In Bull Runner's BlogRunning of the Bulls 2013 had a new addition… out of the 1 million people who descended on Pamplona, two of them were wearing Google Glass, the bleeding edge wearable technology from Google. Even though you couldn’t buy the device in stores, that didn’t stop members of Google’s test group, the Google Glass Explorers from signing up for two free trips to Pamplona. Two Americans, Liza Gere, from Napa, California and Noble Ackerson, from Alexandria, Virginia were selected as the winning candidates in the #ROTBthroughGlass contest, hosted by RunningoftheBulls.travel. Noble, coming for the first half of the festival and Liza for the second half. Each brought their own unique perspective to the Running of the Bulls, reflecting their personalities and…
In Bull Runner's BlogThe Running of the Bulls® is the perfect place to entertain clients, partners and prospects. In fact, many people return to Pamplona year after year to reward their high-performing employees and give them the experience of a lifetime. Since the festival is already on many people’s bucket list, you’ll get credit for making a lifetime dream come true. Our Pamplona Plus™ tour operators can accommodate any level of comfort, and a wide range of interests, including: Airport or Train Station Pickup VIP Limousine Services 4 and 5 Star Hotels Fully-catered Private Events Superior Expo & Meeting Space Group Restaurant Reservations Regional group tours to wineries, trout fishing, bull ranches and more And most importantly, they can ensure your group gets…
In Bull Runner's BlogNo one has to fear the Toro de Fuego, but many kids, and some adults, do. The first Fire Bull was mentioned in the Bull Chronicles of the 17th century – when a real bull carried fireworks on its back. Given the obvious risks involved in that scenario, today, we get a much tamer scenario: the Hombre de Fuego (fire dude) dons a pretty cool bull costume with a fair amount of gunpowder strapped to his back. Interestingly enough, the purpose of this tamer version is to give children a chance to have a bull run of their own. Same as in the morning bull run, a rocket announces that the bull is on the street, but in this case,…
In Bull Runner's BlogWho are these Pamploneses and what are they celebrating? Navarra is a proud region, with a rich history dating back to the founding of Pamplona in 74 A.D. While we are a semi-autonomous region of Spain, the Kingdom of Navarra still enjoys its own laws, its own police force, and its own strong ideals. Having survived centuries of political and religious upheaval, one can imagine that the institutions and traditions of Navarra are well established. The Running of the Bulls and the San Fermin Festival represent some of the most celebrated and respected traditions in Navarra. The story begins in the 3rd century, when Firmo, an important Roman Senator in Pamplona, was converted to Christianity. His son, Fermín, was baptized…
In Bull Runner's BlogJuly 6th is one of the most unique experiences at the Running of the Bulls – even though the bulls aren’t running yet, there’s still a spectacle in-store. This is the day of the Chupinazo (Txupinazo in Basque) – the Opening Ceremonies that kick off the San Fermín Festival at Noon. If you want to really be able enjoy this day, we recommend you arrive in Pamplona on July 5th, giving you the opportunity to discover authentic Pamplona. You’ll feel the anticipation building in the atmosphere on this day before the big day. You can smell the excitement, and see the changes as this calm city is converted into a huge party town. July 6th is the happiest day of…
In Bull Runner's BlogBy ALEXANDER FISKE-HARRISON [caption id="attachment_1054" align="alignnone" width="200"] Juan José Padilla about to place the banderillas in Seville in 2009 - Foto Credit Alexander Fiske-Harrison[/caption] BACKGROUNDLa corrida de toros does not translate as bullfight – an English word that originally referred to bull-baiting with dogs – but as ‘the coursing of bulls’, coursing being a form of running hunt. A nobleman on a light horse and armed with a lance would show his horsemanship and courage by killing a savage wild Iberian bull. Like the joust and formal hunt, it was what men did in peace to train for war. The oldest bullrings are still known as Maestranzas – ‘Armories’ – like Seville and Ronda run by noble brotherhoods of cavalry.…
In Bull Runner's BlogBY ALEXANDER FISKE-HARRISON ON 7/4/14 The most dangerous party on Earth begins each year at midday on July 6th and keeps going without pause until midnight on the 14th At 8am each morning, a herd of six Spanish fighting bulls will stampede through half a mile of streets from the edge of Pamplona to the corrals of the city’s bullring. The herd will then spend the day recovering until the bullfighting begins in the evening, as has happened every year since 1591. Also running in those streets will be between one and three thousand people, in various states of drunkenness, sleeplessness and sheer terror. Since records began in 1923 - which happens to be the year Ernest Hemingway first attended…
In Bull Runner's BlogAlexander Fiske-Harrison is a British author, journalist, conservationist, bull-runner and former bull-fighter. He grew up in England before moving to Spain. He studied large mammal biology and animal behaviour at the University of Oxford. He also trained as a bullfighter in Andalusia with matadors including Juan José Padilla, Cayetano Rivera Ordóñez and Eduardo Dávila Miura. His book Into The Arena: The World Of The Spanish Bullfight was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Award 2011, and his story of Pamplona, ‘Les Invincibles’, was shortlisted for The Hemingway Prize 2016 in France. In Spain he has been invited speaker at the Foundation of Taurine Studies, at the University of Seville and for the Ambassador of Spain to…
In Bull Runner's BlogWhether you've just run with the bulls or watched from a Pamplona balcony, you have not only just taken part in a long-running tradition unlike anything else in the world but you have no doubt also worked up a quite an appetite. Here's what you do next: Don't miss the chocolate con churros served at many places on Estafeta street! We guarantee you'll be dreaming about these when you return home. If you don't know what they are, just trust us and order one, or two, or three, or four - you won't be disappointed. You'll also want to pair your churros with a coffee: Cafe Solo (very good normal coffee), Cafe con Leche (with milk, kinda like a latte),…
In Bull Runner's BlogInsider tips on how to run with the bulls Before sharing our tips on how to participate in the Running of the Bulls®, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the history behind this centuries-old tradition. Running with bulls, while not for the faint of heart, was originally born out of a necessity to move the animals from outside Pamplona’s city center to the bullring in town -- something that’s been done since the 13th century. The San Fermin Festival has been held every July since 1592 and the morning bull runs are one of the most highly anticipated events. However, it is not completely clear when citizens began running in front of the bulls rather than behind them. Some records,…
