Hi all! I am LOVING this site! I just experienced a breakup after 4 years with an amazing Brit who was also an AMAZING travel guide. He took me and my daughters on well thought out adventures and now I am going it alone this summer :) Here is the itinerary as I value your feedback and suggestions: June 18-22 Isle d'Ischia (arriving in Naples from LAX) June 22-26 Sardinia Home exchange on the beach June 26-30 Barcelona (we planned this so my daughter and her friend can go visit a friend from camp who lives there and is only available during these days!) June 30- July 7 ANYWHERE!! The kids have suggested majorca, corsica. A friend suggested Canary Islands. I am open. We were going to Croatia with my Brit on a sailboat but I had ditched that idea bc I don't sail. I am open to taking them anywhere with lots of sun, beaches and not too much sight seeing. Last summer they LOVED 5 days in the Amalfi Coast!
July 7-11 I am going to Berlin with the 11 year old while the older kids do summer camp. (One is going two weeks to Madrid, the other to Berlin). I would appreciate feedback on any of this, particularly where to go June 30-July 7. I know it's tourist time but would prefer less crowded, off the beaten path suggestions. Last year we went to Florence, Tuscany, Rome, Venice and Amalfi. The year before we visited London and Paris. Thanks for your help!! Marni
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
Have 2: first is right up the coast from Barcelona, and that is Collioure,Fr, small, easy to get around, lots of shopping and convienent beach along with terrific market Sundays.'
The other is Cefalu on the northern coast of Sicily, a little more touristy,but again with a convienent beach. Most of the visitors are from the EU,especially in Sicily. Both have lots of Sun, sand, and easy to get to and from.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
These sound like sophisticated young travellers who could guide themselves around Paris, showing you the city. They can get their fill of beaches while in Barcelona.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17438 posts
It sounds like you already have a lot of beach time---Ischia, Sardinia, Barcelona. How about something different like the Alps? Beautiful mountain lakes, some like Lac leman, surrounded by villages and resorts (Evian, Vevey, Montreux). You could even catch teh start of the Montreux Jazz Festival (July 5).
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2186 posts
Continuing with Jerry's idea, you could take the train to Collouire (beautiful, quiet little town just over the Spanish border), and then make your way by train along the French Riveria (Marseilles, Cannes, Cassis, Antibes, etc.) to Nice.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
25 posts
What about train from Barcelona to Couilleire for 3-4 days and then to Corsica? My kids are really wanting to go there -- feel like one week there only is too long...
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
Curious--what about Corsica appeals to them? How do you get there? This is a place we have never considered-- maybe we should?
Posted by
OLYMPIA, WA, United States
11 posts
We were in Corsica many years ago. Beautiful mountains and sea. We were there at the end of September and everything was closed. Had to take an expensive taxi to get to a beautiful day hike. Not much public transport. But so beautiful and lots of walking.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
25 posts
Hey everyone! Thanks for all of your help in planning this trip! Here is what we landed on 100% thanks to your feedback: Ischia Island - 4 days Sardinia - 4 days Barcelona - 5 days Coulliere - 8 days
Berlin - 4 days I can't tell you how much your input helped!
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Marni, make sure that you and the girls sign up for the Fat Bike tour of BCN. It is a lot of fun!
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles, CA, USA
25 posts
What is BCN? And yes, does anybody have any MUSTS for Berlin or Barcelona? And any other recs?!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
BCN is the airport identifier for the Barcelona airport. Some people use them for city abbreviations and it creates all kinds of consternation.