The Ivrea carnival in Italy is a three day orange fight that bears all the hallmarks of La Tomatina (the tomato) festival in Spain's Valencia – but with oranges.
The festival has its roots in the middle of the 19th century but the history runs right back to the middle ages when a feudal lord gave pots of beans to poor families, who, out of disdain for the rich man, threw them into the streets.
In the early 20th century, girls began throwing oranges from their balconies in a bid to be noticed by the town's men, who duly responded by throwing them back.
But little by little, the exchanges became more forceful until the tradition emerged as a full-scale fight and merged with the bean-throwing festival.
Now the orange throwing, however manic, is actually organised into set teams. People on foot, representing the common folk, are encouraged to attack hooded horsemen, who play the gentry's henchmen, with the vitamin C-rich fruit.
An all out orange riot ensues each year with chariots and juice whizzing around the town but there are designated 'safe' areas for those who find it all a bit too much.
The Ivrea carnival takes place from February 17th to 20th.
Why not bring the kids? All
InsureandGo's
travel insurance policies for insured adults include up to three under 18s free.