Innovative Proposals for Tourism With Children

The Basque Government’s Family Tourism Club is a network of companies that commit to making the Basque Country an unmissable family tourism destination through their town or district. Daniel Solana, Director of Basquetour, the Basque Tourism Agency, explains that “Euskadi (Basque) Family Tourism brings together all the family tourist attractions in the different corners of the Basque Country, grouping them together in categories: accommodation (such as hotels, agritourism, bed & breakfasts, apartments, campsites), catering businesses (restaurants, cider houses, wine cellars, grills, pintxo bars) and tourist service companies (museums, visitor centres, tourist activity companies, transport companies).”

Visitors can trust club member establishments to “comply with the requirements aimed at covering the needs of families with children who choose the Basque Country as their holiday destination.” Any company in the network has been assessed for its equipment, facilities, services and activities, and its strategy and management.

Castilla-La Mancha

The government of Castilla-la Mancha has presented the new update to its Travel with Children Guide, adding six new destinations to the 25 existing ones: one route in Albacete, two in Ciudad Real province, one in Toledo, one more in Cuenca and another in Guadalajara province. The new edition of the guide seeks to encourage “visits to astronomy, theme and archaeology parks and protected areas so that children can experience their trip as an adventure,” explains the Councillor for Economy, Business and Employment, Patricia Franco.

Ana Isabel Fernández is the Tourism, Trade and Crafts Manager with the Castilla-La Mancha regional government. She explains that “the region’s enormous natural and cultural heritage and its commitment to accessibility are another important attraction for anyone planning a trip with children: Two national parks, seven natural parks, 22 nature reserves, six river reserves, 25 natural monuments, 48 micro-reserves and a protected landscape all make for an attractive nature offering that makes the region a unique space to enjoy with the family.”

Fernando Honrado is Head of Promotion & Product with the Impulsa Castilla-La Mancha Foundation. He highlights experiences with children in the Almadén Mining Park in Ciudad Real. “The underground tour is one of its main attractions, but not the only one. The Mining Museum explains what it was like to work in the mine, using audio-visual displays and models. At the Mercury Museum, visitors can learn about this liquid metal with engaging demonstrations. There is also the Miners’ Hospital, which houses the Historical Archive of Mines and the Miners’ Museum, which shows their arduous and hazardous working life through the centuries.”

Asturias

Asturias Tourism highlights two innovative activities.  One is the Pando Cave, in Ribadesella, “a trip to the bowels of the earth that’s a learning experience and a fun adrenaline ride for the children.” One of this cave’s unique features is that “as well as formations like stalactites, stalagmites, rimstones, and columns, visitors can discover an unusual formation, the Eccentrics.”

Another activity is Mining in the Samuño Valley. “There’s a ride on a 20th-century mining era train through a world of discovery and adventure for the whole family. It’s a two-kilometre journey through the forest on a real mining train, which goes along the route that used to transport coal from the mines in the Samuño Valley.

La Rioja

Finally, La Rioja suggests some activities and visits specially designed to ensure that children to enjoy an unforgettable trip, with all kinds of sports and fun close to nature. And they can “discover how their grandparents lived, be an archaeologist in the Lost Ravine and meet the region’s earliest inhabitants: the dinosaurs.” And in the wine country, young people “can enjoy learning how Rioja wine is made, treading grapes or running through vineyards.”