Benicassim International Festival – Spain

If Glastonbury was not enough for festival fans, Spain’s annual Benicassim International Festival kicks off soon - from 15-18 July 2010.

The location is once again the Recinto De Conciertos in Benicassim, which is a small town situated between Valencia and Barcelona on the Costa del Azahar (also known as the ‘Orange Blossom Coast’ for the many Valencia orange groves in the area).

The four-day festival is officially the ‘Festival Internacional de Benicassim’ (or ‘FIB’ for short) Another great line-up of music is planned, which includes Dizzee Rascal, Ian Brown, Kasabian, Lily Allen, Ray Davies, PiL, Goldfrapp, The Prodigy and The Specials – to name just a few.

The British Foreign Office (FCO) has published advice for Benicassim festivalgoers under their UKinSpain section for Alicante.  Their important and useful advice includes warnings about lost or stolen passports, how to best protect them, and what to do if the worst should happen.  There are consular offices in several nearby cities so it should be possible to obtain an Emergency Travel Document to return home without any problems, but this is also a hassle. 

Don’t forget to apply for and take along your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but remember that this should not be used as a substitute for proper travel insurance.  (For example, the EHIC covers emergency medical care in a state-run facility, but does not include ongoing treatment, or medical repatriation, if needed).

Check out the low rates for our excellent Backpacker travel insurance policy – which starts from just 20p per day!  As the name suggests, Backpacker insurance is designed for those who are travelling light.  However, it is there to cover important and (potentially mind-blowingly) expensive mishaps, including ongoing medical treatment and excess not covered by the EHIC, personal liability, personal accident,  legal expenses, medical repatriation, etc.  All travellers should have this protection at a very minimum.

Visit our Travel Guide to Spain and follow the link for the FCO for updated travel advice.  It is worth taking the time to read up on the local laws and customs for Spain.  It might just help you avoid inadvertently getting into trouble, ending up with a fine, or relaxing in a Spanish jail!  The laws on drinking and drugs are strict and you risk being fined or arrested.  Also beware of spiked drinks or food and mindful of the potential for date rape drugs and opportunist crimes in general.

For more information about the Benicassim Festival click here.

Flickr cc Image:  schmollmolch