My wife and I are trying to plan a late June trip so that we see the highlights of northern Spain -- San Sebastian, Santander area, Picos de Europa, Santiago -- while also entertaining an 11 yr old and 8 year old. They are good travelers but we would be grateful for any suggestions on activities or places that would be fun for kids?

There are few theme parks, if that is what you are asking for. You will find that in Green Spain, from the Basque country to Galicia, people (families) tend to spend a lot of time out of doors, biking, trekking, water sports, etc., and children usually have no problem entertaining themselves. Most cities and larger villages have play areas for children. Some, like Hondarribia, are set up to handle children more than others, but you shouldn't have any problem finding things to for your children to do where ever you go.

In Fuenté De, Cantabria, you can find a show performed by eagles, falcons...
It's very impresive IMO.

i answered your other post with some websites. click on your name to find it.

Late June is before swarms of European tourists descend on resorts on the Mar Cantabrico.

Santander has some of what I consider the nicest beaches in the world. West of downtown is Sardinero: you should be early enough in the season to find reasonable lodging at such places as Hostal Paris (just behind the Casino).

In Potes, Capital of Liebana, I stayed at Hostal Picos de Europa. Adjacent to that there is a shop where you can rent all sorts of 'outdoors' stuff (fishing & hiking gear, 4X4's, etc.).

We, too, are planning a trip to Europe with an 8 year old. Good friends of ours who have traveled all over the world with their 8 year old gave us a great suggestion. They bought their daughter a small digital camera and let her take all the pictures she wanted during the trip. It kept her occupied (and somewhat interested) in the museums and other sightseeing excursions, and they had fun uploading and discussing her pictures later. When you return home, it would be a fun family project to make a scrapbook using your child's photos.

Really great suggestions about the digital camera, the falcon/eagle show, biking/trekking/watersports and the beaches and hotels in Santander/Picos!!! I thank you very much!

lincasanova - thanks this website is great! tinyurl.com/2lxmkr

In A Coruña, 70 kms. far from Santiago de Compostela you will find plenty of places to visit with children: Sciences House (Casa de las Ciencias), Aquarium, Domus... It would probably also be nice for your children to visit Torre de Hercules, a lighthouse built about two thousand years ago, by Romans. A Coruña is also a really nice town, with a beautiful beach at its downtown and a quite interesting architecture.
http://galice.net/Que_ver_esp/que_ver_con_ninos.htm

FILLOA - THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT IDEAS! I THINK WE WILL STOP THERE!

In San Sebastian try the funicular up Mt Ugeldo. As well as the view, at the top there is mini "carnival" with things that fit their age.

For anything in Galicia we suggest you look at www.turgalica.es and for SdC look at http://www.santiagoturismo.com/

Ian and Irene

Another wild thought: I have had nothing but good experiences with a travel agency called TotallySpain.com. Based in Bilbao, they the north of Spain. My guess is [after having dealt with them a couple of years] that they would give you their thoughts on things to do even if you don't book with them. They just seem to be very decent people.

Totally Spain? have you seen the prices they charge? They may be good but it comes with a price we feel.

Are your kids still into dinosaurs?

There is a dinosaur museum which opened 2-3 years ago in Asturias. It is supposed to be one of the most extensive dinosaur museums in the world.It is located in Colunga, Asturias, which is 20 miles from Gijón and 25 miles from Oviedo.
The name is Museo Jurasico. Website is
www.museojurasico.com

I haven't gone but in the NYtimes article and in the website it looks really cool.

ribeirasacra: You are right. The prices posted on their web site are up there. However, I told them what I wanted to spend and they found me some great places that I wouldn't have id'd on my own.

re TotallySpain:
ribeirasacra: You are right. The prices posted on their web site are up there. However, I told them what I wanted to spend and they found me some great places that I wouldn't have id'd on my own.

We are glad that you found Totally Spain’s service good. But maybe the Op, is on a budget there are loads of ways to find accommodation etc on the internet.
Like here in Galicia, as we suggested, use Turgalicia. Their service is free. All accommodation service here have to be registered with them, as they are part of the government and regulators.

In Cantabria I suggest a visit to Cabarceno Wildlife Park.
http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Repo...ks?language=EN

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