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.
The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is something that I've always watched on TV with great intrigue. This year I made the decision to attend the world renowned San Fermin Festival between 6 and 14 July. I guess I love a bit of risk and a bit of a a challenge, so the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls just spells excitement and adventure to me. I can honestly say that you really have to see this Bull Run to believe it. It is truly out of this world.
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 first time I watched the Pamplona Bull Run from my balcony I was totally blown away. Like I am thinking? "Are you insane?". I had thoughts about whether or not I wanted to actually go through with it and run with the bulls the next morning. I agonised all day. One of the my friends said "Do it!". The other one said "What are you, Stupid or something?" So....did I???
Anyway, there is heaps to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than the Bull Run and parties start during the day go on throughout the night. There are lots of trendy little bars and restaurants for you to catch a bite during the Pamplona San Fermin Festival but tapas is perfect for snacks to keep you going any time during the day. Nobody can predict how events will turn out and this is the spice of the entire event. The running of the bulls takes place every day with each race lasting about three minutes and starts at 8am in the morning. There is different sorts of parades going on all throughout the day and fireworks happen every night around 11pm.
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.
The Pamplona Running of the Bulls is something that I've always watched on TV with great intrigue. This year I made the decision to attend the world renowned San Fermin Festival between 6 and 14 July. I guess I love a bit of risk and a bit of a a challenge, so the thought of running in front of snorting, angry and frenzied bulls just spells excitement and adventure to me. I can honestly say that you really have to see this Bull Run to believe it. It is truly out of this world.
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 first time I watched the Pamplona Bull Run from my balcony I was totally blown away. Like I am thinking? "Are you insane?". I had thoughts about whether or not I wanted to actually go through with it and run with the bulls the next morning. I agonised all day. One of the my friends said "Do it!". The other one said "What are you, Stupid or something?" So....did I???
Anyway, there is heaps to do in Pamplona during San Fermin other than the Bull Run and parties start during the day go on throughout the night. There are lots of trendy little bars and restaurants for you to catch a bite during the Pamplona San Fermin Festival but tapas is perfect for snacks to keep you going any time during the day. Nobody can predict how events will turn out and this is the spice of the entire event. The running of the bulls takes place every day with each race lasting about three minutes and starts at 8am in the morning. There is different sorts of parades going on all throughout the day and fireworks happen every night around 11pm.
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
About the Author:
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.
