We (me, spouse, kids ages 6 & 2) have an opportunity to take a couple weeks at the end of a 3-month London stint this April. Our dates, departing out of London on April 14 are not flexible and I know this is right in the middle of Easter. Right now (and it seems to be constantly changing!) our top two choices are Ireland (Dublin and S/SW Ireland) and Spain (Madrid and environs, Cordoba, Seville, Pueblos Blancos). Where would you go? What should we expect the weekend of Easter in each place (chaos, price, closures, etc.)? Weather? In your opinion which one would generally be cheaper? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

That's a tough decision! I'm not the expert, but I can tell you that, in Seville at least, everything goes up in price at Easter. In doing my research, I've discovered this is also a very crowded time of the year for Andalucia, but also a very pretty time of year with lots to see and do. I also know it can be tough to get rooms at nicer hotels, especially in Seville. So, if price and crowds are something you are considering, then...

But either selection sounds wonderful to me! Happy choosing!

Andalusia is great in April---the others will still be cold. And, Easter week can have wonderful ceremonies in many of the towns. Look at Nerja for Easter Sunday--magical.

The weather will be glorious in Andulusia in April! It will be horrid and miserable in the UK--I know because I was born there. This is a no-brainer.

I'm Irish, but I have to admit if I had the choice of a trip in April, I'd choose Nerja, I love it with a passion, its a beautiful special place.

From the choices you offer, I would choose Andalucia, hands down. Both because of the weather in April and because Seville and the Pueblos Blancos are wonderful places and you mustn't miss Granada and the Alhambra, which I would recommend over Cordoba if a choice must be made.

Sounds like it's unanimous! Would you all really recommend the Spain option considering the Easter holiday and the fact that we'll be with two young kids--the combo of that worries me more than each factor independent of one another? Kindly correct my ignorance if I am mistaken, but I sense bigger celebrations (thus larger crowds, more chaos, higher prices, etc.) in Spain compared to Ireland. We've traveled a lot throughout Europe, and with our kids, but never at Easter. So then what about cost, though? How do the two compare, considering the holiday and all? Oh, and Granada would normally beat out Cordoba, but time and geography (could stop in Cordoba for a part-day excursion there on the way to Seville) make Cordoba more likely for us this time--don't want to rush through Andalucia as that seems contradictory to why you go there! Thanks to all!

If you go to Nerja, make sure to go to the caves. The kids will love them (and so will you probably.)

I'd definitely go to Spain, but I'd make reservations right away, because places like Sevilla will be booked up very quickly at Easter. My guess is that any place that has major Easter week celebrations will be more expensive than usual and also crowded, but I think it would be wonderful to see the Holy Week celebrations.

I understand Holy Week has quite elaborate celebrations in Zamora. Also Murcia has spectacular processions.

Will reservations be hard to make in Seville the week after Holy Week? If we arrived there the 18th or 19th? Will prices be thus higher then as well?

My guess would be that prices would go down and reservations would be easier to get after Easter. But that's just an assumption on my part. If you could be in Seville during Holy Week, I think it would be unforgettable. I'd love to do it. I have pictures of the processions and celebrations, and they look fabulous.

I think we've decided on the Spain option (unless someone chimes in convincing us to head to Ireland). We're so excited! I think it's going to work out best for us to be in Madrid that first weekend, Easter Friday, etc. Now I need help figuring out what sights will be open or closed the days we're there (mostly Fri, Sat and Sun). Thanks for all your suggestions--and I'm sure I'll be back with new questions in further posts. Thanks again!

We are traveling the week before you, coming from the States for a short, quiet trip that ends on Palm Sunday.
Where are we headed? Ireland. Generally around the South West. Most likely, somewhere around Sheep's Head and Mizen Head. Haven't settled on an exact place just yet. This will be our 8th trip in the last seven years.
Why?
Spain DOES sound interesting --(actually, so does France, Italy, and the rest of Europe), but we can only spare the time and money to take one trip every 9 - 12 months, and neither one of us can stand to go without a dose of Ireland for any longer than that...
Bob

Bob, thanks for your input. Wow, 8 times to Ireland in 7 years! I'd love to hear more. What about Ireland drives you to return year after year? Have you been during mid-April before? Can you comment on the weather? In your opinion what is the best time of year, weatherwise, for Ireland? After all even if we do head to Spain this time around, Ireland is on the short list for our next trip! Thanks!

"click" on my screenname and it will pull up a list of all the treads I have created, or replied to. Look for "11 day June" which is my trip report for 2004 and "Round Ireland In A Mini-Bus" covering our 2005 trip. They should tell you why ...
Bob

Spain would be a million times cheaper than Ireland, sure everywhere is cheaper than here!!