Latest news with #RaceAcrosstheWorld
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
I won Race Across the World – here are my money-saving travel tricks and the best destinations to holiday on the cheap
IN 2024, Alfie Watts became the youngest winner of Race Across the World - and since then he's visited a whopping 65 countries. Now, he's sharing his tips on how to holiday on a budget - and you can use lots of them too - from the Virgin Red loyalty scheme to making the most of laundry services at hotels. 8 Earlier this month, Alfie, 21, took on a challenge with Virgin Red to see how far he could travel using loyalty points. Using the scheme, he booked a trip from Johannesburg to London, to New York. While he says you have to pay taxes and charges on the flights, it still works out as being a lot cheaper. When Alfie spoke to Sun Travel, he insisted anyone can take advantage of the scheme, he said: "You can accrue Virgin points by spending with every day retailers. "Buying flights or train tickets can earn you points, or even if you sign up with Virgin Media for your WiFi." To get points you need to spend through the Virgin Red app, and it's not necessarily big items either, they work with brands like Tesco, Just Eat, M&S and Boots. Then use your points when you're ready to fly. Of course, using loyalty schemes isn't the only way to save money. As a frequent traveller, Alfie revealed there's something he won't spend his cash on - an extra suitcase. The cost of an additional bag can vary based on the airline, route, and whether its bought online or at the airport - but it can cost up to £140. 'I tried out the Race Across the World Experience in London' 8 8 Taking more luggage also means you have to take it with you for the duration of your trip, in and out of the airport, so it can be hassle. What Alfie suggested is to ditch the extra case and make the most of laundry services. He told us: "I don't think people appreciate washing and laundrettes enough. "Every hotel has a washing service, but also if you're in a town or city, they will have a laundrette, and it's so much cheaper. "You can wash them yourself too, but they can get so wet and it's hard to dry them out, unless you're in a really hot country - then you can just lay them outside." Another travel must-have for Alfie is an eSim. Rather than finding a phone shop to get a local sim, you can buy and download these onto your phone before you fly. You can choose a data plan and they're easy enough to top up if you're out and about and running low. Alfie said: "I think having an eSIM is an absolute essential. "I always, always use one because there aren't many mobile network providers any more and EU roaming doesn't apply in certain places." He continued: "When it comes to booking flights, I find there's a sweet spot at the six to eight week mark. "There's so much conflicting information, a lot will say book when the flights first get released. "But I've found that at around six weeks before the flight, then the prices will drop, given it's not the high season." There is one thing that Alfie won't compromise on, no matter the price. He revealed: "I'll never ever scrimp on safety. For example, I went to Venezuela and I did not care about spending £150 a night on a hotel in Caracas. "Staying out of the city was not a risk I wanted to take. You've got to be mindful of your surroundings - especially to any young people going backpacking." 8 8 Now, as for where to visit, Alfie gives us the low-down on where the cheapest holiday destinations are - and his favourites. He said: " Malaysia is number one, it's got so much variety, cultural diversity and it's so cheap." "Some of the cities are so developed it's hard to believe that's where you are. And the food, it's so authentic and you can get great dishes at the market for not a lot of money. "It's got all the bits of Southeast Asia that you love and it's completely safe, and the water's drinkable." Another country that Alfie recommends to travellers is Jordan. He revealed: "Jordan as a country is spectacular. People will go just for Petra, but the whole place is brilliant, you've got the desert and cities in the north. "The people are so friendly, and they love that you're visiting as a Brit." 8 Sticking to Europe, Alfie's other tip is that the further east you go, the cheaper it becomes. He added: " I went to Moldova, that was really cheap. And Uzbekistan had great value for money. "When I went, we were on the tourist trail which made things a bit more expensive. But we got a half an hour taxi which cost 20,000 UZS which is is £1.16." Alfie can't stop globetrotting and confessed the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean are on his bucket list, but there are places in the UK that are close to his heart too. "I love Orkney in Scotland, it's really hidden away and out of the tourist trail. "I went over Christmas and New Year so it was dark and cold but really beautiful. "And there's always a special place in my heart for Cornwall, specifically at the bottom of St Ives. "There are some islands that I need to see too, the Isles of Scilly - that's where I want to go next." Alfie also revealed how to get two bucket list trips cheaper than a holiday to Majorca. Here's what I thought when I tried the new Race Across the World The Experience – fans of the BBC TV show will love it. 8
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Meet Ben - South Wales contestant on BBC's new Destination X
Destination X will be hosted by Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon, and is described as a mix between The Traitors and Race Across the World. The new series will see contestants travel around Europe on a bus with blacked-out windows, trying to work out where in the world they are. At the end of each episode, the contestants will guess where they think they are, placing an X on a map. Whoever puts their X furthest away from the location is immediately thrown off the X-bus and eliminated from the competition. The last person standing will walk away with a cash prize of £10,000. Meet Ben - the South Wales contestant taking part in Destination X One of the 13 contestants taking part in series one of Destination X is 42-year-old Surf School Director, Ben, who hails from South Wales. Ben has "20 years' experience of doing some crazy activities" including the likes of surfing and cliff jumping. He is now looking to take part in Destination X to show his boys "that Dad's still got it". When asked why he thought he was selected by the BBC for the show, Ben said: "I have experience and am fairly capable in outdoor activities. "Being a surfer, you're used to dealing with lots of situations very quickly. A lot of my friends define me as affable. I get on with people quite well. "I've just spent a few weeks in a caravan with my family so can handle confined spaces." The 42-year-old has maintained a level of fitness, ready for the show, and mentally has been treating it "as if I was going to prison". Top 10 best British TV series Ben explained: "I'll be cut off from everybody and have got to deal with new people and environments that might be testing and challenging. "It'd be nicer to think I'm going to space as an astronaut." He said the thought of being away from his family, with no contact, for so long was making him anxious. "That's one of the things I might struggle with. The longest I've spent away from my kids in 10 years is five days, and in that time, I still spoke to them," Ben added. "But I'm looking forward to not having to check my phone and to having real conversations with people." His plan to win Destination X and take home the £100k is to "not think too hard about it". Ben explained: "Sometimes I will overthink things to a point that I come up with the wrong answer. "So I want to be myself, have fun with it and try to lead with my gut." If he wins, Ben said he would put the £100k towards helping his local community. He said: "My whole life I've put people first, above money. "But there is that conundrum that the communities I support are constantly looking for funding so it would help. "There's a number of accessible bits of equipment I'd like to design and build, and that money would give me freedom to be able to make that happen." Rob Brydon says "I'd be hopeless" on Destination X Rob Brydon also opened up about his time on Destination X, revealing why he wanted to be a part of the show and how he would have fared on the BBC series. The Gavin & Stacey star said: "I've never done a TV show on this scale before. I loved the idea of it, the combination of having to work out clues as to where you are and having to get on with each other. "It struck me as the best bits of The Traitors with the best bits of Race Across the World. "The other thing that attracted me was the scale of it and being a part of a show as ambitious as this, with as huge a crew and as huge a team. "I knew it would be a real challenge to see if I could steer that ship." Rob Brydon said he was surprised at how invested he became in the show. (Image: BBC/TwoFour) Brydon said he was surprised at how invested he became during the series. He explained: "It didn't take long at all to get really fully invested in it. "You get involved with the contestants and you feel for them when they are struggling, and you celebrate with them when they do well. "It was a far more involving experience than I was expecting." When asked about how he would fare on Destination X, Brydon commented: "I think I would be hopeless at the game, I would not have a clue and would be cruelly exposed as being not too bright at all!" Destination X contestants travel on a bus with blacked-out windows. (Image: BBC/TwoFour) He continued: "I would have struggled hugely with that (being on the bus for 30 days) as well, particularly the lack of sleep. "They have nice bunks but nonetheless you're sleeping on a bus. You lose your privacy; I would have found that very difficult indeed." RECOMMENDED READING: When to watch Destination X Destination X begins on Wednesday, July 30 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. There will be two new episodes every week, airing on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
How to watch BBC's Destination X, contestants and cash prize
With a lot of money up for grabs and only one winner who can scoop it, the contestants will need to do all they can to outsmart their opponents. Here's what we know about the new series Destination X from the concept to the contestants and how to watch. What is Destination X about? Actor and presenter Rob Brydon is the gamemaster who takes 13 contributors onboard the X-bus and asks them one simple question - where the X are they? With blacked out windows all they have to do is try and deduce where in the world they are because at the end of every episode they must place an X on a map. Whoever puts their X furthest away from the location is immediately thrown off the X-bus and eliminated from the competition. In the end one walks away with a big cash prize. Each of the 10 episodes sees Rob take the adventurers on another incredible leg of the journey - a trek that turns Europe into a board game with twists and turns around every corner. Challenges offer clues to those smart enough to figure them out but there are some red herrings scattered around too. Rob Brydon said: 'I've never done a TV show on this scale before. I loved the idea of it, the combination of having to work out clues as to where you are and having to get on with each other. It struck me as the best bits of The Traitors with the best bits of Race Across the World. 'The other thing that attracted me was the scale of it and being a part of a show as ambitious as this, with as huge a crew and as huge a team. I knew it would be a real challenge to see if I could steer that ship.' How much does the Destination X winner get? The winner of Destination X will receive a £100,000 cash prize for their efforts. Only one contestant can win so it's all to play for. Who are the contestants on Destination X? The new BBC series will see the following 13 contestants test their knowledge and puzzle-solving abilities with £100,000 at stake: Ashvin, 23, economics graduate from London Ben, 42, surf school director from South Wales Chloe-Ann, 27, historian from Oxford Claire, 51, retired detective sergeant from West Sussex Daren, 58, taxi driver from London Dawn, 33, care assistant from Derry Deborah, 62, crime writer from Lytham James, 23, e-commerce manager from Manchester Josh, 26, pilot from Dartford Judith, 28, nuclear engineer from Bristol Mahdi, 22, content creator from London Nick, 35, endurance athlete from Cornwall Saskia, 25, marketing executive from Birmingham Recommended reading: How to watch Destination X Destination X launches on Wednesday, July 30 at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer. There will be two episodes a week, airing on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to get tickets for Race Across the World's Manchester experience revealed
Race Across the World: The Experience, which originally first started in London, is coming to Manchester this year and ticket information has now been confirmed. The experience gives fans of the BBC series Race Across the World (RATW) a chance to race across the city much like the participants do on the programme, but on a smaller scale. Each series of the programme sees pairs race a stretch of the globe with no luxuries such as mobile phones, flights or credit cards – they only have the cash that a flight would cost. You'll have "no maps" and "no public transport" to help guide you, and you'll be against the clock. How to get tickets to Race Across the World: The Experience in Manchester Originally, when the attraction was announced, fans of the show could only sign up to the waiting list but now, we know exactly when tickets will be going on sale. CityDays explained that those who signed up for the waiting list will be able to access discounted presale tickets from Tuesday, July 22, giving them a 20% discount and 48 hours access before those who didn't sign up. The presale can be accessed by the website from Tuesday. The general release for tickets will take place on Thursday, July 24. Tickets will cost from £25 and can be bought from the link above. How long will the experience take to complete? The 4-5 km mission across Manchester will take between two and three hours to complete, allowing players to experience the city like never before, according to organisers. Players can expect to pass through famous landmarks, cultural hotspots and iconic pubs and cafes where escape-room-style puzzles await while interacting with characters on their phones, untangling directions and making crucial tactical decisions. Recommended reading: Race Across the World: The Experience coming to Manchester this summer Manchester Airport issues travel advice to passengers ahead of busiest summer yet Must-visit foodie spots you can fly to from Manchester Airport with cheap flights Who won Race Across the World 2025? Gaz and Yin were eliminated in the earlier stages of the competition, so four teams in the 14,100km (8,761-mile) race successfully crossed Asia, the world's largest continent, to make it to the finish line. Mother and son, Caroline and Tom, won series five of the BBC One show. Housewife Caroline, 60, and 21-year-old Tom became the first mother-and-son team to win after reaching the final checkpoint in Kanniyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, to claim their £20,000 prize.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
David Tennant's new show set to be 'axed' after its branded 'ITV's most expensive flop' in years
David Tennant's ITV game show The Genius Game debuted earlier this year but has failed to bring in substantial viewing figures and is now at risk of being axed David Tennant's new ITV game show has reportedly flopped in the world of TV amid very low viewing figures. The Genius Game first aired earlier this year in a timeslot that put it up against the popular BBC show Race Across The World and it appears the gamble has not paid off as the programme has now been branded as an 'expensive flop'. Hosted by the beloved 54-year-old Scots actor, best known for his role in Doctor Who, the show saw 11 'geniuses' battle it out in what was dubbed as a 'fiendish battle of wits' by the broadcaster to test their intelligence and try to clinch a top prize. However, only 1.2M ITV viewers tuned in for the first episode, according to figures from Broadcast Now, compared to the 3.1M viewers pulled in by Race Across the World in the same time slot over on BBC One. On its second episode, viewing figures for the Genius Game slumped to 846,000. According to the Radio Times, the low ratings for The Genius Game put the show at just half the 2.2 million average for the 9pm time slot on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Following the underwhelming response to the show's debut, Tennant's programme is now reportedly at risk of being axed, the Metro reports. A TV insider told The Sun that after the game show's finale failed to accumulate viewing figures to trump a BBC Two nature documentary about pangolins, the show's future isn't optimistic. Viewing figures for one evening were matched by Pangolins: The World's Most Wanted Animal which looked at why the scaly creatures are so endangered. The source told the publication: "Publicly ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. "Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. "But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equaled by BBC2, thanks to those pangolins." Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here an d get the latest news sent straight to your messages Another insider previously told the publication that while Tennant is a beloved household name, his involvement with the show resulted in increased costs, meaning the disappointing ratings came as an even bigger blow to ITV. According to The Sun, the reality game show cost a whopping £2.5M to make but only drew an average of £661,000 by the end of its run. ITV shifted The Genius Game to Wednesday slots for the latter part of its run, with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? celebrity specials taking the Thursday slot. An ITV spokesperson told The Sun no decision regarding the show's future has been made as of yet.
