Summer Fiestas

mariapiquet's picture

Location

Menorca
Spain
39° 52' 48.108" N, 4° 17' 26.196" E
ES
General info: 

If you happen to be in Menorca when one of the traditional Summer Fiestas is taking place, don´t miss the great athmosphere of this slightly crazy fiesta.

The Fiastas take place during the summer in different villages on different dates. Each village has their own flavor to the fiesta but generally the pattern is the same. First the local traditional riders ride along the city streets to show the horses. The parade culminates when the horses arrive to an arena two horses at a time. The arena is filled with young brave that are trying to touch the horses heart while the riders show off their horsemanship skills on the famous Menorcan horses.

This hectic action looks pretty dangerous especially considering the blood alcohol level of the crowd from drinking the local favorite, pomada. One could also imagine the horses are a bit stressed as the music is loud too.

This link shows the dates and places of the fiestas:
http://www.mymenorca.info/menorca-summer-fiestas/

Getting there: 

The fiestas are completely free.

Interesting places nearby

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, a genuinely traditional resort where skiing is harnessed into a wonderful natural environment.

An altitude resort near the Italian border and sharing a lift ticket with Pra Loup and Le sauze Super Sauze (although not lift linked to them).

As the traditional home of the Haute Savoie's stone mason trade, Samoens has now established itself as a leader in ski resort excellence.

The mountain resort private://San Domenico di Varzoprivate:// is a natural place all surrounded by marvellous mounts, woods, fields, little lakes, snowfields.

A year round tourist centre with full facilities on and off the slopes. Set in the spectacular scenery of the Piemont Alps.

BASE: 3608ft
SUMMIT: 5708ft
VERTICAL DROP: 2296ft

The skiing area of Sangiacomo stretches between the slopes of Monte Alpet (1600 m) and Bric Colmé (1300 m) offering good exposure to the sun, a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and, above all, 32 km of snow-covered runs