Solo mom Spain trip with kids - too much?

[Anonymous]

Single mom here. My first international trip with my son was 9 days to London. He did great for 8 days and then he was ready to come home. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

At those ages I think you'll be fine. They're old enough to carry their own bags and get on and off trains.

[Anonymous]

I’m a single mom and I did Spain with two teenagers for two weeks last summer. Also did Portugal with all three of my kids a few summers ago. Have done two Hawaiian islands, Tuscany, and will do Italy again this summer. Once you do it, and have established a rhythm, it will be easy. And the best part? Your kids will become so comfortable with traveling that they will do it on their own as young adults.

[Anonymous]

Not too much at all. You can do it. I agree with others about maybe limiting it to two places as it will be less stressful. There is often a lot of effort and wasted time with check-ins/check-outs and combining that getting from one place to another and possible delays.

I would try to focus on having two "bases" and then you could also do day trips if you wanted a change of scenery, which is less stressful than changing places and packing up your stuff. From Barcelona, you could visit Montserrat. Kids might like the mountains and cable cars or Sitges if you want more of a chill coastal/beachy place. From Madrid there is Toledo, which is a medieval city with maze like streets or Segovia if you want to see castles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meh. I've been all over Spain. But with only 9 days I'd rather spend most of the time in Andalusia, which I absolutely love. There's so much to visit and do, and it is unique in Europe. I'd end the trip in Madrid if you really want to go there. I don't like Barcelona at all and would never go back. IMO it is the most overrated destination in all of Europe.

Where would you go with 9 days in Andalusia? Could you share hotel recs?

[Anonymous]

I adore Barcelona.

I would do a few days in Madrid and then go to Barcelona, base yourself there, and do a couple days trips from Barcelona. But I hate packing up and changing hotels. Maybe you are more hearty than I am.

Everywhere in Spain will be hot in the summer, but the south will be the hottest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not too much at all. You can do it. I agree with others about maybe limiting it to two places as it will be less stressful. There is often a lot of effort and wasted time with check-ins/check-outs and combining that getting from one place to another and possible delays.

I would try to focus on having two "bases" and then you could also do day trips if you wanted a change of scenery, which is less stressful than changing places and packing up your stuff. From Barcelona, you could visit Montserrat. Kids might like the mountains and cable cars or Sitges if you want more of a chill coastal/beachy place. From Madrid there is Toledo, which is a medieval city with maze like streets or Segovia if you want to see castles.

This is a good plan. Two places, with one day trip in each place.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! Sounds like a fun adventure. No, I don’t think it’s too much. Don’t overpack, and you’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I took a course recently in Spain. Stayed in Tarragona for four days and Barcelona for three. I like both locations, but prefer Tarragona because the hotel was seaside and surrounded by nature/beauty. Barcelona was beautiful but too crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do 2 cities and I'd skip Barcelona in the summer (crowded, tons of lines, full of people taking pics for the gram and you're locked into reservation times and lots of waiting in line if you want to see anything Gaudi- adjacent (and you can't really go to Barcelona without checking out Gaudi stuff)

Very accurate. The Sagrada Familia was spectacular, but it was so annoyingly crowded that I quickly wrapped up the visit after the tour. One thing I did like about the tour is that the guide gives the group headsets so you can hear him through the mic. It would've been impossible to hear him without that arrangement.

[Anonymous]

You can absolutely do it OP!! Have the best time and involve the kids in the planning - they’re old enough to research what they want to see/do/try. Also, maybe they’ve studied some things in school that could be brought to life on your trip. Enjoy and we’re all rooting for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a solo mom (widow) planning a 9-day trip to Spain with my two tweens (ages 11 and 13). We’ve done road trips and a cruise before, but this will be our first big international adventure! We’re thinking of splitting time between Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid by train. Does 9 days feel too ambitious?

When do you plan on going OP? Stick to Northern Spain if in the summer. 9 days is not too ambitious. I think its the right amount of time.

With 2 kids I would have 2 bases and do day trips. Traveling within Spain is relatively easy via train and bus so I wouldn't worry too much about that, but it is the check in/check out and storing luggage at the hotel if you arrive early/leave late that becomes a headache.

My kid similar age group did not enjoy walking around looking at medieval buildings, so keep that in mind and try to mix it up - maybe Valencia and Madrid? Many people like San Sebastian too.

[Anonymous]

You will have a blast, OP. Your kids are great ages to travel with. I think 3 spots in 9 days in perfect and very doable.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all of the advice to limit yourselves to 2 locations (I’d drop Valencia), and rent air bnb’s in both places*. I find that my kids are much happier when we have a “base” to relax and recharge, and you can stock drinks, snacks etc (a trip to the corner market might even be fun for your kids to pick out snacks). There are lovely day trip options that are easy train rides from both Madrid and Barcelona.

* If your kids are big pool lovers, that could he a good reason to pick a hotel instead.

[Anonymous]

My husband is considering taking our 8 year old kid solo to Spain this summer for the eclipse (our kids have a big age gap, baby is too young to go). It will be nuts though.