Not to mention, if you get up to decent speeds on the slopes, your eyes will begin to water if you’re not wearing decent goggles. All the effort you put into looking nonchalantly cool will be ruined if it looks like you’ve been crying on the blue run…

So here are three pairs of top quality goggles in descending order of price and coolness.

Oakley A Frame True Carbon Fibre/Persimmon £80

Comfort, cachet and a liberal dose of slope-side style

Oakley are the big name in eyewear for a reason. Aside from looking great they’re really comfortable. These A-frames have a great visual field and the small oval vents at the base prevent fogging.

You can also snap the lens out and replace with different lens colours if you happen to have a spare one (Is it just me?).

Dragon DX Red Gradient Icon £75

Dragon goggles are the choice of young hipsters who like to spend all day getting air in the park and pipe. The design of this pair is slightly understated (for Dragon) cool. And it’s true, things do actualy look better through rose tinted lenses.

They’re also great in flat light conditions…  so if you want to be hip and not follow the crowd buy a pair of Dragons instead of Oakleys.

Scott Witness White / Silver Chrome £70

Did someone say snow camouflage?

I used to have a pair of Scott lenses, traditionally lower priced than their competition they’re commonly regarded as the poor mans choice.

Functionally they do a great job and this pair would be great if you’re going for a snow camo look. Just be careful you don’t drop them because they’ll be a bugger to find!

See the full list of departure dates here

There are different itineraries that include trips from Athens to Mykonos and also various combinations taking in the stunning Greek islands of Santorini and Ios amongst others

Here is a map of the 10 days Santorini to Santorini trip

That little red line could be your route around the Greek isles!

The yachts used are 50 footers and come with an experienced skipper to help guide you and the small crew around the islands.

There’s plenty of time for stopping off and indulging in some snorkelling. Various archeological sites are also included in the itinerary, and you will be able to enjoy the food and atmosphere at local tavernas throughout the trip.

It doesn’t take much to imagine standing on deck as you manouevre into a local harbour, the salty sea air becomes infused with the spiced aromas wafting out of a family owned taverna on the seafront.  A few local fisherman wave you in and insist you share a bottle of ouzo with them over a fish supper…

This trip is what you want to make it, but rest-assured it will be an experience to remember.

So whats stopping you? There are plenty of BHPA (British Hang Gliding And Paragliding) approved schools that provide week long introductory courses and follow on courses to gain pilot qualifications.

Having seen paragliders launching off mountains in Austria, soaring above Sugarloaf mountain in Rio and traversing the ridge off Miraflores in Lima I realised there was nothing stopping me have a go for myself. I had visions of landing on the beach of Ipanema to the awe of admiring Brazilians. I’d obviously seen one too many milk tray adverts at a susceptible age.

Where to Learn to Paraglide

So, where’s the best place for you to learn? In the UK, paragliding is affectionately referred to as parawaiting. The gusty maritime winds make for unpredictable and risky conditions for flying.

After a modicum of research I settled upon a reputable paragliding school in Spain setup by a Sideshow Bob lookalike from Brighton. Flyspain.co.uk was established in 2002 and is run from Algodonales in the heart of Andalucia.

Predictable Winds Of Andalucia

In southern Spain the conditions are perfect for paragliding; nice predictable winds, not too strong or gusty can be relied upon day after day. The intense Andalucian sun heats the ground and creates lots of columns of warm air, known as thermals. These thermals can be tapped by experienced pilots to quickly gain altitude. You’ll occasionally be joined by a bird looking to gain altitude too.

Up And Flying Straightaway

On day one we spent a couple of hours running on the ground with the paraglider wing trailing above us, getting a feel for inflating and raising the wing. By late afternoon we were on the top of a rise and taking it in turns to run down. Everyone was elated to get a bit of air for the first time, even if it was only half a metre off the ground for a few seconds!

Airtime And Flightpaths

On each of the days we spent a little time on theory and progressed to longer and longer flights, all of which were solo.

One of the instructors would head off first to show us the rough flightpath we should follow. We would then follow, one by one, being talked through the whole flight on a walkie talkie.

As the day progressed the hot sun meant the conditions got “thermally”. The rising air can make paragliding a bit too choppy for novice pilots. As you pass through thermals you can feel the uplift and the wing can start flapping. More experienced paragliders can take advantage of the thrilling conditions and rapidly rise hundreds of metres.

Thermal Activity And Mid Afternoon Breaks

As the thermals became stronger us novices were grounded for a few hours. This gives great opportunities for leisurely exploring the surrounding villages and countryside; or a siesta if you’re worn out. Just down the road is Zahara, a picturesque white-washed town clinging to a hillside, overlooking a pristine reservoir, great for a quick dip to cool off.

After a few hours break we would clamber back in the trusty van and summit another hill to the sounds of pumping tunes. As we disembarked the van and prepared for each flight we were just brimming with enthusiasm and positive energy.

Paragliding Training Techniques

A paraglider hung from the HQ ceiling is a great learning tool for practicing manouevres without fear of collapsing your wing.

A local cafe serves as the setting for a lesson on interpreting weather signals and reading the wind. As a Brit, being able to take polite chit chat about the weather to the next level is always handy.

Showing You The Ropes

Various rises, hillocks and mountain locations are used as launch pads as your group progresses and gains in confidence and ability. Rob will explain the lay of the land and accurately gauge the wind speed using a unique method honed over the years – feeling the wind blowing across his legs. Lots of beeping gadgetry serves to verify his measurements for the disbelievers.

Throughout the week there are generally 3 instructors on hand to demonstrate, encourage, observe and help correct any mistakes you are making. You are shown the ropes quite literally; untangling the multitude of tiny cords that connect you to the canopy takes a bit of practice. Imagine trying to untangle a bowl of spaghetti and you’ll get the picture.

Flight paths were sketched out using a stick and a patch of dirt as brush and canvas. Another time honoured technique that served us well.

Rapid Progression – How Fast Is Too Fast?

After three days of training we were flying hundreds of metres above the ground for about five minutes at a time.  This seems a scarily quick progression but it didn’t feel forced and no one was out of their depth or flustered.  All of the basics were mastered in measured steps allowing everyone to gain in confidence as we moved to higher ground and longer flights.

A hat tip is definitely required to the experience and ability of the qualified paragliding instructors.

“Flight Reviews” With Fellow Pilots

My fellow wannabe pilots were a great bunch, each from different parts of Europe, all with interesting stories to tell. So the evenings were passed with glass in hand enjoying the balmy summer climate and great conversation.

A few plates of tapas are a delicious way to replenish energy after a hard days paragliding. This can be followed by a languorous stroll around the main plaza in the village. The plaza is the centre of village life, it’s a hubbub of activity in the evenings with generations of families congregating to chat and pass the warm summer evenings.

Gaining Your Club Pilot Qualification

The week long course served as an introduction, after which you could take another weeks tuition to attain your pilot qualification.

As a qualified pilot you can share the skies with aircraft and the like without getting into trouble with the authorities. Airspace regulations are all covered in the training courses.

More importantly you’ll have developed enough ability to fly around without the risk of doing something stupid and seriously hurting yourself.

At this point you might want to tap into paraglider networks to meet a few paragliding buddies and discover the best places for paragliding holidays and practice hills in your area.

Paragliding Associations & Club Links

British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association
South East Wales Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club
Thames Valley Hang Gliding Club
Paragliding in South Africa
New Zealand Paragliding Association
Canadian Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association

Is Paragliding An Expensive Sport?

It is a relatively cheap past time compared to gliding or flying. Also in terms of portability because it all stuffs into a big rucksack you can take it anywhere you go with no fuss. Try doing that with a microlight or hang glider.

Buying the Kit And Being Flight Ready

If you decide to stick with paragliding you’ll need to invest in a few essentials, the biggest expense will be buying a paraglider. These retail for anything between £900 and £3000, though you can pick them up second hand a bit cheaper. Bear in mind you’ll be trusting your life to this bit of kit so make sure it’s in tip top condition.

The only other essentials are your harness £250 – £700, a pair of sturdy boots £30 – £100 and a natty helmet £90.

Two weeks of training courses will cost approximately £1400.  So with this added to the equation your total outlay will be between £2680 and £5300.  This cost will be on the lower side of the range if you buy a second hand paraglider and harness – from a reputable source. Alternatively you could splash out on all the latest gadgetry and top end gear and spend a lot more.

Paragliding Training Books And Manuals

It’s worth investing in a few paragliding books for reading between flights too.  These are pretty cheap and represent good value for money.

From Beginner To Cross Country comes highly recommended and is a good reference for beginners and more experienced pilots.

Touching Cloud base is a nice easy read with all the info required to help you pass the BHPA exams.

Paragliding, the complete guide serves as a good general introduction to the world of paragliding.

Preparation Before You Go

A reasonable level of fitness is advisable. The first few days learning involve a fair bit of running with the paraglider dragging over your head and carrying your bulky paraglider up the training hill.

Getting your wing off the floor requires you to lunge forward at the same time as pulling forward on the cords with your arms and shoulders. By the end of the week most people had marks on their forearms from the friction with the cords. This gives you an indication of the force required to get the wing inflated above you. By the end of the week you’ll have mastered this and will be able to execute this procedure in one fluid motion with a fraction of the energy.

Things to Take With You

In terms of kit, you will need to take a pair of boots with good ankle support. This will prevent you twisting your ankles after awkward landings. A pair of sunglasses is always a good idea in this part of Europe too.

Pack a t-shirt for each day because the hot sun and physical exertion guarantee that the men will sweat and the ladies will gently perspire.

Other than that and maybe suncream you should be good to go.  A paraglider, harness and helmet will be provided by any decent training centre.

Getting there – Fly to Malaga & Hire Car

I flew into Malaga airport, picked up a hire car and drove the 2 hours to Algodonales from there. Having a car allows you to take advantage of time off to explore the surrounding area. After the training finished I spent a few days exploring Ronda – a beautiful historic town; Cadiz– A modern Spanish city, largely undisturbed by tourists; and out of morbid fascination visited Torremolinos – An ugly fusion of beach and concrete which I hurriedly left.

You can alternatively arrange a pickup from the airport, not recommended, but a good option if you want to save your money for other things – like a new paraglider!

Summary

I can, hand on heart, say that the elementary paragliding course was one of the most enjoyable weeks I’ve had; the exhilaration of soaring off a mountain and the sense of accomplishment as you progress make it a really rewarding experience.

It’s a mild physical workout that also taxes your grey-matter as you get to grips with weather conditions, thermals and aerodynamics. Throw in the stunning Andalucian countryside, the best tapas in Spain and the laid back attitude of a traditional Spanish pueblo and you have a recipe for a perfect holiday.

Across the world there are lots of amazing locations with established schools that offer paragliding courses.

My fellow pilot wannabes were also a great bunch. Anyone with an appetite for running off mountains is alright in my book.

So, if you’re the kind of person that might enjoy running off a mountain then give it a try, you wont be disappointed.

Have you ever been on a paragliding holiday?  What were the highlights for you?  Add a comment below.

They all cost between 40 and 90 pounds and are a great way to get some snaps that will have peoples jaws dropping. Jack Cousteau eat your heart out.

Fuji J15FD Digital Camera

Depth: Upto 3 metres
If you want an all-rounder this camera will serve you well.

It’s resistant to 3 metres and perfect for snorkelling. With an impressive 8.2 megapixels and 3x optical zoom will help you catch the action and give you some great memories. Buy now

Praktica Aquapix Underwater Camera

The sturdy waterproof casing is resistant to 10 metres. The buttons allow all camera options to be easily accessed underwater.  It has 5 megapixels and includes a video mode.

If you’re a scuba diver and struggle to convey the beauty of the underwater world, then this camera will take clear crisp photos which will help friends and family understand the appeal. Buy now

Liquid Image 302 Underwater Camera Mask

Depth: 5-30 Metres.

This advanced system incorporates the camera into a well fitted comfortable mask.

This leaves both hands free and means you definitely wont lose your camera underwater! Buy now

Saturday 25th September – Saturday 2nd October
Saturday 9th October – Saturday 16th October
Saturday 23rd October – Saturday 30th October

During the eight day trip around Cuba you will visit Havana, Vinales and Maria La Gorda.

Havana is one of a kind, the classic 50′s cars and lack of American culture make it feel as though you’ve stepped into the past.

Vinales contrasts with lively Havana, allowing for some trekking in the hills surrounding the tobacco plantations. You can spend your evenings sampling the local rum and mixing up your very own cuba libre.

Then onto Maria La Gorda, rated in the top ten divespots in Latin America. With crystal clear, warm water and over 50 divespots it’s easy to see why.

Abundant sealife inhabits diveable Spanish galleons, caves and reefs. Names such as lost paradise, the pirate’s anchor and the aquarium paint a picture of what you can expect.

With the 20% discount the price is reduced from £600 to £480. That gives you £120 to spend on Rum! Find out more and book here.

photo credit gmagnan

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It ends on July 27^th so be quick or you’ll miss it.

Here’s a selection of some of the deals I found after a quick scout around:

Coleman Phact X3 tent

Reduced a whopping £90 to £169.

This natty 3 man tent is super light and going for a song.  If you’re the kind that likes to travel withuot too much weight then this could be just the tent for you.  Go to Blacks…

Vango Horizon Sleeping Bag

Half it’s normal price at £30.  I used to have a vango sleeping bag so that’s why i’m highlighting this one.   You can’t really fault it at the price.  Perfect for weekend campers.

It’s got a hood which can make all the difference on cold nights.  And it’s also got an internal velcro pouch if you want to keep your valuables really close to you while you sleep. Go to Blacks…

Berghaus C7 1-Series 65+10 Rucksack

Selling for only £119.99.  A pretty good deal for a sturdy rucksack.

Not a bad option if you’re planning a round the world trip.  It’s got a big bottom zipper which makes it easier to get stuff stashed at the bottom.

It’s got comfy back padding and enough adjustable straps to keep you occupied for hours.  And hey, it’s a Berghaus rucksack.  These things last forever. Go to Blacks…

If you’re heading up Mount Kilimanjaro anytime soon, you might want to save a bit of money so head over to the blacks sale now.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration on where to use this kit check out our travel deals page for adventure travel tours at discounted prices.

A nasty bout of typhoid is enough to take the shine off your holiday of a lifetime.  If you don’t get your shots in sufficient time you could be putting yourself at unneccessary risk.

We’re all for a bit of risk in today’s mollycoddled world, but more of the paragliding off mountains, diving out of aeroplanes risk.

There’s no upside in getting cholera, aside from a story to tell the grandchildren if you manage to survive the 3 weeks of sh*tting green bile…

So, check out our guide to the most common travel vaccinations, when to get them and where to get reliable up to date country specific info.

Travel Vaccinations Guide

This is a brief gudie to some of the most common diseases encountered by travellers and backpackers to foreign countries.  If you’re going to known risk areas always check whether you need boosters or additional vaccines with your GP or local travel clinic.

Cholera

Vaccine – An oral vaccine that comes as a sachet you can dissolve and drink. Take two doses one to six weeks apart.

When to take it – Ensure you are vaccinated one week prior to travel. The vaccine has been available since 2004. It is generally only recommended for aid workers sited in emergency relief camps where breakouts have occurred. More adventurous backpackers travelling in risk areas without medical care may be advised to have the vaccine.

Countries – Far east, Africa and South America. Over 90% of cases are in Africa

Cause – Usually caught from drinking infected water.

Symptoms – In healthy individuals there may be no symptoms. In susceptible individuals diarrhoea is the main symptom. Up to 20 litres of fluid can be lost in a 24 hour period.

Fatality Rate – 1% if treated with rehydration therapy. Upton 50% if left untreated.

Lucky Bugger – The person that remembered to pack their blackcurrant diarolyte!

Diphtheria

Vaccine – Most people will have received a course of diphtheria vaccinations in childhood. A booster is recommended if your last vaccine was over 10 years ago.

When to take it – Effective almost immediately.

Countries – Outbreaks have been reported in central Asia, Algeria and Ecuador.

Cause – Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium and spread by sneezing and coughing.
Symptoms – Symptoms develop after 2-5 days and include sore throat with a grey membrane covering the throat, swollen neck glands and breathing problems.

Fatality Rate – The fatality rate is between 5 – 10 % in healthy adults. Though in young children it is around 40% hence the macabre moniker “the strangling angel of children”.

Lucky Bugger – In 1925 the inhabitants of the Alaskan city of Nome were saved by an epic 674 mile relay of the diphtheria vaccine by dog sled. The Great race of mercy commemorates this event annually.

Hepatitis A

Not to be confused with the more serious Hep B and Hep C virus.  Hep A is a milder infection that is generally no more severe than a mild flu.

Vaccine – one injection gives a years protection. Have a booster injection at 12 months to give over ten years protection. There is also a combined hep A, hep B and typhoid vaccine.

When to take it – Ideally at least two weeks before travel to allow immunity to develop. Postpone having a vaccination if ill with a temperature.

Countries – Africa, Northern and Southern Asia, parts of South America, South and East Europe.

Cause – The virus is found in the faeces of infected people and it’s spread by poor personal hygiene. Your mum always told you to wash your hands after the toilet for a good reason. Food prepared with contaminated water can also spread infection. Shellfish that have been in contact with contaminated seawater can also be a source of infection.

Symptoms – Some people have the infection with no symptoms at all, whilst others may have mild flu like symptoms. Generally, The older you are, the worse the symptoms. Other symptoms include weakness, fever, loss of appetite and jaundice.

Fatality Rate – It’s not usually a serious illness. If you’ve got problems with your liver you should ensure you’re vaccinated.

Lucky Bugger – if you’ve had Hep A before you’re immune.

Hepatitis B

Vaccine – The vaccine is given in 3 doses at 0, 1 and 2 months
When to take it – Given the three dose schedule you should allow two months. There are more accelerated schedules if absolutely necessary. Again, postpone your vaccination if you’re already ill.

Countries – Hepatitis B is encountered worldwide, the likelihood of infection is more related to activities than specific countries.

Cause – High risk activities include unprotected sex or sharing needles.

Symptoms – Up to 60% of cases are sub clinical with no visible symptoms. 5-10% of infected people becoming carriers with no symptoms. There are approximately 350 million carriers worldwide.

Fatality Rate – Between two and ten percent of infected people will develop chronic hepatitis and can develop cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Lucky Bugger – If you’re in the 60% of infections that suffer no major symptoms count yourself lucky.

Rabies

Vaccine – The rabies vaccine doesn’t give much protection, but it does slow the onset, giving you much needed time to get medical help. If you’re two weeks from civilization, now might be the time to call that chopper. Without the vaccine you need medical attention within 24 hours. So if you’re heading to a remote, high risk area with no limited medical care you should get vaccinated.

When to take it – One month before travel, the course is three doses at days 0, 7 and 28.

Countries – In developing areas of Asia, Africa and Latin America dogs are a major carrier. If you’re heading into the wilderness on a badger baiting trip it’s probably advisable to get a shot. Though a good bout of rabies might be just the tonic to make you mend your ways.

Cause – Frothy bites or scratches from dogs, bats, foxes and monkeys with an aversion to water. If bitten by a suspect animal, immediately wash the wound with soap and water and seek treatment.

Symptoms – Symptoms take between a week and month to develop, though in some cases it can be up to a year. Frothing mouth, aversion to water and aggression are the classic symptoms.

Fatality Rate – Once symptoms have developed nearly 100% of infected people die. Rabies kills over 40000 people a year.

Lucky Bugger – Bats can survive infection with rabies.

Typhoid

Vaccine – Oral, have a booster every 5 years, Injectable, needs a booster every 2 years.

When to take it – 10 days prior to travel.

Countries – Parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Cause – Food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. So if the sewage and water system isn’t well developed , that’s a nice image.

Symptoms – A slowly developing fever that lasts for about 3 weeks. coupled with green diarrhoea and delirium amongst other things. Complications in the third week can include intestinal haemorrhage or worse, perforation. As you can imagine holes in your intestine are bad news.

Fatality rate – 10% to 30% if untreated. If you’ve got access to antibiotics you should be okay, provided it’s not a resistant strain, like those commonly found in South-East Asia.

Lucky Bugger – If you carry a copy of the cystic fibrosis gene you are naturally resistant but that’s a long shot so save on toilet paper and get yourself vaccinated.

Yellow Fever

Make sure you carry your yellow fever certificate with you since immigration officials might ask to see it.

Vaccine – The vaccine causes soreness at the injection site and headaches in 30% of people. These side effects pass in a few days.

When to take it – You must take the vaccine more than 10 days before your trip to be effective and officially accepted.

Countries – Yellow fever is endemic in South America and Africa. Although you may not be at high risk of contracting it, the border control may request your immunisation certificate.

Cause – Yellow fever is spread to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms – The symptoms vary from a mild flu like illness that gets better on its own to a more sever illness leading to jaundice (hence yellow), liver, kidney and lung failure an death.

Fatality Rate – Approximately 25%of patients develop a serious case which may involve bleeding from the mouth, eyes, ears and stomach. Upton 50% of patients with this form of the disease don’t survive.

Lucky Bugger – That smart guy that remembered to buy insect repellent and a mosquito net!

Where To Get Travel Vaccines

As a first port of call head to your local doctors clinic.  They’ll probably be able to give you some of the vaccines for free and advise you of the cost of others or refer you to a local travel clinic.

Masta travel clinics cover the majority of the UK and can obtain any vaccine you might need on your travels, they’re also a reliable source of advice on what you will need for where.

For a thorough overview of every disease and vaccine under the sun check out the travel doctor website.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Remember, prevention is better than cure so get your shots, buy a mosquito net and insect repellent, educate yourself about any risks and use a bit of common sense.

If you do contract a nasty disease make sure you’ve got travel insurance that covers any hospital treatment you might end up having.

Finally, don’t become too paranoid, or you’ll be so preoccupied you’ll walk in front of a bus on the way to the travel clinic!

The scenery is guaranteed to take your breath away, failing that a quick dip in the water surely will!

Different areas visited on the various expeditions include Spitsbergen, Norway, Greenland, Iceland, The Shetland Islands and Svalbard.

For more trip details click here now. This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for but you’ll have to be quick because there are limited spaces available.

Food, beer, dancing, fireworks and danger are typical ingredients for a Spanish fiesta.  If you’ve ever thought about heading to Spain to enjoy one of their festivals, these legendary food fights will whet your appetite…

1. Tomato Festival, La Tomatina

Food-Fight Location

Bunol, an hour north of Valencia in the east of Spain.

Conflict Overview

Officially the worlds biggest food fight. In 1945 an argument between a carnival mannequin and some merry makers resulted in the tomatoes from a fruit and veg stall being used as ammunition for a thorough pelting. The next year the youths of the town met again, this time with their own tomatoes. It snowballed from there and after several bans and jail-time it was adopted by the townsfolk as an annual event!

Rules of Engagement

After a week of celebrations 200 trucks dump tomatoes in the square, cue the worlds biggest food fight and much merriment. This lasts for 1 hour at which point the great tomato gods are satisfied with the sacrifices and the tomato lobbing subsides.

Spoils of war

Treat yourself to a nice chunky salsa with any unused ammo.

2. Rioja Wine Fight, Batalla del Vino

Food-Fight Location

Haro, in the Rioja district of Spain.

Conflict Overview

This epic annual battle involves 10000 gallons of wine and red wine stains that even “Vanish” wont get out!

The festival began as a dispute over the local Bilibios Mount between two neighbouring villages and presumably the local vineyard.

Rules of engagement

Warriors can be identified by their crisp white clothes, not to be mistaken with cricketers on tour. Everyone ascends the local hill with an array of weaponry ranging from water pistols and wine-skins to plastic bottles and jugs. These are filled with Rioja and battle commences.

Spoils of War

Rivers of Rioja trickle down the hill so take advantage and enjoy a good earthy sangria.

3. Grape Throwing Fiesta, La Gran Batalla de Raim

Food-Fight Location

Binissalem, on the balearic island of Mallorca

Conflict Overview

Attended by local Mallorcans the origins are shrouded in mystery.  That makes one more great Mallorcan mystery along with why the water don’t taste like what it oughta…

Rules of Engagement

High velocity grapes are underrated in the world of warfare. Utter the cry “Ooh I could crush a grape” and let battle commence. After the battle follow protocol and don your whites and purple neckerchief to join the feast in the main square.

Spoils of war

A grape smoothie hits the spot everytime.

4. Running of the Bulls, San Fermin

Food-Fight Location

Pamplona, northern Spain

Conflict Overview

Back in the 14^th century people transporting their bulls to market tried to speed things up by running alongside their bulls… This evolved into a competition to run ahead of the bulls, the event became more and more popular and is now famous around the world.

Rules of Engagement

Get six bulls with nice pointy horns and a 825 metre route wending through cobbled streets.  Release the angry bulls and watch as they do their darndest to make human kebabs using their conveniently pointy horns.

I’m not sure this is officially considered a food fight, but it meets our strict criteria and so warrants inclusion.

Spoils of War

Any stray revellers are marinaded in the local beer. Depending on nationality they will then voluntarily bake themselves in the searing Spanish sun to give a crispy red finish.

Have you been in one of these foodfights? Share your thoughts in the comments below.