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

La Molina is located in the Pyrenees in the province Girona. La Molina is at an altitude of 1700 m with lifts going up to 2445 m.

At the bottom of Midi Peak of Bigorre, the Mongie-Barèges, you find the Tourmalet field, by many considered to be the best skiing area in the French Pyrenees.

The charming little ski town of La Norma in the heart of the Savoyard French Alps is located at 1350 metres in altitude, on a vast tree covered plateau which leads to the Vanoise mountain range and further on, the upper valley of the Arc

Settled on the west of Pyrenees, at a height of 1650 meters, the Pierre Saint Martin is a ski resort with a magnificent landscape.

BASE: 4921ft
SUMMIT: 7217ft
VERTICAL DROP: 2296ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 13
Gondolas: 1
Chairs: 4
Surface: 9

La Plagne is a beautiful place – a plateau surrounded by the great snow covered alpine peaks. You have to say this first because it has a reputation for ugly buildings.