We're an adult family (3 generations) who will be traveling to Barcelona on December 17th to meet up with our 20-year-old son who will be studying there this fall. We plan to have him be our tour guide in Barcelona for 3 nights(?) and then visit 2(?) other cities before returning to Boston on the 27th. Not sure if we should stay in Spain or venture to other countries. We've toured London, Paris, French Riviera, Switzerland and Germany during summer months and don't feel this would be the trip to return. There is some family interest in Monaco and Italy but I don't want to spend too much time relocating from one place to another. Also, it would be preferable to stay in the 30-50ish degree climate to eliminate the need for heavy winter clothing. Can anyone recommend particular cities worth visiting this time of year?

Hi; Very inexpensive non-stop flights to either Seville or Rome. Both under two hours of flying time. Richard www.kayak.com

Thanks Richard. I'll check into the flights. Rome at Christmas sounds like it could be intimidating. Any experience with the crowds? Lisa

You could fly to Málaga in 90 minutes from Barcelona for 90€ + (luggage etc.). http://www.vueling.com/

Based on the past fourteen years statitics, you could "expect" some 60-65ºF in the latter part of December. Christmas is a rather low key and private event all over Spain, but you should look out for these kind of events in the south: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ltDBAXXnqI

Málaga is as made for three generations travelling together, because it's the way the locals do it. Abundancy of great tapas bars, cafés, restaurants and shopping. It's also a vibrant Andalusian city with memorable sights within 300 metres in the city center (the newly excavated Roman theater, the Moorish fortress, the 16th century Cathedral and both Picasso's birthplace as well as the museum dedicated to the painter). Go 10 mins west to the beach restaurants in Pedregalejo to have a seafood galore with the locals. Ideal location if you want to visit the world famous sights of Córdoba (the Mezquita) and Granada (Alhambra)

Read this before you decide not to go to Málaga: http://www.andalucia.com/magazine/en...ed2/malaga.htm

Regardless of some comments, I would spend the Christmas season, 24 December to 6 January in Barcelona and the surrounding area. There will be a lot going on in several of the villages outside of Barcelona, the 5th of January is the biggest day of the season. The children exchange presents on the 6th.

seville - good winter weather, great city

We have been in both Barcelona and Rome for Christmas. Rome was not overly crowded IME. Though we love BCN we did not find it especially "Christmasy" Sevilla is such a quintessentially old world Spanish city. I would expect it to be quite beautiful for Christmas--and as warm or warmer than BCN. I'd pick it but I'm not sure about how easy it would be to get to from BCN. You'd want to check that out and factor it into your decision.

You can also fly to Sevilla from Barcelona in 90 mins with Vueling for 89€ in late December.

A lot depends on the date to Sevilla. If Dec. 21st, you can fly for 27 euro on spanair.com if the flight was on Dec. 21st or 17 euro on Dec. 22nd. It is an early flight at 7am. Richard

I had the same questions for Christmas 2008. I, too, was looking for warmer climates, etc. But after a lot of good suggestions from people here, we decided to rent a house in the Sierra de Gredos (near Madrid) for ten days and go with the cold. It was absolutely the best Christmas ever. An old (16th century) renovated house in a small village, several snow falls, excellent restaurants (open on Christmas Day) not too far away, lots of great hikes in the mountains. And we were well located for day trips to Salamanca and Avila. Lots of nights around the fireplace, playing cards and games, drinking wine. We either packed a lunch for hikes or ate out if we were take a "town day." And then dinner was usually something lighter cooked at home.

So, one option would be a casa rural in the Pyrenees near Barcelona. The toprural website is very extensive, hundreds or thousands of houses for rent. Many are very beautiful and very large, so three generations would easily fit. I know, because before we settled on Gredos, we considered the area around Barcelona as well.

I have also done the on-the-road winter break, and they're fun, too. Just depends on the kind of winter holiday you're looking for. Laurie

Thank you all! Your suggestions are wonderful and very helpful. We have decided to stay in Spain for this trip as you have pointed out many excellent destinations within the country. Spanair has excellent fares. Now the possibility of renting a house as a home base is intriguing. I'll be looking into that too.

This will be our first Christmas without my father who passed away this April. It will be good to have mother with us as we experience a different culture away from our family Christmas tradition which will never be the same. Again, many thanks to you all for your help in planning this adventure. Lisa