Hello all! Found a good deal for airfare from JFK- madrid and then Milan to JFK. Traveling with 10,8,5, and almost 3 year old. Went to spain last year and had a great time and wanted to repeat with open jaw flight.

Has anyone driven from Madrid to Valencia? How is the drive? scenic at all? or should we just take train?
Was thinking Madrid- 4 nights
Valencia- 4 nights
Fly to Milan then rent car and drive to Tuscany- 4 nights.


I have been to Madrid before but my husband hasn't. Of Italian heritage and wanted to go to Italy with kids. My husband and I have been to Italy and like the Tuscany area a lot although we have been to Lake Como area and Bologna area as well. Hoping to swim in late April should we get hotel with pools here? When we went to Barcelona in early April pools were open. If we want to relax swim in tuscany should we just go in summer? But downside then Madrid gets hot.

Also, anyone know of central area of Madrid that is a bit of a quieter area but still 15-20 min from sights? Salamanca neighborhood? Looking for hotel in Madrid/Valencia that has great Air conditioner as well. Don't want to open windows to noise. Stayed in 2 marriot hotels in Barcelona(only because we had points) in April but they didn't turn on AC and rooms stuffy. beds were hard. I have insomnia so comfortable bed, reasonable quiet hotel and AC help alot. I am looking for someone who knows these cities well. Thank you!!!

Pools are not yet open in April in Tuscany. The weather is still rather variable even into May.

Depending on your interests, you might consider shifting a night from Madrid to Valencia, particularly if you might have jet lag upon your arrival in Madrid.

Personally, I wouldn't drive from Madrid to Valencia. The train is much faster, and I would find it much more comfortable.

And I've taken train Madrid - Valencia and IMO like much of interior of central Spain rather boring semi-desert - maybe roads go thru some nice cities but if wanting to do it in one day not much time for that - trains go much faster. And, Spanish mainline trains are really comfy - not like the old days when 'the pain in Spain was mainly on the train" like the cattle cars I rode there my first trips long ago. If not on a tight budget the preferente first classes are really really neat.

If you want to swim late April in Italy, you might head for Amalfi coast. Remember April 21 is a late Easter next year, and that should factor into all your traveling decisions (when to book, traffic, etc.). I assume your family are good travelers for you to go to Spain and Italy on a relatively short holiday. There are inexpensive flights from Madrid and Barcelona to Naples (maybe 6 nights Spain, 6 nights Italy). Check skyscanner.com. You can take a 6-hour train from Naples to Milan. Or there are cheap flights from Naples to Milan Linate airport which requires a bus shuttle to Milan Malpensa airport.

Thank you everyone for your replies! Certainly something to think about