Summer Fiestas

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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

Val d’Isère has something for skiers and boarders of all levels. No, really.

Nestled in the heart of a naturally preserved environment, the resort of Val Louron towers above the top of his 2100m valleys Aure and Louron.

Val Thorens: the highest ski resort in Europe is hard to beat for snow fans. At 2,300m, it has one of the longest ski seasons. It is situated at the head of the 3 Valleys – the largest ski area in the world.

Located 1 hour from the mediterraneen coastline, in a protected environment at the Mercantour doors, the Valberg resort offers you several activities, in summer as in winter.

Valdelinares at 1,693 m is the highest township in Spain. Major road improvements have allowed an enormous increase in the number of visitors from the Autonomous Communities of Valencia, Catalonia and Aragón.

More serious skiers as well as beginners. Snow making covers 10% of the terrain. There's no accommodation at the centre but around 500 tourist beds within a 3km radius.