Alternative Spanish Holidays
Looking to do something different on your Spanish holiday this year? Does the thought of lying lazily on an overcrowded beach not exactly fill you with excitement?
Fancy a change this year?
Well you’re not alone – it seems people everywhere are demanding more satisfaction out of their holidays when they travel abroad. So we’ve prepared this handy guide to alternative Spanish holidays, to make it easier for holidaymakers to find new experiences in Spain in 2010.
Spanish festivals
There’s always an excuse for fiestas in Spanish towns and cities, and this lively attitude makes for a packed calendar of events taking place across Spain throughout the year, with Spanish holidays for visitors of all tastes.
The Fallas Festival in Valencia is one of the biggest national Spanish festivals, and with its burning of a papier maché effigy and fireworks, it’s akin to being the Spanish equivalent of Guy Fawkes Night.
Fireworks at Las Fallas Festival Valencia
From some of Europe’s biggest music festivals, like the Sónar Festival taking place in Barcelona from 17 to 19 June, to the traditional May Crosses festival in Cordoba, there are plenty of events taking place this summer to make your alternative Spanish holiday one to remember.
Decorated Cross in Cordoba
Running of the Bulls
Love it or hate it, the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona still draws thrill-seeking tourists to Spanish holidays in Navarre’s San Fermín festival every summer, with runs taking place every morning from 7 to 14 July.
The Running of the Bulls is the most popular event on the Spanish calendar, televised by two national TV channels and attracting participants from across the world who are keen to show off their bravado. Despite the inherent danger of the event – which is surely much of its charm – there have only been 10 fatalities in the last 100 years, though between 200 and 300 people receive injuries each year.
Watch out for the bull!
The good news for anyone not so fond of the tradition is that it has its own high-profile alternative in the form of the Running of the Nudes, organised by animal rights group PETA. This cheeky demonstration against what the organisation views as unnecessary cruelty takes place two days before the Spanish festival, and involves more than 1,000 protestors running through the Spanish streets along the well-trodden route in their birthday suits.
Enjoy alternative Spanish holidays in 2010
From the world’s biggest tomato festival in Valencia to baby jumping in Burgos, there’s a lot more to Spanish holidays than sunbathing and siestas.
Lots of tomatoes and lots of people!
Wherever you choose to head on your alternative Spanish holiday this year, you can look forward to a relaxing stay at NH Hotels in Spain – sometimes you don’t need an alternative!
