2023 Easter Holiday: Keith's Self-Guided Happy Free Trip to Spain and Portugal (13 Days)

[Barcelona]: (April 04, Airticket 21:25--23:35, 3H10M)

D01 (April 04): Athens fly to Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN).

Stay: Barcelona Sagrada Familia Hotel

D02-05 (April 05-08): Visit: Sagrada Familia – Casa Batlló – Casa Milà – Camp Nou – Picasso Museum – Palau de la Música Catalana – La Boqueria Market – La Rambla (Port Vell) – Barcelona Cathedral – Barceloneta Beach – Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (World Heritage) – Gothic Quarter – Plaça d'Espanya – Columbus Monument – Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya – Plaça de Catalunya – Gaudí House Museum – Arc de Triomf – Passeig de Gràcia (luxury shopping street) – FC Barcelona Museum

[Madrid]: (April 08, Airticket 20:30--22:00, 1H30M)

D05 (April 08): Stay: Ibis Madrid Centro

D06-08 (April 9-11): Visit: Royal Palace of Madrid – Prado Museum – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – Puerta del Sol (Old Post Office Building) – Plaza Mayor – Las Ventas Bullring – Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) – Retiro Park – Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía – Almudena Cathedral – Plaza de España – Temple of Debod – Gran Vía (luxury shopping street) – Teatro Real – Parque de Atracciones de Madrid – Toledo Bridge

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[Porto]: (April 11, Airticket 07:35--07:50, 1H15M)

D08-10 (April 11-13): Stay: Grande Hotel do Porto

Visit: Palácio da Bolsa – Wine Museum – Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis – Riberira Square – Porto Cathedral – Dom Luís I Bridge – Lello Bookshop – Clérigos Tower – Church of São Francisco (Igreja de São Francisco) – Church of Santa Clara

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[Lisbon]: (April 13, Airticket 16:00--17:00, 1H)

D11-13 (April 14-16): Stay: Hotel Lisboa

Visit: Belém Tower – Pena Palace – Jerónimos Monastery (World Heritage) – Alfama old town – São Jorge Castle – Rossio Square (Pedro IV Statue, Dona Maria II National Theatre, Lisbon Central Station) – Cape Roca (westernmost point of Eurasia) – Douro River old street (Jerónimos Monastery, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Lisbon Oceanarium, Belém Tower) – Lisbon Cathedral – Sintra Town (Palace, World Heritage) – Carmo Convent – Miradouro da Senhora do Monte – Bairro Alto – Basílica da Estrela – Museu do Oriente – Lisbon Oceanarium

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[Lisbon – Greece]: (April 17, Airticket 00:35--06:30, 3H55M)

D14 (April 17): Lisbon fly back to Athens

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The entire trip lasted 13 days. All sights were guided by 11-year-old Keith, who independently planned the route, schedule, and itinerary. Parents only provided support.

In each city, how to plan daily activities, choose transportation, transfer, buy tickets, ask for directions—all were the child's responsibility. We were hands-off managers.

The biggest gain from this trip was the tremendous improvement in the child's travel, social, and communication skills. It is incredible that such a young child can be so capable—truly admirable!

Three years abroad witnessed your vigorous growth!

2023, 05, 22

Almudena Cathedral, Madrid

(To be continued, part one)