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La Tomatina - Spain
Some holidaymakers go abroad to relax in the sun, while others go looking for striking scenery. Still others seek out museums, art galleries and historical sites. Not many tourists go looking for the biggest mess they can possibly find. For the few that do, though, Spain's Tomatina festival is the perfect destination.
The origins of the Tomatina are unclear -- a number of competing stories exist. What seems clear is that the small Valencian town of Buol saw a number of large-scale tomato fights as part of festival celebrations in the 1940s and 50s. After initially banning the practice, town authorities succumbed to popular demand and made the tomato battles an annual celebration. Today, the Tomatina is an eagerly awaited event in Buol. The town's population can more than quadruple during a particularly lively Tomatina.
The Tomatina is part of a longer week of festivities during late August. The Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday in August. The battle is preceded by an event called the "palo jabn", in which competitors attempt to climb a greasy pole with a ham mounted atop it. Success in this event signals the beginning of the Tomatina. Lorries laden with tomatoes roll into the Plaza del Pueblo, the town square. The lorries' crews fling tomatoes from their beds into the square. Already soaked with water from fire hoses (part of the palo jabn event), the crowd eagerly scoop up the tomatoes and the battle begins.
For an hour, chaos reigns in the plaza. Town residents and tourists hurl the tomatoes, already partly squashed, at one another. Within minutes, everyone involved is coated in a slimy mess of tomato pulp. At the end of the tomato fight, a shot rings out and peace is restored. The fire hoses are turned on the participants once more to rinse off the pulp.
Careful preparation is required for Tomatina. Shopkeepers board up their windows and cover the fronts of their establishments with plastic sheet. Experienced tomato fighters don swimming goggles to keep tomato pulp out of their eyes; some also wear rubber kitchen gloves. During the hour-long combat, tonnes of tomatoes, specially imported from Extramadura, are used up -- estimates range as high as 90 or even 100 tonnes.
Accommodation in Buol itself is limited, so many visitors stay in Valencia and make the drive or catch a train to Buol early on Wednesday morning. A direct flight from Heathrow airport to nearby Alicante airport takes around two and a half hours. Flying to Valencia airport itself from Heathrow requires a change, although there are direct flights from Stansted and Gatwick.
The origins of the Tomatina are unclear -- a number of competing stories exist. What seems clear is that the small Valencian town of Buol saw a number of large-scale tomato fights as part of festival celebrations in the 1940s and 50s. After initially banning the practice, town authorities succumbed to popular demand and made the tomato battles an annual celebration. Today, the Tomatina is an eagerly awaited event in Buol. The town's population can more than quadruple during a particularly lively Tomatina.
The Tomatina is part of a longer week of festivities during late August. The Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday in August. The battle is preceded by an event called the "palo jabn", in which competitors attempt to climb a greasy pole with a ham mounted atop it. Success in this event signals the beginning of the Tomatina. Lorries laden with tomatoes roll into the Plaza del Pueblo, the town square. The lorries' crews fling tomatoes from their beds into the square. Already soaked with water from fire hoses (part of the palo jabn event), the crowd eagerly scoop up the tomatoes and the battle begins.
For an hour, chaos reigns in the plaza. Town residents and tourists hurl the tomatoes, already partly squashed, at one another. Within minutes, everyone involved is coated in a slimy mess of tomato pulp. At the end of the tomato fight, a shot rings out and peace is restored. The fire hoses are turned on the participants once more to rinse off the pulp.
Careful preparation is required for Tomatina. Shopkeepers board up their windows and cover the fronts of their establishments with plastic sheet. Experienced tomato fighters don swimming goggles to keep tomato pulp out of their eyes; some also wear rubber kitchen gloves. During the hour-long combat, tonnes of tomatoes, specially imported from Extramadura, are used up -- estimates range as high as 90 or even 100 tonnes.
Accommodation in Buol itself is limited, so many visitors stay in Valencia and make the drive or catch a train to Buol early on Wednesday morning. A direct flight from Heathrow airport to nearby Alicante airport takes around two and a half hours. Flying to Valencia airport itself from Heathrow requires a change, although there are direct flights from Stansted and Gatwick.
Some holidaymakers go abroad to relax in the sun, while others go looking for striking scenery. Still others seek out museums, art ...
Valencia Tourist Attractions
There really is so much to do and see around the city of Valencia that visitors are rarely bored when it comes to finding exciting places and attractions to visit.
Probably the most popular attraction at the moment is the City of Arts and Sciences located at the end of the Turia Gardens and just a ten minute walk from the beach and port area of Valencia. Within the area of this top attraction you will find the fascinating Aquarium which houses the largest marine and aquarium park in the Europe . It is housed in a stunning building designed by Felix Candela and is reminiscent of one of Gaudis impressive works.
As well a housing the Aquarium the City of Arts and Science is this truly a modern and stunning complex where will find the planetarium, science museum, botanical gardens and the grand opera house.
The aquarium is undoubtedly the most popular, and is divided into sections which represent the whole spectrum of the sea environment. The MEDITERRANEAN area contains the largest aquarium in Europe with almost 7.500 species to explore within several smaller aquariums. The OCEANOGRAPHIC area is situated mainly underground and houses the marshland, wetland areas and mangrove swamps. The ARCA de MAR zone is dedicated to the species under threat of extinction. It also has an impressive arctic space within an igloo and is where marine biologists monitor walruses and whales amongst other species. There is also a large colony of penguins which are great fun to watch during feeding time. The DOLPHINARIUM is the largest in Europe with a seating capacity for over 2.000 people and holds around 23 million liters of water !. As you would expect he dolphinarium provides great entertainment for all the family.
And when you are ready to eat you can do so in the impressive submarine restaurant and gaze at the marine life placed in tanks which surround the dining area.
Valencia is also home to some fine historic buildings which are a must see for all history fans and include the VALENCIA CATHEDRAL which is located in the old quarter and is home to the SEU museum, the oldest in Valencia containing the Holy Chalice of Valencia or the holey grail. El MICELET is a tower attached the cathedral and a great place to sharpen up your appetite by climbing up the 207 steps to the top where you and be rewarded with spectacular views over the city. The SANTA CATALINA church tower is also located in the old quarter and is a famous land mark in the area located near the town hall plaza. Another stunning building is LA LONGA where the silk merchants once plied their trades.
Also must visits is the beautiful CENTRAL MARKET ( Mercado Central ) which is one the largest in Europe and where you will find a vast array of local and national produce on offer from fresh fish and seafood , Spanish cured hams to clothes and bric-a-brac a great to simply browse or pick up a holiday bargain or two.
Oh yes and Valencia is home to some great beaches including the Las Arenas and Las Malvarrosa areas which are easily reached by bus from the town center.
Probably the most popular attraction at the moment is the City of Arts and Sciences located at the end of the Turia Gardens and just a ten minute walk from the beach and port area of Valencia. Within the area of this top attraction you will find the fascinating Aquarium which houses the largest marine and aquarium park in the Europe . It is housed in a stunning building designed by Felix Candela and is reminiscent of one of Gaudis impressive works.
As well a housing the Aquarium the City of Arts and Science is this truly a modern and stunning complex where will find the planetarium, science museum, botanical gardens and the grand opera house.
The aquarium is undoubtedly the most popular, and is divided into sections which represent the whole spectrum of the sea environment. The MEDITERRANEAN area contains the largest aquarium in Europe with almost 7.500 species to explore within several smaller aquariums. The OCEANOGRAPHIC area is situated mainly underground and houses the marshland, wetland areas and mangrove swamps. The ARCA de MAR zone is dedicated to the species under threat of extinction. It also has an impressive arctic space within an igloo and is where marine biologists monitor walruses and whales amongst other species. There is also a large colony of penguins which are great fun to watch during feeding time. The DOLPHINARIUM is the largest in Europe with a seating capacity for over 2.000 people and holds around 23 million liters of water !. As you would expect he dolphinarium provides great entertainment for all the family.
And when you are ready to eat you can do so in the impressive submarine restaurant and gaze at the marine life placed in tanks which surround the dining area.
Valencia is also home to some fine historic buildings which are a must see for all history fans and include the VALENCIA CATHEDRAL which is located in the old quarter and is home to the SEU museum, the oldest in Valencia containing the Holy Chalice of Valencia or the holey grail. El MICELET is a tower attached the cathedral and a great place to sharpen up your appetite by climbing up the 207 steps to the top where you and be rewarded with spectacular views over the city. The SANTA CATALINA church tower is also located in the old quarter and is a famous land mark in the area located near the town hall plaza. Another stunning building is LA LONGA where the silk merchants once plied their trades.
Also must visits is the beautiful CENTRAL MARKET ( Mercado Central ) which is one the largest in Europe and where you will find a vast array of local and national produce on offer from fresh fish and seafood , Spanish cured hams to clothes and bric-a-brac a great to simply browse or pick up a holiday bargain or two.
Oh yes and Valencia is home to some great beaches including the Las Arenas and Las Malvarrosa areas which are easily reached by bus from the town center.
Other great value hotels around the city include the Las Arenas Balneario Resort As luxury resort with a superb seafront location by Las Arenas beach. Las Arenas Balneario Resort has a huge outdoor swimming pool and a spa.
Another popular choice is the Zenit Valencia located in the heart of Valencia, opposite the Estacin del Norte Station and the bullring. The hotel has its own restaurant, El Azahar, which serves Mediterranean cuisine and has a roof terrace. The Zenit is just 200 metres from Valencia Town Hall, and the Cathedral is a 15-minute walk away. Valencias City of Arts and Sciences is 2.5 km away from the hotel. Xtiva Metro Station is just outside the Zenit Valencia.
There really is so much to do and see around the city of Valencia that visitors are rarely bored when it comes to finding exciting place...
Go Biking on the Costa Blanca
If your ever visiting the Costa Blanca, specially the areas of Oliva, Tavernes ( La Safor ) then you might like to check out this beautiful part of Valencia on a Bike.
There�s a great family business in the area called "Bikes-on-call", capably run by Graham and Patsy who specialise in hiring bikes along with guided trips. Graham is a fully qualified instructor having obtained several coaching certificates.
They provide a convenient 7 day a week delivery and collect service from asl little as 10 Euros a day.
Enjoy mountain biking throughout the Spanish countryside, Orange groves, mountain ranges and along the coastal routes. Off-road mountain biking or something at a much more leisurely pace is all catered for at Bikes on Call.
You can contact them on (0034) 962 808592 or via their web site at http://www.bikes-on-call.com/.
If your ever visiting the Costa Blanca, specially the areas of Oliva , Tavernes ( La Safor ) then you might like to check out this beautif...
Valencia Holidays - Alicante, Benidorm & Valencia Holiday Attractions
Valencia can be found on the eastern coast of Spain and is bordered by the regions of Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla la Mancha and Murcia.
The official languages of the region are Castilian Spanish, which everyone is required to know by law throughout Spain under the Spanish Constitution of 1978, and also Valencia, which is similar to Catalan but under a different name.
Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is known as the 'White Coast' as it offers miles of fine sandy beaches and a brilliant light, dry, hot climate. The main tourist resorts here are Benidorm and Alicante, although other popular holiday destinations include Gandia with a wonderful 14th century palace, and Altea offering traditional Spanish houses and a thriving artistic community.
Costa del Azahar
Costa del Azahar begins at the Tarragona provincial border and travels south for 112km covering some beautiful beaches overlooked by orchards of olives and oranges. For this reason, it is also known as the Orange Blossom Coast. Popular coastal resorts include Pe��scola with its medieval castle that was featured in the film 'El Cid', and Sagunto offering many Roman artefacts and sites including a 2nd century Roman Amphitheatre.
Alicante Holiday Attractions
Tourism in Alicante is now well known and a great destination for those wanting a traditional beach holiday. The weather is fantastic with hot summers and mild winters and the city offers an abundance of gardens, parks and squares from which to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. There are many wide palm-lined avenues providing an unlimited shopping experience from the large department stores like Corte Ingl�s, to fashionable boutiques and souvenir shops. Every street corner in Alicante bustles with holiday activity with holidaymakers perusing the many shops selling local ceramic, marble, leather and wooden produce.
Benidorm Holiday Attractions
Despite the worst excesses brought upon the city by package tourism, Benidorm delivers very well for the package holidaymaker. The two main beaches Playa de Poniente and the Playa de Levante are over 5km long in total and offer enough space for everyone. The bars and restaurants are in sufficient supply and with over 30 discos on offer; nightlife in Benidorm is lively to suit all tastes. The attractive Balcon del Mediterranean set in the middle of the two beaches, has spectacular views of both beaches and also its island lying just offshore. Benidorm is surrounded by mountains as high as over 1,500 metres and these keep the cooler north winds at bay to give the city warm temperatures even during the Winter months when temperatures stay mild. Just 7 kilometres down the coast lies the small town of Altea. A change from bustling Benidorm, Altea offers a traditional community with a preserved old quarter that attracts many artists because of its wonderful light.
Valencia Holiday Attractions
Valencia lies on the Costa del Azahar and is the third largest city in Spain. It is an industrial city with a medium-sized port, but the local government is working hard to improve the city's image to tourism. One example of this is the recent completion of the new City of Arts and Sciences Complex. Surrounding the city is the fertile plain called the Huerta where orange trees grow in abundance as does rice, which is, used for Valencia's legendary dish the paella. Most of the produce of the Huerta comes to the 1,000 colourful stalls of the modernist Mercado Central. Built in the early 20th century, it is an eight-sided iron girder and glass building which contains one of the largest markets in Europe. Well worth a visit even if you�re not planning on buying anything.
Steve Greenwood
http://www.idealrentals4u.com/
The official languages of the region are Castilian Spanish, which everyone is required to know by law throughout Spain under the Spanish Constitution of 1978, and also Valencia, which is similar to Catalan but under a different name.
Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is known as the 'White Coast' as it offers miles of fine sandy beaches and a brilliant light, dry, hot climate. The main tourist resorts here are Benidorm and Alicante, although other popular holiday destinations include Gandia with a wonderful 14th century palace, and Altea offering traditional Spanish houses and a thriving artistic community.
Costa del Azahar
Costa del Azahar begins at the Tarragona provincial border and travels south for 112km covering some beautiful beaches overlooked by orchards of olives and oranges. For this reason, it is also known as the Orange Blossom Coast. Popular coastal resorts include Pe��scola with its medieval castle that was featured in the film 'El Cid', and Sagunto offering many Roman artefacts and sites including a 2nd century Roman Amphitheatre.
Alicante Holiday Attractions
Tourism in Alicante is now well known and a great destination for those wanting a traditional beach holiday. The weather is fantastic with hot summers and mild winters and the city offers an abundance of gardens, parks and squares from which to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. There are many wide palm-lined avenues providing an unlimited shopping experience from the large department stores like Corte Ingl�s, to fashionable boutiques and souvenir shops. Every street corner in Alicante bustles with holiday activity with holidaymakers perusing the many shops selling local ceramic, marble, leather and wooden produce.
Benidorm Holiday Attractions
Despite the worst excesses brought upon the city by package tourism, Benidorm delivers very well for the package holidaymaker. The two main beaches Playa de Poniente and the Playa de Levante are over 5km long in total and offer enough space for everyone. The bars and restaurants are in sufficient supply and with over 30 discos on offer; nightlife in Benidorm is lively to suit all tastes. The attractive Balcon del Mediterranean set in the middle of the two beaches, has spectacular views of both beaches and also its island lying just offshore. Benidorm is surrounded by mountains as high as over 1,500 metres and these keep the cooler north winds at bay to give the city warm temperatures even during the Winter months when temperatures stay mild. Just 7 kilometres down the coast lies the small town of Altea. A change from bustling Benidorm, Altea offers a traditional community with a preserved old quarter that attracts many artists because of its wonderful light.
Valencia Holiday Attractions
Valencia lies on the Costa del Azahar and is the third largest city in Spain. It is an industrial city with a medium-sized port, but the local government is working hard to improve the city's image to tourism. One example of this is the recent completion of the new City of Arts and Sciences Complex. Surrounding the city is the fertile plain called the Huerta where orange trees grow in abundance as does rice, which is, used for Valencia's legendary dish the paella. Most of the produce of the Huerta comes to the 1,000 colourful stalls of the modernist Mercado Central. Built in the early 20th century, it is an eight-sided iron girder and glass building which contains one of the largest markets in Europe. Well worth a visit even if you�re not planning on buying anything.
Steve Greenwood
http://www.idealrentals4u.com/
Valencia can be found on the eastern coast of Spain and is bordered by the regions of Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla la Mancha and Murcia. The ...
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