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Pamplona 

Hemingway, running with the bulls, historic architecture and a military citadel are just some of the places to explore whilst you're in Pamplona. 

Pamplona is the capital of the Navarra region in the north of Spain. The town is famous for its Running with the Bulls Festival, known as San Fermin. It is a week-long festival, held in July of each year, on a course that measures 875m and runs through the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Six fighting bulls and six tame oxen, wearing bells, are released into the streets to chase the runners who are dressed in traditional costume of white clothes and red bandanna. The whole run lasts only a few minutes but the festival continues with dancing, drinking, eating, parades and nightly fireworks.

Inside the city walls stands a 16th century military citadel. A pentagon-shaped fortress, it was ordered to be built by King Felipe II in 1571 and designed by the military engineer Giacomo Palearo. The star shaped points were able to control any possible angles of attack. Although the citadel has never encountered any severe defensive attacks, it has been taken once during Napoleon's reign. The Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s was the last time the citadel was used and Pamplona was demilitarised by the mid-1960s. Today the citadel sits inside a public park with cultural activities taking place in the remaining buildings. In 1973 it was declared a Natural Historic-Artistic Monument. 

For the fans of Ernest Hemingway, a visit to Café Iruña is a must if for no other reason than to take a photo with his eternal statue standing at the bar. Built in 1888 and the first establishment to have electricity, Hemingway immortalised the cafe in his first novel, The Sun Also Rises. Hemingway loved Pamplona so much that in a span of four years from 1923-27 he visited it no less than nine times. 

If you have any time left, take a meander throughout the Old Town and admire its old city walls and architecture before you push on to Estella and its Romanesque architecture. 

Across the statue of Virgen d'Orisson (Virgin of Orisson) reportedly carried from Lourdes by shepherds and if you listen carefully you might hear the sheep bells ringing in the countryside. 

Take a break and rest your legs before you push on to Roncesvalles and we'll see you in Pamplona and the Running with the Bulls Festival.