rjbriskin

I am now planning my Christams vacation for my family(Husband, son 18 and daughter 14) and my travel agent is recommending the following:Fly to Madrid and then fly via Iberia Lineas to Sevilla and stay at Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Ba for 4 nights. Then he has us flying via Spanair to Barcelona and staying at Hotel Majestic for 3 nights. then we fly via Spanair to Madrid and staying at The Westin Palace for 3 nights. We like sightseeing, good restaurants and great shopping.I know the weather wont allow us to be at a beach. i am concerned it will be too cold and there wont be enough to do. I would love feedback on the itinerary and other feedback would be great.

kayd

There is plenty to do in those three fabulous cities regardless of the weather, and bitter cold is inlikely. Start by doing some basic reading in guidebooks, or their Web versions. You'll find it difficult to narrow down the choices for only 2-3 days in each city. Buen viaje.

cruiseluv

The itinerary sounds great. Sevilla for sure will not be cold.

Whre do you live? I know their winters are not worse that the winters in Northeast so I wouldn't have a problem with going in Dec. Probably others that have been there in winter will chime in.

rjbriskin

cruiseluv- We live in Connecticut. Do you think this trip looks likeone that the kids will enjoy too?

kenderina

You don't say from where do you come from and what kind of climate you are used to, but although as you say, there's no beach weather in winter, it is not cold enough to be uncomfortable to move and visit places to your heart's content Coldest place would be Madrid, where you can have snow..but it usually melts a few hours later so it's not important.
Sevilla should be nice weather and Barcelona is not very cold but very humid, so the "cold feeling" is higher than the actual temperature.
Anyway, anything is set in stone with climate nowadays...it's changing a lot.

I don't agree very much with your travel agent The itinerary is very good, but I wouldn't stay 4 nights in Sevilla, 4 days in Barcelona or Madrid would be better for your interests. And also Christmas time ambiance is way more noticiable (markets, events, lightning) on the big cities

kenderina

Our posts crossed, now I know you live in Connecticut I think you would find Spain not so cold LOL

angy400

I agree with Kenderina..3 days in Seville is probably all you will need...the weather will be fairly mild at this time. My son (15) and I will also be there during Christmas break
Maybe we will run into you...

Angela

lincasanova

take one night off sevilla and i would fly sevilla to valencia for two nights and see the modern science complex.. and the old town.

then take the euromed with luxury first class tickets to barcelona. that will be very enjoyable.

in valencia, stay at the vincci lys hotel in town, or the gorgeous westin, or at the beach the 5star Las Arenas Hotel. you will not be disappointed.

ComfyShoes

Fodors' "number of responses" count is so not working. It shows "0" for this thread when it has nearly ten!

rjbriskin

That is wierd that Fodor's isn't countimg the responses correctly???Anyaway-thank you all for your responses. I will definately cut a day off Seville. Does anyone have any comments on the hotels? Agngela maybe we will bump into each other!!!!!

cruiseluv

Hi rjbiskin,

We live in NJ. My son started going to Spain when he was 13. Since then he has spent 3 additional summers in Spain learning Spanish ( he is 18 now)and has been to the cities you are planning to go . He loves Spain. I am sure your kids will really like it unless they don't like to sightsee.

I think the hotels sound good. I have stayed in the Palace in Madrid and really like it. The Majestic is supposed to be one of the best hotels in Barcelona.

From Sevilla I recommend you do a day trip to Cordoba. From Madrid you could visit Toledo and/or Segovia.

rjbriskin

cruiseluv- Thank you for your suggestions. We are going in the winter. You mentionred your son had been going summers-I hope it won't be too cold so that we can enjoy the sightseeung. Any must see sights?? Any great resturants you can recommend?

lincasanova

defintely see córdoba.. and JFYI toledo should be close to freezing on the dark alleyways that never get sun.
but it is high on my list, but not for weather.. neither summer nor winter are pleasant there.

but one never knows about weather lately. there have been severe EARLY snowstorms across spain the last years.. quite unusual... so, who knows. you may get a heat wave, or a cold wave. just plan a trip to places you want to see and enjoy it!