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 wasn't really sure before going to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls whether I would have the guts to actually run, but I thought I would look first and make my decision later. Nevertheless, it is something that I've always watched on TV and thought "This looks crazy!". Well once I made my mind up to go, I guess there was no going back, so when we booked the trip for the whole San Fermin festival between July 6 and July 14 I knew I would have to give it ago.
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.
The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally chaotic experience, some would say it is for the insane. I wanted to be insane just this once, envisioning the faces of friends and family back home when I relayed the events. One thing is for sure, my friend and I were intending to be part of the week long party and the ongoing flow of traditional sangria.
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.
The San Fermin festival is brilliant to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere and hang out with the people, because everyone is there enjoying themselves and having a great time. The San Fermin Festival in Pamplona should be on every ones to do list. It is just so much fun.
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 wasn't really sure before going to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls whether I would have the guts to actually run, but I thought I would look first and make my decision later. Nevertheless, it is something that I've always watched on TV and thought "This looks crazy!". Well once I made my mind up to go, I guess there was no going back, so when we booked the trip for the whole San Fermin festival between July 6 and July 14 I knew I would have to give it ago.
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.
The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a totally chaotic experience, some would say it is for the insane. I wanted to be insane just this once, envisioning the faces of friends and family back home when I relayed the events. One thing is for sure, my friend and I were intending to be part of the week long party and the ongoing flow of traditional sangria.
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.
The San Fermin festival is brilliant to just walk around and soak up the atmosphere and hang out with the people, because everyone is there enjoying themselves and having a great time. The San Fermin Festival in Pamplona should be on every ones to do list. It is just so much fun.
About the Author:
The events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel, 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.
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