolutely beautiful country… to be sure, to be sure.

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Scenic Ireland

When planning an accessible holiday for a person with a disability you have to think long and hard about what facilities and services you will require, but you have the added headache of figuring out how to get there in the first place!

This is why putting in the hard yards to thoroughly research and plan your holiday in advance will pay dividends when holiday time arrives. So using our experience here at Vitalise we are going to show the typical barriers you may come up against, together with some great sources of info to help you sidestep the bear traps.

Let the train take the strain?

The golden rule is plan ahead! There are lots of different railway companies all with different ways of doing things, so get planning as early as you can to give them time to ensure every stage is accessible. If you do, you’ll find that rail operators can help you in all sorts of ways, including with the nuts and bolts stuff like help getting on or off a train. Start here, with National Rail Enquiries.

Alternatively get a Disabled Person’s Railcard. At only £20 a year, this entitles a disabled person and an adult companion to a third off a standard or first class fare anywhere in the UK.

Come fly with me?

Despite the legislation which guarantees the rights of people with disabilities to an accessible and dignified flight, horror stories often ensue. But don’t panic; as always, the best way to ensure a stress-free flight is to plan ahead and know your rights.

Get started with Directgov’s webpage for disabled travellers and consult Your Rights to Fly, a short guide published by The Equality and Human Rights Commission. These sources will give you the ammunition you need to approach your chosen airline with confidence.

Home from accessible home?

There’s no point in doing all that hard work and easy journey if you end up a virtual prisoner in your own hotel. Make sure that your destination can cater for your needs; will you be able to get down to the beach in a wheelchair? What about the local restaurants and other attractions? Luckily this area of research is very well served with some excellent infomation and accessible travel guides.

Start your research at Tourism for All, a website dedicated to accessible travel and holidays in the UK and overseas.

Specialist support

An accessible journey and accommodation may not be sufficient for some disabled travellers with high care needs. In these cases an extra level of support is required in the form of care and nursing staff on-site. This type of provision is not widely available, but the good news is that there are more providers of such specialist services out there than you might think.

A good place to start is Holidays for All, which provides holidays for those with high care needs.

Insure yourself!

For a non-disabled person, travel can sometimes be fraught, but if you have a disability there is so much more to consider, not least of which is the possibility that you will be unexpectedly unable to travel due to a complication with your disability. That’s why cancellation insurance is a must. There are a number of specialist companies out there, such as Orbis.

And there you have it; these are the main things you need to remember when you’re booking a holiday for those with disabilities. 

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What to Consider When Booking a Holiday for a Person with Disabilities

This weeks Big Blogger Interview is with Traveling Ted. Enjoying outdoor adventures along the way, Ted was bitten by the travel bug at the young age of 10. Ted talks to us about the nicest man he has ever met, discovering Guyana and reminisces on his trips with his dad.

You’ve been travelling around since you were 10 when you would go along on yours dad’s travels. What was it about travelling that appealed to you at that age and what’s your most memorable travel experience from when you were younger?

When I was younger I really enjoyed seeing wild animals and birds.  I loved being outdoors for the opportunity to see bear, deer, moose, and birds like herons, eagles and hawks. When we would drive to wild places I would be in the back of the van with my eyes glued out the window with the hopes of seeing a deer or something else exciting.

There are so many travel memories from when I was younger that it is hard to pick one, but if I had to it would be a two week hike on Isle Royal National Park. This park is an island in the middle of  Lake Superior with wolves and moose and very few people. We hiked up and down the island and spent two weeks in the wilderness. 

With a goal to give tips to fellow travellers, your website gives great advice from planning trips to gaining followers on Twitter. What’s the best piece of advice you can give?

I would advise all travellers to find a spot on the globe they have barely heard of before and check it out. I did this with Guyana in South America. If you are a blogger you become the travel expert on that country. If you are not a blogger, it makes you interesting to your peers because everyone will want to know what this place is like. There are plenty of safe countries around the world that are lightly travelled and fit this mould.

Hiking, canoeing, skiing and fishing are some of your favourite outdoor travel-related adventures. What’s been your biggest and best adventure so far?

My three month trip to Southeast Asia was the most adventurous trip I have ever done. I would say to pinpoint it even further would be my two days in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. I ended up stranded at the gates of the park and had to walk 13 kilometres to the campground through tiger country uphill with a full backpack on. Fortunately, I was picked up rather quickly by a group of Thai college students who took me under their wing and fed me, gave me drinks, and let me go on their night safari with them. 

You’re a very active person and you’ll even be running the Chicago marathon in October. Do you tend to plan your travels around your sports or your sports around your travels? 

That is a really interesting question. Most often I pick a place that appeals to me and then research the adventure activities later. Hiking, canoeing/kayaking, and fishing are activities that can be done just about anywhere. The Chicago Marathon is in my home town, so that really does not count for travel; however, I did do the Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon in Wisconsin so that is a time I travelled around my sport activity. Next year I plan on doing a cross-country ski marathon in Canada and in future years I hope to do some in Europe and maybe even Japan and Australia.

You have some great daily travel photos on your website. Can you share some of your favourites with us?

Here are a couple. Due to posting this picture, I was contacted by McGraw-Hill Textbooks who purchased a copy for a College Biology textbook. This is my first piece of photography I have ever sold. It is a picture of my mom and dad hiking through the swamps of the Everglades National Park in Florida over 20 years ago. I also really love snow pictures being an avid skier; I never tire of snow on top of pine trees next to a skiing trail.

Whilst you do specialise in outdoor adventure travel, you also enjoy the cultural side of travel, like meeting new people. Which characters from your travels stand out the most and why?

When you travel there are two types of people you interact with: other travellers and the people who live in the country you are travelling in.  Here is one from each group.  On a Halong Bay boat cruise I met a really cool Australian named Neal, who was a blast to hang out with. We drank many beers together and we then decided to fish with these bamboo poles… the pictures tell the story. Another stand out person was a Thai fellow named Lex who helped me out of a big jam when a lady friend and I ran out of gas in a car we rented in Chiang Mai,Thailand. We were in the middle of nowhere, and he drove me to a gas station on his motorbike and then back to the car.  After that problem was taken care of, he took us out for drinks at the local bar. He refused any payment for the help and then refused to let us pay for the drinks. He is the nicest person I have ever met in my life.

Of course this interview wouldn’t be complete without asking you this: What’s the deal with the fanny pack!?

One thing I love about travelling is how liberating it is. You are out on your own and you have no cares in the world about how you look and how you dress. It is almost like another existence than from what you lead at home. I started seeing some online posts making fun of the fanny pack and those who wear it. I took a little bit of offense to them, so I started to be the e-defender of the fanny pack. I find them to be useful when I travel, and I don’t really care how they look. I got an email last year from someone who started International Fanny Pack Day on the 2^nd Saturday in March, and I embraced the idea. 

With 20 countries and 36 states under your belt (or fanny pack), you’ve travelled a fair amount of Chicago, North America and other parts of the world including Asia. Where are you planning on journeying to next?

In the immediate future I am going to the Stagecoach Music Festival in Palm Springs, California, Red River Gorge in Kentucky, and the TBEX travel blogger conference in Toronto. My only other planned trip is Seattle,Washington for a week in July. Other than these trips, I have no concrete plans but a trip back to Guyana is possible as is Costa Rica, as well as a canoeing trip to Canadaor maybe a hiking trip back to Isle Royal.

Thanks Ted! Good luck in your upcoming sporting events and other travels! If you want to keep up with Ted’s travels, visit www.travelingted.com. 

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Big Blogger Interview: Traveling Ted