My family (including a 10 year old) is thinking of traveling to Spain...?

Question

So our travel months are either July or December. Need some suggestions on the following:

1. Is the weather naturally better in the summer, like our weather?

2. Which water is better in Spain: on the side of the Mediterranean Sea or the side of the Atlantic Ocean?

3. Resorts which are kid friendly for our son, but fun and s**y for the parents and on the beach.

Thanks a bunch.

Serious travelers reply only, please!

Answer 1

1-. Ok, about summer and winter, it's a matter of hemispheres. Meaning that if you're American we have the same summer and winter months, as we are all in the northern part of the world. This said, December is not awfully cold, although the degrees vary from the part of the country you are. It's hotter in the south (near Africa) than in the north (near France or Portugal). If you want to enjoy beaches July is much better.

2- What do you mean by "better" water? If you mean hotter, it would have to be the Mediterranean. Some areas are cleaner than others, being the ones nearer the bigger cities the dirtiest. In the Mediterranean I'd recommend Costa Brava (north Calonia)or the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca or Ibiza). Beaches in the north of Spain are usually cleaner but also much colder. I find especially pretty the beaches in Rías Baixas and Cíes Islands (north west), or the ones in Vasc Country.

3-. I personally don't like resorts because I find you don't get to know the real life or the coutry. However, I'm not sure what you mean by "fun and s**y". For me, that would be Ibiza. It's one of the most popular places in Europe for partying, clubbing and going to the beach. But if you are taking children I wouldn't recommend it as it's also quite wild in matters of drugs and s*x. Majorca would be a bit nicer then. And then you have Costa dorada where you have Salou and Cambrils, two little beach villages near Barcelona and one of the bigges  theme parks in Europe, Port Aventura. I guess children would enjoy it-I confess I do- but the beaches are full of tourists and therefor are not especially clean or pretty.

Answer 2

December is cold in Spain, the med is not as windy as the Atlantic, I have been to all the holiday areas in Spain and I prefer Majorca, Santa ponsa is great for kids and families. The main land varies from Lloret which is like a small Blackpool and benidorm is a dirty Blackpool. Salou Costa Dorada is nice or Benelmadena Cost Del Sol is good.

Answer 3

OK.  Summers are hotter than the dickens in the middle south, and pretty hot in the middle north part of Spain, but, if you're planning the beach, don't go in December.  August is when the locals all flock to the beaches, because that's when most Europeans who DON'T work in the service industry get their vacation, so things will be a bit LESS crowded in July.  Personally, I would rather go during May/June, but, well, whatever.  If you're looking at Costa del Sol vs Costa de la Luz, I prefer the Atlantic (second), it's a bit less over built, and a bit less crowded.  Very pretty, but then, that was many years ago.

Many people prefer the Mediterranean coast just because it's the mediterranean.  There are several coasts running from Gibraltar to the French border, and they vary, more, from part to part than from coast to coast (that whole coastline is seperated into like 7 different parts, but there are susections, as well).

We spent a day in Tarragona, and then went down to the beach last summer.  I don't generally go on vacation to lounge around on a beach.  I was there to see historic buildings and museums and such.  Beach was totally secondary.  The beach, there, however, was very nice.  We actually stayed in Barcelona, which has its own beach, as well.  

Which coast to go to is a matter of personal choice.

Don't know of any resorts per se, you'll have to get that from someone else, but many of the beaches are topless. I don't know whether you want to make sure you're not on one of those for your son's sake.

Answer 4

Travel Tips to European Countries: Spain

About The Country

Spain is famous world wide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style. Cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish palaces prove the diversity of the country. Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot.

Culture

Spanish is the regional language of Spain. English is also widely spoken here. Over the period of time, Spanish people have become modern in order to gel with the changing times and are no longer conservative. But that hasn’t changed the values, traditions, manners and customs of the locals. People here have two surnames; the first surname can be used to refer to the person. To greet someone, a handshake will do the job. Take a small gift along when visiting someone’s house. Save the flowers for special occasions. Dinner is generally taken very late in the night. People wear casuals most of the time. Men are expected to wear jackets at some restaurants. Swimsuits should be confined to the pools and beaches. Recently a ban has been applied on smoking in public places.

Shopping

Shops open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, they are closed for lunch or siesta. Porcelain and leather goods are famous and they will be good gifts for friends and family members back home. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, so tipping is a matter of gratitude.

Electricity

Voltage is 220 volts and frequency is 50 Hz

Getting There

IBERIA is the national airline of Spain. Many other low-cost airlines offer services in the country. There are nearly thirty international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous.

Madrid located at 13km away from the city has a good bus service every fifteen minutes. Underground service also works to transport passengers to their destinations. Other facilities offered at this airport are duty free shops, bank, restaurant, tourism information, and hotel reservations.

Barcelona is very close to the city, situated at a distance of 3 km only. Buses are available every 15 minutes and trains are available every 20 minutes. Taxis are available throughout the day. Duty free shops, restaurants, bank, car hire and tourism information are available here.

There is a good network of roads connecting Spain north to south. Toll booths are installed in some parts of the country. Carrying few Euros will help smooth sailing at the toll booths. If driving one’s private car, it would be better if the travel insurance covers medical costs too. Carrying a medical kit can prove to be of some help.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos 50 cigars or 250g tobacco (300 cigarettes, 150 cigarillos, 70 cigars and 400g of tobacco for EU nationals)

2. 1litre of spirits if exceeding 22 per cent volume or 2 litres of alcoholic beverage not exceeding 22 per cent volume and 2 litres of wine (1.5 litre exceeding 22 per cent and 3 litres of up to 22 per cent and 5 litres of wine for EU nationals)

3. 250ml eau de toilette and 50g of perfume

4. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (1000g of coffee and 4000g of coffee extract for EU nationals)

5. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

6. Gifts up to the value of approximately €37.26.

Answer 5

My favourite place is Nerja on the Costa Del Sol. It´s a beach resort that still retains the charm of an old Spanish town. It has some great beaches. Most are cove like beaches which are great for kids. The best one to go to is Burriana beach. It is lovely beach for kids. There are chiringuitos (Spanish restaurants) all along one side of the beach and opposite there are pubs and things. It is very popular. The whole area has fantastic scenery. Nerja is within a 90 minute drive from Granada and an hour from Málaga. To the east of Nerja there is a nudist beach if you are that way inclined. There are world famous caves to visit at nearby Maro which is a must. THe kids will love them.

Many people visiting Nerja return year after year. I´m fortunate, I live close by. I often drive down to the beach for Sunday lunch.

Edit; July will be hot and december could be anything from cold to fairly warm depending on how lucky you are.