janisj

"We are planning to do a day trip to Bath and Windsor from London (maybe Stonehenge), so that's on our agenda. My husband and I would love to visit the Cotswolds, but I don't think our teens would enjoy being in a car sight-seeing as much as we would."

That isn't a great idea IMO/IME. It is a long day (very long - almost 12 hours) stuck in a coach - nearly as much time butts in seats as walking around Windsor and Bath combined. Just the drive from the pick up point in central London to Stonehenge > Bath > Windsor back to London is a 5.5 to 6 hour drive (sometimes longer). Eliminating Stonehenge doesn't rally help much -- the drive is still a little over 5 hours. Just a bad use of time/£££

I suspect the kids would HATE it. If you want a day trip out of central London -- don't do a coach tour -- take the train on you own to someplace like Hampton Court Palace, or Windsor or Oxford. Or the DLR or tube to Greenwich.

danon

In June, with 2 teenagers, I would stay close to beach towns.

laurarick

We want to do Windsor for sure, but I was wondering about the feasibility of Bath and Stonehenge, so I appreciate your input!

I'm wondering about Giorona vs Callela de Palafugel (or someplace else!) as a home-base with teens. Shelemm and Danon - I'm currently thinking 4 nights in 1 of these areas as a home-base, so 5 days with a car. Then we would be in Barcelona (without a car) for 4 nights. Is that a good distribution of time for each?

macdogmom

We did this exact trip with our two teenage sons. Started in London, took Eurostar to Paris for 3 or 4 days and then 2 nights in Loire valley and then back to Paris. Flew into London from SFO and flew back from Paris. Great trip except for the end when my 17 year old got appendicitis and was whisked off to the American hospital in Paris, but that’s another story. Big thumbs up for European healthcare! The 17 year old is now a 38 year old father of two and we still tell that story.

FTOttawa

Have not seen Callela de Palafrugells, but one of our cycling destinations from Girona was Sant Feliu de Guixols, along the Via Verde. Lovely beach, fresh fish, hiking trails, a Via ferrata (no we didn’t explore those, as Mr T was enjoying the beach views too much to leave: Spanish women of all ages treat bikini tops as an optional accessory). If you will have a car, anywhere along that coast should offer fine down time, with day trip options galore depending on your energies.

coral22

Hi, sounds like wonderful trip!
We were lucky enough to travel with our children in Europe a few times. Barcelona ranks in all 3 of their top 3.
I am assuming you are flying into London and out of Barcelona?

We are a family that likes a lot of different travel flavors. I don't know your children's styles, but mine always enjoyed being somewhere where they could venture out independently. They liked to be on the go and not settle in too long. I normally would advise somewhere low-key, for a change, but only you know your family's style.

I could see venturing from London to Windsor, easy by train, but not too many all day excursions, there is plenty to do in London.
Paris is an easy 2nd destination, so much to do and so walkable, my children loved it. Again, a very different flavor.

I am going to throw out a curve ball and suggest Amsterdam as a different 2nd destination. Quirky, different, beautiful. Staying outside of Amsterdam, could give you an authentic local feel and bike riding galore.

Barcelona is a given. Such a great combination of different architecture, La Sagrada Familia, tapas and the gorgeous beaches. That time of year, the beaches will be great. I don't know about the other Spain locations, I would check the temperatures that time of year, it could be getting uncomfortable, and that would have been too remote for us. You are being a wonderful parent, thinking about your children, but what are your dream locations? Your children will always remember a trip that their parents were having fun, enjoy!