THE REVERSE POLAR EXPRESS
FROM THE ARCTIC TO THE MEDITERRANEAN
MANCHESTER → HELSINKI → STOCKHOLM → HAMBURG → KARLSRUHE → STRASBOURG → NÎMES → BARCELONA → ALICANTE → MANCHESTER
4–16 DECEMBER 2026
the challenge
4–11 December 2026 · Eight days. Six countries. One race...
PHILL - 4 DECEMBER
Taking the long way from to Spain via Scandinavia
Manchester → Helsinki → Stockholm → Hamburg → Karlsruhe → Strasbourg → Nîmes → Barcelona → Alicante
✈ Plane · ⛴ Ferry · 🌙 Sleeper · 🚄 Rail
Versus
CAT - 11 DECEMBER
Taking the easy (normal) route
Manchester → Alicante
One evening ✈ Direct flight . Around 3 hours.
THE FINISH LINE: ALICANTE ELCHE AIRPORT
Who gets there first?
EXPLORE THE ADVENTURE
Follow the journey, dig into the planning or explore the places along the way.
THE JOURNEY
The route from Manchester to Alicante.
DESTINATIONS
The cities and countries along the way.
PLANNING
Tickets, reservations, costs and contingency plans.
VLOGS & UPDATES
Follow the adventure from planning to Alicante.