Barcelona - Every traveller who has Spain in their sights has heard of the world's biggest food fight - La Tomatina.
For one hour you're up to your elbows in squishy tomatoes... but this is not Spain's only festival that involves lashings of the good stuff. If you'd like to indulge in all things Bacchanalian this June you should head out to Haro for the La Batalla del Vino and revel in a fight involving 50 000 litres of delicious, sweet red wine.
The madness that is La Batalla del Vino begins on the evening of June 28 with a massive party in the city centre. You are joined by just about all the townsfolk to party up a storm. The feast is meant to commemorate Saint Peter's Day and the region of Haro is known to produce some of the best Rioja wine in Iberia. So what better way to celebrate than to have the biggest wine party of all time?
A photo posted by XXII. (@adrii.addftm_xxii) on Aug 27, 2015 at 3:19am PDT
The Festival starts at 7am on the 29 with religious mass outside the city. Once the mayor hangs the banner and after mass has ended the famous battle of wine begins. Expect the water trucks to be filled with wine, bucket loads and jugs too. And then the madness begins. People choose one of two sides and start drenching each other with the delicious Rioja wine.
Apart from soaking up (literally) the biggest wine fight travellers can also enjoy the divine Pinxtos (tapas) that Haro is renowned for. The famous ´patatas bravas´ (fried potatoes with a tomato sauce) are a must, and the region also produces excellent Jamon (ham), spicy sausage, tortillas, ceviche and so much more.
Surviving La Batalla del Vino is easy and here are some tips for getting through the day and night without the biggest hangover you've ever had:
* Don't wear your best bib and tucker, but do put on a white shirt. This is traditional and you're going to be various shades of pink and red by the end of the day
* Be prepared to get seriously wet. Everyone has a container such as a water pistol or a jug or even a hose pipe and you will get soaked
* The Battle of Wine is a peaceful one between two sides but it is a free-for-all
* At midday head back to the city to the Plaza de la Paz and continue the celebrations of dancing, eating tapas and drinking of course
Want to join in the wine-soaked fun? Busabout has a camping trip to Haro that is priced from R4 100 per person sharing and includes two nights' accommodation with breakfast, festival t-shirt, a Pintxos (tapas bar) crawl and the wine battle. Book and pay by May 12 and take eight percent off this price.
A photo posted by Mikel Ponce (@mikel_ponce) on Aug 27, 2015 at 10:13am PDT
For more information visit www.busabout.com or speak to the team on (011) 280 8455. Follow Busabout on social media using the #freespirited hash tag - you'll find them on Facebook and Twitter (@BusaboutSA).
Adapted from a press release for IOL