Competitours Puts You in the Amazing Race

by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) on Dec 24th 2008 at 11:30AM

I'm not a big fan of most reality TV, but I do enjoy The Amazing Race of course. What experienced world traveler hasn't watched that show and wondered how they might fare? Well now you can find out for yourself by taking part in a unique travel experience that puts you and a friend in a competition across Europe with a chance to win another trip at the end.

The newly launched Competitours pits teams of two against one another on a two week long adventure through five countries. Participants will take part in a series of "Competitasks" each day that are designed to immerse travelers in the culture of the countries they are visiting. The competitors are scored on creativity, resourcefulness, and teamwork rather than speed and quickness.

The first Competitour is scheduled to take place this spring, and much of the details are still shrouded in secrecy so as to not spoil the surprise for participants. We do know that the cost will be $2850 per person, including international airfare, ground transportation while in Europe, and lodging.

[via the National Geographic Intelligent Travel Blog]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Willy Dec 24th 2008 8:22PM

This would be fun -- but not a great opportunity to see the countries you're in. I guess if you have several weeks traveling, and you spend one of those weeks doing this with friends, it could be awesome, though.

Kraig Dec 24th 2008 8:23PM

I don't know. You have 14 days in five countries, and the tasks are designed to immerse you in the culture. Since it's not as fast paced as the Amazing Race, I think it could be a pretty great experience.

SteveB Dec 27th 2008 2:00PM

Hi Willy

Most package tour trips average about 1.5-2days pr city, that's about our timeframe as well. But whereby package tours have a fixed itin, with Competitours you wll customize our own itin in each city from a choice of 9-12 challenges at a mix of various mainstream and niche sites/attractions both intown outskirts and excursions. You'll really get a far more thorough lay of the land at each destination.

Hope that helps!

Feel free to zip me an email if I can be f additional assistance.

Kraig-

Thanks for bringing Competitours to the Gadling world!! Much Obliged!
Steve

william Jan 5th 2009 5:14PM

For those that want a try their skills at a truly global, around the world travel adventure competition...check out The Global Scavenger Hunt (www.GlobalScavengerHunt.com) ...they annually crown The World's Greatest Travelers and the 2009 event is scheduled to begin April 17th...

SteveB Jan 8th 2009 8:00AM

As a very satisfied 2004 participant in the Global Scavenger Hunt, I can vouch for the travel savvy and customer centric management team. It was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Competitours offers a more modest scope of travel for
those who would be interested in a team travel competition but might have a more limited means regarding trip length and cost.

Both trips are well worth investigating, and whatever choice a prospective traveler decides on, they will have a blast.

5 countries in 14 days is pretty fast-paced, but to win you'll need to be pretty up to speed on the places before you go. I reckon Competitours will be like a master-class - deep-dive learning on specific areas you're interested in.

Sounds like a blast. We're going to send some writers (not me unfortunately :-( ) to document the practice run in March.

Check out The Travel Editor.com's write up here:
http://www.thetraveleditor.com/article/1908/Feature_Article_Experience_Competitours_The_Amazing_Race_for_the_21st_Century.html