Our kids, 10 and 8 yo girls want to go to Paris and London. I have already been there and I want to go to Spain or Ireland. Itinerrary suggestions? 2 weeks.

Are you saying you don't want to include Paris and London because you have already been there?

for 2 weeks stay in one country or the other. it is going to be very hard for ANYONE other than you to give you an itinerary, because we do not know your interests, budgets, time of year, and mode of transport. Plus we would also need some idea of where you fly into and out of the country you choose.

I can see from your posting history that you have already asked questions about Ireland...so maybe stick with that?

I'm now thinking Paris and Madrid. Fly into Paris, 3-4 nights in a hotel, train to Madrid, rent a car there, villa in Madrid for a week, day trips to Toledo and other towns nearby. With that in mind, in August, any suggestions. Budget not an issue.

Why not San Sebastian instead of Madrid? Madrid will be very hot in August. Your kids may really enjoy the beaches of SS and the food is great. You could alternatively stay in Hondarribia, Getaria or a nearby village.

However, as riberiasacra noted it's hard to give advice when we really don't know your interests.

Thinking of outside of Madrid in the mountains w/ villa w/ pool.

Even based in the mountains going into Madrid to see sights it will be HOT! But for itinerary help please advise as to interests.

interests: seeing flamenco dance, shopping, dining

Several great flamenco tablaos (clubs/restaurants) in Madrid. Casa Patas and Cardamomo, close to central and lively Plaza Santa Ana, contracts only excellent artist. Corral de la Morería is world famous but perhaps a bit more touristy. Brilliant Belén López often dances at Cardamomo.
http://www.cardamomo.es/
http://www.casapatas.com/
http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/

Belén López at Cardamomo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1aHoufqeBw

Performances in Madrid theaters with some of the world's greatest flamenco artists will eventually be listed at deflamenco.com

This is a good introduction to going for tapas/dining in Madrid: http://tapastalk.wordpress.com/tapas-bars/

Even with budget not an issue, if you are planning on travel this August, you should rent a villa fairly soon. I can't give you any specific advice.

Major flamenco event in Madrid on August 21st when Farruquito daces "Puro" in Jardines de Sabatini. Great outdoor scene in the park just outside the Royal palace. Madrid premiere. This is the performance he will take to this years flamenco bienal in Sevilla in September. Part of the annual Veranos de la Villa (Summer in the city) festival (june-august).

Review from the festival in Jerez in March: "The social phenomenon called Farruquito came to the Villamarta theater, stirred things up and conquered".
http://www.deflamenco.com/revista/pa...sp?codigo=2637

I agree that Spain will be brutally hot. We were in Barcelona and Andalusia in July and the heat was just draining. How about compromising and going to Paris and then up to Holland and/or Belgium, or London and Ireland.

I would also say that my 11 yo was happiest in London of all the cities that we visited in Europe three years ago. She just felt more confident and more able to take care of herself. I had been to London many times, but seeing it through the eyes of my children made it completely different.

We are not going until 2011. Thanks so much for the links. We are now thinking of a few days in Madrid followed by a few days in Costa Brava. Thanks so much for all of your suggestions!