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#1
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Costa Rica, Southern Spain, or Southern Italy with 2.5 y/o?
I'm itching to go abroad and for the first time post-bambino it can
happen. In March we'd like to take our daughter who will be a bit over 2 and a half on a trip from the West Coast of the US for about a week. I don't want to go somewhere cold and I don't want to go somewhere where we can't drink the water. I'm open to suggestions of other places -- particularly in Latin America -- but what's come to mind is Costa Rica, southern Spain, or southern Italy. The nice thing about going somewhere Spanish speaking is that all three of us speak it to some degree or another, and it would be great for my daughter's Spanish. The nice thing about Europe is that my husband has spent a grand total of 1 day there, and would like to see more of it. The nice thing about Latin America is that it's a lot more affordable. Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. Kate and the Bug, 2 years |
#2
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Akuvikate wrote:
I'm itching to go abroad and for the first time post-bambino it can happen. In March we'd like to take our daughter who will be a bit over 2 and a half on a trip from the West Coast of the US for about a week. I don't want to go somewhere cold and I don't want to go somewhere where we can't drink the water. I'm open to suggestions of other places -- particularly in Latin America -- but what's come to mind is Costa Rica, southern Spain, or southern Italy. The nice thing about going somewhere Spanish speaking is that all three of us speak it to some degree or another, and it would be great for my daughter's Spanish. The nice thing about Europe is that my husband has spent a grand total of 1 day there, and would like to see more of it. The nice thing about Latin America is that it's a lot more affordable. Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. Kate and the Bug, 2 years We have been to Spain 4 times so far with our 4 year old and he loves it and the locals love him. Restaurants are all child friendly and have no problem letting a child share his parents food. Be careful where you go in the south of Spain if you want to meet the Spanish, it can look like a part of the UK with the amount of fish and chip shops and full English breakfasts being offered. Personally I prefer the Costa Brava I find it more "Spanish" but some of the south is nice as well. Steve |
#3
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Akuvikate wrote:
I'm itching to go abroad and for the first time post-bambino it can happen. In March we'd like to take our daughter who will be a bit over 2 and a half on a trip from the West Coast of the US for about a week. I don't want to go somewhere cold and I don't want to go somewhere where we can't drink the water. I'm open to suggestions of other places -- particularly in Latin America -- but what's come to mind is Costa Rica, southern Spain, or southern Italy. The nice thing about going somewhere Spanish speaking is that all three of us speak it to some degree or another, and it would be great for my daughter's Spanish. The nice thing about Europe is that my husband has spent a grand total of 1 day there, and would like to see more of it. The nice thing about Latin America is that it's a lot more affordable. Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. Kate and the Bug, 2 years If you're looking for a beach holiday, March is still too cold in Spain and Italy. I'm still hoping to go to Costa Rica. T. |
#4
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Tom Peel ha escrito: Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. Kate and the Bug, 2 years If you're looking for a beach holiday, March is still too cold in Spain and Italy. I'm still hoping to go to Costa Rica. Except for the Canary Islands, of course. J. |
#5
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Following up to Akuvikate
Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? I cant comment on Costa Rica, but as you speak Spanish not Italian, Spain seems the obvious bet. Its also cheaper to stay in Spain than Italy. Northern Italy is also too cold for most in March. The Spanish generally love kids so no problem there. Andalucia is the Spain that is usually portrayed as all of Spain, flamenco, manana and all that. The north is cooler with its own cultures and we be a bit chilly in March. The east coast is dotted with "fly and flop" beach tourist destinations frequented by Brit's and Germans, they will be empty and partly closed in March. As for what activities to do with a toddler, I have no idea, I'm afraid, bars, restaurants, museums and churches presumably all being non starters? Western Andalucia has lovely noisy old cities like Cadiz, Sevilla and Cordoba, less stylish than Italy but with a similar love of food and socialising. My website might help a little:- general boring stuff:- "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/spain.htm" Andalucia, food and main places:- "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/andalus.htm" You must not miss out on flamenco, its often rubbish in tourist resorts and away from Andalucia, but there you have a chance of the real thing:- "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/andalus.htm#flamenco" -- Mike Reid Walk-eat-UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site Walk-eat-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap Photos of both "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk" |
#6
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Following up to Steve Rainbird
Be careful where you go in the south of Spain if you want to meet the Spanish, it can look like a part of the UK with the amount of fish and chip shops and full English breakfasts being offered. only if you go to a package resort destination or a villa development made for expats. Just check the website of a UK package holiday company if you think a chosen destination might be one. Alternatively get in a car and drive 2 miles! -- Mike Reid Walk-eat-UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site Walk-eat-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap Photos of both "http://www.lawn-mower-man.co.uk" |
#7
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The Reids wrote:
Following up to Steve Rainbird Be careful where you go in the south of Spain if you want to meet the Spanish, it can look like a part of the UK with the amount of fish and chip shops and full English breakfasts being offered. only if you go to a package resort destination or a villa development made for expats. Just check the website of a UK package holiday company if you think a chosen destination might be one. Alternatively get in a car and drive 2 miles! Seconded |
#8
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Akuvikate wrote:
I'm itching to go abroad and for the first time post-bambino it can happen. In March we'd like to take our daughter who will be a bit over 2 and a half on a trip from the West Coast of the US for about a week. I don't want to go somewhere cold and I don't want to go somewhere where we can't drink the water. I'm open to suggestions of other places -- particularly in Latin America -- but what's come to mind is Costa Rica, southern Spain, or southern Italy. The nice thing about going somewhere Spanish speaking is that all three of us speak it to some degree or another, and it would be great for my daughter's Spanish. The nice thing about Europe is that my husband has spent a grand total of 1 day there, and would like to see more of it. The nice thing about Latin America is that it's a lot more affordable. Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. In general, if you try to keep at least a reasonable toddler schedule, a child will travel just fine. That means relaxing and not trying to do too much each day, and things like taking a naps. Costa Rica is very family friendly and they do speak Spanish. We drank the water there with no problem. It is also pretty safe, and they have a lot of ecological stuff and adventure stuff to do. Some of that would be appropriate for a kid, but in most cases if you wanted to do those things, you'd have to do it one at a time. March is the dry season so the weather should be good. It is also close to the west coast. Spain is also very child friendly. My sister flew from Germany to Spain with her 1 year old child - the German flight attendant helped her with the diaper bag. The Spanish flight attendant carried the baby. They do have somewhat different meal hours - eating dinner at 10 pm etc, but generally the Spanish schedules, with the siesta should work out pretty well for a child. I drank the water there too without any problem. I would suggest Portugal, but of course they don't speak Spanish there although that would be IMHO a good alternative to Italy.. Most of the other places I might suggest I have not been to myself, partly *because* I don't speak Spanish. But if I wanted to go to some Spanish speaking place, I might consider Puerto Rico, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands (Palma), Trinidad and Tobago. I don't know about drinking the water there. Of course there is also Key West where there are a lot of Spanish speaking people, and it is warm in March and you can drink the water. If Spanish was not a priority, then maybe Barbados or Belize. grandma Rosalie |
#9
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Akuvikate wrote: I'm itching to go abroad and for the first time post-bambino it can happen. In March we'd like to take our daughter who will be a bit over 2 and a half on a trip from the West Coast of the US for about a week. I don't want to go somewhere cold and I don't want to go somewhere where we can't drink the water. I'm open to suggestions of other places -- particularly in Latin America -- but what's come to mind is Costa Rica, southern Spain, or southern Italy. The nice thing about going somewhere Spanish speaking is that all three of us speak it to some degree or another, and it would be great for my daughter's Spanish. The nice thing about Europe is that my husband has spent a grand total of 1 day there, and would like to see more of it. The nice thing about Latin America is that it's a lot more affordable. Any comments on the relative merits of those three options -- or suggestions of places I might be overlooking? Any suggestions on specific activities or places to visit or stay with a toddler? Thanks much. Costa Rica is a fabulous place to take a toddler! It's close and easy to get to, not as cheap as it could be and getting more developed. March would be late in the dry season so should be nice. Spain or Italy would be great, but if you're looking for a beach holiday, I'd go to CR. Save the European cultural trip for when you'll do more exploring than beach. |
#10
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"Rosalie B." wrote in message ... But if I wanted to go to some Spanish speaking place, I might consider ....Trinidad and Tobago. T&T is fundamentally English speaking. East-Indian majority on Trinidad, West Indian majority on Tobago. |
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