🚗 Road Tripping North: Madrid to Etxauri with Little Eaters
Today was a big travel day—we left the hustle and heat of Madrid behind and began our scenic road trip north toward Etxauri, a small town near Pamplona surrounded by mountains and vineyards.
We started the morning with a quick but hearty breakfast at our Airbnb—scrambled eggs, fresh bread, and fruit. It was simple, but it did the job before loading into the rental car and hitting the road.
Midway through our drive, we made a stop in Soria for lunch at a quaint little spot called Taberna Mercedes. It was charming, and the adults were ready for a break. I ordered a beautiful salad filled with fresh local ingredients—it hit the spot. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a win with the kids. The “hamburgers” turned out to be pork-based, and had a hot dog flavor that didn’t sit well with anyone under age 10. Despite our efforts, lunch was mostly a miss.
To turn the day around, we promised an ice cream stop before reaching our final destination. We made our way through Logroño, where we found a gelato shop—but there was a catch: they only served containers, no cones, and not enough variety for every child to get their own unique flavor. Cue a valuable lesson in sharing and flexibility: you get what you get, or you skip ice cream. Most of the kids opted to adapt—and yes, everyone enjoyed a sweet treat.
After winding roads and golden hills, we finally arrived in Etxauri—and the Airbnb took our breath away. With stone walls, antique doors, and sweeping views, it looked like something out of a medieval fairytale.
There was just one hiccup: we didn’t plan dinner. And in true small-town Spain fashion, nearly everything was closed by the time we went looking (this is what happens on a Sunday). Thankfully, we found one little spot open just down the road—a surprising combo of Spanish and Chinese food, Hostal Don Javier. The kids were overjoyed with a spread of egg rolls, fried rice, pasta with chicken, and French fries. It wasn’t fancy, but it was exactly what they needed after a long day.
The evening ended with some impromptu soccer in the park, laughter under the stars, and a very tired group heading to bed.
🍴 Little Eaters Takeaways
Not every meal is a win—and that’s okay. Sometimes pork burgers taste like hot dogs, and no one’s thrilled. Letdowns are part of the journey.
Flexibility is a skill. Sharing ice cream when choices are limited? That’s real-world practice in being adaptable—and it can still be fun.
Unexpected meals can become favorites. The surprise Chinese-Spanish dinner wasn’t part of the plan, but it brought smiles, full bellies, and a little reminder that food doesn’t need to be fancy to feel special.
Always pack a backup snack... and maybe scout a dinner plan in advance. Lesson learned for the grown-ups, too!
