Is there a straighf. There are many aires along the coast south of Bordeaux and many motorhomes only come this far for the winter. But let's get down to practicalities. Andalucia epitomises southern Spain for most visitors; vibrant, colourful and passionate. UK citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area (a zone in Europe where countries have no internal borders and allow the free and unrestricted movement of people) for90 days in every 180 daysin the Schengen Area. This comes in at 474 miles and a traveling time of 8 hours and 4 minutes. You join the bottom of the A10 motorway for the free section towards the city. Lidl carries a good basic range and has by far the best value wine in Spain. You must have at least 3rd party motorhome insurance cover for your vehicle. Approved motorhome overnight parking places/ aires, Free approved overnight parking spots/ schemes, Dont try and wild camp on the coast unless youre somewhere REALLY remote (more likely to be allowed in the North and centre of Spain). If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. Valencia then the N340 where the A7 goes peaje. May 28, 2011. France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. You will be crossing the notorious Bay of Biscay- and it can get ROUGH. The (pass) roads in the Pyrenees are sometimes not too wide, but are easy to drive with some mountain experience. You can find out more about them here, Some of the bigger cities in Spain have environmental zones which only residents are allowed to drive in. Stay at the lovelyCamping Ribamar(although be aware that getting there requires a few km of unmade road) and hike into Peniscola along the coastal path. This campervan route through Spain will take you to the country's most beautiful locations. Out of season, you can get over 60% discount on ACSI sites. Theyre not often allowed on public transport, even with a muzzle, which made visiting places difficult. The pace of life is simple and unhurried. Inland and in the Spanish mountains, nights can be chilly and in the north, you may well see snow. At 35 a night, this is without doubt, the poorest value-for-money motorhome campsite site we have ever stayed on, although our research suggests its the best motorhome site in Madrid! Weve been touring Europe in our motorhome for several years. Some of our favourite places for motorhome trips in Northern France include: The Normandy beaches. Look out for Ainsa, a beautiful medieval hilltop town inAragn, with incredible mountainviews. Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. The landscape changes from the rugged north, with mountains and scenic views to rival anywhere else in Europe, to the desert and arid areas, to the sparkling azure blue of the Mediterranean. Most of them have some sort of discount- some are as little as 10/ day, including electric. They are old, disused railways lines that have been converted to cycling and walking tracks, often through stunning scenery with few other users. The best campsites for discovering this popular southwest county Editor's pick - The top adults-only campsites. Immerse yourself in nature and explore places that are difficult to reach with a motorhome, such as narrow gravel paths to the mountain peak or off-road bike routes through the pine trees. PDF versions of our most popular campsite guide books. Reception at the campsite will give you more information about the Metro and explain the different types of tickets. Tipping Service is usually included in a restaurant, but do check. In this post, youll find all you need to know about touring Italy by motorhome. An unusual bit of good news for motorists ! Taking a motorhome to Italy is an experience not to be missed. This is an ideal option if you have plenty of time and are planning a few months or more for your motorhoming in France and Spain trip. You are allowed to cross a white line to overtake a cyclist AS LONG AS nothing (not even another cyclist) is coming the other way. Calais-Alicante via Paris Clermont Ferrand then Perpignan and the coastal AP7. With the fantastic beaches of the Costa Brava and a beautiful old town, this makes a great final stop on your motorhome tour of Spain. Many people will go to church but it is the extended family lunch, hosted by the matriarch, which is the most important part of the day. For Spanish gas bottles, you will need a different regulator, available from most DIY or camping shops. Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. Is there any other city throughout the whole of Europe that offers visitors a more diverse range of things to do than Barcelona? Dog poo is a real issue across Spain. We are booked on the ferry to Bilbao and have 5-6 weeks. This is our favourite route for a France road trip as you pass some incredible places (including some of the most historic places in France!). Castilian is most common, but there is also Basque, Catalan and some smaller dialects. Many businesses close between 12.30 or 1pm until 5pm and then open again until 8pm. READ: 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome. Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. Go straight on and in just 500 yards take the slip road towards motorways and Evreux. We havent travelled any further than the south of France and as were working at the time we used the motorways. You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). Highlights of 20 days travelling through south-west France. Its a long crossing of 32 hours, but does give you the chance to have a proper nights sleep if you book a cabin. The most famous of these is the Mezquita; the grandest and most beautiful mosque ever built by the Moors which is now a stunning Cathedral. Book your perfect motorhome easily, safely and affordably. This corner of Spain, including Galicia, is known as Green Spain because it rains so much! Okay, it's winter and may be raining, or worse, but you get to visit towns and tourist sites without the summer crowds. Very few, if any, shops are open on Sundays so make sure youve stocked up! For a grown-ups-only holiday, check out our recommended sites just for adults Editor's Pick - The best campsites for dogs. It is not a fight breaking out or a lovers tiff, its just everyday conversation! If you're planning a trip to Ireland, make sure to check out these great campsites to stay at Our selection of the best campsites for exploring wonderful Wales With two coasts, Devon is the perfect county for a beach lover Editor's Pick - The best campsites for families. This will be my first time in the van into France,Spain and Portugal. If you are road tripping in Spain, then visiting Seville is a must, follow our Seville one day tour here! The motorway becomes dual carriageway at the citys edge and drops down through a tunnel. The tolls on this route will cost you an estimated 180; it could be more if you're driving a big motorhome of upwards of 3,500 kgs. Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. Book with Eurocampings for the best deals on over 520 campsites in Spain. GEAR And if you need any motorhome gear for touring France or Europe, heres what we recommend. Youll often see the typical pictogram sign by the side of the road pointing you to a service point, this may be a dedicated area, within an aire or another facility. Go out along the coast in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board if you can, and marvel at the crystal clear turquoise water, an abundance of sea life, wired rock formations and hidden sea caves. The Route des Grandes Alpes traverses 16 alpine passes and ascends about 16,000 metres until finally, after about 700 km, you arrive at your final destination on the sunny Mediterranean coast. Head to Zahara de la Sierra and follow the spectacular CA-9104 road to Grazalema, which climbs to the Puerto de Las Palomas (Pass of the Pigeons), at 1180m its a spectacular drive and worth the fuel to get there this is what motorhoming in southern Spain is all about! Some larger sites or those run by corporates will have a fixed number of ACSI pitches which will have EHU but no water or drainage. For a more authentic Spain, head to inland rural areas away from the Costas and enjoy everything the mountains and gorgeous interior cities have to offer. Youll find great hiking and bird-watching trails here. The motorhome route is shown in the map below. 9 Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From France Dover - Calais Dover - Dunkirk Newhaven - Dieppe Plymouth - Rostoff Poole - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Caen Portsmouth - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Le Harve Portsmouth - St. Malo Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From Spain Plymouth - Santander Portsmouth - Bilbao Portsmouth - Santander Bullfightingis seen as heroic, atest of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. Spring and autumn are wonderful times for a Spanish road trip from March until June will get you wildflowers and near-perfect temperatures, warm enough to swim in the sea from May onwards from the Costa Blanca south, and only a light top needed in the evenings. An autova is like a motorway, except that bicycles and agricultural vehicles can use it. ive been looking through some discussions about driving down but none that fit my criteria; Top Motorhome Destinations in Spain The Pyrenees Picos de Europa Len Santiago de Compostela Madrid Huelva Tarifa Seville Via Verdes Crdoba Ronda & Grazalema Caminito del Rey Sierra Nevada Almeria Cartagena Valencia Serra d'Irta Parc Natural del Delta de l'Ebre Barcelona Resources for Motorhome Travel in Spain Can't decide? Expect to show your passport or identification on arrival and many places require you to leave one passport behind the reception. But the Spanish government . From castle to castle along the Loire 6. You can find out all the detail you need in our guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit. There are plenty of opportunities for short or longer mountain walks. Motorhome route along the most beautiful locations in Spain A motorhome tour of Spain offers plenty of variety: from sun, sea and sand in the south of the country to green surroundings in the north. It can take some time to get all the documents together and the vaccines organised, so make sure you start the process well in advance. Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. The minimum driver age for campervan and motorhome hire in Spain is 21. Yes, you can take dogs, cats and ferrets to Spain. You can download the app in the App store (iOS) or the Play store (Android). Motorhoming in Spain- what gear do you need to carry? If you're planning a UK campsite stay then visit our Campsite Finder, with over 5,000 campsites to search you'll be sure to find the perfect place to pitchup to in your Motorhome. Top Guide To Buying A Motorhome; First Motorhome Trip Abroad; Winter Motorhome Trip Spain; Campsites For A Ski . We try to keep it as up to date as possible, but cannot be held responsible for any changes made to the law since the last update. Next on our Perth to Darwin travel itinerary is the wonderful town of Broome. your inbox. (Yes, you will see other people do it- some areas are stricter than others. 2500 mile round trip in a fortnight. stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. If you are overtaking a cyclist or a group of cyclists, you must leave at least 1.5m of clearance, and also reduce speed by 20kmh (WHY Spain, WHY?) Starting at the English Channel and continuing to the Bay of Biscay, you're sure to make the memories of a lifetime along the way. A perfect and peaceful escape for you and your touring caravan, motorhome or tent, or you can purchase your Editor's picks - ideal campsites for Christmas holidays. To find out where to stay during stage 4 - click here. They also have dog kennels onboard but you CANNOT keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). Sniff out the world's best dog friendly motorhome and campervan sites in Yecla, Spain. If a vehicle is blocking the road, use hazard lights and put the red warning triangle 30 metres from the scene to warn approaching traffic. Day 2 - Gron to Chteauroux. Across France to the Spanish border Stage 1: Calais to Rouen Leave the ferry terminal and follow the A16 free motorway for 24 miles to Boulogne. The D810 runs almost parallel with the A63 past Biarritz and St Jean de Luz to the French border town of Hendaye with its Spanish neighbour Irun just across the river. Hi there, Im Kat. ), you might find things a little quieter, certainly with British vans. Thanks. human resources job scope; holland america cruise cancellations due to coronavirus This can vary a little from town to town but fundamentally the afternoon is for relaxing and spending time together as a family; if you cant beat em, join em! There is limited motorhome parking in Valencia, especially during the festival; we would suggest stayinghere. LPG for refillable systems is available in many garages, use the myLPG app to search near where you are. Our motorhome beginners resources have everything you need from helpful printable motorhome checklists and easy guides to taking your first motorhome trip. Cabins are not mandatory, but the alternative reclining seats are uncomfortable and noisy. Legally, youre only allowed to stay on approved overnight motorhome spaces or campsites. Planning to tour Spain with a motorhome or campervan? Many fuel stations are 24h on the main roads and are self-service with card machines. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. In Spain, as in most of Europe, LPG is known as GPL, and both are a mix of butane and propane. Either way, travelling through France to Spain could be the perfect European route for you. No- wild camping is not permitted in any of Spains National Parks. Spend a few days wandering the old townand Barrio Santa Cruz; admire the architecture and enjoy the typical Spanish ambience. For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. Driving your motorhome through France into Spain Your journey through France to Irun in a motorhome will be close to ten hours. If you do find any discrepancies, please do let us know. The roads within the site are deteriorating badly and the showers and sanitary facilities are poorly designed (although clean and with plentiful hot water) but this is all surmountable if you want to see Madrid! Each route takes about a day to drive, so take this into account when planning your Spanish road trip itinerary. Make your booking for the ferry to Spain with Direct Ferries, where you can compare routes and prices to ensure you get the best deal. As someone who gets seasick (hilarious considering Im ex-Navy and lived on boats for 15 years), I avoid this crossing and prefer to drive from the UK through France to Spain, but its entirely up to you. Heres everything you need to know about campervanning or motorhoming in Spain. You need lights on in the tunnels (there are signs to remind you). The biggest consideration to this ferry (apart from the cost), is the weather. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. If you dont have your own vehicle, you can easily fly into Spain and hire one. The white dots are the stops we describe and the moons are our campsite suggestions. Motorhomes < 3,500 kg (also relevant for those touring Spain by car or campervan). You can park a motorhome during the day anywhere parking is allowed (as long as there are no signs banning motorhome parking) and as long as you arent overhanging a space or blocking the road. The trade-off is the Costas where traffic ramps up and tailbacks are frequent. I am a pretty competent driver and not nervous of driving in mountains provided the roads are sensible and not too narrow. You may take advantage of our 30 percent savings and free cancellation within 48 hours of planned pick-up to Pietermaritzburg or elsewhere in the world right now on autoeurope.com! Motorhome hire from a local owner. Singular places in the Perigord and the Dordogne 7. Why? You join the Poitiers ring northwest of the city and leave it just four miles later on the N10. Then you have two main routes through France to Spain. View Larger Map. ), Motorhoming in Germany- everything you need to know, REVIEWED: Best Motorhome or Caravan TVs (How to choose), Reviewed: motorhome Essentials every van needs. Find motorhome and campervan sites at Pitchup that are bound to get the bark of approval If you're on an extended motorhome tour and time is no object, of course pottering south along the west coast of France and crossing the Pyrenees is a wonderful introduction to Spain. The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. Stayhereon the north of the lEncanyissada lagoon and if youre lucky youll spot flamingoes migrating. MOTORHOME ROAD TRIP TO SPAIN DAY 1 Calais 52,125 views Apr 15, 2018 173 Dislike Share Save Mark Davies 17.3K subscribers SPAIN or BUST! Try your luck and risk a break-in at the free parking spots, park underground safely and overheat, or trythis campsite, who provide a reasonably priced shuttle into the city. If you've found it useful, please consider buying us a coffee to show your support. If bakeries open on Sundays, they are often closed on Mondays instead. If the weather is good there are two low altitude passes you can take instead. However, now that BREXIT has happened and rules have changed (more on that later too! theatre and Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics. Do not drive until you are happy you comply with the local laws. Where to stay in France during your journey, The Long Road South A Motorhome Route Through France To Spain. Before motorhome overnight parking, do your usual checks and add an extra one look forPine Processionary Caterpillars in Spain, which make their nests in those lovely shady pine trees we all like to park under. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021 a new law requires that a. Reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers). This dramatic and wild space is iconic Andalusia; it seems like everyhillside cradles a pueblo blanco. Not only is this a noteworthy hike along the route of the river Guadalhorce, but it is also in an area of outstanding natural beauty worth exploring further. Our quintessential motorhoming in Spain road trip begins in the northern city of Barcelona, taking you through snow-peaked mountains and medieval towns, before heading south to the warmer climes of the historical Moorish region of Andalucia. For us option C is the only contender. At the A16 junction turn right towards Boulogne and stay on this free motorway for 24 miles to junction 29 just before the peage. Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. Caravan & Motorhome Holidays Abroad ; Trip along Spanish Pyrenees to . Although the UK left the EU at the beginning of 2020, because the pandemic came swiftly on its heels, many of us are still realising the repercussions and getting used to how it affects travelling in a motorhome. If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. The load must be indicated by a. Or check out our motorhome beginners e-book and find all our resources and guides in one place! Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. Take a list of what is legally required with you and check it off one by one as you are given the handover. The area has hardly any mass tourism. Yep. If youre coming from the south, make sure to stop at thewetlands of La Albufera and try the traditional paella which originated here. From tips about driving, where to stay overnight and wild camping, to motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations, youll find all the information you need for an amazing motorhome road trip in Spain. Make sure your wild camping spot is not on private property and that you have parked respectfully of residents and other wild campers nearby. We intended to do Callais to Biarritz area, cross the border through centre of Spain to Portugal. Of course, if you only have a week for your holiday, travelling from the UK and back leaves only a few days to explore the country, and the further south you go, the less exploring time you have. Rent the perfect van, campervan or motorhome for a family trip, with your four-legged or two-legged friend. With the colourful traditions, good food and wine and fabulous architecture, you have all the ingredients for an amazing tour. First is the ferry crossing options from Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao - both of these ports are in Northern . The author is giving their chosen route from the ferry port. However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. Free delivery for many products! The age-old conundrum about the best route to Spain in a motorhome from the United Kingdom is whether to pay for a long ferry crossing or pay for fuel and tolls doing long miles through expensive France. Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). In Spain, yourACSICampingCard will come into its own if youre planning on touring and stopping for less than seven nights at sites. Take a road trip to Spain from UK by driving through France. The medieval centre of Santiago de Compostela is almost entirely pedestrianised, in keeping with its UNESCO World Heritage status. This route is available in the Campercontact app. The European Commission says the following; It very much depends on who your mobile phone contract is with and when you started the contract. Of course, the downside with any book is that it goes out of date, but dont worry if its only a year or two out- most information about aires wont change too much. With over 3,500 top campsites to choose from, we can help you find the Motorhome Route France, Spain and Andorra - Straight through the Pyrenees. Weparked for the nightat the top of the hill by theFranciscanmonastery where Columbus met Queen Isabella of Spain to successfully seek funds for his journey to the new world. If youre towing with your motorhome or campervan in Spain and the overall train length is 12m or more you must have at least one yellow reflector on the rear, sized 130cm x 25cm (or two sized 50cm x 25cm). If youre planning on dinner, expect the restaurant to be quiet and soulless before 9pm. The route mainly leads through the (northern) French Pyrenees, but also visits the Spanish part and Andorra. There is no obligation to buy any produce, but our experience when we have bought has been really positive. Planning to take your motorhome to Europe? If youre driving in Spain, you need to carry the following documents: Most UK citizens do not need anIDPto drive in Spain, as long as you have a card driving licence issued in the UK (in date, of course!).