Spain’s regions are diverse by geography and cultures. The capital, Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters. Segovia has a medieval castle (the Alcázar) and an intact Roman aqueduct. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s landmarks.
But really what you don’t want to miss is participating in one of their crazy festivals. They are everywhere. Every single village, every town, every neighborhood has these fiestas where they party for days, if not a week, every year without fail.
The community is the central theme. They build up to the fiestas and then let their hair down and go crazy.
Well-known is Spain’s La Tomatina, a simply giant tomato fight! Or witnessing the Haro Wine Festival is another bucket list event for most.
Wade Gravy, former editor of Australia’s Surfing Life and life-long part of Stoke Travel based himself in Barcelona and really knows Spain’s weirdest and wildest fiestas. Rad Season Founder Oli Russell-Cowan chats to him about some of his best stories and his love for food, wine and partying.