lexluther

Thanks to all the input from everyone, We are off on our Spain Trip in 10 days. Me, the wife and 2 boys ages 7 and 4. Mostly through the help of fodorites and a lot of reading we have put the following trip together:

Madrid 3 nights at the Westin Palace
Seville 2 nights at the Hotel Alfonso
Arcos 1 night at the parador
Ronda 1 night at the parador
Marbella 3 nights at the Los Monterros
Nerja 3 nights at the Balcon Europa.

Can't figure out whether the kids will be able to handle the bullfight in Madrid. Wife says no, I say yes?

Will be going through Maribels files and visiting the usual suspects in Madrid (Prado, etc.etc). Any suggestions for places for paella, good sangria, dinner, lunch etc. would be appreciated. Only have 3 nights so I have to pack a lot of info into 3 days.

Seville, Arcos and Ronda will from what I can gather be very hot. Good thing I live in Florida! Any recommendations for flamenco shows, good restaurants must sees in Seville? Will spend a day driving between Arcos and Ronda culminating in sleeping in Ronda - favorite villages other than Arcos and Ronda? Good place for lunch in the Pueblos Blancos.

Marbella - ahh traffic jams and heat! Never been there but at least I won't be disappointed. I am expecting concrete, Brits, Fish and Chips, Beer, Traffic and heat - did I mention overcrowded? At least I won't be dissapointed if that is what I find since that is what everyone tells me.

Day trips from Marbella - don't think I am too excited about visiting Gibraltar, but would like to see Estepona, as well as of course Puerto Banuz, Torremolinos (If you read the drifter by James Michener then you have to at least stop in Torremolinos). Any great beaches around Marbella (other than the small strip of sand in front of my hotel).

Nerja, planning on visiting Frigiliana maybe Los Alpujjaras .

Any last minute tips would be greatly appreciated.

As usual I will set up a weblog with pics etc to hopefully return the favor.

Will post a trip report once I return - nothing like reliving the memory - beats work!

Lex

annabelle2

In Madrid, your boys would probably like to hang out in el Retiro park; if you haven't been to the Prado before, keep in mind that it is huge and plan what you want to see beforehand to not overtax the little ones. The archeological museum is not too crowded, cool inside on a hot day, and may be interesting for the 7 year old.

In my opinion, the bullfight would be too much for them. Try eating your bigger meals (esp something like paella) as a late lunch, and then do tapas or small plates for dinner. Take lots of breaks and drink lots of water!

lexluther

Annabelle,
Thanks for the response. Yes, I think we will skip the bullfight and we love tapas (we were in Barcelona 2 years ago).

Thanks for the response and suggestions.

Lex

pavfec

A fantastic restaurant we ate at in Seville last year is Casa Robles, Alvarez Quintero, 58.

We had the best olives ever (gordales) and a fantastic squid and pea stew. The service was attentive and all the tapas exquisite.

Have a great trip!

nytraveler

First, please do not subject such small children to something as guresome as a bullfight - they are definitely not PG.

Second, Seveille and Andalusia are VERY hot (often over 100 and humid) and many places have no AC. So be sure you always carry plenty of water, wear hats, stay in the shade, and have pool time for the kids - who are especially vulnerable to heat stroke.

Definitely visit Puerto Banus. The last time we were there we say 2 yachts much too large for the harbor. They looked like aircraft carriers. One belonged to a sheik I had never heard of and the other to the Sultan of Brunei. The larger had a helicopter on the aft deck - as well as cigarette boats to ferry passengers into the marina.

2x2

We are going to Spain in November with our two boys (ages 7 and 5). We would love to hear what went well/not well from you when you get back. Your trip sounds fabulous - especially staying in the paradors. Have a great time.

PJI

Loved the Westin Palace. You will too. If you can, enjoy the wonderful breakfast and you won't need much for lunch.

Agree with others on the bullfights. I've been to many (my husband enjoys them) but they definitely aren't for kids. Plus, baking in the heat squished up against others on a concrete seat (unless you break the bank for shade seats) is awful.

Suggest your wife purchase a beautiful fan right away, you'll need it. The ladies do carry them and use them in the summer. I always keep one in my bag.

Enjoy your trip!

Pegontheroad

I agree with the suggestion to spend time in Retiro Park, especially on weekends. When I was there, the park was filled with entertainment--music, puppets, etc. Great fun for kids!

DMary

Would love to hear all about your trip - my husband and I will be in Madrid in November - can't decide between the Westin (starwood member) and the AC Palacio del Retiro. We're also headed south to Sevilla and the Hotel Alfonso which we've heard both good and bad.
Have fun!!

lexluther

Thanks for all the replies. Dmary we are staying at the westin also because we are starwood members.

Someone mentioned buying a fan which sounds like a great idea. Should I buy one here at target or do they have good ones over there?

Ixnay on the bullfight - I read up on it - definitely not for the kids plus it sounds too hot!

Scheduling lots of pool time - Costa del sol is beach and pool every day - kids are used to heat we live in south florida and 100% humidity and 100 degrees doesn't scare us too much - although I hear Seville is the frying pan of Spain. Luckily everywhere we stay has air conditioning.

How hard are Seville and Madrid for pushing a stroller around (i.e hilly and cobblestoned or flat and regular pavement). After you have pushed a stroller up and down barcelona and then all around venice you learn a few things about the subtleties of cobblestone and the size of stroller wheels (big wheels are the best).

Two years ago I was real gung ho in Barcelona. Went up and down pusing the stroller with the two kids - didn't want my wife to push.

Spent the next 2 days popping 3 advils every 6 hours for the muscle pain.

But, I had choco con churros every day and still lost 5 pounds.

Any last minute tips? Advice is always helpful. We will be doing Retiro Park Saturday for the kids - probably picnic. Sunday Morning we will stop in at the flea market.

Definitely going to the Prado and I have to at least see "Guernica" .

Anyone know of a good reliable babysitting service in Madrid?

annabelle2

Buy fans there; for example the dept. store el Corte Ingles has a wide variety of styles and price ranges.

Definitely see Picasso's Guernica in the Reina Sofia museum. (Lots of other interesting things there too!).

The Rastro (flea market)is a good place to remember that pickpockets do exist, so be cautious with your wallets/bags.

August, mmm, good gazpacho!

Hope someone can help with the babysitting question...

I bought some cute Spanish childrens' books at the book store, sorry, name completely escapes me here at work, but it is a bookstore/cafe that is a center for writers and arts exhibits...I will check at home for the name.

dolciani

There is a very pretty little town up in the hills from Marbella called Mijas - all of the buildings are white and you can walk around the town in about 3 hours. It is very scenic -- the taxi around town can be on the back of a donkey! The view of the Mediterranean below is worth the trip! Have lunch there. I second your gut feeling about Gibraltar....we went there and I feel that we wasted a day! It seemed to be dirty and a tourist trap; no good restaurants and a lot of travel and traffic for naught! It's really just a naval base w/ a lot of perfume shops - not worth a day. Nerja was scenic - but not a lot there. You are going to visit La Alhambra, aren't you - pick some oranges outside the building. Go up into the Plaza Narajana (the Planza of the Oranges) in Old Marbella - it is full of tapas bars and excellent restaurants and fun shops - cobblestone uphill walk and worth it! It is fun to sit out on the harbor of the newer section and watch the people and expensive cars go by. Have fun!

josele

Just some tips.
Excellent Hotels.
I have been going to bullfights since I was a kid, and I love them. But, of course, I am local...
Madrid is well paved, but in Seville you may have cobblestones in the old qurters. Eat at Casa Robles, Casa Modesto, tapas anywhere.
You'll love Arcos. Eat at the Parador or at Marqúes de Torresoto restaurant.
Arcos to Ronda: if you are plannig spending the day on the road, you can do: Arcos-Bornos-Villamartín-Zahara de la Sierra-Grazalema (not to miss)and then Ronda.
Another choice: Arcos-El Bosque-Ubrique-Benaocaz-Grazalema, and then you can opt to Zahara or not, and Ronda, the road is OK. Algodonales to Zahara to Grazalema is 45 minutes.
Any place to eat'll probaby be OK.
You'll love Ronda, eat at the Parador and at Maria or Bodeguita de San Francisco, both at Barrio de San Francisco.
The yacht at Banus probably belonged to Sheik Djerbouti.
Don't miss Benahavis, eat there at El Cuarto Hondo try the lechazo. Make reservation at 952886708, am not sure opening hours.
Michener wrote that AGES ago!!!
Do not miss Frigiliana, but it is all slopes and cobblestones. You can eat at Hermanos Jaime, beautiful view from a small terrace with only two tables, so make sure to make a reservation at 952533168.
Good idea the Alpujarras. Go: Salobreña (beautiful visit). Carry on and there is a crossing to the left. Go Velez de Benaudalla-Orgiva-Pampaneira-Bubión and Capileira (end of the road, but very beautiful town. Then you can go back to Orgiva and go to eat at Lanjarón, Alcadima restaurant, 958770809.
Nerja to Capileira is almost two hours.
Have a nice trip. I await your post on your return.

marigross

The Palacio Real in Madrid could be a kid-friendly stop. Your seven yr old could get a kick out of the old armor and swords in the museum.

josele

An addition to the Alpujarras:
instead of eating in Lanjaron, you can drive one hour from Pampaneira to Trevelez, for one of the best hams in Spain, eating at La Despensa de la Alpujarra, 958858668, Almond soup, Pork meat and Trout, specialities.

jeninpr

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip as it closely matches the itinerary we are planning in May 2007 with our two boys...they'll be nearly 4 and nearly 6 years old then.

Thanks!

celeste60

I was in madrid July last year and stayed for 3 nights at the Intercontinental and 2 nights at the Westin. I personally preferred the Intercontinental. When in Madrid do not miss the Mallorca restaurant. The BEST place for a quick lunch, snack, drinks. Ther are two mallorcas, both in the salamanca area, one is on Calle velazquez, the other one on Calle Serrano, close to the Retiro park. Right next to the Mallorca rest. on Calle Velazquez there is great tapas restaurant, do not remember the name, but you have to walk down a few step and they also have tables outside. We ate there every night.

lexluther

Jocelle, Dolciana and others. Thanks so much for all your input. I have printed it out and will be trying out many of the suggestions.

Yes, the drifters was a long time ago. I got it off my dad's bookshelf when I was 18 and 3 months later I was backpacking around Europe. Never got to Torremolinos before.

I will try and put a blog together like I did on my previous trips with pictures and all.

Will keep you posted from Espana. Cannot wait. I leave tomorrow at 6:15 pm. It is 1am now and I cannot go to sleep. It never stops amazing me - this fascination with Europe.

I have travelled all over the world but Europe is where I always return to. I have found the best countries for travelling with kids are Italy and Spain. It seems like I can't go more than a few blocks without someone saying "que lindo" or something like that to one of my kids. My kids get so much free candy and ice cream on these trips. Also a great ice breaker. I have had whole conversations with other parents without either of us understanding a word of the others language.

Children have a universal language. They do things that adults don't. They stop and smell the roses. We could all learn from them. For example my son noticed that the phone booths are red in london and yellow in luxembourg and blue in germany!

Will keep you all posted. Will check back tomorrow afternoon for anymore last minute posters.

P.S can I get a Spanish Sim card at the airport for my cell phone or cheaper on the street at the newstand?

josele

lexluther, did you post a report on this trip in some blog? I am interested to read your feedback especially about Alpujarras.
Regards.