13 Join a wine fight in Spain
The annual tomato fight in the Spanish town of Bunol has become world-famous. For a lesser-known alternative - and a step up in sophistication - the Batalla del Vino deserves attention. The 'Battle of Wine' takes place at the end of June on a hill outside the town of Haro, in the northern Spanish region of La Rioja. Wine tour specialist Smooth Red runs a four-day trip that lets you take part in the splashing frenzy. Over the course of one morning, all revellers' clothes will be dyed a fetching pale purple. On the other days, you'll have plenty of time to appreciate the vino in the standard, measured way. The irst evening, head out from your hotel for a tapas crawl in the pilgrim's rest town of Logrono; the following day you'll visit three Rioja wineries, including one dating from the 14th century. While the tour as a whole is self-drive, for the winery visits at least you will have a designated chauffeur and guide (from £994pp incl accommodation, departing 27 June 2019;smoothred.com).
ARRIVE Car hire and return flights to Bilbao are included in the package, though it costs extra to check in hold luggage