Kid-Friendly Vacation to Southern Spain

You will touch down in the land of delectable tapas, passionate flamenco dancers, and ornate cathedrals when your plane cruises along the tarmac at Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport in Spain. Your family's journey to the country's gorgeous Southern region of Andalucia is just beyond the horizon.

You will be met at customs by your private transportation services and escorted to your five-star hotel accommodation at Madrid's center. From your hotel balcony, you can gaze out upon the Plaza del Sol, which some say is the convergence of modern life in contrast with pristine architectural relics of centuries past. Busy traffic honks its way past public buses, meanwhile, meandering pedestrians make their way to hip bars, shops, and restaurants around the main square. Musicians and streets performers entertain crowds by the dozens. Here, a plaque marks Kilometer 0, which is the origin of the "Sun Gate" and the point from which all major highways in Spain originate.

In the evening, when the setting sun has warmed the sky with hues of red and orange, you will venture from your hotel for dinner in the nation's bustling capital. You will amble down the cobbled streets to the grand Plaza Mayor where plates of delicious tapas will greet you. You can crunch into the famed, fried croquetas before treating your taste buds to the juicy delight of perfectly seasoned chorizo. Once the sun has disappeared behind the city skyline, you will return to your hotel and rest for a day of exploration in the morning.

Today, you will wake to a delicious, milky cup of cafe con leche. Then, you will meet your private guide at the Plaza del Sol for a customized family tour of the city highlights.

First, you will imagine your life as a king or queen at the Royal Palace of Madrid, where you will behold the beauty of this breathtaking edifice of more than 3,400 rooms that are decorated with gold leaves. You can stroll through the verdant gardens that are bursting with brightly colored flowers, clean-cut hedges, and peaceful water streams. Next, you will join Madrid's elite as you weave through energetic crowds along Gran Via, which is an urban mecca of art and fashion. Billboards flank every high-rise and entice visitors with the latest concerts and attractions downtown. You will step inside luxury shops for an up-close look at the latest European trends before continuing down the main street until reaching Parque El Retiro. The massive landscape is an ideal respite for local residents who are eager to escape the confines of concrete city living for a few hours. Your guide will lead you to Buen Retiro's central garden, which was built between the years 1634 and 1636. Here, you and your kids can hop in a quaint paddle boat for a tranquil ride around the pond before enjoying a picnic lunch on the luscious green lawn.

In the afternoon, you and your family will tour the internationally acclaimed Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia and see coveted works by such beloved artists as Picasso and Dali. Then, you will explore trendy neighborhoods like Malasana or Lavapies for a fun night of tapas and live music at a conglomeration of bars and restaurants.

The following day, you will board your luxurious, private transportation where you will transfer to the treasures that are hidden within the walls of Cordoba's elegant Mezquita. Situated along the Guadalquivir River, this grand mosque-cathedral represents a storied past for Christians and Muslims in the area, spanning thousands of years. As your family enters the city, you will cross the impressive Roman Bridge that dates back to the first century AD.

Soon, you will follow your guide to the Mezquita's main entrance, where you will behold the grandeur of the mosque's perimeter as you walk beneath the stone archways that are striped with red, white, and careful gold leafing. Then, you will wander to the inner depths of the compound, where you will uncover the Baroque architecture of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. As early as the year 784, Moorish ruler Abd al-Rahman initiated construction of the Great Mosque at the former site of a small church that was known as the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lerins. During the Reconquista of the 13th century, the site once again fell to the hands of the Roman Catholic Church. To this day, both groups proudly lay claim to the area's origins. However, Muslim and Christian groups are not the only cultures to inhabit the stunning city of Cordoba.

In the evening, you will enjoy a lovely meal on one of dozens of sunbathed terraces in the quaint Jewish Quarter downtown before strolling past the walls that locals decorate with vibrantly blooming pink and orange flowers during Patios de Cordoba, which is a lovely springtime festival that brings in masses from across the country and around the world to admire the beautiful flower arrangements.

In the morning, you will venture to sparkling sunshine and the staccato beats of flamenco dancers' shoes against the cobbled streets. In just a few hours, your private transport will drop you off at your luxury accommodation in the trendy neighborhood of Triana along the river. You will settle into your hotel as the citrusy aromas of Sevilla's luscious orange trees waft in your direction. You can take panoramic photos of the city, including the flamboyant facades of cafes and apartments that line the river. Then you can join your expert guide in front of your hotel for a day of exploring this beloved city.

You will begin at the Plaza de Espana, which is a majestic public square and a display of Moorish and Renaissance architecture that is complete with stonework designs and exquisitely painted tilework. You will stroll around the pavilion as couples row down the steady riverway and around a central fountain. Intricately-tiled benches line the exterior and invite admirers to revel in the plaza's serenity.

You will follow your guide to the city center to enjoy a refreshing cup of gazpacho, which is a chilled tomato soup that is adored by the locals in the midst of summer's high temperatures. You can sneak your heads into neighborhood shops that are selling pottery and textiles for a look at what they have to offer. Then, you will continue to follow your guide inside a traditional clothing store to learn about locals' customary outfits during Feria de Abril, which is a week-long celebration from dusk to dawn that is filled with spirited music, drinks, and dancing. Stylish dresses that are complete with ruffles and polka dots adorn the shop walls of the manton de manila, beautiful fringe shawls hang in the windows, as sevillanos prepare for the lively festivities. In the evening, you can enjoy a refreshing cana or rich red vino tinto outside Sevilla's grand cathedral that is located in the heart of the old city.

On your family's second day in Sevilla, you will discover one of Spain's oldest traditions: the sport of bullfighting. You will cross over the beautiful Puente Triana and step inside Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza. The beautiful stadium pops with red and gold color, and tall archways welcome in fanatic spectators that set the stage for an impressive showcase of art and sportsmanship. You will have the option to attend a show where you will admire the skilled foot pivots and impeccably sharp hand motions of the professional matadors as they seduce an agitated bull three times their size. Crowds will cheer ecstatically as the bullfighter wields his banner and ultimately defeats his opponent.

In the afternoon, after a truly authentic Spanish siesta, you will meet your expert guide in the city center for a customized tour of Sevilla's Alcazar, where you will stroll through the gardens and examine the careful tilework of one of the oldest palaces that are still in use today. As you and your family weave your way through the breathtaking labyrinth, you will be transported back in history. You can pass through the enchanting Patio de las Doncellas courtyard and Patio de las Munecas, which was commissioned by Abd Al Raman III. Intricate wood carvings that are symbolic of Moorish design converge with the grand altars of Renaissance ingenuity such as that of Francisco Niculoso Pisano.

In the evening, you will stroll around the cathedral to the lively downtown where restaurant owners entice you with their daily tapas delights. You will soon fill your plates with tortilla de patatas, which is a savory potato omelet with fried squid, meats, cheeses, and vegetarian bruschetta. You can pair your meal with a lovely glass of wine as you are serenaded with flamenco guitarists around every corner.

Today, you and your family will travel to the passionate flamenco ballads and lively gypsy traditions in sunny Granada. Downtown buzzes with shoppers and street performers as animated vendors sell Moroccan and Turkish herbal teas, tapestries, rugs, and ironclad lamps. Your private transportation will escort you to your luxury hotel beside the city's massive cathedral. You can traverse down cobbled streets and beneath ornate apartment balconies as ham hangs by the dozens in storefront windows as shop owners prepare jamon iberico, which is a cured ham for the day's tapas.

You and your family will begin the day by touring the Cathedral of Granada, which was completed in 1561. Then, you will wind along picturesque stone streets until reaching Plaza de Nueva, which is where you will enjoy a delectable lunch of meats, olives, and a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad. You can peruse the shops along Calle Elvira that permeate with Granada's Moorish aesthetic.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy te pakistani, which is a rich variety of herbal and milky chai teas at an authentic teteria that is outfitted with Moroccan rugs and celestial, hand-carved rooftops. Finally, you will reach the ultimate lookout point for the best view of the magnificent La Alhambra at Mirador de San Nicolas. A short walk away, you will enter the famed gypsy caves that have been carved into the mountainside, where you will enter the neighborhoods of Albaicin and Sacromonte. Here, you will witness the heartfelt singing and lively staccato beats of flamenco dancers as women twirl their ruffled skirts and fervently tap their heels on the floor in a rat-a-tat-tat pattern. Meanwhile, their male counterparts will cheer them on with an ardent ole and syncopated clap before taking center stage themselves.

Your family's second day in Granada will offer you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour the last standing stronghold of the Moorish Empire of La Alhambra. You will meet your guide early this morning at the Cathedral where you will board private transportation en route to the internationally acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site.

You will begin your private tour at the opulent palace grounds of La Alhambra, which was built for Mohammed ben Al-Hamar in the 13th century. The location of the Moorish fortress was strategic and carefully tucked between the snaking River Darro, lush forest, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range. Once you step foot on the grounds of this lavish beauty, you will be struck by the intricate craftsmanship and magnificent architectural design. Etched wood carvings in the walls, painted tiles, and intricate geometric patterns in the ceiling continue to leave visitors speechless because of the obsessive attention to detail. You will then stroll through elaborate gardens as serene fountains let out a calm and steady trill before you guide leads you to impressive points of interest like the Comares Tower, the Hall of the Ambassadors, and the Court of Lions. After exploring the palace grounds, you will venture to the surrounding gardens that are known as Generalife, where you can breathe in fresh floral scents and citrusy orange tree aromas as you look out on the mesmerizing city down below.

In the evening, you will return to Granada as a family for a relaxing soak in the traditional Moorish Hammam baths. This underground maze of hot water baths is the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day. You will dip in for as long as you like before enjoying a soothing cup of tea at the water's edge.

This morning, you will depart the mountains for the pristine beaches of Gibraltar at Andalucia's Southernmost point. You may be surprised to learn that you will be making a brief stop in England despite crossing any body of water. That is because Gibraltar has been considered a territory of Great Britain since the War of Spanish Succession in 1704. You will travel by private transport to the stunning peninsula in the morning. You will start the day with an excursion to Apes Den, which is home to dozens of free-roaming monkeys before riding up a suspended cable car to Old Queen's Road. Here, you can mingle with the fascinating animals and learn about their history in the region. Keep your bags close though because these charismatic creatures have a way of distracting enthralled travelers long enough to ransack their goodies.

You will spend your afternoon on a lovely boat cruise across the Strait of Gibraltar to the lovely city of Tangier, Morocco, which will be just a few hours away. Here, you will explore the downtown markets as fresh spices like rich saffron waft in your direction before sitting down for a lovely meal of couscous, chicken, lamb, and vegetables as you sit around an elegant table in the whimsical city.

As the sun's rays persist into the evening hours, you can find some relief as you dip your toes into the cool Mediterranean waters before traveling to the impeccable coastlines of Catalan Beach. Bright striped umbrellas line the sandy beaches, and happy-go-lucky families enjoy a lovely, relaxed day at the serene, turquoise waters. You can go for a swim or sunbathe and enjoy a tranquil, moonlit dinner.

Your last day adventuring through the south of Spain will be spent in the beautiful coastal city of Malaga, which is known for its beaches and deliciously fresh seafood.

You and your family will start your day at the famed Picasso Museum, which is an ode to the great artist and his hometown. The collection includes the artist's most beloved works of art such as painting, drawings, and sculptures. Just around the corner, museum-goers can also view the very house where Picasso grew up as a young boy.

Later today, you will trek to the crystal blue waters of Costa del Sol while waves slap against the sandy beaches. You can remove your shoes and dig your toes into the soft, glistening sand before culminating your day with a picturesque Ferris wheel ride that will provide breathtaking views your whole family can enjoy. In the evening, you will partake in a tantalizing dinner of fresh paella at the Port of Malaga, where you will crunch into perfectly marinated shrimp and chicken before allowing the warm flavors of rice and vegetables to marinate in your mouth. Gaze out at the ocean water and the bustling port as families shop together and check out sailors who are docking their boats for the night. At sunset, you will stroll down the pier for one last look at the stunning city as musicians serenade you.

In the morning, you will meet your private ground transportation and travel from your hotel to the airport where you can connect to international flights home.

As you bump down the brick roads, you can catch one last glimpse of the iridescent beaches and idyllic downtown. Surely, you will be reminded of the same contrast found in each of Andalucia's cities: buzzing city life and serenity of the encapsulating terrain. Though your family trip has come to an end, you will be reminiscing and maybe even planning your return trip to Southern Spain.