For anyone with friends or relatives living around Barcelona, sending a parcel to Spain may be the only way for them to enjoy a few home comforts as the city celebrates its fiercely independent identity this September.

Catalonians are proud of their identity and this month sees a host of festivals in the region's capital Barcelona that culminates in the Fiesta de la Merce, a four-day knees up involving fireworks and lots of alcohol.

Highlights of the event include lots of people walking on stilts and the famous human tower building where teams of people in traditional costumes compete to build the tallest 'structure' by standing on top of each other.

Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities, with circus acts and street theatre also on show.

While this fiesta takes place in late September, with the main event on the 24th, there are other parties scheduled earlier in the month.

The Mojiganga procession takes place in Graus between September 12th to the 15th and there is the Fiesta de Santa Tecla in Tarragona from September 15th to the 24th.