28 Jun 2015

The Big City Challenge




It's my 5 year Anniversary and for the occasion I'm going on a new adventure: The Big City Challenge!

The past 5 years have been one big social roller coaster. Friends and follower shaped my adventures around the world via social media. I met thousands of people like this and had countless beautiful experiences because of them. They also gave me 5 big challenges that put me far out of my comfort zone but together with them I managed to complete them all. What an adventure it's been...

5 years ago at the start of Camino de Santiago

The Big City Challenge

Now this time around it's not people but cities from around the world that challenge me. As usual NO guidebooks and NO search engines can be used and I will tackle their missions by being social online and of course in real life.




Each city gives me 5 missions and I tackle them with friends and followers from around the world. I don't know in advance what the missions will be so it'll be a big surprise for me as well. One of the missions will be chosen via the social media channels of the city.

But that's not all! There's a 'Social in [City]' meetup in every city! The goal is to bring locals and travelers together over a few beers and talk about the city, travel and being social.

So if you are around do swing by and celebrate 5 years of social travel adventures with me :-)



So far the following cities will put me to the test: Ghent, Leuven, Paris, Bruges, Rotterdam, Berlin, Den Haag, Utrecht, Edmonton, Whitehorse, Dawson City and Winnipeg. More info about when, what and how below.

If you are living or traveling in one of these cities please do get in touch and let's tackle the missions together! Everybody else is of course welcome to follow and shape the adventure via social media.


Be part of the adventure


In the moment 

Tune in to Twitter and Periscope to follow and influence everything as it happens.



Daily Updates 

Tune in to FacebookGoogle PlusInstagram and Tumblr and help me tackle missions and discover the best moments, stories and videos of the day.

   


The overview

Find all stories, videos and moments on PinterestGoogle Plus Collections and YouTube.

  


Behind the scenes

Get behind the scenes and more personal updates via Snapchat (socialtraveler) and my Newsletter.

 


The Hashtag

All content on social media is grouped via #BIGcc on Twitter and #TheBigCityChallenge on other platforms. There's also a unique hashtag per city #MissionCITY



The Cities


Ghent, Belgium

I'm super excited to kick off The Big City Challenge in this amazing city that I carry so close to my heart. I lived, studied and worked here for many years.



Dates: 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July

#MissionGhent

Social in Ghent Meetup
Dulle Griet - 7 pm - 4th of July

STORIES & MOMENTS

Ghent on Social Media

   






Leuven, Belgium

Another lovely Belgian city with beer (Leuven is the home of Stella) and students in its heart. Can't wait to see what kind of missions they come up with. I'm sure there'll be beer involved :-)


Dates: 9th, 10th and 11th of July

#MissionLeuven

Social in Leuven Meetup
Cube Hostel - 7 pm - 11th of July

Leuven on Social Media

   


Paris, France

It's a real honor to have Paris as one of the cities that wants to put me to the test. It is, after all, the most visited city in the world. I'll get my first missions on the 14th of July, the French national day! Awesomeness!


Dates: 14th, 15th and 16th of July

#MissionParis

Social in Paris Meetup
On the banks of Canal Saint Martin (exact location follows), 7 pm, 16th of July

Paris on Social Media

   


Bruges, Belgium

Proud to have this iconic Belgian city putting me to the test in its idyllic streets and canals.


Dates: 20th, 21st and 22nd of July

#MissionBruges

Social in Bruges Meetup
L'Estaminet , 7 pm, 22nd of July

Bruges on Social Media

   


Rotterdam, The Netherlands

In Rotterdam I'll be attending the Summer Carnival Street Parade. It's one of the biggest festivals in The Netherlands and it celebrates the cultural diversity of the city. The parade will set the stage for my missions in Rotterdam. That's gonna be very colorful and musical I'm sure :-)


Dates: 24th, 25th and 26th of July

#MissionRotterdam

Social in Rotterdam Meetup
Bazar, 7 pm, 26th of July

Rotterdam on Social Media

   

Berlin, Germany

Oh Berlin, how I love you so! We fell in love in 2013 and I'm beyond excited that Berlin is being part of this adventure as well. Super curious what kind of missions the city will cook up for me.


Dates: 28th, 29th and 30th of July

#MissionBerlin

Social in Berlin Meetup
Klunkerkranich, 7 pm, 30th of July

Berlin on Social Media

   

The Hague, The Netherlands

I've never been to The Hague but I heard great things about this city by the sea. I heard the city is beautiful and pretty hip and funky. Looking forward to explore!


Dates: tbc

#MissionTheHague

Social in The Hague Meetup
tbc

The Hague on Social Media

   

Utrecht, The Netherlands

Students, canals, history and a vibrant nightlife. I've visited the city a few times before and I have to say that I'm really fond of it. So bring it on Utrecht!


Dates: 7, 8 and 9th of August

#MissionUtrecht

Social in Utrecht Meetup
Café Olivier, 7 pm, 9th of August

Utrecht on Social Media

   

Edmonton, Canada

First stop after Utrecht will be Edmonton. The capital city of Alberta, Canada and very vibrant in the Summer. I was there last year with my beloved van Rose and people told me that the summer festivals in Edmonton Rock! Can't wait!


Dates: 13th, 14th and 15th of August

#MissionEdmonton

Social in Edmonton Meetup
tbc , 7 pm, 15th of July

Edmonton on Social Media

   

 Whitehorse, Canada

Back to the Yukon's Capital, Whitehorse! My visit to the Yukon last year was adventurous to say the least. Driving in -30°C and only a few hours of sunshine per day. Now I'll be there in summer and the conditions will be the exact opposite. Midnight sun, here I come!


Dates: 18th, 19th and 20th of August

#MissionWhitehorse

Social in Whitehorse Meetup
Dirty Northern, 7 pm, 20th of August

Whitehorse on Social Media

   

Dawson City, Canada

This little town is known for gold diggers, toe kissers, can can dancers and its awesome inhabitants. The biggest part of the inhabitants are people that stayed after a visit to the town. How cool is that! Looking forward to some epic missions and beautiful experiences.


Dates: 22, 23 and 24th of August

#MissionDawsonCity

Social in Dawson City Meetup
Westminster hotel, 7 pm, 24th of August

Dawson City on Social Media

   

Winnipeg, Canada

Winnipeg lays in the center of Canada and is also known as Winterpeg since it gets so darn cold in winter. Last year when I was there I was struck by the amazing mix of architecture across the city and its Eastern European and first nation people heritage. Beautiful people and souls all around.


Dates: 27th, 28th and 29th of August

#MissionWinnipeg

Social in Winnipeg Meetup
Tavern United, 7 pm, 29th of August

Winnipeg on Social Media

   



...  If you represent a city and you'd like to put me to the test as well then get in touch here.


Tell your Friends

Do you have friends that live(d) or travel(ed) in one of the cities above please do share this post with them. It would be great to meet them and who knows, maybe they can help me succeed in one of the missions.


Be Social ;-)



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