From the Basque Country to Almuñecar with kids...a boring report for a change
Aug 29th, 2006, 09:24 PM
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From the Basque Country to Almuñecar with kids...a boring report for a change
(I thought I had posted this thread yesterday, but I canīt find it, so I reckon the old one is floating somewhere in the internet ether...)
Iīve travelled to over 25 countries in four continents, for either pleasure or business reasons, and have planned my holidays in the past ten years always in a different country. My (our, in the past 7 years) main aim was to find places with a cultural interest, or with something worth seeing and visiting. In a word, Iīve spent my holidays "seeing" things and moving around.
This year Iīve decided a domestic destination, as I have two two year-old kids ("mellizos", that is, non identical twins, boy and girl) and a wife, and didnīt feel like "touring" historic places. Still, when I go somewhere I think Iīve never been before, my parents tell me: donīt you remember? we were there when you were 8 months old...We decided for Almuñecar, 950 kms away from home, in Granada, southern Spain.
So, the 12 day trip was as follows, in short: Bilbao to Almuñecar in two days, first stop in Chinchón (historic Plaza Mayor), www.lagraja.com, then Almuñecar, www.albayzindelmar.com and in the return trip, Tryp El Hidalgo, http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hotel...002:REG:marcas, all three an excellent choice if travelling with babies. Means of transport: own car. What we did: NOTHING (well, we kind of visited the Alhambra, just to tell my kids in 15 years time). But we returned with a feeling of complete relax, renewal and restoration of spirits, which was what I was looking for. And (much) less tired than in any other holidays (I needed an extra week to rest from them). More to follow, if anyone interested.
Iīve travelled to over 25 countries in four continents, for either pleasure or business reasons, and have planned my holidays in the past ten years always in a different country. My (our, in the past 7 years) main aim was to find places with a cultural interest, or with something worth seeing and visiting. In a word, Iīve spent my holidays "seeing" things and moving around.
This year Iīve decided a domestic destination, as I have two two year-old kids ("mellizos", that is, non identical twins, boy and girl) and a wife, and didnīt feel like "touring" historic places. Still, when I go somewhere I think Iīve never been before, my parents tell me: donīt you remember? we were there when you were 8 months old...We decided for Almuñecar, 950 kms away from home, in Granada, southern Spain.
So, the 12 day trip was as follows, in short: Bilbao to Almuñecar in two days, first stop in Chinchón (historic Plaza Mayor), www.lagraja.com, then Almuñecar, www.albayzindelmar.com and in the return trip, Tryp El Hidalgo, http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hotel...002:REG:marcas, all three an excellent choice if travelling with babies. Means of transport: own car. What we did: NOTHING (well, we kind of visited the Alhambra, just to tell my kids in 15 years time). But we returned with a feeling of complete relax, renewal and restoration of spirits, which was what I was looking for. And (much) less tired than in any other holidays (I needed an extra week to rest from them). More to follow, if anyone interested.
Aug 29th, 2006, 10:12 PM
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I'm interested. Your threads are both here. Click on your name and you will see them both. This is the other one:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860951
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34860951
Aug 30th, 2006, 06:57 AM
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Crossing Spain from North to South is fairly easy, for those that might be afraid of the roads. It is a straight highway (toll motorway from Bilbao to Burgos, 15€, then free all the way down to Granada). A classic stop in between Bilbao and Madrid is Hotel Landa Palace, a five star hotel in the vicinity of Burgos, close to the highway, www.landapalace.es, for excellent pastries, tapas and raciones. The morcilla is not to be missed.
Another excellent stop, in Milagros, www.lagardemilagros.com, at exactly one hour from Madrid, or just in front, Como En Casa (I like this one better). Both are opened 24 hours and serve excellent lechazo and many varied raciones.
There are not many other good places to stop, another one just on the way to Somosierra and thatīs it (close to the main road, I mean).
Chinchón: the rural house La Graja was almost perfect, at 75€ the four of us, breakfast and two cots included. Large room, in a restored old house in the village, with a central patio and ancient wooden beams everywhere. The town itself is a bit disappointing, apart from the Plaza Mayor (kept as it was originally) and the Parador (in a restored old convent), thereīs nothing to it.www.ciudad-chinchon.com.
By the way, we expected temperatures in the 100īs (40šC or so), and we had 25š (80īs). Lovely for a bottle of wine and some iberic ham in a cafe in the plaza (they had installed in the very centre a bullring for the local fiestas, which was a visual obstacle to enjoy the Plaza Mayor).
Another excellent stop, in Milagros, www.lagardemilagros.com, at exactly one hour from Madrid, or just in front, Como En Casa (I like this one better). Both are opened 24 hours and serve excellent lechazo and many varied raciones.
There are not many other good places to stop, another one just on the way to Somosierra and thatīs it (close to the main road, I mean).
Chinchón: the rural house La Graja was almost perfect, at 75€ the four of us, breakfast and two cots included. Large room, in a restored old house in the village, with a central patio and ancient wooden beams everywhere. The town itself is a bit disappointing, apart from the Plaza Mayor (kept as it was originally) and the Parador (in a restored old convent), thereīs nothing to it.www.ciudad-chinchon.com.
By the way, we expected temperatures in the 100īs (40šC or so), and we had 25š (80īs). Lovely for a bottle of wine and some iberic ham in a cafe in the plaza (they had installed in the very centre a bullring for the local fiestas, which was a visual obstacle to enjoy the Plaza Mayor).
Sep 1st, 2006, 06:16 AM
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(the boring report goes on)...
...Almuñecar is a town located in the Mediterranean, south of Granada, with pebble beaches and a "national" tourism. Almost no foreigners, no sangria bars, no British bars, no fish & chips, no happy hour, no discos, no souvenir shops...Not a bit classy, but cozy and with some flavor. To me, a very good place for a family holiday.
For those travelling with kids, the Albayzin del Mar Hotel (four stars) offers 70 suites from 80 to 200m2. Huge apartments, completely furnished, AC, daily cleaning...an arabic touch everywhere, in excess maybe (the number of mirrors per m2 is hard to believe...even in the pool). It is centrally located (5īwalk to the town) and has beautiful gardens surrounding the pool. The lowest rate includes buffet European breakfast (excellent) and half or full board are optional. A very good choice. Kids under 12 stay and eat for free.
Eating: found just one decent place, Taberna Francisco I, not too touristy, excellent octopus, Trevélez ham, calamari, sardines, etc, etc, at very decent prices and very good service. Charming place, full of bullfight posters, old paintings, botijos...looks "real" and it probably is.
...Almuñecar is a town located in the Mediterranean, south of Granada, with pebble beaches and a "national" tourism. Almost no foreigners, no sangria bars, no British bars, no fish & chips, no happy hour, no discos, no souvenir shops...Not a bit classy, but cozy and with some flavor. To me, a very good place for a family holiday.
For those travelling with kids, the Albayzin del Mar Hotel (four stars) offers 70 suites from 80 to 200m2. Huge apartments, completely furnished, AC, daily cleaning...an arabic touch everywhere, in excess maybe (the number of mirrors per m2 is hard to believe...even in the pool). It is centrally located (5īwalk to the town) and has beautiful gardens surrounding the pool. The lowest rate includes buffet European breakfast (excellent) and half or full board are optional. A very good choice. Kids under 12 stay and eat for free.
Eating: found just one decent place, Taberna Francisco I, not too touristy, excellent octopus, Trevélez ham, calamari, sardines, etc, etc, at very decent prices and very good service. Charming place, full of bullfight posters, old paintings, botijos...looks "real" and it probably is.
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