La Tomatina hits the streets of Bunyol on 25 August

The date is set for one of Europe's most famous festivals - La Tomatina. On 25 August locals and visitors will take to the streets of Bunyol in Spain, armed with juicy tomatoes. When the first shot it fired, the red mush will begin to fly! Over the course of two hours, tons of tomatoes are hurled in all directions, creating a red mess of the streets, and special trucks cart the ammunition into the melee.

La Tomatina dates back to the 1940s, and it has been an annual event ever since. La Tomatina takes place every year on the last Wednesday in August. Each festival attracts thousands of food fight fanatics, and the only real rule is that tomatoes must be squashed before they are flung through the air. Since 1980, tomatoes have been supplied by Bunyol City Hall in support of the bizarre festival.

Revellers are advised to wear goggles as tomato juice can irritate the eyes. You should also wear old clothes that you don't mind throwing away and leave your camera in your hotel room - unless it's a waterproof camera of course!

If you want to take part in La Tomatina, it's worth noting that there is limited accommodation in Bunyol, but in nearby Valencia there are plenty of digs to choose from, including colourful hostels (the Red Nest and the Purple Nest) and a range of hotels. Buses run from Valencia straight to Bunyol. Special La Tomatina tour buses run from other popular Spanish holiday destinations including Barcelona, Madrid, Benicasim, Alicante and Benidorm.

When La Tomatina draws to a close, Bunyol looks like a scene out of a horror movie. But local people pitch in to hose down the streets and it's not long before the village is restored to its former glory.

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