Anyone want to help me find a holiday while MIL minds the kids, Barcelona maybe?

[JKSLtd]

MIL has foolishly offered to mind the 3 DC so me & DH can go away for a few days

Our nearest airport is Southend (aka London Southend!) and we can fly to Barcelona. Neither of is has ever been there and people say it's fun/worth going to.

We're looking at the first week in October possibly.

Budget - ideally as cheap as poss, but, must be a nice hotel. I am not spending my DC-free time in any fleapit

Where is good, which sites to search, etc? I get overwhelmed when I start looking.

Geordie - sounds ideal

(MIL has just been warning me to keep all paper money in my shoes as her sister knows lots of people who've been pick-pocketed in Barcelona, eek)

Dumb question - do we need those adaptors things for Spain? need to have my iphone charging whilst having obligatory siesta :)

I've been 4 times now and never had any problem with pickpockets. I think a lot of it is how you present yourself IYKWIM. You do see tourists waving cash about and being very "careless" but if you exercise the same caution as you would in London/Glasgow/Any other major city you will be fine.

If all you are wanting is to charge iPhone then no as they have docking station in room, will need for straightners or whatever though, this is a hairdryer in room

I honestly had a fab time, the roof top bar terrace is stunning

Hi ladies, I'm a bit late to this thread but I had a similar dilemma a couple of months ago so thought it wouldn't hurt to share my words of wisdom! JKSLtd I know you've now booked you hotel and flights, and from the sounds of it you don't have anything to panic about, but just in case you do get another chance at a holiday in the next few years (MIL permitting) I came across this great company called Vive Unique who do luxury home rentals. A friend recommended them to me after going on a girls' weekend a few months back. It gives you the option to stay in other people's homes instead of hotels which I think is great. You can choose from a modest apartment right up to a stylish penthouse, no expensive room service and the locations can be extraordinary, places hotels can't get to! We all like to have a nose round other people's homes let's be honest, AND it can give you some ideas for your own home . Below is the link she sent me when my husband and I wanted a little hideaway for the weekend in Barca. We ended up booking one called 'Barceloneta beach view apartment' which was only £85 a night for the whole place, right near the beach and not far from the city centre. There's no pool but to have the space was such a bonus. When my son Archie is old enough we'll come back and book a slightly bigger place, maybe with my parents to give us some DT. Anyway, check it out - they have quite a few other cities too. Have a fab holiday!! Can't wait to go away again myself - thinking skiing, anyone got experience of that with a 2 year old?

www.viveunique.com/search/location:Barcelona/guests:2

Interesting first message

Never mind - this time we fancy room service :)

Did I mention the huge walk in shower.... or the 6ft wide bed?

Was it weird having the shower as part of the room?

No, not really, it's in a glass cubicle so it's cool... Although you probably wouldn't want to share with any old random....

Oh I emailed them to see if they would upgrade us as it was dp's birthday. She said it was an extra £17 a night, I didn't reply either way but they upgraded for free anyways