Keith's Self-Guided 13-Day Happy Free Trip to Spain and Portugal During the 2023 Easter Holiday

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

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

Stay: Barcelona Sagrada Familia Hotel

D02-05 (April 05-08): Tour: 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 City Center Hotel

D06-08 (April 9-11): Tour: Royal Palace of Madrid — Museo del Prado — Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — Puerta del Sol (Old Post Office Building) — Plaza Mayor — Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas — Palacio de Cibeles — Parque del Retiro (Crystal Palace) — Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía — Almudena Cathedral — Plaza de España — Templo de Debod — Gran Vía (luxury shopping street) — Teatro Real — Parque de Atracciones de Madrid — Puente de Toledo

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

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

Tour: Palácio da Bolsa — Museu do Vinho do Porto — Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis — Ribeira Square — Porto Cathedral — Dom Luís I Bridge — Livraria Lello — Clérigos Tower — Capela das Almas — Igreja de São Francisco

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

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

Tour: Belém Tower — Pena Palace — Jerónimos Monastery (World Heritage) — Alfama District — São Jorge Castle — Rossio Square (Statue of Pedro IV, Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, Lisbon Central Station) — Cabo da Roca (westernmost point of Eurasia) — Old Street of River Douro (Jerónimos Monastery, Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Lisbon Oceanarium), Belém Tower) — Lisbon Cathedral — Sintra Town (Palace, World Heritage) — Carmo Convent — Miradouro da Graça — Bairro Alto — Basílica da Estrela — Museu do Oriente — Lisbon Aquarium

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

D14 (April 17): Fly back to Athens from Lisbon

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The entire trip took 13 days. All attractions were guided by 11-year-old Keith. The child independently completed the route planning, daily schedule, and itinerary; parents only provided assistance.

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

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

Three years of living abroad have witnessed your robust growth!

2023.05.22

Almudena Cathedral, Madrid

(To be continued, part one)