La Tomatina - 2013

La Tomatina

La Tomatina / 28.08.2013

La Tomatina is a "Food Fight" festival which is held each year on the last Wednesday of August. The city for this event is Buñol in the Valencia region of Spain. Tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets in exactly one,two,three,.......... : )) hour. This festival is a tradition in Buñol since 1944.

How started La Tomatina...?

The festival is in honor of the town's patron saints, Luis Bertran and the Mare de Deu dels Desemparats "Mother of God of the Defenseless".

The tomato fight has been a strong tradition in Bunol since 1944 or 1945. Actually,nothing is certain how this event started or become a tradition. There are  possible theories on how it began include a local food fight among friends or farmers, a juvenile class war, a volley of tomatoes from participantsof a carnival parade, a practical joke on a bad musician or music group.

The most popular theory is that disgruntled townspeople attacked the cities councilmen with tomatoes during a town celebration. Whatever happened to begin the tradition, it was enjoyed so much that it was repeated the next year, and the year after that, and so on. 

Approximately 50,000 tourists come yearly to find out more about the tomato fight, and to participate.  For the La Tomatina  it is used about 150,000 tomatoes (90,000 pounds)

Where: The Plaza del Pueblo in Buñol, Spain.

              Buñol is roughly 40 km (25 mi) from Valencia.  

When: On the last Wednesday of August. The event lasts about 3 hours, from 11 am - 1 pm.
             The actual tomato throwing event lasts for one hour.

Getting There: Since Bunol is a small town with few hotels, it is better to stay in Valencia. There are trains (Renfe) departing each hour in direction to Bunol.

LISBON (LISBOA) / PORTUGAL

LISBON

LISBON (LISBOA)

PORTUGAL

Lisbon, is the capital city of Portugal.    It is on of the rare cities in Europe which faces the Ocean and thus the sea has become an important role in life and history of Lisbon. In addition to the Ocean, Lisbon is located on the bank of the river Tagus which gives the city an additional richness and importance. River Tagus, rises in eastern Spain and is the longest waterway of the Iberian Peninsula.

The name "Lisbon" means "Favorite Bay". Lisbon is built on Seven Hills like cities Istanbul, Rome, San Francisco, Amman and Bergen.

.....Must do in Lisbon.....

1 - Visiting St. Jorge Castle

St. Jorge Castle

St. George Castle is located on a hill so that it is possible to see it from almost everywhere from the city. The castle's footprint is roughly a square, and it was originally encircled by a wall, to form a citadel. The castle consists of the castle itself, some ancillary buildings including the ruins of the royal palace, gardens, and a large terraced square from which an impressive panorama of Lisbon is visible. 

2 -  Visiting Jeronimos Monastery

Jeronimos Monastery

This Monastery was the resting place of the famous explorer "Vasco de Gama" which was built in 1500s as a part of a monastery. Its cloisters are considered among the most beautiful  in the  world and has been listed as  a Heritage Site.

3 - Visiting Museums, Museu Dos Coches and Museu Berardo

If you want to see or at least show to your childrens  fairytale carriages the you should visit the "Museu Do Coches". On the other hand "Museu Berardo" offers you to se the Arts of Picasso, Dalli and other artists.

4 - Visiting Sao Roque Church (World's most expensive chapel)

Chapel - Sao Roque

From outside you will not recognize anything. It is a churh with plain facedes but has one of the richest interiors. Sao Roque's each chapel is a masterpiece of Baroque. But the most expensive is the fourth one on the left, the "world's most expensive chapel." It was designed in Rome using the most costly materials available, likeivory, agate, porphyry, lapis lazulli, gold and silver, it was blessed by the Pope and shipped to Lisbon in 1747. Of note is also the chapel's "paintings," which are not paintings but extraordinarily detailed mosaics, and the ceiling painted with scenes of the Apocalypse. Today this chapel is considered a masterpiece of European art. (thanks to golisbon...)

5 - Visiting Torre de Belem, Praca do Princepe Real, Greja de Santa Catarina, Elevador da Bica, Cafe a Brasil.....

Since there are many attractions and must visit places in Lisbon we suggest just take your ticket and visit this Beautiful City Which open to the Ocean.

This city offers many opportunities of any type of tourist. Starting from shoppers ( Shopping street, Rua do Carmo) to photgraphers. Even enjoying a coupe of coffee at " Cafe Brasileira " is must do in Lisbon to feel the daily life of Lisboan People.

6 - By the way don't miss to take a trip to the Lisbon Riviera (Costa de Lisboa)...

Lisbon Riviera

      Lisbon Riviera is one of the best active and beach tourism with sightseeing momentous and historic places of interest all together.

More photos on our Facebook page.....

SAN FERMIN - PAMPLONA BULLRUN

San Fermin - Bullrun

Bull Run - Pamplona / Spain

This famous festival is celebrated in Pamplona (Irunea) in the Navarra Region of Spain. Every year starting from the 6th to the 14th of July.

The festival is celebrated in honor to "San Fermin" which is the patron Saint of Navarra. Normally, San Fermin is a religious festival it became famous all over the world with the "Bull Run" which takes place during the festival.

The Bull Run - The " Encierro"

The Encierro

The Encierro, is the most expected spectacle of the festival where the bulls come from outside the city into the bullring. The Encierro starts at the corral in "Calle Santo Domingo" when the San Cernin Church indidcates by striking its bells 8 o'clock in the morning. After the start, which is caused by two rockects, the bulls starts to run behind the runners for 825 meters. This distance is between the corral and the bullring. Normally, this spectacle lasts around 5 minutes but sometimes it can takes longer when the bulls are not willing to go straight to the bullring...... : )))

When the 3rd rocket is launched, everything is over. The 3rd rocket indicates that all bulls are in the bullring.....

Here are the rules of the Bull Run....

*** More Pictures are on our Facebook page....

What is not allowed in the bull run

• People under 18 years of age, who must not run or participate.
• Crossing police barriers placed to ensure that the run goes off smoothly.
• Standing in areas and places along the route that have been expressly prohibited by the municipal police force.
• Before the bulls are released, waiting in corners, blind spots, doorways or in entrances to other establishments located along the run.
• Leaving doors of shops or entrances to apartments open along the route. The responsibility for ensuring these doors are closed lies with the owners or tenants of the properties.
• Being in the bull run while drunk, under the effects of drugs or in any other improper manner.
• Carrying objects that are unsuitable for the run to take place correctly.
• Wearing inappropriate clothes or footwear for the run.
• Inciting the bulls or attracting their attention in any manner, and for whatever reason, along the route of the run or in the bullring.
• Running backwards towards the bulls or running behind them.
• Holding, harassing or maltreating the bulls and stopping them from moving or being led to the pens in the bullring.
• Stopping along the run and staying on the fence, barriers or in doorways in such a way that the run or the safety of other runners is jeopardised.
• Taking photographs inside the run, or from the fences or barriers without due authorisation.
• Carrying objects that are unsuitable for the good order and security of the bull run.
• Installing elements that invade horizontal, vertical or aerial space along the bull run, unless expressly authorised by the Mayor"s Office.
• Any other action that could hamper the bull run taking place normally.