🐂 Pamplona Adventures: Crepes, Culture & Kids on the Camino

After a cozy morning at our home base in Etxauri, we kicked off the day with a homemade breakfast of eggs and crepes, proudly prepared by the girls. It’s become one of our favorite routines—letting the kids take charge of breakfast and start the day with confidence (and Nutella, naturally).

Fueled up, we made our way to Pamplona, a city bursting with energy, history, and charm. We started with a walking tour of the old town, including the famous Running of the Bulls route. While no bulls were in sight (thankfully), the kids loved spotting the gates, imagining the wild event, and learning how each July the city transforms during the San Fermín festival.

After about an hour of walking, bellies were grumbling, so we headed straight for Café Iruña—a historic and iconic spot in Pamplona, established in 1888. It’s famously known as a favorite hangout of Ernest Hemingway, who even featured it in his novel The Sun Also Rises.

The kids ordered a variety of dishes, from familiar to adventurous:

  • Tortilla de española (a vacation favorite at this point!)

  • A few exotic pinchos (Basque-style tapas)

  • And for the comfort-seekers, a good ol’ hamburger

It was one of those satisfying family meals where everyone found something they liked. While the adults lingered over lunch and conversation, the kids ran off to play in the beautiful Plaza del Castillo just outside. Ice cream was the natural next stop before we made our way back to Etxauri, full of stories and sunshine.

Dinner was a light, make-at-home affair—and once again, everyone gathered around the table to share a meal, a few jokes, and plans for the next adventure.

🍴 Little Eaters Takeaways

  • A meal is more than food—it’s a memory. Eating at Café Iruña connected us to history, literature, and Spanish culture in one delicious stop.

  • Let kids choose—familiar or new. Whether it’s a tortilla, pinchos, or a hamburger, giving them autonomy encourages confidence around food.

  • Movement matters. Running around the plaza after lunch kept energy up and moods high—proof that a little playtime goes a long way.

  • Consistency counts. Even on a travel day, we gathered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—reminding kids that routines can travel with us.

Jean Hawney

As a speech-language pathologist, Jean has worked in a variety of settings across the lifespan, including early childhood intervention, outpatient and private clinics, public schools, adult and pediatric inpatient rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities and pediatric acute care.

Currently, Jean primarily focuses on supporting parents of breastfed and bottle-fed infants, as well as infants and toddlers who have difficulty transitioning to solids and oral aversion. Jean also works closely with medically fragile infants and children who have tracheostomy tubes and weaning of feeding tubes. When Jean works with her patients, her goal is for them to feel empowered to advocate for their needs and to have an active role in their therapy.

https://www.thelittleeaters.com
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🍴 Vacation Kitchens & Little Eaters: Why We Still Cook When We Travel