LA TOMATINO
LA TOMATINO
For foodies who have a particular affinity for tomatoes, the idea of slipping and sliding down a street covered in the fruit is one that they would gladly make a reality.
And indeed, for thousands of people in a town located in the east of Spain, it is a yearly occurrence, thanks to the tradition of La Tomatina food festival.
Here's everything you need to know about La Tomatina, the festival widely regarded as being one of the world's greatest food fights:
What is it?
La Tomatina is an annual, globally-renowned Spanish festival.
As the name suggests, tomatoes feature heavily during this day-long celebration, as thousands take part in a mass tomato-fuelled food fight.
La Tomatina 2018: best images from the Spanish tomato fight
The reason for painting the town red with numerous tonnes of the juicy fruit? Pure, unadulterated enjoyment.
Revellers who attend La Tomatina don't hold back as they join in the crowds swimming in, wading through and throwing tomatoes.
Where is it held?
La Tomatina is held in the Valencian town of Buñol, which is situated in the east of Spain.
Buñol is located approximately 30km away from the Mediterranean sea.
Approximately 9,000 people live in the town, which is surrounded by mountain ranges.
However, thousands of tourists visit the region especially to take part in La Tomatina festivities.
How did it begin?
La Tomatina can trace its roots back to the mid-1940s, when the first public tomato food fight accidentally took place in Buñol .
According to the official website for the festival, a parade was taking place in the town square on the last Wednesday of August in 1945, which featured individuals dressed as giants with big heads (gigantes y cabezudos).
A group of young people apparently caused the big head of one of the parade's participant's to fall off, a mishap which led the costumed individual to become irate.
The unfortunate individual began to cause havoc along the parade route, colliding with a market stall selling tomatoes.
This series of events resulted in spectators picking up the tomatoes and throwing them at one another, sparking the origin of La Tomatina.
According to a La Tomatina travel website, the festival was banned by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco for having no religious significance.
However, after a tomato burial was held in 1957 in protest of the decision – during which those in favour of the festival carried a coffin containing a large tomato – La Tomatina was allowed by authorities and made an official festival.
In 2002, La Tomatina was declared a Festivity of International Tourist Interest by the Spanish Secretary of the Department of Tourism.
When is it due to take place?
This year's La Tomatina is taking place on Wednesday 28 August.
The festival is held annually on the last Wednesday of August.
What does the day entail?
On the day of La Tomatina, trucks arrive in Buñol's Plaza del Pueblo with hordes of tomatoes at 11am, states latomatinatours.com.
The messy food fight usually begins when water cannons are fired, and lasts for around an hour.
Following the festivities, trucks are driven around the town which clean the streets by spraying them down with water.
Due to the high levels of acidity in the tomatoes, the streets of Buñol are typically extremely clean once they have been rinsed of tomato residue.
Getting to Buñol, Official La Tomatina Tickets & Where to Stay
As Buñol is pretty small the majority of people visiting La Tomatina stay in the nearby
large coastal city of Valencia and make a day trip to Buñol for the tomato battle. You can
either book a tour inclusive of hotel accommodation, transportation to Buñol and
experienced tour guide with one of a number of tour operators like London based
PP Travel or make use of the local train from Valencia to Buñol.
large coastal city of Valencia and make a day trip to Buñol for the tomato battle. You can
either book a tour inclusive of hotel accommodation, transportation to Buñol and
experienced tour guide with one of a number of tour operators like London based
PP Travel or make use of the local train from Valencia to Buñol.
https://www.latomatinatours.com/get-to-bunol-la-tomatina-accommodation.asp
Quality Hotel Packages including Official La Tomatina Entry Ticket with PP Travel
3 Day - 3* Hotel including Offical Tomatina Entry Tickets
Hotel accommodation in central Valencia Choice of rooms: Triples (room with double bed and single bed), Twins, Doubles and Single rooms Breakfasts Daily Exclusive PP Travel welcome party at the fabulous Umbracle Terrace nightclub, right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts
Coach transport to and from Bunol for La Tomatina Compulsory La Tomatina Entry TicketFree entry (until 9pm) to the official La Tomatina after Party Souvenir T-Shirt Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide - to ensure you get the most out of the Battle of the Tomato
From £175.00
3 Day - 4* Hotel including Offical Tomatina Entry Tickets
Top quality hotels in central Valencia Choice of rooms: Triples, Twins, Doubles and Single rooms Large hot/cold buffet breakfasts Exclusive PP Travel welcome party at the fabulous Umbracle Terrace nightclub, right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts. Coach transfers to and from Bunol for La Tomatina Compulsory La Tomatina Entry Ticket Free entry (until 9pm) to the official La Tomatina after Party Souvenir T-Shirt Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide - to ensure you get the most out of the Battle of the Tomato
From £195.00
4 Day - 5* Hotel including Offical Tomatina Entry Tickets
Three nights 5* accommodation at the Westin Valencia in double or twin share Deluxe Room Three breakfasts Meet and greet at hotel on the afternoon of August 24th Private transfers from Valencia Airport Entry and reserved area with drink vouchers at pre-party at Umbracle nightclub La Tomatina Entry TicketWalking tour with guide of Valencia old city with dedicated Valencia Guias GuideSouvenir La Tomatina t-shirt Services of PP Travel Tour Guide
From £899.00
Day Trip including Offical Tomatina Entry Tickets
Compulsory La Tomatina Entry Ticket or Without Ticket (you already have a ticket)Coach transport to and from Bunol for La Tomatina (7am departure) Exclusive PP Travel welcome party at the fabulous Umbracle Terrace nightclub,right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts
Free entry (must be in by 9pm) to the official La Tomatina after Party Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide - to ensure you get the most out of the Battle of the Tomato
Comments
Post a Comment