All prices are approximate estimates based on 2025/2026 data. Final costs may vary.

Kwadwo + Marinela + Sean + Paloma

Summer 2026

Islands, beaches, viking adventures & Barcelona sun

Barcelona
Milos
Crete
Copenhagen
Barcelona
The Journey

Summer at a Glance

11 weeks of sun, sea, and family time - Jun 23 to Sep 7

BCN
Milos
Crete
Denmark
Barcelona + Camps
Jun 23-27 - Decompress
Jun 28 - Jul 8 - Milos
Jul 9-21 - Crete/Chania
Jul 22 - Aug 4 - Copenhagen
Aug 5 - Sep 7 - BCN Camps
🇬🇷

Milos

Jun 28 - Jul 8, 2026
10 nights

Volcanic island with some of Greece's most unique beaches. Not the typical tourist island - lunar landscapes, hidden sea caves, incredible food. Perfect "bounty" beaches with turquoise water but wilder and more interesting than the classic Cyclades.

See Milos

Must-See Beaches

🌌

Sarakiniko

White moon-landscape cliffs with crystal water. The iconic Milos beach.

Kleftiko

Pirate caves, only by boat. Jaw-dropping turquoise water.

🌋

Firiplaka

Colorful volcanic cliffs, shallow water. Great for kids.

🥾

Tsigrado

Tiny hidden cove. Adventure to climb down!

🏙

Papafragas

Natural rock pool between dramatic cliffs.

Logistics & Costs

Accommodation
approx. EUR 1,200-1,800
Airbnb 2-bed apt near Adamas or Pollonia, with kitchen
Search Airbnb Milos Vrbo
Car Rental
approx. EUR 450-800
Essential on Milos. Book automatic early - they sell out. Full insurance recommended.
Milos Rent a Car Discover Cars
Food (10 days)
approx. EUR 1,000-1,300
Eating out focus. Lunch EUR 40-60, dinner EUR 60-90 per family.
Getting There
BCN > Athens > Milos
Direct flight to Athens (~3h), then domestic flight (30 min) or ferry from Piraeus (~5h).
Google Flights Ferryhopper

Milos to Crete - Ferry Day

Ferry to Heraklion (approx. 5h, EUR 44-53/person) then drive the scenic north coast highway to Chania (2.5h). The kids will love the boat ride. Book on Ferryhopper

🇬🇷

Western Crete / Chania

Jul 9 - Jul 21, 2026
12 nights

Home to arguably the best beaches in all of Greece. Elafonisi's pink sand lagoon, Balos with its Caribbean vibes, Falassarna's golden sunsets. Plus gorges, charming villages, and legendary Cretan food. Direct flights to Copenhagen make it the perfect bridge between Greece and Denmark.

See Crete

Must-See Beaches

🌸

Elafonisi

Pink sand, shallow lagoon. Feels like the Caribbean. The #1 "bounty" beach.

🏝

Balos

Turquoise lagoon reached by boat or a 20-min cliff hike.

🌅

Falassarna

Wide golden sand, crystal water, incredible sunsets.

💫

Seitan Limania

Dramatic hidden cove squeezed between cliffs.

🌲

Kedrodasos

Wild cedar forest beach near Elafonisi. Almost no people.

👶

Marathi

Calm, shallow water. Perfect for the kids.

Logistics & Costs

Accommodation
approx. EUR 1,200-1,920
Airbnb 2+ bed in Chania town or Platanias. Chania old town has a stunning Venetian harbor.
Search Airbnb Chania Family-friendly Crete
Car Rental
approx. EUR 420-720
Essential. Good roads via the E75 highway. Book via Discover Cars or local.
Discover Cars
Food (12 days)
approx. EUR 1,080-1,440
Cretan food is legendary and more affordable than the Cyclades.
Onward Flight
Chania > Copenhagen
Direct flight, SAS or Norwegian, approx. 3.5h. EUR 150-250/person.
SAS Norwegian

Chania to Copenhagen - Direct Flight

SAS or Norwegian, approx. 3.5 hours. The key routing advantage of ending in western Crete - no backtracking to Athens.

🇩🇰

Copenhagen

Jul 22 - Aug 4, 2026
14 nights

House swap already arranged - so accommodation is free! August is the best Danish summer weather and overlaps with Danish family vacation time. Excellent public transport, bike-friendly city, and plenty to explore with the kids.

See Copenhagen

Getting Around

🚋

Metro & S-Train

Copenhagen's public transport is excellent. Metro, S-train, buses cover everywhere.

🚲

Bikes

Rent bikes and explore the Danish way. Great bike infrastructure everywhere.

🚗

Day Trips

Rent a car for trips outside Copenhagen - Roskilde, beaches, castles.

Logistics & Costs

Accommodation
EUR 0 - House Swap!
Already arranged. Full kitchen available for cooking.
HomeExchange
Food (14 days)
approx. EUR 840-1,260
Mix of cooking at home and eating out. Cook breakfast/lunch, dinners out.
Flight Home
CPH > BCN direct
Vueling, SAS, Norwegian, Ryanair - all direct, approx. 3h. EUR 100-200/person.
Google Flights
Back Home

Barcelona Summer Camps

Aug 5 - Sep 5 / ~5 weeks of activities while parents work

Camp Options

Can Caralleu Multi-Sport

Racquet sports, team sports, mountain sports + pool daily + excursions. Ages 6-13. CEM Can Caralleu, Sarria.
approx. EUR 180-250/week per kid
Visit website

Campus Olimpia Nautic

Sailing, kayak, SUP, water sports at Port Olimpic. Ages 5-17.
approx. EUR 180-260/week per kid
Visit website

Reial Club Maritim - Sailing

Sailing camps. Half-day or with lunch. 50% off 3rd sibling. Ages 6-17.
approx. EUR 180-260/kid per week
Visit website

Club Pati Vela

Sailing, kayaking, SUP at Torres Mapfre. Ages 6-14.
Check website for pricing
Visit website

Can Caralleu Football

Football-specific technical and tactical training. Ages 7-14.
approx. EUR 180-250/week per kid
Visit website

Recommended Schedule

Week Dates Sean (10) Paloma (8)
1 Aug 5-8 (short) Multi-Sport Can Caralleu Multi-Sport Can Caralleu
2 Aug 11-15 Sailing CMV Port Olimpic Sailing CMV Port Olimpic
3 Aug 18-22 Multi-Sport Can Caralleu Multi-Sport Can Caralleu
4 Aug 25-29 Sailing RCMB / Club Pati Vela Sailing RCMB / Club Pati Vela
5 Sep 1-5 Free Week Family time before school Free Week Family time before school

Camp cost estimate (4 weeks x 2 kids): approx. EUR 1,440-2,000. Registration typically opens March-April 2026.

The Numbers

Budget Overview

All figures are approximate estimates based on 2025/2026 pricing

~EUR 12,500
Sweet spot estimate for the full summer
Flights/Ferries
EUR 2,800
2,100 - 3,500
Accommodation
EUR 3,060
2,400 - 3,720
Car Rental
EUR 1,195
870 - 1,520
Food
EUR 3,460
2,920 - 4,000
Activities
EUR 620
~620
Summer Camps
EUR 1,720
1,440 - 2,000
Low Estimate
EUR 10,350
Sweet Spot
EUR 12,500
High Estimate
EUR 15,360

Cost-Saving Tips

Book flights 3-6 months ahead for summer routes (saves 20-35%)
🍴
Milos: eat at village tavernas (Plaka, Pollonia) not tourist spots in Adamas
🎂
Crete: Chania municipal market (Agora) has amazing cheap food
Ferry Milos > Heraklion is cheaper than flying - and the kids will love it
🏠
12+ nights in Crete may trigger Airbnb weekly/monthly discounts
🇩🇰
Denmark: cook breakfast/lunch at house swap, eat out for dinners only
Action Plan

Booking Timeline

When to book what for the best prices and availability

FEB

Book main flights

BCN > Athens, Chania > Copenhagen, Copenhagen > Barcelona. Best prices 3-6 months ahead.

MAR

Book accommodation + domestic flights

Milos and Crete Airbnbs (popular places sell out fast). Athens > Milos domestic flight or check ferry schedules.

APR

Register camps + book car rentals

Summer camps open March-April. Book car rentals for Milos + Crete (automatics go fast).

MAY

Book Milos > Heraklion ferry

Via Ferryhopper.com. Check schedules and book foot passenger tickets.

JUN

Buy activity tickets

Kleftiko boat trip (Milos), Balos boat trip (Crete). Pack the sunscreen!