7 Day Classic: Tues 3rd - Mon 9th July 2012 - £299 [Tent/Dorm]

Arrival: Bilbao to campsite: 5th July - £30

The FIESTAS SAN FERMIN or "The Running of the Bulls" as it is more commonly known, runs for 9 days with the opening ceremony of the festival always on the 6th July and the first bull run always on the 7th of July. The bull running has become the most famous aspect of the festival since the publication of Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises".

EL ENCIERRO - THE BULL RUNNING starts at 8.00am on the 7th day of the 7th month. The bulls that face the matadors in the evening's bullfights are run through the streets from the holding pens to the bullring. The local boys originally tested their courage by running in front of these bulls and so laid the foundations of the fiesta. Later these activities were combined with celebrations for SAN FERMIN - (the patron saint of religious societies, of wineskin makers, wineskin merchants & bakers) and so the FIESTAS SAN FERMIN was born.

To add to the bull running, the festival is richly diverse with non-stop parties, traditional sporting contests and a seemingly endless celebration of local music and culture. The opening ceremony begins at midday on July 6th, when the Mayor of Pamplona fires a rocket into the air above the town hall to start the party. The days that follow are an incredible experience and certainly a major highlight in the travelling calendar.

FIRST FESTIVAL TRAVEL TOURS:
In total First Festival Travel takes over 1000 passengers to experience the magic of San Fermin - The Running of the Bulls. We are established as the biggest, best, and most professional tour operator to this incredible festival. A popular tour every year is the 7-day Pamps Classic option as it gives you the most amount of time to take in the full experience. We also have 6 day tour options for those who want to cram it all in whilst taking minimal time off work, one-way tour options , and transfers to Barcelona, Madrid or Bilbao. For those who have been to Pamplona before, or just wish to do it in style and just want to fly into this festival the closest international airport is Bilbao or you can fly into Pamplona via Madrid - these get expensive, however the transfer to the campsite is only 25minutes! If you do fly into Bilbao we offer an airport transfer to the campsite on the 5th July. . And for those who are really stuck for time, we have our lightning quick 5 Day Blitz to ensure you get the best from the festival in the shortest possible time frame!

After a roaring success in 2011 we will offer our ‘Basic Packages’ to both our Coach Tour & Accommodation options for the budget conscious traveler. This allows you to tailor a tour to suit you by choosing your optional extras such as a Tour T- shirt and breakfast whilst still getting the most out of your festival experience with expert tour leaders and facilities.

We serve a continental style breakfast/brunch every morning which includes cereals, coffee and juice, fresh roll, ham and cheese. We are most renowned for our fully operational party campsite and management of it. To maintain this great reputation we annually take a staff of over 100 crew to set up the campsite; provide security through the night; assist passengers 24-7 and of course, our London DJ's keep the masses entertained by the poolside with chill out sessions in the afternoon and rocking on the dance floor through the night!

OUR ACCOMMODATION:
All of our tour packages stay at the El MOLINO campsite. We are lucky enough to use this excellent site located on the banks of a river and below the village of Mendigorria. This campsite has easily the best facilities and atmosphere of all those used by any of the other tour companies. El Molino is a short 25-minute bus ride from the centre of the town and we provide free shuttles in and out of Pamplona for all our passengers during the festival period, with the last shuttles departing town at midnight. The campsite has a swimming pool, football fields, a very lively bar (indoor and outdoor) open until late as well as a chill-out bar by the river, restaurant, camp shop and is just a five minute walk from Mendigorria, which is itself typical of villages in the region with its cobbled streets, old church and small friendly bars. There are also lots of showers and toilets throughout the campsite which are serviced by a 24hour cleaning crew. At El Molino there are bunk beds in the dormitories, or pre-erected dome tents (bring a sleeping mat) and for both, you will require a sleeping bag. For those wanting the campsite party but with a little luxury, all passengers are given the opportunity to upgrade to bungalow accommodation with excellent facilities. [Please note there are limited Bungalows and they sell out early every year!]

STAFFING:
There is security provided by the campground, and in addition we take down a security team to oversee the campsite. As well as your tour leader, we have our own ground crew staff, on hand to assist you in any way they can. We also staff a small shop to assist those who don't get the chance to get into town before the ceremony and buy their own bubbly and running whites as well as the usual essentials; disposable cameras & sunglasses!

COACH TOUR TRANSPORT:
All coaches that we use for the Pamplona tours are executive models with toilets, videos/DVD players and stereos. We make regular refreshment and toilet stops and have two drivers and a tour leader per coach to look after your needs. The total travelling time to Pamplona is approx. 22 hours including the ferry crossing. Drinking is permitted on the coaches so please feel free to BYO, but we do ask that you respect your fellow travellers and the coach. During the festival period we operate a regular, free shuttle service between Pamplona to the campsite for our tour passengers. The first shuttles of the day go out in time for the opening ceremony and bull runs, with the last returning at midnight after the fireworks that mark the end of the day's official program.

DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL:
Our coach tours depart from Goldhawk Road, Stamford Brook, London, which is right beside the Stamford Brook tube station on the District Line. Please be there 30-minutes before departure, when staff will be on hand to help you find your coach and check you in. On arrival in Spain, our ground crew will show you to your allocated accommodation before the party begins! Our accommodation packages are designed for those who find it inconvenient to depart from London, or are already in Europe or those independent travellers that enjoy the challenge of arriving at their destination themselves. Detailed instructions on how to reach the campsite are given to you in the pre-departure information packs emailed 2- 3 weeks prior to departure.

Wednesday 4th July 2012:
Today the coaches will depart from Stamford Brook, West London and make the journey down to Dover where we board the ferry for the channel crossing to Calais. Transport is via coach and ferry through France and overnight to Spain. Bring some drinks for the journey to start the trip as we mean to continue! Ensure you bring passports, sleeping bags and all other essentials for the week.

Thursday 5th July 2012:
On arrival at our El Molino campsite in Pamplona we will check into our accommodation and spend the day relaxing by the pool and settling in before a huge party night. Welcome to Spain - Welcome to San Fermin!

Friday 6th July 2012:
Opening Ceremony! Today is the biggest day of the Pamplona festival and after breakfast we head into town for the midday celebration kick-off. Shuttles run back to El Molino throughout the afternoon and evening finishing after the 11pm end of day fireworks.

Saturday 7th July 2012:
Early wake up for the first bull run of 2012 and then back to the camp for brunch. You are free to spend the day relaxing at the campsite, or head back into town for a last look at Pamplona. In the afternoon there is a final chance for sangrias before the trip home. Departure from Spain is early evening .

Sunday 8th July 2012:
All good things must come to an end and today the Pamplona tour is all over! Expected arrival back in London is approx 4pm for the end of tour.

Return coach transport including ferry crossings
Campsite accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents)
Opening ceremony & first bull run of San Fermin
Free shuttle transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
Bull runners T-shirt
Pamplona bull runners' pannulo (bandana)
Daily Breakfasts
El Molino - the best campsite in Pamplona - [swimming pool, restaurant, shop, bars, London DJ's, security, riverside location + much more!]
Services of a First Festival Travel tour leader

>>Upgrade Options:

Return coach transport including ferry crossings
Quality accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents)
Opening ceremony & first bull run of San Fermin
Free shuttle transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
Optional walking tour and Pamplona town orientation day
El Molino - the best campsite in Pamplona [swimming pool, restaurant, shop, bars, London DJs, security, riverside location + much more!]
Services of a First Festival Travel Tour Leader

Return coach transport including ferry crossings
Campsite accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents)
Opening ceremony & first two bull runs of San Fermin
Free shuttle transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
San Sebastian beach excursion
Bull runners T-shirt
Pamplona bull runners' pannulo (bandana)
Daily Breakfasts
El Molino - the best campsite in Pamplona - [swimming pool, restaurant, shop, bars, London DJs, security, riverside location + much more!]
Services of a First Festival Travel tour leader

>>Upgrade Options:

Return coach transport including ferry crossings
Campsite accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents or bunk bed dorm accommodation)
Opening ceremony & first two Bull Runs of San Fermin
Free festival transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
San Sebastian beach excursion
Orientation day in Pamplona before the festival starts
Bull runners T-shirt
Pamplona bull runners' pannulo (bandana)
Daily Breakfasts
El Molino - the best campsite in Pamplona: [swimming pool, restaurant,camp shop, bars, London DJs, security, riverside location + much more!]
Services of a First Festival Travel tour leader

>>Upgrade Options:

Coach transport from London - Pamplona including ferry crossing
Campsite accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents)
Opening ceremony & first two Bull Runs of San Fermin
Free festival transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
Bull runners T-shirt
Pamplona bull runners' pannulo (bandana)
Daily Breakfasts
El Molino -the best campsite in Pamplona:[swimming pool, restaurant, shop, bars, London DJs, security, riverside location + much more!]
Option to book onto a day trip to the beach city of San Sebastian on 7th July
Services of a First Festival Travel Tour Leader

3 nights campsite accommodation (pre erected quality dome tents or dorms]
Opening Ceremony & two San Fermin bull runs
Free shuttle transfers from camp to Pamps to camp
El Molino - the best campsite in Pamplona: [swimming pool, restaurant, shop, bars, London DJs, security, riverside location + much more!]
Services of the on-site First Festival Travel tour leaders

Return shuttle transport from El Molino
Balcony position to watch the bull run + TV facilities to watch the morning's events live