There's nothing like the spirit of a festival to give your group that extra dimension of fun and a party atmosphere, plus you get to participate in some bizarre and authentic local traditions. We love the La Tomatina event near Valencia and the European Beer Festivals are world renowned, so dive in and do something different.
La Tomatina is not for those who don't like getting mucky as it is literally famed as the world's biggest food fight and is held at the end of every August. After a huge paella cook-off the night before, the outrageous activities of the next day begin at 11am. In brief, it's one big battle of tomato throwing, where literally the whole town becomes a river of the over ripe red fruits, as between 20-40,000 people descend to the streets to participate in the pelting of one hundred metric tons of the squishy toms. Tradition dictates that the war doesn't start until someone has managed to shin up a two storey high greased pole and retrieve the coveted ham at the top, but as this is such an arduous task the tomato tossing tends to begin prematurely. Protective goggles, gloves and very old clothes and shoes are recommended – we don't think you'll be wearing them again! A siren and water canons signal the beginning and end of the attack after exactly an hour, then the dripping streets are cleaned by fire hoses until pristine again. As for yourselves, the option to plunge into the river and wash off is there, but you might just be ready for a relaxing hot bath and hair-wash.
The European Beer Festivals are an altogether more civilized affair, up to a point. At least you shouldn't come away looking like a bloody mary, but it is a liquor fest, so anything could happen. Oompah bands will have long tables of you linking arms and crazily singing to continental songs you had no idea you knew and on-stage party and drinking games will add some variety. This is a gathering to let yourselves go at and embrace that accordion sound like it's the new music movement.
