Eileen

I plan to take my 8 year old to Spain in the summer. Does any one know what is available for him as far as arcades etc.

Oscar

Please post the exact travel dates so that those of us that do not want to be bothered by a bored 8 year old can be sure to schedule around you. Thanks.

Liz

Eileen, we took our 2 girls ages 4 & 5 to Spain 5 years ago and they had a blast! Virtually everytown has a different little festival going on in the summer, so there are usually rides and arcades set up. Especially in seaside resort areas. Spain is great for children, they really love them and are never frowned upon in resturants, unless of course they are possessed! Have fun, we hope to return soon.

Eileen

Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if Spain was really child friendly, as the last few years we have done Disney in Florida and Las Vegas. <BR>I was hoping this message board would give me helpful hints and not sarcastic remarks as the above "Oscar" has. Thanks again!

Oscar

It wasn't intended to be sarcastic my dear, but a serious plea. I do not believe that young children should travel on these kinds of trips. Leave them at home until they are mature to appreciate what they are seeing. Arcades in Spain? Why go clear to Spain to play video games when you can do it so much cheaper at home (and your unruly children will not be bothering the rest of us on the planes and at the final destinations). There, no sarcasm in this post, just the cold, hard facts ma'am.

Eileen

Sorry but my "unruly" child has been travelling since he was 10 months old and behaves better on planes and in restaurants than some adults. In fact we were just complimented this past summer on how well behaved he is on the plane. <BR>It is a shame that you seem like such a bitter person towards children. I wish for my child to see as much of the world as possible. I don't see "arcades" as a necessity, but he is curious as to what is available. I think you need to stick to the Adults Only resorts!

H

well said Eileen <BR>oscar - do you really think there aren't unruly 8 year olds in spain? <BR>very odd comment for someone who seems to pride themself on being open minded and well traveled. <BR>i didn't realize there were age limits of travelers - airlines, hotels, trains, museums etc. don't seem to have them, why should you?? <BR>guess you were never a kid - unlucky you!! <BR> <BR>

JP

Hey there, <BR>what a fabulous idea to take your child to Spain! <BR>i bet with everything there is to do you won't need an arcade to entertain <BR>does your child like art or architecture? Barcelona and Madrid have so much to see!! I figure cities might have more for a child to do but you never know. <BR>Barcelona has tons of art galleries and museums - las ramblas is a very interesting street [that's free haha]. What about all the Garudi buildings and parks...or the Olympic buildlings... <BR>are they an adventurous eater? b/c the food is so incredible there...chiros and chocolat..yummy! <BR>in madrid there are palaces, museums [the prada i think] and the bull fighting ring. <BR>when in the summer are you going? here are a few festivals i found but i'm sure there's tons to do... <BR> <BR>May <BR>Crosses of flowers are set up throughout the village of Cieza, in Murcia, on Dia de la Cruz or Holy Cross day. <BR>A procession to celebrate Corpus Christi is held in Toledo. <BR> <BR>June <BR>The pagan festival of Hogueras de San Juan is held in Alicante. The streets are often decorated with branches and leaves, straw effigies are burnt, pilgrimages are undertaken, the herb thyme is blessed and sanjuanera songs are sung. <BR> <BR>July <BR>The immensely exciting Fiesta de San Fermin, or the Running of the Bulls, is held in Pamplona early in July. <BR> <BR>August <BR>On the north coast, Semana Grande is held during August. <BR> <BR>good luck and have fun...and ignore folks like oscar [appropriately named and email identified - sesame street hahaha] <BR> <BR>JP <BR> <BR>

Eileen

Thank you everyone for your nice comments. It will be hard to decide where to go. <BR>Does anyone have any specific info on the costa del sol, ( Benadorm ) <BR>Thanks!

laura

Barcelona has Parc Guell designed by Gaudi, interesting for both kids and adults. There is also an amusement park, I believe.

Liz

Hi again Eileen, my husband and I did an afternoon/evening in Benedorm to see a bullfight. We left the kids that night, thought they were a little too young for all the gore. Benedorm is like a carnival for adults, they have dancers gyrating in windows in the clubs on the boardwalk for all to see. I'm not a prude at all but I did think it was rather inappropriate since families were out for a nice evening stroll and ended up seeing Lola with her g-string and her pasties! But what was really gross was the fact that so many of the fathers with small kids on there arms were drooling over the dancers. Nice example to set for your young daughters dads. Anyways thats just my opinon. I would not take kids there myself, at least not at night, when it turns into porn palace boardwalk! During the day the beach is really really crowded, it's a big college kid hangout. Spain had many other beach areas which are much more family friendly. Again, have a great trip.