Spain With Teenagers
 

Traveling to Spain with six teenagers in April. We'll be in Barcelona, Granada, Seville, and Madrid. Any suggestions on unique "off the beaten path" activities that would especially appeal to this age group?

That's not an age group. A 13-year-old's interests are not identical to a 19-year-old, who would probably prefer to get off the path by himself. Can you supply more information so the answers can be more helpful?

I'm almost scared to suggest this but in Madrid my students have always loved a visit to Planet Hollywood to take a photo under the bull that bellows smoke!They also enjoyed visits to the bullring Ventas museum and the tour of the soccer stadium Bernabeu. Madrid is also the only city I would give them free time to wander in the area of Plaza Mayor-never the other cities,especially Barcelona and Granada.

The Alhambra in Granada and Alcazar in Seville are old palaces that kids tend to like. Of course the bullring tour in Seville is cool too. In Barcelona just walking around the freak show that is Las ramblas is interesting, the Boqueria market is fascinating and the whole neighborhoods of El Born and Bari Gotic are interesting to walk around.

Spain has such wonderful history including the castles and cathedrals. But would teens be bored with such? Would they mostly flirt with passing senors or senoritas? Would they stay up late and thus drag their buts around the next day? I dread to even think of taking six on a trip, fearing they would mostly enjoy quirky sites. And yes, a 13 year old and one 19 may be quite different.

One idea: have this group be involved in the planning. And prepare them with reading assignments and videos.

Bill in Boston (grandfather, retired clergy)

Gender and ages would help a lot. Agree that a 19 year old would probably be very interested in night life - while a 13 year old might like????

Also - kids interests vary tremendously. What are theirs? How much Spanish do they speak?