We love pride. YES to equality, dignity, self-affirmation. A big F Y to shame, social stigma and discrimination. Plus it’s a great party. What’s not to like?
We also love Spain. Balmy days spent on Barcelona’s shoreline, sipping sangria as office-workers get into their swimwear to cool off on their lunch break. Partying till dawn on a boat in Ibiza. Eating tapas in a womb-like bar in Madrid…sigh.
So, we thought. Why not combine two of our favourite things? Enter: Spain Pride, a one-off departure kicking off in June. Here’s why it’s a pride celebration you won’t want to miss.
It’s all about the parties!
Who doesn’t love a fiesta? Here’s where you’ll be partying on this pride extravaganza…
Barcelona
What a place to kick things off. From Gaudi’s gothic architecture to the buzzing streets of Gracia, there’s a reason this is one of our fave cities in Europe. Did we mention the beach? It’s pretty great.
The Barcelona parade is where the party’s at (and your tickets are included). In Pride Village we’ll watch musical performances by huge acts, DJs, exhibitions, amazing clubs and more. The parade is about 2.5 hours of colourful celebrations, and is sure to get you in the party mood – so it’s just as well we’ve sorted tix to the afterparty, too. Before heading onto…
Ibiza
Look, it’s the party capital of Europe and one of the world’s preeminent pride-friendly destinations. How could be skip Ibiza? Once we’ve dug into Barca’s culture (more on that later) we whizz you to Ibiza on a speedy internal flight (that’s included, too). You’ll get a few days on the island (let loose, chill on the beach or explore the old town – it’s up to you). And don’t forget: you can also take advantage of the optional boat parties and club packages we’ve arranged. It’s Ibiza. Would be rude not to.
Madrid
Ahh Madrid, where we’ll hit up another epic pride parade. We’re talking: outdoor concerts on six stages, exhibitions and much more. We’ve hooked you up with another afterparty ticket, too, so you better keep those energy levels going…
Ok, it’s not ALL about the parties…
Trust us: we’ve done this stuff before. We know that downtime is just as important as parting till dawn. And we know you want to get your taste of culture, too. So we’ve got a feast of quintessential Spanish experiences to tuck into, too, such as…
Watching a flamenco show in Barcelona
Dine on some tapas favourites, from tortilla to chorizo, padron peppers to croquetas (Si, si), while watching a display of singing, dancing, guitar and artistry that’s as intense as it is beautiful. Wash it all down with a few glasses of rioja, naturally.
Soak in Gaudi’s masterworks on a bike tour of the city
We’ll hop on our bikes to learn more about this sprawling city. History, legends, culture, lifestyle – as well as plenty of ornate gothic architecture, this is the perfect way to absorb everything Barcelona has to offer. (You can refuel with tapas along the way, don’t worry).
Exploring Madrid, from gilded palaces to buzzy neighbourhoods
We’ll get to grips with the Capital, too, either on foot or on more bikes. We’ll head from grand palace to the Prado (that’s where all the Picassos are, btw. Ever seen Guernica?), with plenty of laid-back neighbourhoods and cool bars along the way. Then we’ll finish up with a traditional Madrilenos feast (jamon, gambos al ajillo, the works). This is the life. Ready for another party tomorrow?
