Now that Halloween has passed and we are all officially gearing up for the holidays, we thought we’d dive into some great kid (and parent) friendly travel activities across Europe. First stop for the blog is Spain where we want to highlight a few amazing activities that will keep children engaged, interested and connected to the whole experience!
Starting off in Barcelona, enjoy a Paseo de Gracia, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló tour. The whole family will get to drop in on a workshop at a Mosaic Designer’s studio. Let the kids release their creative side while learning about “Trencadís” or broken tile mosaic (used in Catalan modernism) and the direct method Glass Mosaic Technique. A great way for the kids to make their own souvenirs to hang on their walls back home.
Then, just when things couldn’t get any more fun, head over to a chocolate shop for a cooking masterclass! You’ll all try your hand at making different types of hot chocolates and of course the famous melindros – a Catalan sweet elaborated with dough and chocolate, almonds or pine nuts… or even chocolate lollipops. If you’ve all been on your best behaviour (parents too!), they may even let you dive in and taste all the wonderful creations you made during the class!
On to San Sebastián where you will learn about the city’s history visiting the old quarter and Mount Urgull where you will find the Castillo de la Santa Cruz de la Mota standing on the site of an earlier fort. The tour 
will conclude at the “Aquarium-Palacio del Mar de Donostia-San Sebastián,”. There will be an opportunity to visit the Bosque Animado, an enchanted magical forest where art and nature cross paths. Thousands of pine trees with colorful decorations create an enormous canvas. The kids (and adults) will be mesmerized as the visual perspective of the art and nature is constantly changing as you hike through the forest/art installation. Of course as you’re in San Sebastián, you’ll also get a chance to see Ondarreta Beach with a guided kayaking tour through La Concha Bay and a Stand Up Paddle board experience with an instructor.
Moving south to Madrid and enjoy the old Moorish city walls, the Royal Palace, the Royal Armoury, the Paseo del Prado, Recoletos and Paseo de la Castellana. Along the way the kids will participate in a Creativity Workshop. They will be given a notebook to create an “artist’s diary” as they travel through the Las Cortes Neighborhood. Then, back at the workshop they will paint their own Don Quixote and Sancho Panza mini-sculptures to take home. An alternate (or additional), more in-depth workshop involves learning 
the basic techniques of landscape painting at the Retiro Park. The children will get an opportunity to paint the lakes, trees, and lush gardens, finishing up with a relaxing boat ride in the famous Retiro Lake. Finally, there is a chance to visit the stadium and practice grounds of the Real Madrid Soccer (ahem, football) Club.
Our last stop will be Sevilla where the kids can get hands-on experience visiting an ancient embroidery and a pottery and ceramics workshop. They’ll learn different throwing techniques from a skilled local potter and finish the workshop with an amazing painted tile and pottery piece of their own creation. Another wonderful, memorable souvenir for them to take home!
Plenty of culture, history, art and fun for the whole family! Please contact us today to plan your next family-friendly spring break or summer vacation to Spain: info@journeysunparalleled.com.