Spanish people live a more relaxed life than perhaps any other country in Europe and this is reflected in the organisation of the day. Whether you're in Frauenfeld for business or pleasure, the Auto Europe team can help you save big on Switzerland car rentals! Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. Some spots are even right on the beach! If you like to hike, head for the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, to hike the famousCircodeSoaso. The huge highlight from this route is crossing the Millau Viaduct in your motorhome or camper- its well worth the experience. RELATED POST: Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know. I dont like the Bay of Biscay in winter, nor paying to use expensive motorways. The Pyrenees is best visited between May and October, unless you want to ski, as outside these times you will definitely encounter snow. Picturesque towns of the Red Coast 3. Next on our Perth to Darwin travel itinerary is the wonderful town of Broome. Mealtimes are revered in Spain, as much about the time spent socialising at the table, as the food. Motorhoming in Spain- motorhome at Mesa Roldan tower Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park in Almeria, Andalusia Spain Road tripping Spain in Spring and Autumn The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. These are surprisingly effective! If you do find any discrepancies, please do let us know. Location: Gerard's Lane, 14 / 15 James St, Fortitude Valley Brisbane. Castilian is most common, but there is also Basque, Catalan and some smaller dialects. You will find some petrol stations with additional facilities for motorhomes, like waste disposal, water (NOT always drinkable!) From here either turn towards Ainhoa to cross the border, or continue on to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port where you enter Spain and climb to a 1,000m over the Ibaneta Pass. So, if you're searching for a cheap car rental in South Africa after landing at Pietermaritzburg Airport, look no further! For us, we find it too hot during high summer, especially as we travel with a dog and keeping a dog cool on a road trip is never easy (especially when theyre a cocker spaniel who doesnt understand the meaning of the word chill! The route mainly leads through the (northern) French Pyrenees, but also visits the Spanish part and Andorra. If youve been motorhoming in Italy, you might surprised to learn that aires are called Aires in Spain, just like in France (theyre called Sostas in Italy). Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. In the interior of Spain in your motorhome, you may well have long stretches of sweeping autopista(motorway) and autova(dual carriageway) to yourself. Generally, taking a ferry from the UK to Spain is much more expensive than driving through France (depending on time of year and type of cabin). Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. Why hire a motorhome through Goboony? Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. 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. Trams always have priority everywhere- keep eyes in the back of your head if youre driving near a tram network. 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?) The festival commemorates San Jos, the patron saint of carpenters and is held from 15th-20th March every year. The long road south - a motorhome route through France to Spain You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Don't . Do I need an international driving permit to drive in Spain? The following kit are things you might need to carry in your car, motorhome, caravan or campervan, depending on when you are planning your road trip in Spain. 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 area has hardly any mass tourism. Vegetarian or vegan food can be hard to find outside of bigger towns and cities. September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August. Rent a motorhome between individuals. Motorhoming in Spain- what gear do you need to carry? This first link is an award winning database about France. Copyright 2023 Warners Group Publications Plc. ), you might find things a little quieter, certainly with British vans. With this in mind, we've asked our campsite assessors to come up with their suggested route through France to the Catalan border. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. The 90 in 180 day rule works on a rolling basis and it can be difficult to work out whether you are within the rules or not, especially if you have visited the Schengen area on several occasions in the preceding 180 days. A very efficient drive all the French motorways despite getting caught up in a se. If you are staying longer, then it is likely that the sites own rate will be better value the longer you stay the cheaper it becomes. More than 340 kilometres of the A75 (Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers) are toll-free apart from the Millau Bridge. The Spanish Pyrenees are absolutely stunning. Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. 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! Look out for Ainsa, a beautiful medieval hilltop town inAragn, with incredible mountainviews. There are two low emission zones in Madrid planned, and other Spanish cities with a population of more than 50,000 are required to implement an LEZ by 2023. Variable landscapes, impressive mountains and picturesque villages. What this site does have though, is great access to the Metro. If the weather is reasonable we can recommend a few nights stop for some cycling or beachcombing. Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when motorhoming Spain. You can pull over into a rest stop and eat and drink within your vehicle, but setting up a table and chairs next to the road is not allowed. 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. From the Cote dAzur to the deserted and tranquil interior, France is the perfect place to spend a summer in your motorhome. You will need to get a worming treatment done by a registered vet before you leave Spain, or between 24 hours and 5 days before re-entering the UK.Sandflies, fleas and ticks are common in Spain, so get a collar or treatment which protects against these. DISCLAIMER: This post was last updated in October 2021. Motorhome Route France, Spain and Andorra - Straight through the Pyrenees. In the southeast of the country, water is in very short supply. If you are travelling between 15 October and 15 April and driving near the mountains, you will need to have winter/ all- season tyres and carry snow chains. Spains fabulous climate will seduce you and its people charm you. The editorial team's campsites of choice in the north of England Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Dorset. The Peaks of Europe, so called because they were the first landmark to be seen by sailors of old on approaching the continent, are well worth a visit. Heres everything you need to know about campervanning or motorhoming in Spain. The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. Perhaps its because there are several options, or perhaps because theres a mountain range in the way, but its something which gets asked over and over again in Facebook groups and forums (feel free to join our motorhoming Facebook group here). If you are ordering a chicken dish in Spain, be very careful with your pronunciation of. Tolls can be paid for in cash (Euros) or cards at selected booths. If you love adventure and raw nature, then Norway is for you! Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know, whether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter, SIM Cards in Morocco: How & Where to Buy + Best Deals, Driving from Lisbon to Porto: Itinerary, Route & Tips, Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip, Austria Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips, Switzerland Road Trip: The Best Itinerary + Map & Tips. Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. If under 3,500kg go straight on, otherwise the inside lane swings right down to a bridge, after which you turn left to bring you back, through the commercial area, to the main road. Cabins are not mandatory, but the alternative reclining seats are uncomfortable and noisy. Shops Food prices are pretty inexpensive. Barcelona is a real foodie city, with a great central market and lots of fantastic tapas bars and seafood restaurants, check out thebest restaurants in Barcelonafor an authentic gastronomic experience when you visit the city. ), Motorhoming in Germany- everything you need to know, REVIEWED: Best Motorhome or Caravan TVs (How to choose), Reviewed: motorhome Essentials every van needs. Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. With a depot in London, top-notch customer service and all the equipment you need for an easy holiday, Spaceship offers the best deals for Europe. There is history and culture everywhere you look, as well as friendly and welcoming people, delicious food and SUNSHINE- even in winter. A selection of campsites for Christmas breaks Make the most of your motorhome this winter by relaxing at campsites that welcome you all year long, Campsite review: Tyddyn Llwyn Camping, Caravan & Touring Park. The magical French Brittany 2. However if you encounter very strong winds remember its a forest area on light sandy soil, parking under trees may be ill advised. Nestled down a leafy street, in the heart of Brisbane, is Gerard's Bistro. 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. If youre not sure what we mean, read more about getting gas in Europe: READ MORE: How we find motorhome LPG or bottles while touring Europe. The Gap Decaders are participants in a number of affiliate programmes. Nor is getting out the awning and putting up your TV aerial. Try a dish like. Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) but in others it seems to be accepted as the norm. Order a Cerveza pequea (small beer) for 1 and get a free tapa, you can do this in all the bars in Len and literally have your dinner for nothing! We stopped atCamping Osunain the east of the city, close to the airport. You will fall in love with this captivating and romantic city. But let's get down to practicalities. Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. The slip road ends in traffic lights where you need to be in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. Motorhome routes through France France is the perfect place to plan a motorhome route, for example along the country's southern coast . The UK Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK motorhomers abroad. Dont forget to grab your free wild camping checklist here. This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Spanish roads are typically well-maintained, and the drivers are considerate and relaxed. human resources job scope; holland america cruise cancellations due to coronavirus Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. For more information about over-wintering, check out our post aboutwhether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter. 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. 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. 1861 km and about 147 in tolls (over 200 in a camper van or motorhome). American Express is only taken in large stores (not at tolls and often not at fuel stations), Timezone GMT+1 (or one hour ahead in BST). Now that BREXIT has happened and the UK pet passport scheme is no longer valid, you will need to get an Animal Health Certificate before you leave the UK. Dont forget, if you are driving through France to get to Spain, you need all the kit required by France as well as the kit for that country. The load must be indicated by a. A reader review of Plassey Holiday Park An editorial review of Exe Valley Caravan Site Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Ireland. The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. Hi there, Im Kat. Our ready-made Spanish road trips are here to help, guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit, Tips for Campervan Rental and Motorhome Hire in Spain (and the rest of Europe!). If you want to learn a few works, Castilian is the one to pick as it is the most widely spoken. If youre travelling out of high season and are planning to use campsites, we highly recommend buying an ACSI CampingCard membership, but be aware that many campsites either shut during the winter or are booked up entirely months in advance, so you may wish to book one too. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. There arent quite as many aires in Spain as in France and theyre often a little more out of the way, but the network is still very useful and easy to use. The Arige in the heart of the Pyrenees 4. Of course, Spain is a classic summer destination, and it can be CROWDED, especially at the UNESCO world heritage sites in Spain and on the beaches. 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. How four people together all talking at the same time can ever take in what the other is saying is a mystery to me, but they seem to manage it! When it comes to reaching the Spanish Mediterranean coast there's basically two options - drive through France or catch a ferry to Northern Spain. Total length of the route: 910 kilometres. Hi looking for ideas of routes and caravan sites. If the weather is good there are two low altitude passes you can take instead. ), you must have one (130cm x 25cm) or two (50cm x 25cm) yellow reflectors at the rear. a lazy morning, and stop en-route, so you have the best chance of finding a spot around this time, but thats when the day is at its hottest, so be careful. The main thing to know about wild camping in Spain is that you must not display any signs of camping, such as leaving chairs out or having your step out when you go to bed. The mighty SierraNevada is home to the highest point of continental Spain and the third highest in Europeafter theCaucasus Mountainsand theAlps; Mulhacnpeaks at 3,479m above sea level. Motorhome touring in Spain- Other useful things you might need, Speed Limits in Spain (unless otherwise signed! Camping Los Escullosis a great site, which is situated in the national park, close to Los Escullos beach ( a good spot for wild camping on the beach in Spain) and a couple of really good hikes.