family vacation in spain, morocco, france

Food recommendations:

LA VIÑA DE CALPE

T POMPIERKE

CalpeHYDRA, Calpe

We flew from San Francisco to Barcelona, picked up a rental car (reserved beforehand online) at the airport, and drove to our booked on Air B&B Villa Agave. The house was very nice, it comfortably accommodated 9 people and was located within a short 5-minute drive from the beach.

Calpe is at the heart of the Costa Blanca. It has a wonderful mixture of old Valencian culture and really nice beaches. We've spent a few fun days enjoying the family reunion, our awesome villa, pool, and an abundance of fresh seafood made it very easy to have fun amazingly delicious family dinners at home. Then we spent a couple of days exploring the surroundings and nearby beaches. We hiked up to the top of the iconic Ifach Rock, which offered breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. We also visited the charming old town of Calpe. Overall, Calpe was a perfect first base.

After two very active days, the grandparents and kids were ready to unwind in the villa. Meanwhile, Peter, his sister Natalia, and I decided to venture out and explore Valencia. I personally loved Valencia with its unique blend of ancient architecture and modern touches. We strolled through the Old Town, Quart Towers, Horchateria El Collado, Lonja de la Seda-Placa del Almoina-El Almodin, and Serrano Towers.

One of the best parts of our kid-free adventure was indulging in some leisurely shopping at charming local boutiques and savoring the delicious Valencian cuisine at some of the city's top restaurants. 

Food recommendations:

DELICAT, Valencia

CASA ALMUDIN, Valencia

After our successful try-out in Valencia, we decided to come back there with the whole family. We had a big group this time with diverse interests, so we just had to be a little selective with where to go.

First, we walked around the City of Arts and Sciences admiring the stunning architecture and futuristic design. Next, we headed to Gulliver Park, where the kids had a blast climbing and exploring the giant playground. We've made a few ice-cream & refreshments stops on the way.  

In the afternoon, we made our way to the Oceanographic, which we knew would be a hit with the younger members of the family. The aquarium did not disappoint, boasting an impressive array of marine life, including fish, birds, reptiles, sharks, dolphins, penguins, walruses, and even beluga whales. It was truly one of the best aquariums we had ever visited.

After a very interesting but tiresome trip to Valencia, we noticed that the grandparents were more than happy to spend time with the grandkids at the villa. So, we seized the opportunity and escaped to Marakkesh for three days. Our group consisted of Peter, myself, my sister-in-law Natalia, and her son Sasha.   

The journey was a breeze. We drove to Valencia airport, boarded a plane, and landed in Marakkesh in just two and a half hours.   

Our accommodation was the stunning Riad Kheirredine, situated in the heart of the ancient medina. The Riad had two refreshing swimming pools, a fantastic restaurant, and a rooftop bar. It was a luxurious and beautiful place, deserving of a 5-star rating.

On our first day in Marakkesh, we explored the bustling markets, stunning gardens, beautiful mosques, and impressive architecture.

We stopped for tea breaks in La Mamounia and Riad Yima, a really good experience in both. We did an unforgettable food tour through Urban Adventures and a bit of shopping in Ensemble Artisanal. I can't help but brag a little here. I purchased some cotton Moroccan dresses in that market for my daughter and myself, they were very low-cost. We've been wearing them for a couple of years now and get compliments every time!

The food in Marrakech is an absolute feast for the senses! I was obsessed with the atmospheric markets. I loved everything from the great variety of teas and aromatic spices to the vibrant colors. The tagines are a must-try and don't even get me started on the couscous - fluffy and flavorful, it's the perfect accompaniment to any meal. And let's not forget about the street food - from savory pastries to sweet treats, oh Sasha especially enjoyed those! :)

In those couple of days in Marrakech, we saw so many gorgeous gardens, but I wanted to mention Marjorie Gardens separately. I think visiting that place is fun for both kids and adults. It is so colorful and gorgeous. The exotic plants and picturesque fountains make it such a pleasure to walk around those shady alleys. The only somewhat negative thing I need to mention is that it was incredibly crowded, I recommend buying tickets online and going right when it opens.

We wanted to take at least one trip somewhere outside Marrakesh. Our hotel offered a trip to the seaside city of Essaouira, so we went. After breakfast, we boarded a bus and traveled for about 2,5 hours. Easy enough, especially if you take a nap!

Essaouira is a charming seaside city with a vibrant medina, colorful bazaars, and a picturesque port. We loved strolling around, taking in the sights, visiting the fish market, buying souvenirs, and exploring the Essaouira Citadel. There were so many open-air cafes and seafood restaurants to choose from, but we had an unforgettable lunch at Zahra's Grill (Riad Zahra).

Later on, we stopped by TAROS CAFE RESTAURANT for some drinks and enjoyed the stunning views. When we returned to Marrakesh, we went for a late-night dinner at LE TROU AU MUR. It was the perfect end to a perfect day. We flew back to Valencia in the morning.

In the meantime, our time in Spain came to an end. So we got in the cars and began driving toward the French border. To avoid a very long drive with our big crew, we decided to make a one-night stop in Tarragona. What a charming Mediterranean town! It is located right on the coast. Many of the attractions in Tarragona go back to ancient times when the city was a Roman settlement. Therefore, the old town of Tarragona is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in history. Peter and the kids equally enjoyed the Roman amphitheater, Roman Walls, and The Cathedral. 

We had an amazing family dinner sitting outside on one of the squares. Kids were running around playing with lightning toys and adults savored our delicious dinner and wine.  

At last, we have arrived at our final destination - a charming French village called Ribaute that lies on the right bank of the Orbieu River. You cross the beautiful stone bridge and find yourself in an aquatic paradise of rocks, waterfalls, and turquoise water. There was no end to the kids' excitement when we got there!

We booked our amazing three-storey house on B&B. The house had plenty of rooms for everyone, and the views from the higher floors and from our wonderful roof were unreal. We had a lot of family dinners on the roof, enjoying the sunset, views, bbq, kids' excitement... unable to end the pleasure of those gatherings before midnight. 

I want to quickly mention a couple of things about our stay in Ribuate. 

* There were some amazing wineries in the radius of a couple of miles. The wineries are a bit more private, make sure to call and agree on the visit beforehand. The wines were exceptional and inexpensive.

* The grandfather and the boys enjoyed some amazing fishing in Orbieu river. If you like fishing, you will be VERY happy. :)

There are so many cultural and historical sites to explore in the Occitanie region. We visited Albi, Carcassonne, Narbonne, Nîmes, Perpignan and Toulouse. There are great museums, endless castles and cathedrals, amphitheaters and bridges, you name it! We had to make it to the sea after spending a while near the river. Taking a hike to a hidden La Plagette beach followed by an oyster feast in a nearby port was great fun.

The food was consistently good everywhere we ate, I just wanted to mention a couple of places:

BISTROT LA TERRASSE

MASSANA, Girona

Kids visited many castles, citadels, and towers. They especially enjoyed a trip to the caves Grotte de Limousis in Lagrasse and a light show in Narbonne.

After you climb the walls of Peyrepertuse fortress and see the famous Cathar castle, it's an absolute must to stop by Gorges Du Verdouble for a dip in a cool refreshing lake and waterfalls of the Ribaute mill. Difficult to find but so worth it! I think it may be one of France's best-kept secrets! The water is so clear and cool and if you go once, you will want to go again and again! It's fresh and cooling and the waterfalls and pools are just heaven to experience. It does get busy so go early if you can, the parking is 4€ for a car and that is the only charge. There is one very deep lagoon and then further back are the pools and falls and big flat rocks for sunbathing or just resting in between splashing and swimming in the crystal blue waters. There is a lifeguard watching over the large deep lagoon. Kids had so much fun climbing and jumping off the rocks! Definitely one of the most fun memory.