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Pamplona

Hordes of tourists flock to this town in Navarre, Northern Spain, in early July each year for the Running of the Bulls, officially La Fiesta del Fermin. The festival, in honour of the city's patron saint, was made world famous by Ernest Hemingway in his novel 'The Sun Also Rises', and it has become Spain's most popular attraction. A bust of Hemingway stands outside Pamplona's bullring, where the 8-day extravaganza of dancing, dashing through the streets ahead of rampaging bulls, and drinking begins. The practice of driving bulls through the centre of Pamplona started in the 19th century as the most practical way to get them to the ring, and for many years the city authorities tried to prevent the practice of running with the bulls. Aside from the festival, though, Pamplona is worth a visit any time of year, boasting lush parks, a splendid Gothic cathedral, huge citadel and quaint old quarter. Pamplona is the capital of the province of Navarre, but its roots are Basque and a large section of its population are Basque nationalists.