A Running of the Bulls Travel Package for Adventurous Souls
An immersive insiders’ experience tailored for running enthusiasts with a lust for adventure who prefer their adrenaline in large doses. Discover Hemingway’s beloved Pamplona and all the things that inspired him to write his life altering novel, “The Sun Also Rises”.
Meet Your Host: Dennis Clancey
Dennis is one of the most famous bull runners in Pamplona. Based in Dallas, TX, he’s run the Encierro every year since 2007, and prepared thousands of first timers to tackle one of the globe’s most treacherous routes. You’ll spend two days with Dennis in Pamplona as he shares his intense love for the people, their history and culture, and his immense knowledge of the bull run route. You’ll also benefit from the opportunity to participate in an exclusive pre-trip webinar with Dennis and the other guests joining you on this wild, bucket list adventure experience.
Where You’ll Stay
The Hotel Castillo de Gorraiz is a modern four-star resort overlooking a beautiful golf course in the rolling hills above Pamplona. This posh boutique hotel is located less than 4.5 miles from the city center. You will move back and forth into town via transportation dedicated to your exclusive group.
Connect with a small group of running enthusiasts from around the world preparing to tackle one of the world’s most dangerous routes. Be coached onsite and hang out with world famous bull runners.
Wine & Tapas with
Alexander Fiske-Harrison
Author of “Into the Arena:
The World of Spanish Bullfighting”
Before you join almost 20,000 others attending an evening bullfight performance at the famed Plaza de Toros, you’ll share wine and tapas with Alexander Fiske-Harrison. You’ll hear this important author’s stories and gain a valuable perspective on the controversial dance with death you’re about to experience.
Chez Belagua Restaurant
Dinner at Chez Belagua will introduce you to the Basque region with a traditional steak and cider house meal. This famous restaurant is on Calle Estafeta, the festival’s most famous street in the heart of the Encierro. This is where the Pastores, true bull run royalty, choose to fuel up each night during San Fermin as they prepare to herd the bulls on the chase through the streets the next morning. It’s a rare prize to get a table here during fiesta, but we’ve got you covered.
El Búho Restaurant & Sky Bar
Your walking tour of the complete bull run route and the Corrales de Gas concludes with a dinner hosted by Dennis Clancey at this exclusive hilltop spot overlooking Old Town Pamplona. You’ll connect with a small group of dedicated runners from around the world who are joining you in Pamplona to tackle the famous Encierro, meet a group of other famous expert runners, and enjoy a sumptuous tasting of El Buho’s Navarran and international fare.
Risky Business
Each morning, at precisely 8 am, a rocket announces the start of the Encierro where any soul of legal age can step onto the 929-yard route and risk their life sprinting before a rampaging herd of six Spanish Toro Bravos specially bred for this day. Danger is in the air while 2,000 thrill seeking dare devils pack the slick and narrow streets moving as fast as their legs will carry them until they bail out, are pushed aside, knocked down, flipped heels over-head, trampled, or gored.
A Sea of White & Red
The attire for everyone attending the annual Festival de San Fermin is a uniform of white pants and shirt accented with a red pañuelo (bandana) and faja (sash) worn faithfully to honor the beloved Christian martyr for whom the Festival is named. The white represents his sanctity. The red bandana about the neck remembers the blood spilled cruelly with his beheading. The red sash is always knotted tightly on the left hip symbolizing the blood from a knife to his heart.
