Epic Family Adventure in Spain - 16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Guided City Tour

Welcome to Spain! Your flight lands in the capital city of Madrid, a vibrant metropolis known for its art, culture, and history. Your driver will collect you from the airport and transport you to your accommodations, and after your family has a chance to regroup, it's time to get out and explore the city with a guided walking tour! 

Meet up with your expert local guide and walk to the Plaza Mayor, once the central marketplace of Old Madrid and a major hub for locals and tourists alike. See the statue of King Philip III, check out the souvenir shops, or grab a snack, and let the kids enjoy the many street performers you're likely to see here. Your guide will share interesting facts and stories, with games and activities that will entertain kids and adults alike. And depending on the season, you may even be lucky enough to be at the plaza during one of their holiday events and markets!

Visit Lope de Vega Museum to see where the famous Golden Age writer once lived and worked, then continue to Jardines de Lepanto with its manicured trees, lawns, and walking paths. Stop for some delicious churros con chocolate at one of Madrid's famous churrerías, then end your tour at El Retiro, one of the largest parks in Madrid. Here, you'll find an artificial lake where the kids can spot turtles and swans, or you can rent a rowboat if you want to cruise around a bit. The park is also home to the Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace), a 19th-century conservatory used for art exhibitions.

Day 2: Paella Cooking Class, Family-Friendly Royal Palace Visit

Today you'll learn how to make paella, one of Spain's most well-known dishes. Your class begins with a visit to the popular Antón Martín Market, where you'll shop with a professional chef. They will assist you and the kids in selecting the freshest local ingredients while explaining how they are used in the dish. Then, it's time to head to the kitchen and get to work! Make delicious gazpacho as an appetizer, and the adults can enjoy some refreshing sangria while you cook. Learn about paella's origins and cultural significance as you go, then everyone can sit down and enjoy the meal you created together. 

Day 3: Prado Museum Tour, Flamenco Dance Class

This morning, take an interactive, family-friendly private tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum). The experience will help the whole family appreciate the museum's art and history with fun activities, games, tasks, and stories. Designed for kids aged 6 to 12 years old, your guide will share little-known facts and anecdotes about the artists and their visions, and you'll have a chance to see works by artists like Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens, and more.

As you move through the museum, your kids will be tasked with activities to help them learn about the art and enjoy their museum experience, and your guide will use games and stories to explore individual pieces. Your little ones might be so inspired that they'll use all this newfound knowledge to create their own artistic masterpieces back home!

Later, learn all about the history of Spanish flamenco with a family dance class. Flamenco is considered a quintessential element of Spanish culture, and you'll have an opportunity to enjoy a fun and interactive exploration of this unique mix of dancing, music, and song. Learn the history behind the dance and try some dance moves alongside expert instructors and professional dancers, and after your lesson, participate in a show where you and the kids can show off your newfound skills! 

Day 4: Day Trip to Segovia: Hot-Air Balloon Ride & City Tour 

Take an adventurous day trip to the city of Segovia, located about an hour from Madrid and known for its ancient Roman aqueduct, Romanesque churches, and Gothic architecture. Your tour starts early in the morning, soaring across the city via hot-air balloon! Your family will get to watch the crew inflate the balloon, and after a safety briefing, you'll hop onboard and take to the skies. Cruise along at more than 3,000 feet (1,000 m) up, enjoying stunning bird's-eye views of Segovia at sunrise and passing by the aqueduct, cathedral, and Royal Alcázar. 

Upon landing, celebrate the excursion with a light breakfast and glasses of sparkling cava for the adults. You'll also receive photos and videos taken during the flight and a certificate signed by your pilot. Then, it's time to explore Segovia on foot. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering plenty of historical sites to keep you and the kids entertained. A must-see stop includes the city's Roman Aqueduct, Spain's most important example of Roman engineering. It's also one of the world's best-preserved elevated aqueducts, built in the first century.

Visit the Segovia Cathedral and the fairytale-like palace, the Royal Alcázar, a picturesque fortress that clings dramatically to a cliff with the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains as its backdrop. Enjoy free time at the palace, taking in the views and letting the kids burn some energy by running around the park, then, in true Spanish style, sit down for a late lunch before heading back to Madrid. 

Day 5: Transfer to Toledo, Marzipan Workshop

You're off to historic Toledo today. A private driver will pick you up at your hotel in Madrid for the one-hour drive. Set on a hill above the Castilla-La Mancha region, this ancient city is rich in history. Its old medieval quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with architecture that showcases the Moorish influence, and you'll also find examples of Arab, Jewish, and Christian history throughout the city. Once you've gotten checked in at your hotel, learn more about Toledo's food and culture with a marzipan workshop.

The people of Toledo have been crafting natural almond marzipan since the 12th and 13th centuries, and your family will learn the history behind this sweet almond confection, working alongside local artisans as they share the secrets and specific methods for making the well-known dessert. The kids will enjoy making the marzipan and tasting the fruits of their labor, not even realizing how much they're learning about Spanish history, and you'll all have a sweet memento of your time in Toledo. 

Day 6: Fire & Steel Sword-Making Workshop, Train to Córdoba

Toledo is known for the art of bladesmithing, and today your family will have the opportunity to learn more about this craft at a sword-making workshop. Observe a master swordsmith at work, and see the traditional techniques and production stages that make the Toledan blade so famous. During the class, you'll also discover the history of Toledan steel and view several examples of blades from different regions and eras on the Iberian Peninsula. See renowned weaponry such as the Iberian falcata knife, El Cid's Tizona sword, and the swept hilts swords.

Once you've learned all about the sword-making process, it's time to create your own dagger. This hands-on part of the workshop allows you to try forging, tempering, and polishing steel yourself, with help from the experts and safety precautions. Choose from a dagger, dirk, or sword, and make it your own using your newfound skills. At the end of the workshop, you'll have a personalized (unsharpened!) dagger as a souvenir.

Afterward, you'll transfer to Córdoba, a train ride of about 2.5 hours. Located in the Andalusia region, this ancient city was originally founded by the Romans, with the subsequent Moorish conquest bringing Arab rule and what is now considered some of the most stunning examples of Moorish-Chritsian architecture, which includes the impressive mosque-cathedral, La Mezquita. You'll have a chance to relax at your hotel tonight or see some of the city on your own. 

Day 7: Mezquita, Alcázar & Jewish Quarter, Horseback Riding Adventure

Explore Córdoba's history this morning with the help of a private guide, who will take your family on a journey into the city's storied past under Roman, Muslim, and Christian rule. The tour starts with a visit to the Mezquita Cathedral. After being under Muslim rule for centuries, the Christians conquered the Iberian Peninsula, and most major cities removed the mosques and built cathedrals. But Córdoba decided to combine the two monuments, and you'll have a chance to see how the Islamic architecture blends perfectly with the decorative naves and Gothic-style ceilings. 

Next, you'll make your way into Córdoba's old Jewish Quarter, with its twisting streets and hidden corners. The kids will love the open courtyards and fountains, and the family can stroll through the beautiful gardens. From here, you can visit the Córdoba Synagogue, walk through the Calleja de la Hoguera (Bonfire Alley), and admire the art at the Capilla Mudéjar de San Bartolomé. Conclude your tour at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, where you can see the Hall of Mosaics, Courtyard of the Women, and the Royal Baths.

If you'd like to see some of the sights outside of the city, head to the beautiful surrounding countryside for a horseback riding excursion! Your ride starts in the small town of Villaviciosa de Córdoba, located about an hour outside the city. Once the kids have gotten acquainted with the horses and you've been fitted with the proper gear, you'll start with a relaxing trot through the peaceful, rolling hills, taking you through open grasslands and olive groves. And if anyone in the family is a beginner, your guide will be there to answer questions and help you with the basics along the way.

Day 8: Train to Seville, Guided City Tour 

Hop back on the train this morning for the one-hour ride to Seville. This charming town sits on the shores of the Guadalquivir River and is a mix of Moorish, Christian, and Jewish architecture, with a rich history and phenomenal gastronomy. Once you've gotten settled at your hotel, take a guided tour to see more of what this fascinating city has to offer. Seville's historic core is relatively small and reasonably walkable, making it an easy stroll for the kids that's also a great way to get acquainted with the city's 2,000-year history.

Meet up with a local guide for a leisurely, half-day walking tour, starting in the Plaza Nuevo, and make your way to the 15th-century Seville Cathedral and La Giralda, the cathedral's looming bell tower. See the documents from the historic Spanish Empire at the Indian Archives, then pass by the Royal Alcázar, with its palaces and gardens, and the Royal Tobacco Factory, now part of the University of Seville. At each site, your guide will share information on the historical significance of each site and why they are so important to the city's culture. 

Admire the painted ceramic tiles at the Plaza de España, and explore Maria Luisa Parque, home to beautifully tiled fountains, pavilions, shaded paths, and gardens. Continue along the Guadalquivir River, passing the Palacio de San Telmo, Torre del Oro, and cross the Puente de Triana bridge. Your guide will lead you through a small portion of the artsy Triana district, then take you back across the river for a walk through the Jewish Quarter. Finish at the Metropol Parasol, or Las Setas (The Mushrooms), a modern wooden monument that you and the kids can climb for panoramic views of the city.

Day 9: Triana Pottery Class, Luxury Cruise on the Guadalquivir River 

Take a deep dive into local art and culture with a visit to Seville's arts district, Triana, for a ceramics workshop. The Triana neighborhood is known for its talents in flamenco dance, azulejos ceramic tiles, pottery, and textiles, and your family will have a chance to learn more about this historic area and the artists that live and work here. You'll meet a local teacher, and after getting familiar with your supplies, you'll enjoy an introduction to the district's famed pottery through entertaining stories, facts, and unique anecdotes.

Watch a practical demonstration of Triana's traditional ceramic decoration techniques, and once you've got it down, you'll put your newfound knowledge to work and adorn your own piece of smooth tile. Your teacher will be available to answer questions and help guide you, and you can try different techniques to decorate a basin or ridge tile. Throughout the class, you'll all be learning new skills, and the kids can let their creativity flow, ending up with a perfect memento of Seville to take home. 

Later today, see Seville from a different perspective on a relaxing river cruise. The Guadalquivir River is one of the longest in all of Spain and the only major navigable river in the country. Your tour takes you past some of the city's most notable sights, which include stunning views of Seville's waterfront and the beautiful bridges designed by renowned architects like Calatrava and followers of the famous Eiffel. Watch the bustling life on the riverbank as you relax with complimentary snacks and Champagne, and the kids can keep an eye out for birds such as osprey or kites.

Day 10: Guided Tour of Seville's Cathedral & Alcázar

Take a personalized, private tour of two of Seville's most important monuments today, the Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar. You'll meet up with your guide in the morning, skipping the long lines and heading right inside. Start at the cathedral (the world's largest Gothic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and climb the bell tower, La Giralda, for incredible city views, then follow your guide through the picturesque Patio de Los Naranjos, the church's courtyard filled with orange trees.

From here, make your way to the Alcázar, originally a royal palace commissioned for King Peter of Castile, where you'll find more than 17 acres (7 ha) of grounds that the kids will love exploring. Walk through gorgeous greenery, fountains, and courtyards, and visit the tapestry-filled Gothic Palace, Baths of Lady María de Padilla, and the fascinating Mercury Pond, home to a school of friendly and curious fish that the kids are sure to find entertaining! Your guide will leave you with time to enjoy the gardens on your own, a great opportunity for the family to relax amid the trees and fountains. 

Day 11: Transfer to Málaga via Ronda

Your driver will collect you from your hotel this morning and take you on a scenic drive to the historic city of Ronda. One of Andalusia's famous Pueblos Blancos (White Villages), this is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the region, with breathtaking views and a huge river gorge that drops 383 feet (120 m) straight down. Enjoy a guided walking tour and family photo ops, then explore a bit on your own, taking in the medieval buildings and ancient Moorish architecture. 

After your afternoon tour, you'll continue to the seaside town of Málaga, known for its beaches, culture, and lively atmosphere. Your driver will drop you off at your hotel, and after you check in and relax, you're free to explore the city with a family walk to the beach or dinner at a local café. 

Day 12: Guided Family Treasure Hunt, Explore the Beaches of Málaga

Learn all about Málaga in a unique and fun way with a family treasure hunt! Rather than your typical walking tour, you and the kids will enjoy fun activities, hidden clues, and puzzles to solve as you learn about the city's history, culture, and architecture. Meet your guide at the city center's Plaza de la Constitución, and you'll receive instructions, an adventure kit, a treasure book, and GPS to direct you.

The route takes you along some of the city's most important sites, including the Alcazaba Moorish Castle, the Picasso statue, Teatro Romano (Roman Theater), and the famed Atarazanas Market. At each location, the kids can use the adventure kit to look for hidden clues and solve puzzles while learning about the history of the city. At the end of the hunt, you'll reach the final station, the "magical gardens." Here you'll find a personalized treasure chest, which the kids can open using all the clues they solved.

Later today, get in some beach time on some of the gorgeous sandy stretches that make Málaga so famous. The beaches here are easily accessible, and you can walk to spots like the popular Playa de la Malagueta right from the city center. This is a large beach with plenty of amenities, with gentle waves that the kids will enjoy. Other beach options include Playa Peñon del Cuervo, which has picnic tables and a barbecue area, or you can rent a car and make the 30-minute drive to Torre del Marre, a lovely beach resort area with a promenade, restaurants, and a kids' play area. 

Day 13: Fly to Barcelona, Kid-Friendly Gothic Quarter Walk

Your next destination is the city of Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region. This cosmopolitan city is known for its art, culture, and history and is a perfect blend of modern amenities, ancient architecture, and colorful neighborhoods. Catch the two-hour flight out of Málaga, then meet your driver, who will transport you to your hotel. After check-in, start your exploration of the city with a guided tour of Barcelona's oldest district, the Gothic Quarter. 

The tour begins with something that is sure to please the whole family: snacks! Your guide will take you to several traditional shops, including the oldest in Barcelona, and once inside, you'll taste local treats, including candy and typical holiday desserts, as well as that Spanish staple, churros con chocolate. Once you've sated your sweet tooth, continue through the quarter, stopping at sights such as the remnants of Roman Walls, built in the third century to protect the city, the Barcelona Cathedral with its stunning Gothic architecture, and the square of Plaça Sant Jaume.

Hear entertaining stories of the city's history, with fun games for the kids and an activity book that they can complete as they go. See the Roman Temple, then head to the Giants Museum to see the traditional papier-mâché masks and costumes used during local festivals. Enjoy a family-friendly theater performance that showcases the history of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, ending the tour at the medieval courtyards of Plaça del Rei, where the kids can run and play for a bit before returning to your hotel.

Day 14: Barcelona Beach Day, Cable Car to Montjuïc Hill & Castle 

Carve out some time today to explore Barcelona's beaches. The city is just as much a beach town as its southern counterparts, with several beautiful stretches of sand along the sea. Visit Barceloneta Beach, located on the main promenade and a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike. Here, you'll find amenities like chair and umbrella rentals, restaurants, and volleyball courts. You can also visit Sant Sebastià Beach, which, like Barceloneta, is one of the oldest in the city and a popular spot for local families. 

If you want something quieter, head to Llevant Beach, a newer beach located in the Diagonal Mar neighborhood, which still has plenty of amenities but often has fewer people! And if you don't mind a 30-minute train ride outside of the city, be sure to visit Ocata Beach, a lovely stretch of sand with clear blue waters and a gentle shoreline for the little ones. Ocata is also adjacent to a couple of sailing clubs, providing the added bonus of watching the boats cruise by.

Afterward, get a bird's-eye view of the city with a cable car ride to Montjuïc Hill and its castle. Meet your private guide and begin your tour with a walk down the famous La Rambla Street, a pedestrian avenue lined with kiosks, performers, and local markets. From here, take the funicular up Montjuïc Hill, enjoying glorious city views as you ascend to the castle. Follow your guide through the castle and dungeons, ending at the top of the tower for 360-degree views of the city and coastline. As dusk turns to night, the kids will love seeing Montjuïc's Magic Fountain, which puts on an impressive sound and light show each evening. 

Day 15: Gaudí Architecture Tour, Sunset Sailing Excursion

Discover the unique architecture of Antoni Gaudí through your kids' eyes on today's private tour. Young minds will love learning about this famed architect and how his quirky and whimsical designs broke boundaries in Modernist architecture. Visit Park Güell and see Gaudí's gingerbread-like houses and colorful tile walls, benches, and walkways, then see Casa Batlló, home of the legend of Saint George and the dragon. Here, the kids can explore quirky stairways, a mushroom fireplace, and turtle-shaped windows! End at the Sagrada Família cathedral, watching the afternoon light pour through the many stained glass windows.

Tonight, make the most of your remaining time in Spain with a sunset sailing excursion. You'll board a luxury sailboat at Port Olímpic and after a quick briefing, set sail along the coast. See the city from a unique vantage point, with views of the beaches and major landmarks like Sagrada Família and Mount Montjuïc. If the weather allows, your captain may even drop anchor, giving you and the kids a chance to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
 
Watch the sun sink into the sea from the boat's spacious sun deck, and relax with beverages and traditional Spanish tapas such as olives, cheeses, and jamón. The cruise is also accompanied by live Spanish guitar music, making for an incredibly peaceful evening as you take in the lights of the city. 

Day 16: Depart Barcelona

It's time to bid farewell to Spain. After breakfast at your hotel, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport as you begin the journey back home or to your next destination. Safe travels!

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