If there is one country that I really love spending time in then it has got to be Spain. This country, on the south western party of Europe, was the second most visited country in the world a few years back, so I know I am not alone for my love of the country. Spain has got everything I want in a vacation destination, a warm climate, beaches, entertainment hot spots, nightlife and exciting festivals.
Spain is home to one of the biggest and most famous festivals throughout the world - the Running of the Bulls held in Pamplona. The Running of the Bulls is part of the Sam Fermin Festival, which is on in July each year.
I love risk and a challenge and the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls that have been let loose on a sectioned-off course spelled excitement and daring. It is something that I've always watched on TV with deep fascination. This year I made sure that I had booked my turn for the Pamplona Running of the Bulls and July 6 to July 14 had been firmly circled on my calendar for me to get to the renowned San Fermin Festival.
There are bull run events in plenty of towns and cities across Spain, but it is the running of the bulls in Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival that is most famous around the world. I fortunately did my homework and discovered that during the Pamplona Bull Run, hotels in Pamplona can be expensive. As an alternative you can camp and there are companies that do Pamplona tours where they plan everything for you, including transport, tent and breakfast. I was booked into a hotel known as Gran Hotel La Perla which was a perfect choice for me simply because it had a balcony and looked down on the very road where the bulls would come thundering by.
I have to say, just watching the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally amazing experience. However, I got to thinking that I must be insane for thinking of doing this. Did I really want to be insane just this once? Then I thought about what my family and friends back home will think when I tell them what I have been doing. So Did I? Or Didn't I?? More on this later...
I will keep you guessing on that question as there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than run with the bulls. The whole town seemed to be in just one long party mood and it started early in the day and lasted well into the night. There are heaps of bars in Pamplona that are pumping during San Fermin. I really enjoyed going to tapas bars in the afternoon for a few snacks. Tapas is the perfect way to keep you going during San Fermin in between countless amounts of Sangria! The bars and restaurants open late in Spain, but I guess you also have to realise that everyone has a siesta after lunch, so a lot of Pamplona will be closed down in the afternoon. Day and night there was parades going on. Oh, make sure you catch the fireworks one night too. They are on around 11pm every night.
When it finally came time for me to run with the bulls, well lets just say that I sort of chickened out! However, I must say I was appalled to see people simply pounding over others who had tripped or fallen in front of them and opted to just be a spectator. I mean people have died in these runs you know. My friends and I stayed for the full seven days, which ended with everyone gathering at the City Hall and singing a song called "Pobre de Mi" or "Poor Me", indicating that the San Fermin Festival was over for another year.
I have briefly visited Pamplona outside of San Fermin and it is a completely different place. You really need to be in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls to appreciate the atmosphere and experience what is pretty much a uniquely Spanish experience
Spain is home to one of the biggest and most famous festivals throughout the world - the Running of the Bulls held in Pamplona. The Running of the Bulls is part of the Sam Fermin Festival, which is on in July each year.
I love risk and a challenge and the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls that have been let loose on a sectioned-off course spelled excitement and daring. It is something that I've always watched on TV with deep fascination. This year I made sure that I had booked my turn for the Pamplona Running of the Bulls and July 6 to July 14 had been firmly circled on my calendar for me to get to the renowned San Fermin Festival.
There are bull run events in plenty of towns and cities across Spain, but it is the running of the bulls in Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival that is most famous around the world. I fortunately did my homework and discovered that during the Pamplona Bull Run, hotels in Pamplona can be expensive. As an alternative you can camp and there are companies that do Pamplona tours where they plan everything for you, including transport, tent and breakfast. I was booked into a hotel known as Gran Hotel La Perla which was a perfect choice for me simply because it had a balcony and looked down on the very road where the bulls would come thundering by.
I have to say, just watching the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally amazing experience. However, I got to thinking that I must be insane for thinking of doing this. Did I really want to be insane just this once? Then I thought about what my family and friends back home will think when I tell them what I have been doing. So Did I? Or Didn't I?? More on this later...
I will keep you guessing on that question as there is plenty to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than run with the bulls. The whole town seemed to be in just one long party mood and it started early in the day and lasted well into the night. There are heaps of bars in Pamplona that are pumping during San Fermin. I really enjoyed going to tapas bars in the afternoon for a few snacks. Tapas is the perfect way to keep you going during San Fermin in between countless amounts of Sangria! The bars and restaurants open late in Spain, but I guess you also have to realise that everyone has a siesta after lunch, so a lot of Pamplona will be closed down in the afternoon. Day and night there was parades going on. Oh, make sure you catch the fireworks one night too. They are on around 11pm every night.
When it finally came time for me to run with the bulls, well lets just say that I sort of chickened out! However, I must say I was appalled to see people simply pounding over others who had tripped or fallen in front of them and opted to just be a spectator. I mean people have died in these runs you know. My friends and I stayed for the full seven days, which ended with everyone gathering at the City Hall and singing a song called "Pobre de Mi" or "Poor Me", indicating that the San Fermin Festival was over for another year.
I have briefly visited Pamplona outside of San Fermin and it is a completely different place. You really need to be in Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls to appreciate the atmosphere and experience what is pretty much a uniquely Spanish experience
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FOMO Travel, the events and festival travel specialists, has developed a new site that provides an extensive array of information and advice for the Pamplona Running of the Bulls, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities.