This festival is absolutely amazing, and Haro is such a great little town full of amazing locals. Unfortunately if...
Hola Sophie!
Yes you are absolutely correct, La Batalla de Vino de Haro is an amazing festival, very unique and still quite local. It hasn't changed much, if at all, since we first started coming here about a decade ago. We love it!
As far as all the staff just marinating around at camp surrounded with Australians we would respectfully have to disagree with that. We employ staff from more than 15 countries, and while Australians are over-represented, it's likely just because they are big travellers, more than any executive decision on our behalf to employ one nationality over any other. That some staff choose to stay around the campsite is entirely up to them, we create environments where all travellers, staff included, can have the experience that best suits their tastes. Some travellers and staff are more intrepid than others, it's absolutely true, and while some were visibly more comfortable in camp (especially those on shift working to make the guests' experience as pleasant as possible), there were many others using their spare time to explore the town and its bar, restaurants, wines and traditions.
For those who do prefer to chill in the campsite we provide a tasting of local wines and cheeses. We provide information on all the goings on in town, including the pre-battle street party, the post-battle parade and bullring show, and the fire-bull (not real bulls) extravaganza on the final night. We send guides to all of these events, and sincerely apologise if this wasn't communicated correctly to you.
Stoke Travel was founded on a love for the different cultures we encounter and the way they manifest themselves in the parties we attend. We never want to be apart from the locals, although sometimes this is inevitable as many would prefer to party with their childhood friends over a bunch of short-term strangers.
You're right, sometimes it is better to get your own hotel, but Stoke Travel occupies a space for travellers who don't want to spend the extra money on a hotel (the prices go wayyyy up on their busiest day of the year), for those who want to meet fellow travellers, and have a bit of a softer landing into the new culture and traditions.
Thanks for joining us, even if it wasn't for you.
Show more
