Hi, my husband and I are a retired couple planning a trip to Spain in June of 2025. Our adult children and grandchildren will be joining us at some point along our travels. We like to visit museums, see cultural sights and eat delicious food, but we also like some down time to relax and enjoy the towns/people we are visiting. We also like to go to the beach. This is our preliminary travel itinerary that we are seeking guidance on. We would appreciate an suggestions you have, especially because we will have children (4 under the age of 10) with us for part of the trip:
Fly into Madrid- 3 nights
Sevilla - 3 nights
Granada- 3 nights
Mallorca- 2 nights (our adult children want to go there to see the caves, boat ride) ?
Barcelona -4 nights
Fly to Serbia -4 nights (visiting friends)
We thought of going to Croatia (no children) instead of Serbia??
Fly home -Illinois
Look forward to hearing your recommendations!
Posted by
Irving
3151 posts
If it's not a hassle to get to Croatia go.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1834 posts
Just for two traveling together, the time allocation is fine. With 4 children under 10 years old in tow—-I would add some days to those places because it’s going to take more time to move around.
Two nights in Mallorca is going to be too rushed because it can take a half day flying there, another 1/2 day flying back— giving you a day and a half in Mallorca. Coastal ferries from Barcelona to Mallorca take about 9 hours and travel at night so maybe getting a cabin on a night ferry is worth checking into. Just out of Barcelona—a great beach town with turquoise water and its own castle— is Tossa de Mar— a 75-minute Express bus ride from both the BCN airport and Barcelona’s Nord bus station.
www.Skyscanner.com
www.DirectFerries.com
Posted by
OP
Illinois
9 posts
Thank you so much for the advice. We will probably take Mallorca off or list. Do any of the other cities have cave/ boat rides?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1834 posts
Yes— Dubrovnik has both a Blue Cave and a Blue Lagoon tour. The Blue Cave boat tour looks interesting but I’ve not been so can’t offer an opinion.
Vueling has a morning 2.5 hour direct flight for $70 on some dates from Barcelona (BCN) to Dubrovnik ( DBV).
Posted by
Portsmouth
5497 posts
Are you referring to a boat ride in caves in Mallorca? If so there aren't any. There is the Drach Caves which is a cave system in which guided tours are provided and end with a procession of musicians passing by in a couple of rowing boats. You don't get to ride on the boats, you simply watch the musicians pass by whilst sat on benches. It is, in my opinion, a complete waste of time and not enough emphasis is placed on viewing the actual cave system instead more effort is made in trying to cram as many people into the 'auditorium' to watch the boat procession (which lasts about 5 minutes) and then moving them along to allow the next group in.
The caves in Arta are much better and you are afforded the opportunity to view them properly rather than rushed through to watch a gimmick. Still no boat rides though.
As it is, 2 nights in Mallorca is woefully insufficient, I would rather skip Madrid and Barcelona and use those nights for Mallorca however I accept that I'm in a minority in viewing Madrid and Barcelona as overhyped.
Posted by
4836 posts
I would eliminate Mallorca--too short for the effort involved to get there.
I don't understand the Serbia/Croatia part of the the plan--is that a definite? A beach town near Barcelona would be a nice way to cap off the trip. Or, choose somewhere in Andalucia before heading to BCN.
OR, put all of those nights toward Mallorca to make it worthwhile.