Is one clearly better than the other? Any suggestions for do’s/don’ts? It’s been decades since I’ve been in either Barcelona or Paris, and have never been to other places listed in the topic title.
Looking at 10-ish days in August with myself, mrs wimsey and wimsey jr (age 9).
I’m aware of the “Europe goes on vacation in August” reality, but it’s also when we can go on vacation, so not a lot of flex on the timing.
Last year we went to Rome/Naples/Sorrento and had a great time. I’m looking to replicate that kind of trip, with a blend of city time and some more relaxed, outside stuff (extra points if we can get on a day trip fishing boat that also allows you to take a swim - we did that around Capri and it was a highlight of the trip, particularly for the boy).
I spent July in Europe last summer with 2 weeks in France. Normandy is good for a day or two IMO but I don’t know if the kid would like it. It’s a lot of history and farmland. It doesn’t have the wow factor of other areas in France. Paris is Paris … awesome, and busy, and frantic and awesome. Never been to Brittany.
You could fly into Paris - start the trip with a few days exploring the city. Take a train to Provence for a few days. Another train to the Cote d’Azure. Spend a few days on the beach. Fly home from Nice.
Yes, I’ve been thinking about that. The kid likes history and loved Rome and Pompeii, but that was with stuff like the Colosseum and St Peter’s and all the ruins of Pompeii to explore. Visiting Normandy might be better suited when he’s a bit older.
Hadn’t thought about an ‘open jaws’ itinerary. Interesting thought.
I’ve never been to Nice. Did a tri in Monte Carlo, but was mostly focused on the race.
Barcelona can offer a great variety of city, beach, culture, countryside, mountains, etc., within a reasonable distance. I would find it too hot and sticky in August. But, if you went to Rome in August and were ok with it, you’ll probably be ok with Barcelona.
We did Barcelona over Christmas with an 16yo and 19yo. They really enjoyed it. Weather was 100% different than you will have. We had an AirBNB in the old town. Lots of walking.
We did a day trip to the Dali Museum in Figueres and stopped in Girona on the way back. The Dali museum was fine, not worth a trip on its own. But Girona was great and together was a fun day trip.
The problem is going to be the 9 year old. What is 9 year old into, and would Jr. get totally bored, cranky, and obnoxious going to things you want to do? Honestly, depending on the 9 year old, I would pick someplace else. London (e.g., Harry Potter studios outside London) would have a ton of kid friendly stuff, or head to Japan as there would be plenty of cool stuff for kids (Harry Potter Tokyo, Disney Tokyo, Nintendo World, Universal Studios, …).
It’s a consideration, for sure, but I’m not going to let the 9 year old’s interests completely dominate the choice of destination. He’s going to have to learn to like (or at least tolerate) some grown up stuff. He’s coming with us, we’re not tagging along with him.
We’ve been to Universal in Florida twice, which is about 1.5 times too many for my liking. I’m going to do everything I can to avoid traveling to another country for theme parks.
He did quite well in Rome, so I have hopes that Paris or Barcelona can be similarly agreeable to his young brain.
That said, while I have never been to Spain, I would go to France. A bit over a decade ago my wife and I took her mother to France and did a Paris-Normandy itinerary. Even a 9 year old should appreciate some of the things we saw: Notre Dame (awesome architecture), Eiffel tower, castle ruins in Les Andelys (Richard I), WW2 museum in Caen, beaches of Normandy with many of the installations still iin place, bakeries, chocolate, … We spent our nights in Paris and Rouen (for all the Normandy stuff). I doubt he’d like Monet’s place in Giverny, but the gardens are spectacular. He may like Versailles. I unfortunately missed the Army Museum in Paris, which I am sure would be great and interest kiddo.
Sounds lovely to someone with my hyperthermic core temperature. But definitely not the bathtub that was the Tyrrhenian Sea.
As an aside - I was not prepared for the salinity in the Bay of Naples. I’ve scuba dived in many places, but the saltiness around Capri was notable. It was an effort just to dive down a few meters underwater.
Normandy for the history and the specialness and sacredness of the cemetery. Paris for the August weather and earlier dinner time. At museums play Dogs vs Lions or Cows vs Horses. Whoever spies more in paintings, they choose where to get ice cream.