Tips for our Family's 13 day itinerary for Spain?
 

My husband and I are taking our 7 and 10 year old on a 13 day trip to Spain in June. We arrive in Barcelona (3 nights), take the fast train to Seville (3 nights), the train to Granada (3 nights) and then the train back up to Madrid (3 nights). We have an extra night and were wondering whether we have the allocation right (we'd prefer to spend our extra time on day trips to smaller cities) and which city (in the south?) would give us the best base for touring?

Cordoba is between Seville and Granada. Drop one night in Granada and include Cordoba in your itinerary.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4174449691/

I would look at 4 nights in Barcelona (day-trip to Gerona), 3 in Sevilla (day-trip to Jerez), 2 in Granada and 4 in Madrid (one or two day-trips - Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca). You might want to take a look at Maribel's Guides to Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona for a little more insight.

If your boys have any interest in knights and armour take them to the royal armory..Even the little princes suits of armour and weapons are on display. It is included in the Palace tour and I was surprosed as it was interesting IMO!! Sergovia's aquaduct was in operation until a few years ago..Impressive way to bring water to the city. Retrio Park, another point of interest for your boys.May be restful,good place for a picnic, especially if it is hot and it may well be.

I would definitely add the extra night to Barcelona (though to be fair I have not yet been to Madrid), but I definitely think your boys will enjoy that the most - I suspect they will love the Gaudi Architecture - particularly Casa Battilo and Parc Guell.

We also spent two nights in Cordoba and really enjoyed it, but not sure with the boys that it would be necessary to do an overnight and may just be too much packing and unpacking with them, but I would definitely consider stopping in Cordoba on your way from Seville to Granada - I think the train usually stops there anyway. Definitely worth seeing the Mezquita. Two full days in Granada will be sufficient so you don't need to worry about arriving there early on your first day.

Here is a link to my trip reports and pics from our trips to Barcelona (when our kids were 11 and 14) and then trip to Granada/Cordoba/Seville with just our daughter at 19.

Barcelona - http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/06/barcelona/
Andalucia - http://www.fromhometoroam.com/catego...ope/andalucia/

I'd consider flying from Barcelona to Granada then take the train or bus from Granada o Sevilla I'd add a night to Sevilla and Barcelona dropping a night in Granada. The problem I see is that you expect to be able to do daytrips. But with the time you have in each city there won't be time for many daytrips. If you spend 4 nights in Barcelona you may be able to do 1 daytrip (but your first day will likely be jetlagged). 3 nights in Sevilla won't allow time for any daytrips and 3 nights in Madrid will probably mean 1 daytrip. I'd stop in Cordoba en route from Sevilla to Madrid.

I'd even consider dropping Madrid or Barcelona unless your children are accustomed to traveling at a moderate to fast pace. You're covering alot of ground in a short time which works for couples but may be a little too much with kids.

Thanks to all for the very helpful comments. This is just what I needed to help me guage my over ambitious travel goals with my kids' (not to mention husband's). I'll keep checking in case there are other thoughts - especially any other tips for the kids.