Musetta

Hello Fodorites,

I am traveling to Spain this August with 10 extended family members ranging in age from kids (6, 8, 10, 12) through grandparents (81 oldest). We have a 2 week block and are trying to choose our hubs.
We are thinking at minimum 1 big city destination, 1 non-city, probably coastal destination
ideally minimum of 3 nights per destination
seeking mix of cultural activities, street wandering, possibly exploring castles, possibly a little beach time
seasoned travelers not afraid to self-navigate, drive rental cars etc.
Ok for the group to split up from time to time - the kids are very active

Thinking of flying into Barcelona and spending 3 (?) nights there
In terms of a second hub, considering either San Sebastian/Basque OR . . Costa Brava/Catalonia

Thoughts on Basque vs. Costa Brava/Catalonia for mixed age group?

Recommendations at high level of itinerary options (pros/cons)?

Grateful for your input . . . .

Musetta

Me again . . . one more quick note. Would like to avoid super crowded spots like Costa del Sol -- also scorching hot in August

kja

IMO, 3 nights is very, very little for a city with as much to offer as Barcelona -- particularly if you will have any jet lag while there. Are you sure you have enough time there for what you and your family want to see and experience? You might want to expand your time in Barcelona to at least 5 nights. maybe even 6 (depending on what you want to see and whether any of your group want to take some day trips).

That would still leave you plenty of time for time in Basque country, and maybe even a few nights somewhere along the Costa Brava -- maybe Tossa del Mar?

My trip to the area was as a solo traveler, and so exceedingly different, but still, you might find some helpful info within:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-catalunya.cfm

Hope that helps!

Musetta

I think you are absolutely right about number of nights to Barcelona. Good point about adjusting to jet lag (especially with kids in tow). It seems like there are quite a few excellent day trips from Barcelona such as Montserrat, some of the midieval towns (e.g. Basalu, Tavertet, Rupit).

Assuming we stay for a good block in Barcelona (e.g. at least 5 nights), would welcome thoughts re. Northern Costa Brava vs. San Sebastian/Basque as a 2nd base. I assume might be too much to do all 3?

Thanks so much!

Laura

kja

And another great day trip from Barcelona: Girona.

Fitting all three areas into one 2 week trip is certainly do-able. Whether it makes sense depends on your interests -- as I tried to suggest above. And it also depends on whether "2 weeks" means 11 full days on the ground (as it can) or 14 days on the ground (so, perhaps, 17 days counting transportation).

AND it depends on your preferences....

Musetta

Thanks so much, Kja. You have been extremely helpful already!

From a logistics standpoint, I assume we would fly to Barcelona, then drive (?) to LLafranc (or similar), then ???? to San Sebastian and then finally get a connecting flight from San Sebastian to Barcelona for return home?

If traveling from Costa Brava to San Sebastian, what are the options?
1. drive through France vs. Spain
2. train?
3. fly?

thanks, in advance, Fodorites for any tips!

kja

Have you looked at rome2rio.com for your transportation options? IME, it isn't perfectly accurate, but it offers a great starting point!

I didn't visit Llafranc, and so I can't speak to it. I thought Tossa de Mar delightful, and thought it would be a great place for a family -- but as a solo traveler, I could be very much mistaken! I believe that Tossa de Mar would give you relative easy access to a few other places that might be of interest to various people, but again, I'm not an expert and can't compare it to LlaFranc.

The drive from the Costa Brava to San Sebastian is, IMO, too long for a comfortable day trip, or, to be a bit more accurate, the shortest of the drives are not sufficiently interesting to justify the time from my personal perspective. Do you and your family have a strong interest in the Pyrenees? If so, plan a route through them -- with at least one, if not two, overnight stays in route. IME, most families don't want to deal with one-night stays, so the alternative -- and one I think very worth considering -- would be to return to Barcelona and then take the train to San Sebastian. But that's just me -- I far prefer taking trains to flying. As you think through your options, remember that flying would mean getting to the airport well in advance and then getting from the airport to San Sebastian or Bilbao or wherever you decide to stay in Basque country -- and that can be a challenge with a group of people of varying ages. I think trains are easier -- and trains in Spain are excellent. But you know your family; I don't.

I would definitely NOT return to Barcelona for a flight homeward -- fly out of San Sebastian or, if the timing and fares suit better, out of Bilbao. Look for "open-jaw" flights -- into one city and out of another. You might have to stop somewhere, but if you book it as a flight with a stop en route, then the airline is responsible for getting you onward if anything goes wrong with the timing. AND you don't "waste" time backtracking.

If you don't already have it, please get a copy of the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> -- I think you will find it invaluable as you plan your trip.

Good luck!

Musetta

Thanks so much, kja! Very helpful