Posted by Maitane Erroba on Wed, Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:08 AM
I admit, I'm a mess when it comes to planning Sanfermin clothes. Year after year it is the song ... July 5th comes and I don't have the clothes ready for the Festival....
As always, I have to run, and visit to the stores where I can find cheap white pants and T-shirts, such as Zara, Bershka, Stradivarius, Blanco, H&M... Few years I have luckily been able to reuse some pants, but last year this was not the case and I ended up buying 5 new pairs of pants and a few shirts for the entire festival (9 days toal).
On July 5th, I gather my tradition red waistband, red scarf and sporting shoes, in order to prepare for Txupinazo ... That night I always feel nervous, in anticipation of a festival I’ve been waiting for all year!
Early on July 6th, I get dressed and put on my waistband, tied with just a left side knot. The truth is that this year I’ll have to consider changing my waistband, because after many years of wearing the one passed down to me by my mother, I notice that the color has faded to pink from red after years of festival use.
The Pañuelico (scarf), I still can not tie it around my neck, because the tradition says that the scarf has to be tied around your neck when Sanfermines are alive (from July 6th at 12:00 noon, until July 14 at 12 : 00 midnight). What I do is tie to it to my wrist so I do not lose it and wait for the festival to officially begin.
If you are coming to Pamplona this year, I recommend that you bring your white pants and white t-shirts from home. Remember, it is important to be comfortable, and don’t worry if your clothes get dirty.
You can buy the scarf and waistband when you get to Pamplona. In the following streets: Estafeta, Mercaderes and Chapitela, there are several shops and also several places in the Taconera Park, around Bull Ring and Menindades Square where you can purchase your own red waistband and scarf. If you want to buy a funny T-shirt don't forget to go to Kukuxumusu store, located at the end of Estafeta. each year they make great designs for the San Fermín Festival.
You’ll want your own heirloom from your Pamplona adventure you can pass down to your own children (or wear again next year!).
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Sat, Jan 28, 2012 @ 10:43 AM
Pamplona is the capital of Navarra, a city with a population of 197,932 and has become known worldwide her Festival, The Sanfermines!
This year, at PamplonaBalconies.com, we have a private service for transfers that transport you from anywhere in Spain to Pamplona. Our private transfer services is a quick and convenient way to reach the city rested for maximum enjoyment!
Whether you prefer to arrive via plane, train or bus, here are some tips that will help you organize your trip.
By Plane:
Pamplona/Noain Airport
Address: Ctra. Pamplona – Zaragoza, km. 5
Online reservations: Rumbo or Iberia
As it is not a large city, Pamplona does not have a big airport. Consequentially, it can be expensive and complicated to fly to Pamplona, especially during Festival time, as there are daily direct flights to Pamplona only from Barcelona and Madrid.
The Pamplona airport is only 6 Km from downtown, in the village of Noain. Currently there is no bus that connects the city with the airport the best way to get to the main part of town is by taxi or by using our private service transfer.
As you can imagine, from July 5th to 14th Pamplona is very busy, so we recommend using our transfer service to navigate the crowd. After a long journey, our private transfer service allows you to avoid a line.
When you arrive at the airport, your private driver will wait with your name and take you to your hotel quickly.
Besides Noain, the nearest airports where you could arrive are: Vitoria (101 Km), Biarritz (128 Km), Bilbao (170 km), Zaragoza (172 km), Madrid (407 km) and Barcelona (437 km).
From these cities you can take train or bus services that work very well and are not very expensive.
By Train:
Train Station of Pamplona
Address: Plaza de la Estación 1, Pamplona
Information and Tickets: 902-320320
Online Reservations: Renfe
The Pamplona train station is in the neighborhood of San Jorge. Currently the city rail system works very well, thanks Alvia trains, which are new and fast.
These trains established a quick and efficient connection between Pamplona and Barcelona, Madrid, Vitoria or Zaragoza.
Once in Pamplona train station, there are three options to get to the old town: by taxi, in our private shuttle or bus (Line 9).
By Bus:
Pamplona Bus Station
Address: C/Yanguas y Miranda Nº2
The bus station is located in the center of the city, at a very new station, where several companies operate daily connections between Pamplona with Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Zaragoza or Biarritz.
Once at the bus station, you can walk to your hotel if it is located in the city center, or take a bus.
Here are some sites where you can buy bus tickets:
From Bilbao or Vitoria to Pamplona: La Burundesa
From San Sebastián, Madrid, Zaragoza or Biarritz to Pamplona: Conda
From Barcelona to Pamplona: Vibasa
Getting around Pamplona:
Pamplona is a city where you can see all the sights easily by foot. If your hotel is situated in the old town, you will not need you to take any transportation to get around the city. If your accommodations are located off center, it is best is that you travel to the city by taxi (+34 948232300 or +34 948 221212) or urban bus.
Have a nice trip!!!
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Fri, Dec 02, 2011 @ 08:17 PM
Personally ... I will always recommend that you watch!
I have attended the San Fermin festival for 28 years and have not yet run.
I don’t miss out on the fun by not running, that I would not enjoy it or that I’m a coward. Running with the Bulls is an dangerous adventure, and you should be excited but understand that you will be running with 6 large animals very nearby.
If you are not 100% sure what you do ... do not run! If you have doubts, I advise that first you watch the run from a balony, the Plaza de Toros or from the sidelines, and then decide if you want to run the next day.
The three ways to view the bulls are the ones I named above:
Barrier: The cheapest and the worst way to see the bulls. To get a good seat, you have to arrive 3 hours early to be in the front row, and if you do not get there early you will not be able to see anything except a crowd of people.
The bulls are not alone, there are hundreds of onlookers and even if you do make it to the front row, you will be at least 4 feet away from the actual route, as some empty space is left between the crowd and the route to leave room for physicians and medics if those are needed during the race for the runners.
Plaza de Toros: Watching the run from Plaza de Toros is cheap, but you have to buy tickets early and arrive early to find a good spot. The downside to this site, is that onlookers miss the “encierro” or driving of the bulls into the starting area and normally you also don’t see the most exciting part of the run.
Balcony: In my opinion, the best way to enjoy the running of the bulls is from a balcony. Not only do you have the best view, but also you avoid the crowds, long waiting times and even (at some balconies) the ability to enjoy breakfast during the run.
Viewing the “encierro” on a balcony enclosure allows you to see the most exciting part of the race and also see the rest of the annual process, how the police clean the streets, how the runners to prepare to run, and watch the diverse crowd that gathers to watch the run.
Watching the run from a balcony makes this event an experience, a privilege that allows you to be part of the festival from a special spot.
In PamplonaBalconies.com we have balconies along the entire route, from many different viewpoints.
From a first floor balcony you'll be so close to the action you can almost smell the fear of the runners, a third floor view will offer greater street visibility, and some balconies that include breakfast to make the wait more pleasant. If your balcony host does not serve breakfast, then you can enjoy a meal later at the famous Churrería la Mañueta (that only open twice a year, to make the best handmade traditional churros) or Beatriz Bakery (where you can feast on delicious long pastry sticks covered with chocolate).
Balcony spots are available all along the route so you only have to choose your favorite stretch make a reservation!
You have my advice, that watching from a balcony is the best way to enjoy the festival, but if you are convinced you want to run, don’t miss the tips for preparing to run on the blog, buy comfortable shoes, get plenty of rest the night before and stay aware during the race!
There’s plenty of time to party after the run!
See you in Pamplona!
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Tue, Nov 15, 2011 @ 11:29 AM
If you are reading this you are pr
obably planning to run with the bulls…..and if you want to run you may know that running with the bulls is dangerous. It requires some physical preparation, common sense and the desire for a once in a lifetime experience.
Please enjoy a few tips so you have all the fun and less of the stress for a truly unique experience:
Select in advance the section in which you run
Many people think that running of the bulls means you run from Corralillo Santo Domingo in a straight line to the bullring ... and this is far from reality. One of the most important keys to success is to understand and prepare for the different sections or choose a specific section and then know how to run each one:
Santo Domingo: The first and one of the most dangerous stretches of the running of the bulls, is run by the most experienced runners. This section consists of 280 metres, where the bulls run very quickly and where there is no room for shelter. Also in this section is a figure of San Fermín, where the runners, sing a prayer to the saint just before the run begins.
City Hall: The longest stretch of the race with more room and a stretch where it is easy to find shelter. The bulls typically run very close to the edge of the fence.
Mercaderes: This is a very dangerous stretch where the famous death man's corner is. If you want to run in this section, know that this will curve the right, near an area that is closed off.
Estafeta: In this section the most dangerous thing, is meet bulls are separated from the group that could fall on the curve, therefore, although I've seen that the bulls have passed, you must be very aware if any are missing.
Normally, at this point, the bulls are more tired and go a bit more slow, but is a long stretch and you have to know when you be away. Always be alert to your surrondings. Do not try to run along the street, the bulls are fast and there are many people... you have to know when to turn away, because if you do not maneuver well, you can fall and hurt yourself or cause a fall.
Telefónica: The bulls are slower but can be separated also part of the section is a little hard and the bulls
Callejón (Alley): one of the most dangerous sections of the enclosure, is the part that is before entering the square and is very dangerous because of the possibility of creating human lots. If you are thinking to run at this stretch, the most important thing is to not get up if you fall, if this happens, roll to one side and take refuge escaping hole in the wall.
Arrive to the bull run right on time
At 7:00am the police and street cleaners close the street to start cleaning bottles and removing people who are not able to run. The street Mercaderes and Estafeta remain empty. So if you want to run you have to access the course before 7:30 am in the morning by the gates at the Plaza Consistorial.
You must stay in the City Hall Square or the Cuesta de Santo Domingo until opening of the municipal police barriers. At that point, go to the area of the race where you have chosen to start the race. At 7:30am the access gates are closed and no one is allowed leave from the bull route.
Choose your outfit carefully
To run you must have slept well, dress in white comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes (running shoes). Although it should be obvious, it is a good idea to be completely sober. You can celebrate afterwards at any of the cafés mentioned in earlier blog postings! Do not wear wearing anything that might fall off when you are running (backpacks, cameras, video, bottles... are not allowed).
If you fall, do not get up
If you fall while running, the most important thing is not up until the 6 bulls have passed. When the bulls have passed, another runner will touch you the back and then you can get up.
If you fall and stand still on the floor with your hands covering your head, bulls pass by.
If you have a chance, run the days when there are fewer people, the busiest days are 7th and 8th and weekends.
Do not distract or touch the bulls
This could be very dangerous for you and the other runners.
Do not pull away from the race when you have the 6 bulls ahead
If you do this can distract the bull and make any turns his back, causing a very dangerous situation.
Respect pastores
The pastores are located behind the pack with their sticks, their job is to try and keep the pack of bulls compact and distract the bulls from those who try to touch or distract the animals. please, respect his work.
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Thu, Oct 27, 2011 @ 11:57 AM
One thing Spain is known for is its incredible food.
Spain has several common local dishes, and each area in the country has its own specialties.
Navarra, offers some of the best food in the country!! Our food is known for fresh and quality products. Fresh products cooked with love and shared with great company, make our food unforgettable.
When I was a child, I remember helping my grandmother Manoli, prepare a special meal for San Fermín Day (July 7). Each year on that day, our family, celebrate the holiday with a special family meal.
Like most other people, as a child I knew my grandmother was the best cook in the world. I was her little sous chef and helped her prepare all parts of the meal. My favorite part was helping her bake desserts.
She taught me to make traditional Navarra dishes such as Torrijas, Txandrios, Canutillos de crema, natillas, queso con membrillo y nueces or our family’s famous cuajada (well, it was famous when grandmother made it….it was close to edible when I helped).
My words cannot describe the unique blend of flavors of our traditional Spanish dishes. However, until you come to Pamplona and taste this food yourself, you’ll have to take my word for it. Below, I’ve given you a lot of words….but you can’t begin to describe the food of Pamplona with less. Come see us during San Fermin and try out some of my favorites:
Let’s start with desserts. Why wait?
Torrijas: this is a traditional Spanish fried bread similar to French toast, flavored with cinnamon or liqueur, and sweetened with honey, syrup or sugar. This dessert has humble origins and is offered in many modern day restaurants accompanied by hot chocolate, ice cream.
Natillas: custard dessert that is creamier with a hint of cinnamon. It is made with milk, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla flavoring, and is delicious with a cookie base.
Queso con Membrillo y Nueces (Quince cheese, cheese and nuts): The North Navarre has been worked with livestock since ancient times and the cheese has been one of its most important homemade products. Additionally, quince paste, made from fruit introduced by Greeks and Romans, is often combined with cheeses such as D. O. Roncal and Idiazabal and served after a meal. The contrast of textures, the mixture of sweet and salty flavors make this a simple but elegant dish.
Canutillos de Crema (Cannoli cream): One of the most popular desserts in the Basque Country and Navarre, Canutillos is a type of puff pastry filled with cream and decorated with sugar.
Cuajada (Curd): This is a very popular dessert that is made from fresh milk and sugar. Especially delicious served with a drizzle of honey.
Main courses from the sea or river:
Ajoarriero: This recipe has a great tradition typical, where the muleteers desalted cod in the river, crumbled and cooked with vegetables at that time had to eat.
It's a simple dish but very tasty, made with salted cod cooked in a skillet with potatoes, garlic, egg and oil. Ajoarriero is my favorite dish.
Trucha a la Navarra: This is a classic dish of the cuisine of Navarra. There are countless recipes for this type of fish, but generally refers to a mild fish stuffed with ham and fried crumbs in a skillet.
Main courses - meat:
Cordero al Chilindrón: Formerly, this was traditionally served at lunchtime on Sundays! Now you can typically find this lamb stew with veggies in a tomato broth at most restaurants.
Pimientos del Piquillo: Is there anything that says Navarra better than this pepper? This popular pepper is produced in Lodosa, a village of Navarra. Usually prepared in the oven, it can be eaten alone, be made into a filling for meat or fish, or served as a side with meat or a sandwich.
Estofado the Toro: Bull stew accompanied by potatoes, a special Pamplona dish traditionally served during San Fermín.
Chistorra: A traditional link sausage made with minced pork. Usually eaten fried, is often served with fried egg and potatoes (Huevos rotos con chistorra), at tapas or in a typical sandwich (Bocadillo de chistorra).
Consome: You will find many native Pamplona runners at San Fermín drinking this beef bouillon soup before a running of the bulls. This is served hot throughout the day.
Products of the land:
Pochas Estofadas: Only served during the summer season, this is a fabulous dish of braised fresh white beans. The texture is tender, creamy with a delicate flavor.
Revuelto de setas (Scrambled eggs with mushrooms): a simple, light dish with a delicate texture that practically melts in your mouth.
Cogollos de Tudela: salad usually accompanied by anchovy oil, salmon or garlic. Made with a dwarf lettuce which earned its name for being grown in the town of Tudela in Navarra. Authorities protect this native variety, which is tight, tender and tasty, by enforcing a rules restricting the sale of the seed only to the Tudela town in Navarra. establishing a control for the seed is not sold to other production areas.
When you travel, you learn a great deal about the local culture through food. So I invite you to bring this list of my favorites with you (remember to start with dessert!), discover the flavor of Navarre at San Fermín.
Pamplona is crazy during the festival of San Fermin, so I recommend you make reservations for lunch and dinner especially during the early days of the festival and on the weekend. We work with some of the best restaurants of town, if you wish we can offer different set meals at some of the best restaurants.
Additionally, if you want to buy some products of Spain and know more about our gastronomy, you can visit La Tienda, you can find the link in our home page.
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Wed, Oct 12, 2011 @ 01:21 PM
Have you tasted a Kalimotxo? The Kalimotxo is a characteristic drink o
f the area, a mixed drink made with red wine and coke. Yes. Red wine & coke. It may sound foreign and some hate it, others love it, but you can't come to Pamplona and not give it a try….
During San Fermín Festival, the bars are open 24 hours a day, and you could try this drink at any of them at any time of the day.Below I’ve provided detail about some of my favourite bars. During San Fermin, many of the restaurants remove their tables and transform their space into a bar to meet the demand during the festival. Current and traditional SanFermin songs are played and a good dance party is not hard to find.In Pamplona music is played all day, and it is best that you can find anywhere ... I invite you to discover your favorite bar in town. When you get home feel free to tell me your favorites!
In Plaza del Castillo:
Cafe Iruña
Always a classic! It was the first place in Pamplona featuring electric light, opened on July 6, 1888. Hemingway cemented this bar’s fame by featuring it in one of his famous books about Spain.
Gure Etxea
Every year this Bar cover the walls with Kukuxumuxu drawings, and always looks like a local place, very "sanferminero", the staff is very nice and is located in the Plaza del Castillo is perfect for trying a local drink, dancing and after going to see a concert nearby.
Okapi
This two-level bar has two entrances, one on Plaza del Castillo and one on Estafeta street, personally, I prefer the top part of the bar.
Subsuelo
The entrance to this local gem is hidden, but you can find it in the Plaza del Castillo, near the Café Iruña. It's a bar with two levels, spacious and a good atmosphere.
Near Plaza de Toros:
Niza
One of the most popular night-time bars during the San Fermin Festival, usually very busy because it's a meeting point for people of Pamplona and also because the blaring music captures the attention of people passing by.
Kabiya
Perfect if you want to be outdoors, has a courtyard and also a big tent shared with other bars.
La Carbonera
This old former coal store is a nice place to drink and dance. However, it is not located in the main streets of the town, so you are going to have more space for dancing!! Also, during San Fermín Festival, tents are put up outside.
Bar La Rua
Nice Bar with good atmosphere and good service.
San Nicolás Street:
Otano
One of the most popular bars, located on Calle San Nicolas and plays varied music from different generations. It is usually very crowded, so you have to be patient if you want to get in.
Antoniuti:
Singular Club
This bar is located a bit further out but is generally less crowded with good music and good atmosphere. It is located near the Vuelta del Castillo Park and Antoniuti, making it perfect for a drink when the fireworks end, or after a concert in Antoniuti.
Posted by Maitane Erroba on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 @ 05:48 PM
A good and cheap way to have dinner in Pamplona during Running of the bulls is to buy a sandwich and something to drink and go to the Vuelta del Castillo Park to watch the fireworks.
Fireworks were first seen in Pamplona in 1595, and, since then, the fireworks have been an annual tradition of the San Fermín Festival. However, it was not until 2000 when these fireworks came to celebrate the Sanfermines Fireworks International Competition held from July 6th to July 14th.
Every night, at 11:00 pm, thousands of people sit and look at the sky and see explosions of bright, colored light. This nightly half hour fireworks spectacle is an event you shouldn’t miss if you are in Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls!
The very best location to catch the show is from the grassy area just in front of the bus station at the Vuelta del Castillo Park.
We recommend arriving by 10:30pm find a good place to lie down and enjoy the show with friends, family or your significant other.
And... one more thing, don't forget a something to sit on and a jacket. The grass can be wet and sometimes the nights in Pamplona could be a little cold.
Posted by Blog Tipster on Wed, Feb 23, 2011 @ 07:36 AM
For me, the festival of San Fermín is much more than raging bulls, madness and alcohol. I was born on December 27th and 7 months later I was dressed like a Pamplonica.
On July 6th, at noon, at the time of txupinazo, I was baptized at the same time the mayor of Pamplona initiated one of the best parties in the world!
Perhaps this is why I have so much affection for this week, days in which the young, old, rich, poor, local and foreigners alike dress in white and red, and celebrate at a party known worldwide for its tradition and revelry.
Indeed, it is a party for all ages. As a child, I visited the terrace of at the Plaza del Castillo to have brunch. I begged my parents to watch the fireworks and visit the fair. Later on, as a teenager (and, admittedly, as an adult), I participated in the annual Battle in the Plaza del Castillo, fought with flour, eggs and champagne.
Instead of the fair these days, you’ll find me at a concert in Antoniuti or Plaza del Castillo, and sharing drinks with friends post concert at one of the bars located on Jurauta St., Nueva St. or San Nicholas St. Though the activities changed as I grew up, the tradition remained close to my heart and remains a favorite time of year, and I’ve found that the Festival of San Fermin has become an even more important and treasured annual holiday in my life.
But, back to the fun. Although there are activities for all ages, I’ve found that I’ve enjoyed it the most as I have entered my late 20s and come to appreciate not only the party but also the leisure activities available in Pamplona during the San Fermín Festival. Activities are available 24 hours a day, whether it be music, events, laughter or just a great Spanish wine at one of the bars open 24 hours a day.
Below, If you are thinking on come to Pamplona on these dates, here is my recommendation for a sample day plan:
Get up early, get to your balcony and cheer on the running of the bulls. After the run, enjoy breakfast and then go see the big heads and giants (Gigantes & Kilikis) that leaving City Hall.
After you can Take a stroll down Estafeta or San Nicolas St for tapas and wine,
before a leisurely lunch in some of the many good restaurants in town.
A perfect place to relax and have a coffee, after have a large lunch is the Rincón de Caballo Blanco, a beautiful setting of the old town of Pamplona, where you can enjoy a moment of tranquility and delight in its fantastic views.
And when you are ready, make your way to Plaza de Toros and shout “Ole!” as bullfights begin at 6.30 pm. You will see 6 bulls fought by brave matadors every evening from July 6th to July 14th.
Once the bullfight is over, don’t miss out on the peñas, the 16 bands come out with their banners from the alley of Plaza de toros, accompanied by people who sing, drink and dance. When they pass, join them and walk around the streets of the old part of Pamplona, stopping at bars to get to the bar of the “home” bar of the peña.
If you don't want go with the peñas, when the bullfight is over, I recommend you going to drink and dance on Cuesta de Labrit, some bars has a wonderful patios, my favourites places here are Kabiya or Niza.
When you're tired of dancing and you're hungry, go to have dinner to some restaurant located in Plaza del Castillo, or buy a sandwich and go to see how the Fireworks explode in the sky once night falls.... After you can choose, Enjoy a little more fun at any of the local bars or take a rest and start it all over the next day.
I grew up in Pamplona, and although I have lived in Logroño, Barcelona and Dallas, I have not missed a single Festival of San Fermín. I look forward to being there again with family and friends, and hope you will join us too to have fun during the San Fermín Festival.
