Intrepid Travel Announces Top 10 Spanish Festivals Not To Be Missed

    BOULDER, CO, December 12, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Celebrations are a large part of the Spanish culture and are a major draw for vacationers all year round. Intrepid Travel put together a list of Spanish festivals and events to help travelers plan the timing of their trips. Spain has been, and is expected to continue to be, a popular destination for Intrepid, which announced seeing a 148% growth in travel through Spain.

1. Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December)
This public holiday represents the beginning of the Christmas season for locals all over Spain. It features music and dancing all over the country and at midnight, small groups gather in the town centers to sing and celebrate together.

2. Day of the Innocent (December 28th)
Known in the United States as "April Fools Day," Spain's Day of the Innocent catches passengers by surprise, and becomes a celebration and a chance to play jokes on friends.

3. Running of the Bulls in Pamplona (July 7th)
Occurring in Pamplona, runners dressed in white shirts and pants with red waistbands, run through the streets of Pamplona followed by bulls all the way to the town's central bullring. This tradition occurs annually and is open to anyone over the age of 18.

4. Procession of the Three Kings (January 5th)
The Procession of the Three Kings, otherwise known as the Cabalgata los Reyes Magos, is a popular Hispanic Christmas tradition. In Barcelona, crowds gather at the steps of the Moll de Fusta to witness the glorious arrival of the regal trio.

5. Saint Anthony's Day (January 17th)
Saint Anthony's Day is celebrated throughout Spain with an unrivaled festival celebrating animals and pets. Locals bring their pets of all shapes and sizes to the different churches and cathedrals around Spain to have them blessed for the New Year.

6. Second of May Festival (May 2nd)
Exclusive to Madrid, this festival recognizes the 1808 uprising of Madrid inhabitants against French domination. The ceremony begins in Malasaña's Plaza del 2 de Mayo with the help of street dancers, and performers from all across Madrid.

7. Corpus Christi (May)
Corpus Christi is celebrated in Barcelona with huge parades, floats, and the tradition of the "dancing egg." Emptied hard boiled egg shells are placed into fountains around the city, and appear to "dance" when they are pushed around by the different streams of water.

8. Festival de San Isidro (May)
Madrid's largest festival, Festival de San Isidro, offers travelers and locals a chance to taste Madrid's finest cooking, wines, and delicacies. Local musicians hold concerts all over the city, and everyone comes out to celebrate!

9. International Festival of Music and Dance (June)
The International Festival of Music and Dance is held in Granada's Alhambra, the incredible monasteries and the cathedral. It is a must see for music enthusiast or anyone with an interest in Southern Spain.

10. Photo Espana (June-July)
This festival is an international festival for photographers from all around Spain to be displayed and presented. It features everything from film screenings and outdoor events to photography classes, for those who want to try their hand at some amateur photography.

Moorish Spain is one of Intrepid Travel's most popular trips that runs all year round, allowing travelers to experience most of these yearly festivities. Passengers journey through the beautiful Andalucian region, visiting the people and cities that reflect Spain's diverse history and culture. They experience the bewitching duende of a fiery flamenco performance and explore the mysterious maze of alleyways of the old Arab quarter in Albayzin. Travelers follow their taste buds to a tapas bar and wander among Gaudi's handiwork in Barcelona. From perusing 900-year-old artworks to taking a day trip to North Africa, this Spanish adventure tour is as colorful and diverse as the land itself. This Spain trip costs $2140 USD (plus a local payment of 400 EUR) for 15 days. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/ASG/USPR

For more information about Spain adventure travel or Intrepid Travel, visit: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/destinations/Spain/USPR

About Intrepid Travel

With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 100 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

For USA Media inquiries, please contact Ashley Montblanc at LDPR Communications, 212-696-0660. For media inquiries outside of the USA, please contact Eliza Anderson, Global PR Manager, [email protected].

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