❣️ PAMPLONA ❣️

A visit to Pamplona always begins in the old town 🏘 🏰 for us.
The narrow, winding streets whisper stories from centuries past – of pilgrims 👩🏿‍🦯 🧑‍🦯 stopping on their journey along the Camino de Santiago, of kings 🤴 👸🏻 riding through the streets, and of locals gathered over their “Pintxos” 🫔 🌮 🥪 🌯 chatting about life.

Speaking of “Pintxos” – 🫔 🌮 🥪 🌯 these small culinary masterpieces are often skillfully stacked on bread 🍞, held together by a wooden toothpick 📌, and best enjoyed with a glass of red wine 🍷 In the taverns and bars, the air 👃 is filled with the aromas of grilled octopus 🐙, spicy chorizo 🥩, and fine cheeses 🧀 that tempt you to order even more 📝

Every evening, families 👨‍👩‍👦 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦, friends 👨‍❤️‍👨 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 👭, or colleagues 💂 👮‍♂ 👮‍♀ 🧑‍🚒 gather in or outside the bars to enjoy Pintxos 🫔 🌮 🥪 🌯 and wine 🍷

In Pamplona, life – at least in the evenings – takes place in the old town, all year round.

Then comes July, the month when Pamplona turns into a grand international stage for a week. “San Fermín” begins, the streets explode 🎉 with red 🔴 and white ⚪, drums 🥁 beat, and people dance 💃🕺 sing, and celebrate.

The city pulses with excitement, but a dark shadow hangs over this festival 😢

The bullfights 🐃 🐂! A bloody spectacle upheld by tradition, yet increasingly controversial. While some cheer in the arena, others watch in distress, recognizing the suffering of the animals – what was once a test of bravery is now widely criticized.

But Pamplona is more than just San Fermín – it is a city of character, history, and indulgence. Those who wander its streets feel the energy 💡, the love ❤ for tradition, and the joy of life.

Would you be savoring Pintxos 🫔 🌮 🥪 🌯 in a tavern, or throwing yourself into the heart of the festivities? 😊

From 2006 to 2011, we regularly celebrated the diversity of Pintxos with friends ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Of course, we celebrated San Fermín…

but we skipped the bullfights 😊💪🏻