LA TOMATINA12 min read

LA TOMATINA

IBIZA & VALENCIA

12 months ago, I sat down with my parents and their friends. I mentioned I was going on a trip (originally just Valencia), and if they wanted to, they could join. I refused to tell them where, but assured them they would not regret it. (I had the La Tomatina tour in mind)!

TODAY 20,000 TOURISTS DESCENT UPON A TOWN WITH A POPULATION OF JUST 9,600

Luckily, they all said yes, and rather than just going to Valencia, I added a few extra days so we could include Ibiza.

WHERE IS BUÑOL?

Buñol

The response was a mix of confusion and surprise when I broke the news 10 months later in Portugal. Some hadn’t heard of this festival, had no idea where La Tomatina is held, but were all curious about Ibiza. Everyone knows Ibiza’s reputation but it has sooo much more to offer but what didn’t help was when someone mentioned their friend watched a girl p*ss in the aisle of the plane mid flight…that’s Ibiza!

IBIZA

Anyway, Ibiza was phenomenal, much better than expected. It was more afternoon drinks and sunset dinners than 5am raves. Some of the restos, such as Experimental, Hostal del Torre, and Amante, had the most incredible settings you will ever see. I wasn’t convinced by STK, but it shocked us! The entertainment was great and the steak one of the best I’ve ever had – suppose it would need to be with a name like that!

WEST END

A trip to Ibiza wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the West End in San Antonio. This is the street of sin in Ibiza. It doesn’t really stop, but from around 6 pm, it slowly ramps up to absolute carnage. I have spent many nights here. Also, you do not visit the West End without stopping at its best bar – The Highlander & Shenanigans.

Although questionable morals after midnight, this place takes its principles seriously – we ordered Tennants (dad) and a few Guinness, and I was shocked to see the Tennants come from the Highlander (Scottish bar) and the Guinness come from Shenanigans (Irish bar). Great attention to detail.

We also had a quick stop at Bar Amsterdam, where one of the Peru two worked before heading to a worldwide institution and home of the most famous sunset in the world: Café Mambo!

RAINED OFF

You are pretty much guaranteed decent weather wherever you are in the Med, but for our catamaran day, it wasn’t meant to be; it was Stormy Daniels all over. Unfortunately, the drink had been bought and the money paid, so we ventured out anyway and regretted it immediately. Cutting our sailing 7 hours short, we headed to the nearest beach and got the f*ck off that boat. It wasn’t all bad, as we ended up having a killer day at Cotton Beach Club.

OKU

My accommodation is usually fairly questionable, but this hotel was an exception; it was absolutely incredible and kept getting better every day we stayed. Its industrial/minimalist rooms were something different from anything I had ever seen and had a French Polynesian theme on the outside with its turquoise pool, palm trees and chilled atmosphere, a perfect mix for us.

VALENCIA

After 5 days in Ibiza, we headed to Valencia for a few days, and in hindsight, it was probably a day too short.

The following day, we headed to the La Tomatina tour, an epic tomato-throwing festival that attracts around 20,000 people and over 1 million tomatoes.

LA TOMATINA

It’s an early start to get you there for the music, food and drink (La Tomatina festival tickets). At around 11, it’s time to make your way to the famous street. I knew there were a ton of people, but it was well beyond my expectations. Once it got to 12:45, you couldn’t move; people certainly wondered if this was normal and not to mention that the lorries still had to drive through.

RAMMED

Once it reached 1 pm, a loud firework signalled the start of the festival, and the lorries began to make their way to the unloading points. Side note – you can pay to get on these lorries.

With the help of “aggressive pushers”, the lorries eventually made their way through the packed crowds (a feat in itself!), and then it was time to start launching some tomatoes. At the beginning, it was nearly impossible to pick up the tomatoes from the ground due to the number of people, but after a while, there was a bit more space, and then it was time to get at it.

1 HOUR

The atmosphere was brilliant, and many of us were picking out targets from across the road and creating our own duels, but all in good fun. Some people were super aggressive, and I was happy to join them. When arranging this trip, I did wonder why it only lasted an hour, but an hour of tomatoes to the face is long enough.

After a quick shower, it was back to the courtyard to enjoy some more of the entertainment, food and drinks before jumping on the bus and making our way back to Valencia. Buñol, you were mad!

CHINNED

Our last day in Valencia was pretty chill, besides a scooter tour, and if we thought the biggest chance of an injury was at La Tomatina, Mum had other ideas; you can’t take her anywhere. Luckily she still has a full set of teeth!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have been to Ibiza about 6 times now, and this has to be the best, maybe because I can’t remember most of the others. But the main reason for this trip was La Tomatina, and it was just nuts, absolutely nuts. If you are thinking of going, take note of the tips above and you won’t go wrong!

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
159/229

NEXT UP

TBC!!!

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