Italy and SPain
Jan 16th, 2016, 10:31 AM
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Italy and SPain
So we have plans to go to Italy and Spain this summer. Nothing set in stone with 4 kids in tote. Yes 4. Ages 4,6,8 and 11 month old. Haven't been in year and used to go often to both countries. We want it to be as relaxing as possible and will rent apartment. I want to spend time enjoying beautiful scenery and swimming with kids. There is a possibility we will have a grandparent with us for part of the trip.
We have 16 Days
Possible itinerary.
End of June-mid July
Lake como- 7 nights
Barcelona- used to live here- 4 nights
Either San Sebastian or Valencia- 5 nights
Issue also many places 7 night rentals in summer.
There are so many places I would love to go to but my husbands job doesn't afford long time off.
We wanted to go somewhere new in Spain torn between Valencia and San Sebastian.
Thoughts? Really want to go to both countries but concerned with time constraints and do not want to rush but also want to see new sights.
Looking to see if there are any people with kids who have done a trip like this and have tips too.
Thank you!!!
We have 16 Days
Possible itinerary.
End of June-mid July
Lake como- 7 nights
Barcelona- used to live here- 4 nights
Either San Sebastian or Valencia- 5 nights
Issue also many places 7 night rentals in summer.
There are so many places I would love to go to but my husbands job doesn't afford long time off.
We wanted to go somewhere new in Spain torn between Valencia and San Sebastian.
Thoughts? Really want to go to both countries but concerned with time constraints and do not want to rush but also want to see new sights.
Looking to see if there are any people with kids who have done a trip like this and have tips too.
Thank you!!!
Jan 16th, 2016, 10:51 AM
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You need to be very careful about swimming/water immersion in Lago di Como with children that small, or even if you are an adult. The lake is very polluted. I am not aware of any of the northern Italian lakes that are recommended for swimming because of pollution, with the possible exception of Lago di Molveno, and I doubt you would want to spend 7 nights there.
I am not sure why you are picking a very touristy area of an unswimmable lake in Italy for scenery when you could much more easily visit any number of very beautiful and scenic places between Barcelona and San Sebastian in the Pyrenees, either in France or Spain, and be much cooler in the bargain. (Less humid than the lakes.)
I am not sure why you are picking a very touristy area of an unswimmable lake in Italy for scenery when you could much more easily visit any number of very beautiful and scenic places between Barcelona and San Sebastian in the Pyrenees, either in France or Spain, and be much cooler in the bargain. (Less humid than the lakes.)
Jan 16th, 2016, 11:39 AM
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We would either go to Mennagio or Varenna in Lake Como area. I was in Mennagio 10 years ago and just loved it. But now that I have kids it is good to know about swimming in lake. We planned on staying at a place with a pool anyhow. We also considered Tuscany but with time constraints having a hard time deciding.
In the end for us to travel airfare will be a big decider.
Have you been around Spain specifically to San Sebastian?
In the end for us to travel airfare will be a big decider.
Have you been around Spain specifically to San Sebastian?
Jan 16th, 2016, 02:36 PM
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Yes, I have been to San Sebastian and i think it would be a terrific place to take small children. I would enjoy both staying right in the town and staying in the countryside, which is beautiful. In summer, I would much prefer to be in that part of Spain than southern parts of Spain, where it would be too hot for me.
Personally, I didn't enjoy either trip I took to Barcelona, and don't think having small children with me would have improved the experience, or going in the heat of summer, but you lived there and no doubt see the city differently.
Personally, I didn't enjoy either trip I took to Barcelona, and don't think having small children with me would have improved the experience, or going in the heat of summer, but you lived there and no doubt see the city differently.
Jan 16th, 2016, 02:42 PM
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I meant to add that, regarding Tuscany, I assume you would be interested in going someplace in the scenic coountryside with a pool rather than the art cities and museums with your young crew. But your children are so small that it really makes little sense to go through the hassle of an inter-European plane flight in July to be in the countryside of Italy when you could be in the countryside of western France in between Barcelona and San Sebastian. Loads of castles, wine, caves with cave paintings to visit. Sheep. Swimming pools. Yes, Italy and France are different places in many essential ways, but there are beautiful area in France to enjoy that would be so much less hassle.
Jan 16th, 2016, 02:56 PM
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All really good points Sandralist!! It helps to have feedback. Yes the inter-European flights concern me and if we had more time we would drive or take train to Italy.My family heritage is Italian but I speak spanish pretty well so am torn. We may just consider going to Italy next summer and sticking to one country at a time.
Jan 16th, 2016, 02:58 PM
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Yes no art museums for us. My husband and I did the art museums before kids and I would prob hold off with baby and almost 4 year old. My kids are all at different points which makes this trip more complicated. SO trying to make it enjoyable for all which will involve swimming especially in summer
Jan 16th, 2016, 05:14 PM
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San Sebastian - or other parts of the Atlantic coast - are the only places I would go with kids in summer because of the hellish heat in other areas. The town itself is charming and there is a lot to see and do. Can't comment on claenliness of the seas there - but I would definitely look into it.
Jan 17th, 2016, 01:14 AM
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San Sebastian has got three of the finest city beaches on the continent: http://www.sansebastian.co.uk/beaches/
They are great with kids all around Spain, but San Sebastian nevertheless is somewhat special. Last October kids and parents were on the many playgrounds all around town until sunset, and then things continues in plazas and restaurants into the night. Same as always, have been here almost every year since the late 80's.
The old carousel in the playgrounds, in the Alderdi Eder park just in front of the town hall and looking out on the La Concha bay, is extremely popular. http://www.diariodelviajero.com/espa...ce-en-donostia
Kids were having fun here in 1925 also, looks almost exactly the same today with the town hall (former Casino) in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9obbbqmmyU
Also an old world fun fair up at Monte Igueldo in the western part of town, great fun for the kids and fabulous views: http://www.monteigueldo.es/es/index_es.php
San Sebastian is also the food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe, but it's also a great food city for kids: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html
General info about Donostia/San Sebastian: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
They are great with kids all around Spain, but San Sebastian nevertheless is somewhat special. Last October kids and parents were on the many playgrounds all around town until sunset, and then things continues in plazas and restaurants into the night. Same as always, have been here almost every year since the late 80's.
The old carousel in the playgrounds, in the Alderdi Eder park just in front of the town hall and looking out on the La Concha bay, is extremely popular. http://www.diariodelviajero.com/espa...ce-en-donostia
Kids were having fun here in 1925 also, looks almost exactly the same today with the town hall (former Casino) in the background: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9obbbqmmyU
Also an old world fun fair up at Monte Igueldo in the western part of town, great fun for the kids and fabulous views: http://www.monteigueldo.es/es/index_es.php
San Sebastian is also the food capital of Spain, if not all of Europe, but it's also a great food city for kids: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...lin-stars.html
General info about Donostia/San Sebastian: http://www.euskoguide.com/places-bas...stian-tourism/
Jan 17th, 2016, 01:38 AM
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The quality of European bathing waters is annually checked by the European Environment Agency. Here is the map (zoom in to find a specific beach):
http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/wate...bathing-waters
You will see that the North Italian lakes are clean WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LAKE COMO where not enough samples have been taken which is not a good sign. However, Lake Como is the coldest of the North Italian lakes anyway and I would recommend other lakes for swimming.
My favourite lake would be Lake Garda which is very scenic (at least the Northern half of the lake). My favourite town on Lake Garda is Limone, a charming village. Check it.
Valencia or Donostia (San Sebastian)?
One is on the Mediterranean sea which is warmer and calmer and the other one is on the Atlantic which is cooler and often has high waves. However, Donostia has a shell-shaped bay which is protected from the waves and has very shallow water so that it warms up more quickly. I personally find the beach of Donostia pretty boring (I prefer cliff-lined coves for snorkeling) but for small children it is just perfect.
Other places on the Atlantic Coast have gorgeous beaches too but high waves, so they are spots for surfers and not suited for small children.
Air temperatures are in Valencia much higher than in Donostia. Weather is more stable in Valencia with hot sunny days while in Donostia you may encounter cool and rainy days - the difference between Atlantic climate and Mediterranean climate.
http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/wate...bathing-waters
You will see that the North Italian lakes are clean WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LAKE COMO where not enough samples have been taken which is not a good sign. However, Lake Como is the coldest of the North Italian lakes anyway and I would recommend other lakes for swimming.
My favourite lake would be Lake Garda which is very scenic (at least the Northern half of the lake). My favourite town on Lake Garda is Limone, a charming village. Check it.
Valencia or Donostia (San Sebastian)?
One is on the Mediterranean sea which is warmer and calmer and the other one is on the Atlantic which is cooler and often has high waves. However, Donostia has a shell-shaped bay which is protected from the waves and has very shallow water so that it warms up more quickly. I personally find the beach of Donostia pretty boring (I prefer cliff-lined coves for snorkeling) but for small children it is just perfect.
Other places on the Atlantic Coast have gorgeous beaches too but high waves, so they are spots for surfers and not suited for small children.
Air temperatures are in Valencia much higher than in Donostia. Weather is more stable in Valencia with hot sunny days while in Donostia you may encounter cool and rainy days - the difference between Atlantic climate and Mediterranean climate.
Jan 17th, 2016, 02:49 AM
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San Sebastian has attracted summer visitors in large numbers since the late 1800s - when it became the royal summer residence - because of the cooler summer climate, the beautiful landscapes and the beaches. http://www.red2000.com/spain/costa-v...sebastian.html
They know tourism here. Already in the 1920s the city attracted on average some 50 000 visitors each month of the year as one of the most exclusive summer destinations in Europe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17iH7S_bE0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnAK20HMFBA
Weather statistics for July says average highs 70-75F and 7 hours sun pr. day: http://www.wetteronline.de/klima-tem.../san-sebastian
They know tourism here. Already in the 1920s the city attracted on average some 50 000 visitors each month of the year as one of the most exclusive summer destinations in Europe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S17iH7S_bE0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnAK20HMFBA
Weather statistics for July says average highs 70-75F and 7 hours sun pr. day: http://www.wetteronline.de/klima-tem.../san-sebastian
Jan 17th, 2016, 09:26 AM
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not suggesting you buy this tour but just giving you an idea of possible attractions to explore.
http://archaeologicaltrs.com/product...uthern-france/
http://archaeologicaltrs.com/product...uthern-france/
Jan 17th, 2016, 09:33 AM
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