Kids: 6 & 3.5 at time of travel
Itinerary: Spain for 3 weeks from mid-June through first week of July, then Ireland for 8 days
We used miles for flights and just tried to fit the itinerary around the best flight options - we found a great reward flight from Shannon, Ireland, first class, which is why we added Ireland on rather than a different country.
We wanted a slow travel experience with our two young kids, had a friend to visit in Valencia, Spain, and just played around with what deals we could find.
Started in Barcelona for 5 days, fantastic. Did a private tour of the Sagrada, unbelievable. Hit up the parks with the kids, drank coffee, ate tapas. Would have preferred to stay deeper in Eixample neighborhood, we were closer to Sagrada and didn’t love the area, but overall a great stay.
Then off to Valencia by train, a lovely ride and stayed at the Only You Valencia. Fantastic stay, we didn’t know it was as highly rated as it was when we booked it 2 weeks before (I know) and were very pleased. Great breakfasts - I think a breakfast at the hotel was a great move with young kids and we had this at the rest of our stays for the entire trip. We didn’t get to see as much of Valencia as we wanted but worth a stop.
Off to Seville (better departing flight from Madrid so we stopped here first). 4.5 hour train ride felt like a breeze. 3 year old got sick with an ear infection probably from the beach day in Valencia so we got some meds once we got in. Stayed at the Only You Seville, great pool and upgraded to the 2 bedroom suite. Loved the old town, the Real Alcazar was UNREAL and the Seville Cathedral was a hit. Had something stolen from our stroller here though. Seville was a favorite and I’m so glad this was not missed.
Off to Madrid for 6 days, this was a bit too long but it’s the way the flights worked out - wish we’d added on an extra day to Seville. Loved Madrid, fantastic food, fun playgrounds. Hung out in Salamanca neighborhood and just loved it. Day trip to Toledo, AMAZING! Wanted to add more day trips but the 6 year old came down with something and we were all a bit worn out of Spain so we kept things chill.
Then Ireland. If anyone is traveling Europe with kids the first time, I might recommend just going straight there and road tripping for a week or two. Exceptional in every way. The people were incredibly friendly and warm, I have such a love for them and how well we were cared for.
Weather was warmer than usual but we had air conditioning everywhere we stayed. We are from an extremely warm weather area but the humidity in places made the heat a bit harder to deal with. But it really wasn’t bad.
Flew into Dublin and stayed for two days. If you’re here with kids, you can easily do 4-5 days in and around Dublin, I felt there was so much we missed here! Of course we did Guinness, Jameson, Stephen’s Green, wish we had more time. Stayed at The Alex with connecting rooms, no issue with A/C, comfortable rooms and location.
Drove the rental car to Killarney with a stop in Kilkenny. KILLARNEY IS AMAZING. Stayed 3 nights at the Cahernane House, no AC which was awful as temps in Ireland were - literally - 18 degrees f above normal, I felt so bad for them as I’m sure it was tough on the locals (felt nice to us as it was 115f at home). A day to Dingle, NOT TO BE MISSED. Amaze amaze amaze. Then a day renting bikes and biking around the national park up to Muckross House, worked fantastic- our 6 year old biked all day no issue and 3 year old in the bike trailer. Wish we had time for a dip in the lake!
Then drove to Galway for 4 nights. Stayed at Ardilaun House with connecting rooms, good. Powerful AC, which it was still warm so we were grateful for this. cliffs of Moher day trip, then up to Kylemore Castle, all exceptional.
A successful trip and already dreaming up our next adventures. Thanks all for your help in our planning stages.