kimhe

Modernisme aside, all Andalucía could of course be a good option. But perhaps not with 8 and 11 years old in February? I just meant that blatantly advice against Barcelona is a very bad travel advice, and I think first and foremost the kids would have much more fun with a mix of Barcelona, an explosion for kids all ages year around, and then a little taste of Andalucía. All Andalucía in February could easily become much tourist tracks Alhambra, Mezquita, Real Alcázar, Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Cathedral, Cathedral, Cathedral, one-armed Cathedral, not necessarily much fun for kids after you get the drift of it. Barcelona in February is an excellent time of year to go, outside the main tourist season and normally mild temperatures, much sun and all kinds of activities, experiences, sights and fun at your feet.

I think you should know Andalucía very well to know where to go and what to do outside the most obvious tourist tracks in February with kids. Perhaps go skiing in the Sierra Nevada, hiking in Torcal, explore the Nerja Caves or perhaps join some local festival. Or go to Málaga.

brook33003

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Kimhe, obviously the appeal of an all-Andalucia vacation is that we could save time without a flight or a long train ride between Barcelona and Granada, Malaga, Seville, etc. But I have no doubt my kids would love Barcelona, too. Help!

I have to tell you, I've planned a ton of vacations for my family, but this one is just driving me nuts. NUTS!! Part of me is wondering if I should just simplify and take the family to Barcelona, with a few side trips. Done. But I long to see the Alhambra and experience the whole Andalucia vibe, so here we are.

Ugh!

Sassafrass

Brook33003,
Have you check on flights yet? Can you get a flight home from Seville?

Bedar suggested I am silly and sometimes I definitely am silly. However, I plead not guilty to making a math mistake about weather and sunshine with a calculator. I leave all calculations and weather predictions to scientists and weather experts. Holiday-weather.com is my go to source and is usually reliable. They gave hours of sunshine in Madrid and Barcelona as well as weather averages.

Not to quibble too much, but just because a person must deal with either hot weather or ice and snow where they live, does not necessarily mean they don't care about it during vacation. Going from your house to your car or subway in cold or rain or broiling heat is not the same as walking for hours outside while sightseeing. Some may not care at all. Others might care a lot, so it is never bad to at least have the info.

Brook330033, Your short visit makes choices difficult. I love Madrid (in warm weather) and can take or leave Barcelona (except that I love Gaudi's work). However, I honestly think your kids would enjoy Barcelona much more. Kimhe has already posted some links for that, and I agree with his assessments. Kimhe also posted some good activity suggestions in an earlier post.

The Alhambra is important to you, so do an evening and morning visit (on separate days or both on the same day) and head on to Seville. Check flight times to see if Barcelona, Granada, Seville works better or if Seville, Granada, Barcelona works better.

Whatever you decide to see or to skip, your family will have a fantastic time.

kimhe

And of course not a bad idea to go all in for Andalucía, a very special vibe as you say. And excellent public transportation in the area. Sevilla - Córdoba is 45 mins, Córdoba - Málaga is 50 mins, Málaga - Granada is 90 mins etc. etc.

If you do the Andalucía tour, I would suggest you also visit fabulous Málaga by the Med, "the province's city of culture with its so-called 'mile of art' being compared to Madrid, and its dynamism and fine dining to Barcelona". Also the Andalucía transport central with the major airport, the AVE line, the large bus station etc. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/andalucia/malaga

Right in Málaga city centre you have the Roman theater, the Moorish Alcazaba palace fortress (some hundred years older than Alhambra), the huge 16th century one-armed Cathedral, the Picasso birth house, the Picasso museum etc. etc. http://www.malagaturismo.com/en
http://www.malagaturismo.com/en/tour...tro-romano/413
http://www.malagaturismo.com/en/tour...l/catedral/132

And plenty of things to do for the kids (note, in Spain kids are almost everywhere at all times of day and night, so not that much need for special kids activities): http://blog.solaga.co.uk/10-things-t...aga-with-kids/

Perhaps take the ferris wheel ride down in the harbour. Fabulous views during daytime, but perhaps most spectacular at night: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/mala...heel-noria.htm

The Wheel is next door to the new Muelle Uno with restaurants, cafés, shopping, playgrounds, mini-golf and sports activities: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/muelle-uno.htm

Perhaps have a special lunch or dinner in one of the five restaurants in the newly reopened luxcury Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926: http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.com/en/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6t-9Rsl7s

I also recommend the spectacular Nerja Caves some 30 miles east of Málaga city, lived people here more than 30 000 years ago: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Sassafrass

Brook3303, are you completely nuts now? LOL. Have the kids and DH helped with any research and decisions? That might help.

kja

Much as I hate making decisions like this one -- and so completely empathize with your dilemma -- you and your family know what you like and what your interests are. You have two great options and, IMO, no bad choice. As Sassafrass suggests, get your children and DH to look at some of the guidebooks or do some of the research and then participate in the decision. I'm sure you'll come up with a great plan.

mmkmmk

I have really enjoyed this thread as I had the same question. We are in receipt of some miles and were thinking of heading to Spain during spring break 2017, the last week of March. I wanted to do the south, but my husband is interested in going to the north and Barcelona. We have a 7 yr old daughter who is going to be interested in outdoor activities and adventures. Based on feedback for Koorb from this thread, I'm wondering if you couldn't suggest some days or overnight trips from Barcelona for Koorb and my family that might give a non-urban component to the travel plans. Thanks, Molly

brook33003

Hi, Molly. We're not a typically sporty or adventurous family, but I'd be delighted to hear some suggestions about outdoor activities near Barcelona. Maybe we can get out of our comfort zone a little!

kimhe

When it comes to outdoor activities in Barcelona, a trip up to Montjuic (Jewish mountain) almost right in the city center could be a great idea. Lots of greens, theaters, museums and 1992 Olympic sports arenas, the Poble Espanyol and the Castell on top with fabulous views of both the city and the sea: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montjuic.html

You could take the cable car up here: https://www.telefericdemontjuic.cat/en/welcome

The Poble Espanyol, a miniature city of all the regions in Spain: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-espanyol.html

And later in the evening you could see the Magic Fountain here: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...nt-magica.html

If you go to top of the shelf flamenco venue Tablao de Carmen, the entrance to Poble Espanyol is included in the price. Could be an experience to remember for all, not least for the girls. My brother and a friend took their kids to a similar place in Madrid a few years ago, and all were mezmerized, and perhaps more than anyone else, the 9 year old girl. http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/en/

A couple of magnificent clips from Tablao de Carmen. Always all the basic elements of flamenco, the song (cante), the guitar (toque) and male and female dancer (baile):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENoCuTQYPs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIojvOFA2J4

kja

If you haven't already done so, you and your children might want to consult some of the guidebooks that include special notes on things of interest to children (e.g., Fodor's and Frommer's) or that feature outdoor activities (e.g., the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet).