We are planning a family home exchange for summer 09 in Spain. We have not been before so could use some advice on which region/s to target. We are an adventurous family of five with three active teens; we are looking for 3-5 weeks in one or at most two regions. We like scenery, beach activities, culture, adventure, food, and fun. Ideally, we would be in a smallish town/area but close to a larger city. Do not want to be directly in a big city like Barcelona but outskirts may be ok. Any fodorite input would be welcomed. Thanks.

I would stay to the North as southern Spain is very hot in the summer. A couple of years ago we traveled from Barcelona to Bilbao and we really loved the area around San Sebastian and also the coast north of Barcelona.

Here is a good weather site that has an almanac so you can check past summer weather in Spain http://www.wunderground.com

The Basque country, near the cities of Bilbao, San Sebastián-Donostia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Zarautz and Hondarribia, or Cantabria, somewhere near Santander, would fit the bill during the summer months if there are any home exchanges available in these areas.

I would suggest the Andalucia region which includes Seville, Ronda, the white villages and the coast although the heat may be too much for you in the summer. If the home exchange was in driving distance to some of these towns and villages, you would be able to do day trips and trips to the beach.

I too would suggest either Basque country or along the coast to somewhere like Santander. But before you book look around to see what activities there might be. I know in the area suggested and seconded by me you can walk, mountain bike, horse ride, swim in the sea surf etc.
In the south in will be too hot to walk or ride horses etc. The med coast is not good for surfing either.