For many people, Spain is synonymous with bullfighting. This spectacle apparently started centuries ago as part of a religious ceremony where Iberian tribes would sacrifice them for luck and respect. During the Middle Ages, Greeks and Roman aristocrats used to fight the bulls on horseback. Then, in the 18^th century, poorer populations began fighting the bulls on foot as part of the spectacle. Although much time has passed since the origin of bullfights, many traditions and customs remain to this day. The most well-known bullfighting and “running with the bulls” occurs in July in Pamplona, Navarra as part of the San Fermín festival at the beginning of July. On the other hand, many people oppose this tradition, as it is outdated and abusive towards the bulls. Bullfighting is a controversial Spanish ritual that has taken on political significance and challenges many to think before running with the bulls.

San Fermín

San Fermín is a festival that starts at noon on July 6^th at Plaza Consistorial in Pamplona. Hundreds of people gather in the plaza with their red bandanas and giant inflatable balls that soar above the crowd. At noon, a firework is lit and the celebrations start. The party goes until July 14^th at midnight and everyone sings “Pobre de Mí” while fireworks close out the festival.  San Fermín festival takes place to celebrate the Spanish tradition of bullfighting as well as to honor Saint Fermin, one of the patron saints of Navarre. This festival and running with the bulls in general draws many foreigners to Pamplona partly from gaining literary attention through Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.”

Running of the Bulls

The most important part of the modern day San Fermín festival is el encierro de los toros, or running of the bulls. This tradition takes place every morning at 8am, and the purpose is to transport the bulls from the fields to the bullring. Back in the day, when transporting the bulls through the streets, men would try to rush the process by scaring or angering the bulls so they would move faster. Over time, more people started running with the bulls to get them to the ring, and now the run itself is popular tradition. Brave foreigners and locals alike head to the streets clad in white clothing with a red scarf around their waist and a red handkerchief around their neck. To run with the bulls, you must be 18 years old or older, sober, and you cannot record the run. It takes about three minutes to do the whole thing, and the race finishes in the bullring, where the crowd converges and the bulls are put into their pens until the bullfight takes places later that afternoon.

Bullfights

During San Fermín in Pamplona, or in other cities like Madrid, commonly on Sunday afternoon from Spring to Fall, you can watch bullfights from the giant arena. According to tradition, there are three bullfighters (matadors) that have to kill two bulls each, starting with the most senior fighter and alternating people each bull. The spectacle is very strict and participants have to abide by certain rules as well to keep everything controlled.

Although banned in some Spanish cities (and all of Catalonia) because of the controversial customs, bullfighting remains a popular part of Spanish culture. Many animal rights activists call for the ending of bullfighting because of the brutality, while others believe it is a cultural spectacle that can’t be changed. In today’s society as well, certain political parties support bullfighting while others oppose it. It is hard to say whether the killing of the bull is justified as tradition or unfair to its life because it is killed for fun. Additionally, while matadors are supposed to kill the bulls quickly to prevent suffering, the crowds and emotional stress these animals face while in the arena are seen as suffering to many.

So, if you want to experience Spanish culture and don’t mind seeing the bullfights, the city of Pamplona during San Fermín is spectacular. Even if you don’t run with the bulls, the city is quite lively and Spanish culture is evident everywhere. Although San Fermín and running with the bulls takes place in other parts of Spain and Portugal, the most impressive one is in Pamplona. Send us your request now and see you next July!

When thinking of Spain, many things come to mind: flamboyant Flamenco dancers, courageous bullfighters, breathtaking architecture, sparkling beaches, and bustling cities. But what some forget to consider is Spain’s expertise in wine. Starting with the Phoenicians in the 10th century and continuing with the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans, wine was a valuable good that was traded between cities and countries, creating a modern day Spain with over 1.2 million hectares of vineyards ripe with unique blend of flavors. As a result, you can’t go wrong when wine tasting in Spain.

Full of History

What’s more, it’s not just one area of Spain that inspired the others to start producing wine – each area has vineyards dating back over 2,000 years. In the south, Marco de Jerez vineyard has been around for over 3,000 years and gains attention because of Cadiz’s perfect climate and gorgeous land. Spain’s western region is dominated by Utiel-Requena wines produced in Valencia, some of which come from vineyards over 2,700 years old. The Ribera del Duero region in eastern Spain has 2,500 years of wine experience and Navarra and La Rioja in the north have been producing wine for almost 20 centuries.

More than Just Wine

Many vineyards have enhanced the gastronomic experience by offering wine and food pairings or tours of the vineyards and nearby bodegas, where the wine and cava is stored. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, one of Spain’s most prominent wine towns, is a cheap, 45-minute train ride from Barcelona, and many of the wineries there offer tours either on foot or by car of the surrounding vineyards. One of the most famous wineries, Codorniu, was established in 1551 and has since remained one of the oldest companies in both Spain and the world. Here you can take tours of their giant bodegas, the beautiful surrounding landscape, have special tastings like cava with chocolate, or even do an escape room! What’s more, the bodegas were constructed by modernist architect Josep Puig I Cadafalch, one of Gaudi’s students, and were declared historical monuments in 1976.

Sometimes, the bodegas themselves are the main attraction of the trip. The winery Bodegas del Marqués de Riscal, located in Elciego, Álava, completely contrasts the traditional lush green vineyard stereotype with its sloping, modern bodega roof and smooth finish. Designed by Frank Ghery, creator of the Guggenheim Museum, this bodega doubles as a luxury hotel and gives visitors a beautiful view of Elciego and its surroundings. Another modern bodega, Bodega Ysios, also located in Álava, was designed by Valencia architect Santiago Calatrava. What’s notable about this bodega is its impressive entrance and juxtaposition both in height and style of the surrounding vineyards. Bodega Ysios is recognizable from miles away.

If food and architecture aren’t enough, some bodegas also offer art tours. Bodegas Tradición, though unassuming from the outside, holds the most important private art collection in Andalusia, the Pinacoteca Rivero. This collection contains works from over 300 famous artists including Francisco Goya, Diego Velázquez, Raimundo de Madrazo, and Lucas Villamil.

Tour the Vineyards Today!

If you love wine, food, art, or great history, Spain is the place to be. Many vineyards are day trips from Barcelona, others are located in Basque Country in the north, and all are fantastic. You will learn about how the wine is produced, the vineyard´s history, and of course, taste many different kinds of cava and wine. Wine tasting in Spain is more than just traveling to a vineyard. It allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the history of the region, to experience the inner workings of a different culture, and to connect with people from all over. Wine is for everyone (of age) and you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a tour or a tasting! The bodegas in Spain offer visitors a chance not to be tourists, but rather travelers of new cultures and tastes. See you in the vineyards!

As a DMC, we often work on customized tours in Spain and Portugal

Visiting the exact location where a memorable movie or TV show scene was shot is getting more and more popular, prompting many Movie Trips in Spain and Portugal.

Our destinations highlight unforgettable locations from the film industry for the public:

In Spain, you can find shots from the 1962 classic “Lawrence of Arabia,” Sean Connery’s “007,”, and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Most of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s productions were of course shot in his homeland. Directors shot the last scene of Swiss film “Millennium 1” on a beach of Málaga.

Portugal houses many film locations as well: Did you know that the Hogwarts library from the Harry Potter series is an actual book shop in the city of Porto? Can you picture Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons in Lisbon for “The House of the Spirits”?

All those involved with tourism in Barcelona know the importance of 2002 French film “L’auberge espagnole” in attracting young French visitors. This film focuses on the daily live of a French-Erasmus student in Barcelona. To this day, French movie lovers still organize trips to Barcelona to relive the film once more…

In addition to Barcelona, many other Spanish cities experienced important recognition from HBO series “Game of Thrones”. Sevilla and surroundings were used as film locations of the Kingdom of Dorne in Season 5. Real Alcazar was the main site.

People and authorities in Osuna were even more excited than Sevillians to be part of the film locations. Monumental sites include the quarries, the ancient bullring, the collegiate church and Osuna’s university building.

In the old center of Girona, the staircase of the cathedral represents Braavos in Season 6. Samwell Tarly’s palace in Horn Hill is actually in Canet de Mar in Catalonia, while Murriola Beach, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and other impressive locations of Season 7 are in Basque Country.

Are any of these an inspiration for a Theme Tour soon?
Or an excuse for a cultural trip?

Send us your requests for customized tours in Spain or Portugal!