La Tomatina History:
Several interpretations on the origin of this popular festival exist. According to some historians, its origin goes back to a "practical joke" that some friends wanted to play on a man who was crossing the town square singing and playing a musical instrument but, apparently, he was doing it so badly that some of the people around decided to take some tomatoes from a fruit and vegetable stall and throw them at him. Everybody else joined in and the end result was a tomato battle.

However, the most reliable and historical version says that everything started in 1945. The town square (where the "tomatina" is traditionally held nowadays) was crowded with young people of that time to witness a "Gigantes and Cabezudos" parade (giant carnival figures with a grotesque head). Some of them decided to join the authority committee and music band leading the parade and to do so they pushed the ones who were wearing the giant disguises.

One of the participants fell down and when he stood up he started beating everyone around so everybody got caught up in a fight. Fate or chance, there was a vegetable stall nearby with open crates showing the goods for sale. The young people involved in the fight took the tomatoes from the crates and started throwing them at each other until the police broke up "the battle", and those responsible for the riot paid for the damages.

This riot was not forgotten and the next year on the same Wednesday of August the youths of the town met again at the square, but this time with their own tomatoes. This is how another battle started and once again was stopped by the local police. In fact, in the following years the authorities forbade the celebration of what was already popularly known as the "day of the tomatina".

Accommodation:
We have three accommodation options for this tour and they are all based in city centre Valencia.

HOSTEL: We have two options and they are both situated in the "old town" with a huge array of bars and restaurants right on your door step. The Boutique Hostel is unique and intimate, tucked away from the hustle and bustle but only a 5 minute walk from the main square and central food market. The rooms are twin, double and quads and each room has its own theme. Breakfast is included and they have free wifi and internet access.

Our second hostel is right amongst the Barrio Carmen area of the old town, again a good array of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The hostel offers kitchen facilities, although breakfast is included. The rooms are multi-bedded dorms with shared bathroom facilities.

HOTEL: Only a 10 minute walk from the old town, our fantastic 4 star hotel is right next to Valencia's largest shopping mall. The hotel has a great roof top pool with views over Valenica. The rooms are twin/doubles/triples with private ensuite and air-conditioning. A great base for your stay in Valencia.

The Tomato Fight:
To get things started there's a monumental 110 ton arsenal of ripe fruit dropped in the town centre. This is delivered by large trucks that stop at strategic points along the narrow street to dump the tomatoes into the waiting hands of the crowd. The local farmers sit on top of the trucks and fire tomatoes (including green ones) at the defenseless crowd. Participants then have one hour in which to hurl tomatoes at each other. Several times throughout the hour trucks come through to re-stock the street with more and more loads of tomatoes.

Whilst there are very few rules at La Tomatina it is important to follow the following rules outlined by the city council so the event runs smoothly without incident, as it has done to date.

- It is compulsory to squash the tomatoes before throwing them.
- This is a tomato lover's festival so strictly no other projectiles are allowed
- Be careful of the lorries going through the village
- You must not rip t-shirts
- Tomatoes must stop being thrown once the second incendiary device is fired.

After the tomato fight has concluded, the town is transformed back to its former self. Shopkeepers take down their tarpaulins and everyone chips in to hose down the town and each other. Fire Trucks are also used to spray down the streets, with water provided by a Roman aqueduct. It is best to look for locals with hoses to wash up after the fight. The river is also a popular spot to go after the fight but the water is of questionable cleanliness and there are loads of people queuing up for a chance to wash.

Tuesday 28th August:
After making your way to Valencia please head to your allocated hotel any time from 3pm onwards where you will be able to check into your allocated rooms. The group is invited to get together this evening for a festival briefing followed by a drink in the hotel before we head out to sample the famous Valencian nightlife. Alternatively we offer an optional excursion where you have the chance to travel out to one of Valencia 's surrounding villages and partake in an all night wine and water festival. This event is one of the highlights of the tour and an amazing experience. The group leaves at 8pm and returns at 4am back to Valencia in order to prepare for La Tomatina. Sounds like a long night but all our passengers of the past have absolutely loved it and even rated it above the experience of La Tomatina!

Wednesday 29th August:
La Tomatina Festival: Today is the reason we are here in Spain so after an early start we will transfer to Bunol for the world famous 'La Tomatina' tomato fight! The preparations start in the early morning and by midday it's time for the festivities to start. The tomato fight lasts for one hour and is an experience you will never forget. After the tomato fight has concluded we spend some time in Bunol cleaning ourselves off before transferring by charter coach back to our hotel in Valencia . After a long shower we will join together at a local bar to compare stories from this amazing day.

Thursday 30th August:
A slow start to the day today as we continue the long process of removing every last piece of tomato from ourselves! Today you have free time to explore more of Valencia or perhaps head out to the beach. Check-out of the hotel is 11am which ends our accommodation package. Happy travelling!

2 nights quality hotel accommodation in Valencia city centre (based on twin,double or triple share)
World famous 'La Tomatina' festival
Charter coach transfers from Valencia to Bunol for 'La Tomatina'
Souvenir 'La Tomatina' t-shirt
Services of First Festival Travel tour leaders
Option to join us at the authentic 'Water & Wine Festival' *Highly Recommended*
Organised group party nights

Monday 27th August:
After making your way to Valencia please head to your allocated city centre hostel any time from 3pm onwards where you will be able to check into your allocated rooms. Our Hostels are right in the centre of the historic old town making it the perfect place to base yourself for the week. You are invited to get together tonight with the rest of the tour group for a drink at a local bar before we head out to sample the famous Valencian nightlife.

Tuesday 28th August:
Today you have the entire day free to get out and explore the fabulous city of Valencia whether it is in the old town, the world-class aquarium and city of Arts and Sciences, or out at the fabulous beaches. Your tour leaders will be on hand this morning to help plan your exciting day! We have plenty of excursion options available such as a Bike Tour out to the port & beach area, or a walking tour of the Old Town centre.
In the evening we offer an optional excursion where you have the chance to travel out to one of Valencia 's surrounding villages and partake in an all night wine and water festival. This event is one of the highlights of the tour and an amazing experience. The group leaves at 8pm and returns at 4am back to Valencia in order to prepare for La Tomatina. Sounds like a long night but all our passengers of the past have absolutely loved it and even rated it above the experience of La Tomatina!

Wednesday 29th August:
La Tomatina Festival: Today is the reason we are here in Spain so after an early start we will transfer to Bunol for the world famous 'La Tomatina' tomato fight! The preparations start in the early morning and by midday it's time for the festivities to start. The tomato fight lasts for one hour and is an experience you will never forget. After the tomato fight has concluded we spend some time in Bunol cleaning ourselves off before transferring by charter coach back to our hostel in Valencia . After a long shower we will join together at a local bar to compare stories from this amazing day.

Tonight, you have the option to join us on our popular ‘Sunset Booze Cruise’ excursion. Spend 2 hours cruising the Valencian Harbour at Sunset on a Catamaran with a free flowing bar on board! A perfect way to start the evening, before we meet with the rest of the group at a nightclub in the Port area to party our last night away. 

Thursday 30th August:
A slow start to the day today as we continue the long process of removing every last piece of tomato from ourselves! Today you have free time to explore more of Valencia or perhaps head out to the beach. Check-out of the hostel is 12 noon which ends our accommodation package. Happy travelling!

3 nights hostel accommodation in Valencia historic city centre
World famous 'La Tomatina' festival
Charter coach transfers from Valencia to Bunol for 'La Tomatina'
Souvenir 'La Tomatina' t-shirt
Services of First Festival Travel tour leaders
Option to join us at the authentic ‘Water & Wine Festival’ *Highly Recommended*
Organised group party nights

>>Upgrade Options

Monday 27th August:
After making your way to Valencia please head to your allocated city centre hostel any time from 3pm onwards where you will be able to check into your allocated rooms. Our Hostels are right in the centre of the historic old town making it the perfect place to base yourself for the week. You are invited to get together tonight with the rest of the tour group for a drink at a local bar before we head out to sample the famous Valencian nightlife.

Tuesday 28th August:
Today you have the entire day free to get out and explore the fabulous city of Valencia whether it is in the old town, the world-class aquarium and city of Arts and Sciences, or out at the fabulous beaches. Your tour leaders will be on hand this morning to help plan your exciting day! We have plenty of excursion options available such as a Bike Tour out to the Port & Beach, or a walking tour of the Old Town centre.
In the evening we offer an optional excursion where you have the chance to travel out to one of Valencia 's surrounding villages and partake in an all night wine and water festival. This event is one of the highlights of the tour and an amazing experience. The group leaves at 8pm and returns at 4am back to Valencia in order to prepare for La Tomatina. Sounds like a long night but all our passengers of the past have absolutely loved it and even rated it above the experience of La Tomatina!

Wednesday 29th August:
La Tomatina Festival: Today is the reason we are here in Spain so after an early start we will transfer to Bunol for the world famous 'La Tomatina' tomato fight! The preparations start in the early morning and by midday it's time for the festivities to start. The tomato fight lasts for one hour and is an experience you will never forget. After the tomato fight has concluded we spend some time in Bunol cleaning ourselves off before transferring by charter coach back to our hostel in Valencia . After a long shower we will join together at a local bar to compare stories from this amazing day.

Tonight, you have the option to join us on our popular ‘Sunset Booze Cruise’ excursion. Spend 2 hours cruising the Valencian Harbour at Sunset on a Catamaran with a free flowing bar on board! A perfect way to start the evening, before we meet with the rest of the group at a nightclub in the Port area to party our last night away. 

Thursday 30th August:
A slow start to the day today as we continue the long process of removing every last piece of tomato from ourselves! Today you have free time to explore more of Valencia or perhaps head out to the beach. Check-out of the hostel is 10am which ends our accommodation package. Happy travelling!

>>Upgrade Options

Monday 27th August:
After making your way to Valencia please head to your Hotel any time from 3pm onwards where you will be able to check into your allocated rooms. The hotel we utilise is a fantastic hotel in the centre of the city making it the perfect place to base yourselves for the week. The group is invited to get together tonight for a festival briefing and a welcome drink in the hotel before we head out to sample the famous Valencian nightlife.

Tuesday 28th August:
Today you have the entire day free to get out and explore the fabulous city of Valencia whether it is in the old town, the world-class aquarium and city of Arts and Sciences, or out at the fabulous beaches. Your tour leaders will be on hand this morning to help plan your exciting day!We have plenty of excursion options available such as a Bike Tour out to the Port & Beach, or a walking tour of the Old Town centre.

In the evening we offer an optional excursion  where you have the chance to travel out to one of Valencia's surrounding villages and partake in an all night wine and water festival. This event is one of the highlights of the tour and an amazing experience. The group leaves at 8pm and returns at 4am back to Valencia in order to prepare for La Tomatina. Sounds like a long night but all our passengers of the past have absolutely loved it and even rated it above  the experience of La Tomatina!

Wednesday 29th August:
La Tomatina Festival: Today is the reason we are here in Spain so after an early start we will transfer to Bunol for the world famous 'La Tomatina' tomato fight! The preparations start in the early morning and by midday it's time for the festivities to start. The tomato fight lasts for one hour and is an experience you will never forget. After the tomato fight has concluded we spend some time in Bunol cleaning ourselves off before transferring by charter coach back to our hotel in Valencia. After a long shower and a swim in the rooftop swimming pool, we will join together at a local bar to compare stories from this amazing day.

Tonight, you have the option to join us on our popular ‘Sunset Booze Cruise’ excursion. Spend 2 hours cruising the Valencian Harbour at Sunset on a Catamaran with a free flowing bar on board! A perfect way to start the evening, before we meet with the rest of the group at a nightclub in the Port area to party our last night away. 

Thursday 30th August:
A slow start to the day today as we continue the long process of removing every last piece of tomato from ourselves! Today you have free time to explore more of Valencia or perhaps head out to the beach. Check-out of the hotel is midday which ends our accommodation package. Happy travelling!

3 nights quality hotel accommodation in Valencia city centre with rooftop pool (based on twin/double share)
World famous 'La Tomatina' festival
Charter coach transfers from Valencia to Bunol for 'La Tomatina'
Souvenir 'La Tomatina' t-shirt
Services of First Festival Travel tour leaders
Option to join us at the authentic ‘Water & Wine Festival’ *Highly Recommended*
Organised group party nights