Spain near Easter
 

Hello all! We are planning to travel to Barcelona and San sebastian for 13 days during Easter. March 26- April 8. We have 2 adults and 4 kids ages 9,7,41/2 and 1 1/2. We plan on slower travel with the kids in a spacious apartment and as much as possible and thinking 5-6 nights in Barcelona( I studied abroad there so know the city). We have never been to San sebastian but heard its amazing. First trip to Europe with the kids. Renting a van and driving to San sebastian. Any route suggestions? Any scenic routes through mountains without making to trip longer then 6 1/2 hours? We are thinking of staying in Rioja one night on the way back. Was looking for hotel with indoor pool for the kids but could only find Serotel in Laguardia. Perhaps one night outside of Barcelona near Penedes so we can be closer to airport before flight home. Anyone do this route?

Concerned for hotel closures if we stayed in Rioja for Easter. Anyone stay there for Easter? Were there any restaurants open? Also is it not a good idea to drive on good Friday, are rest stops open? Easter Monday as well?

Thank you!

You will need a car which is able to take seats for all of those children. The law in Spain requires all children under the age of 12 and below Metres to be sat in a child seat suitable for age/or weight, They will need to be installed correctly and that means the use of ISOfix. Not all vehicles have ISOfix for the rear centre seats.
Pan down http://www.getspain-spain.com/driving_in_spain.html
Details of ISOfixing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isofix

Easter is a very very busy time of year. Accommodation will be open. Restaurants too will be open.
You may be lucky and get some snow!

Where are you flying from? Have you considered an open jaw flight into San Sebastian out of Barcelona or vice versa? Should be about the same cost as round trip and save you 1 of your drives between the two cities. Saving you time and money. Look for multi-city flights on airline web sites.

Thank you all for the information. We normally take open jaw flights but the deal was so cheap and went into and out of barcelona.

We will be bringing a car seat for the little one for the flight anyhow and had bumble bum inflatable boosters for the older 3. Does anyone know if this counts?

Thank you!

Newark to BCN

http://www.bubblebum.co/us/2011/07/1...recent-review/

I will check into the latch system with rental company thank you!!!

No your seats have to conform to the size and height as described in the link. The seats you have given a link to are not legal. They are considered not to have any benefits towards the child's safety .
Look at this illustration
http://familylifeinspain.com/wp-cont...7-19.08.41.png

Read this. Aimed at the traveller from the UK but it is all in English for Spain.
http://www.sotogrande.news/?p=554#more-554
This is the same information in Spanish and from a vehicle insurance company in Spain.
https://www.motor.mapfre.es/consejos...es-edad-o-peso

I did not say but sitting children in the front of the car is also illegal.