Hi there

We have 21 days to get from Provence, France to Madrid. We are a family of five - 2 x almost 5 year olds twins and 1 x almost 2 year old. We are thinking to use the French car hire lease back scheme. Travelling in April. We would love some feedback on our plan:

Drive the Costa Bravo
4 nights in Barcelona (arrive late afternoon on first day)
1 night Valencia
5 nights Andalucia (Seville / Granada and possibly Cordoba)
2 nights Lisbon
3 nights Bilboa
3 nights Madrid (depart 9pm flight)

That leaves three nights spare for somewhere else. I'm beginning to think the plan is too ambitious, given the drive times between places. We haven't booked our car yet, so there is always the possibility of leaving the car in Provence and using other transport in Spain, but we think with three kids a car makes sense.

So what do you think? How can we improve this? Skip Bilbao and instead focus on Seville and surrounds? Or vice a versa. I've previously been to both Madrid, Barcelona and Salamanca. I think the kids will like Barcelona and am happy to revisit, I would like to check out Lisbon and Seville and Granada. And honestly, would really like to get to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. I would also like to add 2-3 days in a beach side town somewhere for the kids to chill out - suggestions...Malaga?? We know it won't be the best swimming weather, but think the kids will need a few days to just relax. Or do we base ourselves in Malaga and do days trips out to Seville, Granada, Cordoba etc.

And finally, the Spring Fair in Seville, we had planned to be in this region around this time (12-16 April). Have we left it too late for accommodation? Is this a good time to visit with kids or not?

What should we do?? [This really is the best kind of problem to have isn't it?!]

Thanks so much

I would definitely spend more time in Andalusia, which IMHO is the most interesting part of Spain. Also, with 3 little ones I think so many stops are going to leave you with some VERY cranky kids. You need to set aside some time each day for them just to be kids - to run around in a park, visit a playground, etc.

Also be aware that April in Andalusia can already by quite hot We've been twice then and both were beach and pool weather - with highs in the upper 80s. So I would add some beach time and consider the pool in the afternoon versus more sightseeing.

The Fair is VERY festive and very loud and lasts every day until the wee hours (4/5 am) so be sure your hotel is not in the center of the fair.

I would cut Lisbon and Bilbao. Do a couple of days in Valencia, then go to Granada, Cordoba, and Seville for the Feria. From Seville go to Jerez for the Andalucian Horse shows, on to Cadiz and the beaches - Bolonia, Canos de Meca, etc. Between Codoba and Seville you could fit in Ronda. No need to go to Bilbao for the museum. Look at photos. It's only the outside which is interesting. Or, go to the Disney Music Center in LA - it's a carbon copy. Go to the Basque country (on another trip) for other things, not that museum. April in Andalucia will be delightful weather-wise. Enjoy !

Thanks so much. You have convinced me to cut Bilboa. So now we're thinking:

Drive the Costa Bravo
4 nights in Barcelona (arrive late afternoon on first day)
2 nights Valencia
8 nights Andalucia (Seville / Granada / Cordoba / Malaga / Jerez?)
2 nights Lisbon
3 nights Madrid (depart 9pm flight)

We're not worried about the temperature - we're Australian, it was 82F here today and we thought it was a lovely day!

What do you think? Any beach recommendations for a couple of days? At risk of sounding like a beach snob, right now I'm looking at one of the loveliest, cleanest, white sand beaches in the world from my Sunshine Coast balcony, so we're actually wary of being disappointed by Spanish beaches. The kids will have a splash anywhere, but just curious at where people would recommend and if, given what we're used to, which beaches are worth checking out?

Finally, we're still thinking of driving this trip? Any arguments against this given we are travelling with three small children?

Thanks again

We always drive in Spain. The train is expensive, esp for 5 people, even with cheap tickets which tie you down to specific trains. For pleasant beaches look at the Costa de la Luz - Bolonia, Canos de Meca, etc.