My family of four kids ages 1 and 4.5 are visiting Spain on May 16th. We've traveled with a one and a half year old before but never with 2 kids. One of the grandparents is coming and a second will probably join they are both in early 70s. Have volunteered to watch kids at nap time 12-2 though I am sure this will change. Also have a another part of the family that is considering going with 16 year old daughter but we're not planning on it. We will mostly stay in hotels, but may try to do a casa rural, Paradores, or a AirBnb for one region. Also while money is a concern we've saved up a lot of hotel points and airlines points through our jobs so out biggest expenses have been capped giving room for a couple of big tickets items if anyone has any suggestions.
Goal is to attend 10 Am mass as La Sagrada Familia (possibility get one year old Baptized), and find and English speaking mass in Madrid as well. With the little ones plan on regular beach and park time along with some religious sites. Mainly traveling by Train but plan on getting a car while in Costa Brava. Only reason for going to major cities is because we want to be relatively close to medical care just in case.
The flight to/from Madrid is nine hours, and Barcelona will be 13 both will arrive between 8-10 am. I think we should do the faster flight home. They would both arrive at similar time we'd just depart several hours later from Barcelona. Any thoughts?
I've read that taking children in to tapas bars is normal can anyone confirm this?
3 plan on hiring a guide for at least 1 day in each city
Here is the current itinerary any suggestions are appreciated. We plan on visiting a park or the beach most days. I've read that having home base for minimum of three nights helps kids with this kind of travel. Don't know if it's true but planning like it is.
Day 2 Saturday arrive in Barcelona 10 Am. Hotel and wander, maybe some beach time.
3 mass Sagrada Familia don't know if we'll do tour afterwards and Guell park
4 day trip to Montserrat
5-8 days in Costa Brava with rental car most of the time for beach possible day trip to Perpignan possible we'll attend Sat mass haven't decided on home base.
9-12 Valencia might stay out of city, see Oceanogràfic, eat Paella, slide art park, and more beach time
13-16 Madrid Day trip probably to Toledo, Madrid zoo, Mass on 16th
17 fly out around 11 am home in afternoon
I don't think that we're cramming to much in but have thought about just doing 2 areas with more side trips, beaches are must if we did two regions we may would still have three cities but would spend last 2 days in Madrid based on shorter flight. Just think it is easier.
Again thank you for any insights.
Also if we reverse trip will be modified a bit so it's not just the reverse.