Hi there,
I am looking for some assistance with putting together an itinerary for a trip to Spain in December/January of this year. We are a family of 5 which includes 3 teenagers.
We are planning to fly to Barcelona on 12/19 but arriving the morning of 12/20 so I imagine we will be tired that day.
We are planning to fly out of Madrid on the 5th.
I'm slowly putting an itinerary together because I am not clear how many places will be closed for the holidays.
12/19 - Fly to Barcelona
12/20 - 12/25 or 12/26 Barcelona and side trips
12/25 or 12/26 train/fly/rental car to Seville
12/26 - 12/29 Seville/Granada (if we have a rental car, keep rental car?)
12/29 - 12/31 Toledo
12/31 - 1/4 Madrid and side trips to Segovia/El Escorial
1/5 Fly home
I would appreciate any thoughts on this itinerary. It is our first time to Spain and the kids first time to Europe. I don't want to overpack our schedule so if I am being too ambitious here, I have no problem changing the plan.
If we leave Barcelona and head to Seville/Granada area, what is the best mode of transportation? I was considering traveling on 12/25 but I didn't know if the train would be working that day. Also, it seems like the train may not be the most cost effective mode of transportation for five passengers.
Is anyone familiar with holiday closures in general around Christmas and New Year's.
For a family, what is the best way to spend New Year's in Madrid or should we reverse our schedule and spend New Year's in Barcelona? We would then fly to Madrid and out of Barcelona.
I truly appreciate any help you can give. I feel the risk of closures during the holidays is making the itinerary planning a little more challenging.