Summer 2026 Europe & Zambia Trip

Barcelona, Spain

Work week for Rezwan. All 3 travelers booked on Air Canada AC1050: Departs Austin May 29 10:25am, transits YUL (arrives 3:22pm, departs 6:35pm), arrives BCN May 30 8am. Adiba & Sahara will explore the city (beaches, parks) while Rezwan works. Flight booked.

Hotel: AinB Sagrada Familia Apartments — Sicilia, 109, Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain. Check-in: 3:00pm May 30 | Check-out: 11:00am June 6. Booked. After checkout: train to Girona (38min) for a day of exploring, then onward to Collioure in the late afternoon.

Events During Stay (June 1–5, 2026)

• Primavera a la Ciutat (June 1–7) — Free daytime music events in public squares, parks, and CCCB courtyard. Why appealing: Family-friendly "Primavera Bits" workshops (11am-3pm) with no late-night crowds. Sahara can enjoy open-air music; main Primavera Sound festival at Parc del Fòrum runs concurrently but requires paid tickets (€200+). All venues accessible via public transport (no car needed).
• Corpus Christi & "L'Ou Com Balla" (June 4) — 16th-century tradition of hollow eggs spinning on decorated fountain jets. Why appealing: Magical for 6yo Sahara, like a treasure hunt to find fountains at Barcelona Cathedral, Museu Frederic Marès, and Archdeacon’s House. Fountains are decorated with flowers and seasonal fruit, highly photogenic. All cloisters are walkable in the Gothic Quarter.
• Setmana de les Terrasses (Hotel Terrace Week) — Dozens of hotels open rooftop terraces for free family events: magic shows, kids workshops, live jazz. Why appealing: Free access to rooftop pools and panoramic city/sea views (great for Rezwan’s high-top scenery interest) without booking a hotel stay. Many Eixample/Gothic Quarter hotels participate; events are low-key for Sahara.
• Ongoing Immersive Experiences:
  • IKONO Barcelona (Arenas Shopping Centre, repurposed bullring): 10+ interactive light/color sensory rooms. Tickets ~€16/adult, €12/kid. Why appealing: Perfect for high-energy 6yo Sahara, air-conditioned break from June heat (avg 22°C). Takes 1-1.5hrs.
  • Tibidabo Amusement Park: 100-year-old park with panoramic Barcelona views. Access via funicular from T2A bus (Plaça Catalunya). Tickets ~€28/adult, free for under 6 (Sahara is 6, €12). Why appealing: Best city views for Rezwan, perfect early June weather for outdoor rides. Sahara will love classic carousels and small coasters.
• Day Trip: Corpus Christi in Sitges (June 4-5) — 35min R2 Sud train ride (€4.30 one-way, runs every 15min) to flower petal street carpets, "Gegants" (giant papier-mâché) parades. Why appealing: Sensory-rich, safe for kids, beautiful coastal town. Flower carpets are assembled June 4 night, parades June 5 afternoon. Fits no-car transport constraint.

Must-Do & Favorites

• Sagrada Familia — Gaudí’s iconic unfinished masterpiece with kaleidoscopic stained glass and optional tower access. Why must-do: Rezwan gets panoramic high-top city views from the Nativity Tower (elevator access, €10 add-on), Sahara loves rainbow light filtering across the interior, Adiba appreciates the Art Nouveau architecture. Critical Note: Tickets sell out weeks in advance—book 2-3 weeks ahead to secure entry. Tip: Visit Sunday May 31 (Rezwan’s day off) for the whole family. Skip towers if Sahara is claustrophobic (interior alone is worth it).
• Paella Feasts — Traditional Valencian rice dishes are naturally gluten-free and soy-free (avoid Asian-fusion variations with soy sauce). Why must-do: Safe for Adiba/Sahara’s dietary restrictions, Rezwan enjoys hearty seafood/chicken options. Recommended spots: Can Solé (Barceloneta, family-run since 1970, authentic paella), Arrosseria Xàtiva (multiple locations, dedicated gluten-free paella with no cross-contamination).
• Barceloneta Beach + Coastal Bike Ride — Wide sandy beach with calm Mediterranean waters, adjacent to a flat 3km boardwalk. Why must-do: Rezwan can rent bikes (€10/day) for a scenic ride, Sahara can use a kids’ bike or trailer, Adiba can stop at beachfront cafes. Tip: Avoid midday sun (11am-3pm), take Barceloneta metro (L4).
• Montjuïc Hill Short Hike — 15-minute walk from Paral·lel metro (L2/L3) to Montjuïc Castle, or take the funicular (€8 round trip). Why must-do: Rezwan gets unbeatable high-top port/city views, Sahara can run in open gardens, Adiba can visit the nearby Joan Miró Foundation (modern art).
• CosmoCaixa Science Museum — Interactive exhibits with a flooded Amazon forest, touch tanks, and planetarium. Why must-do: Sahara’s top pick (6yo friendly, 3+ hours of play), Rezwan enjoys planetarium shows, Adiba likes the adjacent botanical garden. Tickets ~€4, book ahead. Great weekday activity for Adiba and Sahara while Rezwan works.
• Parc de la Ciutadella — Central park with a large playground, rowboat rentals (€6/30min), and monumental waterfall. Why must-do: Sahara can burn energy at the playground, Rezwan can row the boat, Adiba can stroll the gardens. Walkable from Arc de Triomf (L1 metro).
• Rezwan’s Post-Work Picks — Craft breweries (Cerveseria La Catalana, 12 local taps, IPAs) or whiskey bars (Gennaro’s, 200+ global whiskies). Adiba can sip Catalan wine, Sahara can have juice. All short Uber/taxi rides from downtown.

Planning Note: City will be busy with Primavera Sound buildup. Book unique dining (Semproniana, El Nacional) 1-2 weeks in advance.

Girona, Spain

38min AVE from Barcelona. Explore medieval city walls, Jewish Quarter, Game of Thrones filming locations. Parc de la Devesa playground for Sahara. Late afternoon train to Collioure (~1h 16min). Train tickets TBD.

Collioure, France

"City of Painters" — colorful fishing village just across the border. Beach next to the castle, Fauvism trail, Banyuls wine tasting. Overnight stay then continue to Arles in the morning. Hotel TBD.

Arles, France

Primary destination: Van Gogh sites. Adiba's goal trip. Must-visit: L'Espace Van Gogh, Arles Amphitheatre, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Day trips to Saint-Rémy, Carrières de Lumières, Camargue. Hotel TBD.

Accommodation Options (Under Review)

Verdict: Prioritize downtown/convenience over château/estate style. No car, Van Gogh-focused, arriving by train. Strongly recommend central Arles — walk to Fondation Van Gogh, pop back to room for rests, wander to Rhône after dinner.

Ranking:

1. Airbnb: Arlesian house overlooking the arenas — Best mix: 2BR/3BA, central old town, renovated 17th-century, views of Arènes, AC, washer. 5.0 from 7 reviews.
2. Hôtel de l'Amphithéâtre — Best hotel pick. 17th-century building steps from arena, 2min walk to Fondation Van Gogh, 3min to Théâtre Antique. Patio and luggage room.
3. Hôtel La Muette — Charming central boutique hotel with a family room (up to 5). Luggage storage, peaceful historic feel.
4. Airbnb: Beautiful home close to the bullring — 2BR/1BA, 15th-century townhouse, 300m from arena. Books/toys/games for kids, 24hr self check-in. 4.77 from 95 reviews. Less elevated than #1, 1 bath.
5. Appartement aux Arènes — 1BR apartment in central Arles with kitchen, AC. Value option but may feel tight for 3 people.
6. Mas de la Chapelle — Château/estate style, 16th-century chapel, pool, 5-hectare park. 3.2 miles from central Arles — not practical without car.

Antibes / French Riviera

Arrive from Arles via train. Sandy beaches (Plage de la Salis), Picasso Museum, Marché Provençal. Day trips possible: Saint-Tropez, Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer. Itinerary TBD. Depart to Marseille on June 15 for the Lusaka flight.

Transit to Lusaka, Zambia

All 3 travelers booked:

• United TK1366 (operated by Turkish Airlines): Departs Marseille (MRS) 10:25am → Lands Istanbul (IST) 2:45pm
• TK676 (Turkish Airlines): Departs IST 6:15pm → Lands Addis Ababa (ADD) 11:35pm
• ET863 (Ethiopian Airlines): Departs ADD 9:25am June 16 → Lands Lusaka (LUN) 12:30pm June 16

Flight booked. Family visit in Zambia.