scrubbedexpat141

Morning all,

Seeking any general advice or suggestions for a potential holiday to Spain. Given the travel issues from the UAE and the AZ vaccine we've had being produced in India, our options are restricted. Spain has been a long standing family favourite so we're keen to meet parents there.

In my head, I see a villa above a town perhaps with a nice view, nice pool, big outside areas, BBQ and pleasant accommodation. Ideally a half decent airport nearby so not doing huge trips to pick up parents (there's potentially 3 sets of visitors to join us - my Dad on his own, her Dad and his partner and her Mum on her own. All for about 3-5 days each and no crossovers likely). Everyone is vaccinated, we're just keen to see our parents so a villa seems logical and isolated enough that we can stay in all the time if preferred.

Location is the tricky bit, I can get to Madrid or Barcelona easily but then would have to travel from there. Not afraid of a long drive - quite enjoy it, but is Madrid to Malaga a soul destroying journey by car or just a pleasant motorway cruise?
We've written off a few places;
North of Barcelona as we used to have a family home there and went all the time (around Girona etc)
Murcia - her Dad is visiting later in the year so don't want to go twice.
Ayamonte bit - her Dad had a place there and I don't think the Mrs wants to go back, would rather see somewhere new.

I've sort of settled on something around Valencia or Malaga so far..... I think something with a sea view potential would be nice but I'm happy to be suggested otherwise. Both seem pleasant places to visit in their own right and offer something more lively if we decided it was worth while.

My question is, where else would you recommend for this sort of trip? Am I overlooking an obvious option?

Really appreciate any suggestions.

Moses2013

I'd say this can basically be found all over Spain: In my head, I see a villa above a town perhaps with a nice view, nice pool, big outside areas, BBQ and pleasant accommodation.
We have a holiday home near Girona and I would have obviously suggested the area if you hadn't written it off. Otherwise much of the coast further down that way is the same if we're honest and you have a town, a promenade and restaurants in most places. Of course inland Spain might offer something very different and even the North of Spain but you can't go wrong with Valencia area and no need to really drive down further.

scrubbedexpat141

I like the Girona bit, I'd happily go back to L'Escala but think it's worth seeing somewhere new.

The accommodation bit seems fairly consistent like you say - I kind of just think seaside towns will offer exactly what you say - town, promenade, waterfront restaurant. But if that's a town inland a bit and it's a villa in some pretty hills, you still have a nice view.

Appreciate the input. Between Valencia and Barcelona there are a few options I think

Rosemary

I think that if you ask your question on Trip Advisor you may gain more of an insight as to what would work for you as it is more geared up to give holiday advice than we are.

Rosemary

Moses2013

For me personally nothing really comes close to the Costa Brava and once you've been there it's like the whole of Spain in one small area. If I want higher temps during winter OK, but I always find myself going back and it's hard to beat places like Tossa, Llafranc, Begur for views and if I want beach and promenade like elsewhere that's more built up, I have Platja, Blanes, Sant Antoni de Calogne and Lloret for nightlife. One place I always enjoy is Roses.

Retired in Euskadi

The alternative to driving, would be to fly to Madrid & then take the AVE (high speed train) which goes to Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante.
See this link:
https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you're over 60 you can purchase a "tarjeta dorada" (gold card) and get reductions. You don't have to be Spanish to get it. And believe it or not, Spanish trains run on time. Not mañana!

scrubbedexpat141

Did think about the train actually, we did it before and was superb. Will add it as an option instead of driving, thank you.

Roses was always a great trip. Lloret we went a few times, Girona for big purchases for the house if I remember rightly. Lovely area, but keen to try somewhere new.

Thanks

Fredbargate

Get a map of Spain and a dart

enjoy

bob_bob

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Malaga--S...ype_id%5B%5D=2

el collado kid

Have you thought of the Jalon valley? a little inland with in easy reach of the coast clap, Moraira ,Denia Xabia and many more Benidorm 40 minuets also Valencia and Alicante about an hour. and all the little inland villages with good restaurants .the driving is easy with not a lot of traffic except near the coast there is a tram that runs from denia to alicante which you can hope on and off for a day out.Jus a thought for you to think about .good luck.

VEDShappy

Has the work on the track finished yet?
I've not been down that way for a few weeks, it looked nowhere near ready then.

terrygriff

I agree with the previous post about the Denia area, lots of suitable properties in the area, 45 minutes to either Valencia or Alicante airports ( very easy to drive in and out of ), lots going on in Denia, beaches close by, plenty golf courses and a visit to Valencia is a must, great city

jonboy

The Tram from Denia to Alicante is now a bus service from Denia to Teulada that takes an hour, then the Tram from Teulada onwards. So the works continue at a very slow pace, it seems.


https://www.tramalacant.es/page.php

Red Eric

Oooh, yes. I'll second that

Chipmonk

Given the data coming out of Spain it seems highly likely that international travel will be restricted most likely by quarantines being compulsory. Already curfews are being enacted and some communities are petitioning for restricting movements in and out of various areas