RUNNING OF THE BULLS TOURS PAMPLONA SPAIN

Sunday, May 19, 2013

How to plan your bull run for Pamplona's festival.

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We're less than two months away from Pamplona's bull run festival and we're getting a lot of questions about how to run with the bulls in Spain. This leads to the inevitable question: what's

"Hey is today Monday!?" Choose
your bull run carefully.

my strategy for the bull run?

Former Spyns clients know there is little strategy possible nor real technique to bull running. I'm sorry to have dashed your hopes but it's true. I've often told our guests planning your bull run is a bit like planning to survive an electrical storm - it's just too random and unpredictable. If you're traveling with us to Pamplona this summer, you should however follow some simple tips:

1. Choose your running date carefully:

July 7th is always the festival's first bull run (called the 'encierro'). It's also the festival's most crowded. Unfortunately for 2013's potential bull runners, July 7th falls on a Sunday this year. This provides a double whammy of danger: as July 7th and weekends are always the busiest encierros and this year you get both. Should you run on the 7th? Some Spyns clients will only be in Pamplona July 5th-7th on our 3-day festival tours so they have no choice. If however, you're planning to be in Pamplona until the 8th or later, I'd choose one of the other weekday runs: July 8th (a Monday) through July 12th (a Friday).

2. Remember to wait in constitutional square:

Pamplona police try to control the number of people running with the bulls. They do so by creating a police line roughly 1/3rd of the way up the bull run near the Banesto Bank on Mercaderes street. Anyone behind this line will run with the bulls, whereas anyone beyond this point will be kicked off the bull run. The bull run takes place every morning of the festival at 8:00 a.m. My advice: stay in constitutional square until about 7:50. The crowd will surge forward when the police move out of the way so you can then take station on your chosen part of the bull run.

3. Leave your costume and accessories behind:

The Brits love a costume. Unfortunately, 2007's Elvis-clad Englishman didn't run as Pamplona's finest considered the two-foot-high wig and bellbottoms a danger. I've seen Tarzans, Santas, and even matadors get kicked off the bull run. The reason: Police believe costumes = idiots = danger. We recommend wearing the standard festival gear of white trousers and white t-shirt. We don't recommend wearing your scarf and sash as these can get hooked or entangled with other runners.

4. Let others immortalize your bull run:

It's illegal to bull run with a camera. This includes running with a GoPro video camera. If the police see your camera, they'll quickly kick you off the bull run. So how do you find a snap of your day of glory? A number of photo shops in Pamplona sell photos of bull runners. They have photographers stationed along the bull run taking high-speed photos. So there is an excellent chance of finding yourself on the photo boards they post in the afternoon following the day's bull run. This is included with your Spyns bull run package tour.

We now have limited space on many of our trips so contact us now. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

Running of the Bulls 2013: How to run safely

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www.running-of-the-bulls.com
www.running-with-the-bulls.com

How not to run with the bulls in Pamplona.

As Spyns diligently prepares for Spain's 2013 bull run, a number of potential clients have asked me: how do I run safely in Pamplona? As I've often written, for novice bull runners there is very little rhyme or reason to running with the bulls. Planning your bull run strategy is a bit like planning to dodge lighting, there are so many random aspects that planning a bull run in Spain is almost impossible. Here are five simple tips for surviving your bull run:

1. Don't run under the influence.

Pamplona's bulls run every morning of the festival from July 7-14. If you're planning to challenge the bulls, we recommend getting a good night's sleep. Running sleepless and drunk is probably not the best way to challenge 12 huge bulls.

2. Leave the camera behind.

Police will kick you off the bull run if you try to run with a bag or camera. Your focus should be on avoiding the bulls and your fellow bull runners - not getting that "glory shot". In 2003, a bull runner from Florida thought it would be a great idea to stop and take pictures of lone bull. The punctured rectum, bladder, and $150,000 in medical bills should dissuade any potential photographers.

3. Avoid July 7 and weekends.

While the festival begins July 6th with a lively opening ceremony, the first bull run isn't held until July 7th. The first bull run always attracts the biggest crowds and this year should be no exception. Moreover July 7 this year is a Saturday so the bull run will be even more crowded than usual. Locals grumble the bull run is becoming too dangerous because of overcrowding by inexperienced and intoxicated runners. This has some merit as busier runs at the beginning of the festival or on weekends lead to more injuries.

4. Take off your scarf and sash.

Traditionally, bull runners wear scarves and sashes during the festival. Fight your lifelong ambition to accessorize during the bull run. A knotted scarf and sash around your waist can become entangled in bull horns or other bull runners so leave them behind.

5. Avoid the most dangerous parts of the run.

If you're taking a Spyns Pamplona tour, we'll explain all of this during your private walking tour. If you're going to Pamplona on your own, you should avoid the danger zones of Santo Domingo street, the corner at Estafeta (known as dead man's corner), and the tunnel into the bull run. If none of these names and places mean anything to you, perhaps you should ask the question: should I really be running with the bulls?

We now have limited space on many of our trips so contact us now. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Introducing our new 4-day "Fiesta" Running of the Bulls Tour

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There is no time like the present for innovation. One of Spyns' most popular running of the bulls tours is the 2-night / 3-day July 5-7 tour. But there has always been a catch with this trip: clients have to choose between running or watching the bull run from a balcony July 7th. While the running of the bulls festival begins with an opening ceremony July 6th, Here is a breakdown of the tour:

July 5 (Arrival): pick up, check in, private walking tour of bull run
July 6 (Opening Ceremony): transfer downtown to enjoy exciting Opening Ceremony
July 7 (First Bull Run/Departure): clients choose between running with the bulls or watching the bull run from a balcony

We often told clients to join our 4-day tours, but these were often too expensive because they include pricey bullfight tickets, and swanky VIP meals. We needed a middle ground. Yesterday I was in the process of writing my umpteenth email explaining why potential 3-day clients interested in July 5-7 can't see a bull run and run with the bulls. Then it dawned on me: give the people what they want!

So ta-da! We're thrilled to introduce our new 4-day "Feista" tours running exclusively July 5-8, 2013. We've addressed the issues raised by our 3-day / July 5-7:

Clients can enjoy the opening ceremony from our private balcony (July 6)
Extra night July 7 so clients can watch a bull run (July 7) and then run (July 8)
Cocktail party/reception overlooking Pamplona's citadel & evening fireworks
We've added arena tickets (July 8) for friends/family to watch friends/loved ones finish their bull run (the bull run ends in Pamplona's bull ring/arena)

So we've given our 3-day clients what they want: a 4-day tour but priced competitively with a chance to watch a bull run and run with the bulls. And our "fiesta" clients will continue to enjoy Spyns' terrific customer service with guides, transfers in Pamplona, and scarf/sash waiting for you in your hotel room. As demand changes, I've learned that we as Spyns have to adapt our tours to meet customer needs.

We now have limited space on many of our trips so contact us now. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Women in Pamplona during San Fermin – Spyns Tours – Running with the Bulls

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www.running-with-the-bulls.com
www.running-of-the-bulls.com

As July and the San Fermin festival get closer and closer in 2013, I am sure there are plenty of women out there still considering running with the bulls this year but are wondering if it is ‘the done thing’ for women to run and what it is like in Pamplona during the festival as a ladies.

As a 30 something year old female, I can firstly say the the festival is totally amazing, and something you don’t really understand until you have been there and seen it for yourself. Definitely a must do for both males and females!

Ok, os it is a huge party with loads of people in the streets, but I must say that I have always felt very safe in Pamplona during San Fermin. Not only are there loads of people wanting to party there are also families and people of all ages wanting to enjoy themselves and experience the incredible and historic festival. Having attended the San Fermin for the last 5 years for the duration of the festival, I have never had any issues or problems as a female walking around by myself, even at 5.30 am (there is still loads of partying going on at this hour), going to and from our private balconies in the centre of town - along the bull run.

A generation ago it was extremely rare for a woman to take part in the daily bull runs of the alcohol-fuelled San Fermin festival, which dates back to medieval times. But more and more women, mostly from outside of Spain, are seeking the thrill of dashing ahead of the half-tonne beasts as they thunder along a 850-metre (2,800-foot) course from a holding pen to Pamplona's bull ring.

Of the 20,500 people who took part in the festival's eight bull runs last year, six percent were women, according to a study prepared for Pamplona city hall. "There has never been a law against women running with the bulls. It is a question of tradition. In Pamplona a man ran to show his love for a women, it was one of the main reasons," said Paula Diaz of Pamplona's bull run museum.

"But little by little, as the years have passed, women have dared to race in front of the bulls with courage. It is still not well regarded because breaking with tradition is complicated but a woman has the same right as a man to run." Says Paula.

I would say that approximately 50% of Spyns clients are women and about half of those actually run with the bulls. Of these ladies some are travelling in groups of women, some as couples and some as single women. Travelling with Spyns Pamplona tours as a women gives you a bit of security and structure as well as a support network.

For further information regarding the running with the bulls or to speak with me (Vicky) about women and San Fermin please do not hesitate to contact us by email info@pamplona-spain.com or call now tollfree on 1.888.825.4720.

We now have limited space on many of our trips so contact us now. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Australians at the Running of the Bulls...Incredible!

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www.running-of-the-bulls.com
www.running-with-the-bulls.com

Where's Bazza? Aussies love
Pamplona's Opening Ceremony.

While sipping a glass of sangria on Pamplona's Estafeta street, the home of 'dead man's corner', you hear a strange noise. Even above the festival din, the loud flapping sounds like a mass migration of emperor penguins. In the distance, endless sunburned bodies, bright colours, nasal accents, the whiff of beer, and of course flip flops (or 'thongs'). The Australians have arrived!

I absolutely adore seeing Australians at Spain's bull run festival and some of our best guides are from Down Under. You would be hard pressed to find a people (or nation) so happy, friendly, and thrilled to be cheating death...in flip flops no less. Pamplona's bull run festival takes place every year in the nothern Spanish city of Pamplona from July 6-14. Australians are by far the largest foreign 'gringos', usually attending the beginning of the festival from July 5-8.

Rumour has it the Australians came in such crushing numbers, the city of Pamplona finally sat down with the ANZAC tour operators to issue the following ultimatum:

Aussies 18-25 are welcome at the festival from July 5-9 only
Stay outside of Pamplona's city centre
Bus your clients in/out of the downtown core

Believe it or not, the facts speak for themselves. You won't see a young Australian tour group in Pamplona after July 9. I've witnessed the mass exodus the morning of July 9. Most Aussie tour groups stay well outside of Pamplona in huge rave-like party compounds. While I've never seen them, they are apparently a blur of bright colours, techo music, flying beer, and endless rows of tents.

Unlike the French who try to regulate the hell out of everything, the practical Spanish decided to first divert and later manage the Aussie flood. Spain's running of the bulls wouldn't be the same without the Aussies. Hell, they've become a tourist attraction. Here are some of my favourite things about Australians attending Pamplona's bull run festival:

Australians are the only nationality who run with the bulls in flip flops (or 'thongs' as they call them)
Australians created the tradition of 'fountain jumping' which you can see on July 6th shortly after the bull run's opening ceremony
You can see heaps of large Aussie tour groups walking the bull run July 5, 6, 7, and 8. Most are drunk, dressed like they're going to a beach, and their 'expert' guides are explaining bull run techniques for the first time.
Aussie's are the only nation who can make the name Barry sound badass. Barry = Bazza down under. Brilliant!

Young Australians are a breed apart. Unlike the youngish Brits or Americans, they don't spend their entire time in Pamplona looking to fight. While they love their beer, they love eachother more. It's not unusual to hear Aussies asking hotel reception if there are other Australians staying at a hotel. You'd be hard pressed to find a Canadian asking the same thing. If you're planning a trip to Spain's running of the bulls this summer, you should consider the early festival when the Australians are in full flip-flop migration.

Are you ready to run with the bulls?

Join a morning bull run (the "encierro"), or simply watch the frenzy, champage glass in hand, from the safety of a private balcony. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Apartment or Hotel for Spain's Running of the Bulls?

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www.running-with-the-bulls.com

Meet your new roommates.

A potential client recently contacted me asking about apartments for Spain's running of the bulls. While Spyns offers package tours to Pamplona's running of the bulls, we only work with hotels and don't rent apartments. If you are considering a trip to Pamplona's bull run this July, you should consider the pros and cons of apartments for the bull run festival.

Apartments for Spain's Bull Run Festival:

Pros. there are several advantages to renting an apartment for Pamplona's San Fermin festival namely:

Cost: Apartments are much less expensive to rent than hotel rooms for Spain's running of the bulls. You can put more people into an apartment than a hotel room.
Location: Most running of the bulls apartments are located in Pamplona's city centre. Being within walking distance of the bull run and fiesta are huge advantages, but there can be some drawbacks to staying in the heart of Pamplona.

There are a number of drawbacks to renting apartments in Pamplona for the bull run festival, namely:

Crowding: You may be sharing the apartment with several other "new" best friends. I've often had tired looking people beg me for a hotel room because they found themselves sharing a studio apartment with most of New South Wales. So when renting, make sure you have the place to yourself. Most clients over the age of 25 want a little privacy.
Size: European apartments are typically much smaller than in North America. Ask yourself if you're ready to share a closet-sized bathroom, with ten friends, without a cleaning lady, for four days.
Black Market: You'll be in for a bit of an adventure finding your owner, getting the keys, and making payment. This is a grey/black business during Spain's bull run festival so don't expect an invoice.
Noise: Most people underestimate the noise level during the bull run festival. The Spanish are largely nocturnal people, with the fiesta peaking between midnight and 4 a.m. (prime sleeping time for most North Americans).

If you do plan to rent an apartment, anyone advertising Pamplona apartments via a website shows a certain degree of effort and I daresay legitimacy. Here are some tips for renting apartments in Pamplona:

Payments: Avoid making substantial up-front payments before seeing the apartment. You'll have little recourse if the transaction goes wrong so expect to pay a small deposit, with the balance paid in cash once you've inspected your new home.
Hidden Costs: Ask about deposits, bedding/linen, and final cleaning costs. In Europe, you typically just rent an apartment. So you should know if you'll need pillows, towels, etc and what these will cost if your owner doesn't provide the same.
Location: If you're over the age of 25, whether you like it or not you'll eventually want to sleep. So I'd recommend finding an apartment outside of the noisy city centre. The festival tends to peak between midnight and 4 a.m., prime sleeping time for many, so I'd find your bull run festival apartment in quiet suburbs like Iturrama. It's always best to be able to close the door on the festival whereas if you stay in the old town, the noise is deafening.
Privacy: Find out if you'll have exclusive access to the apartment. Quite often owners will rent rooms with bunkbeds to various tenants so you should know how many people will be sharing the space, bathrooms, kitchen etc.

Renting an apartment in Pamplona for the running of the bulls can be an inexpensive option to a hotel. But most North Americans find the experience challenging and ultimately disappointing. While Europeans are used to bare-bones rentals, we Americans and Canadians expect the rental to include towels, linens, and a cleaning lady.

Are you ready to run with the bulls?
Join a morning bull run (the "encierro"), or simply watch the frenzy, champage glass in hand, from the safety of a private balcony. Spyns offers unique and personalized adventures to Pamplona’s 2013 running of the bulls. Choose a 3, 4 or 7-day adventure or request a quote for a personalized trip to the San Fermin festival to watch Europe's most dangerous tradition held every year in Pamplona from July 6-14. Looking for a Pamplona tour package? Spyns is an active travel company based in Whister, BC (Canada) and Beaujolais France. Spyns offers active holidays to Europe including trips to the 2012 Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona. We offer 3, 4, and 7-day trips to Pamplona's San Fermin festival. All of our tours include the bull run and balconies to watch the bull run. For more information, please visit http://www.pamplona-spain.com/ or http://www.running-of-the-bulls.com/ . To see past clients testimonials or take a virtual tour of the hotels that we use visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/spynspamplonatours.