New to spain. How best to overwinter in south east spain?

[brian_374529810]

Intending to drive outfit (diesel Nissan Patrol/ 15ft Lunar) cherbourg (say 6dec09) to SE spain (eg Valencia, but open to opinions/advice). Wish to see France en route, so plan say 200miles/day.

Would appreciate advice / opinions on:-

1. best "relaxed/easy"route, avoiding mountains/any difficult travelling etc if poss. Detours to achieve this are expected, thanks.Travelling duration/ distance not critical.

2.Not much on "glitzy" or "culture-vulture" pastimes. More "countryside/small towns/spanish way of life" etc.

 

[RayS]

I also use Cherboug or St Malo each year for that area. Frankly, december is not the best time to see France - factor that part into the return trip.

If not a member either join or otherwise get a copy of Caravan Club Europe 1 handbook.

There will be no "best" route as it will depend upon the weather and your ferry times.

If going overnight, the cherbourg to Jauny Clan (Poitiers) or Pons - north of Bordeaux will be about right but near 300 miles than 200. if you don't mind paying the tolls the autoroutes make for very very easy driving.

Next night - St jean de Luz almost on the French / Spanish border. Several sites but La Rouletta just off autoroute junction is excellent and very popular. Google the name and get the details.

Next day comes the choice. For Valencia area, go into spain - about 15 miles in follow signs Pamplona and Zaragoza (all 4 lane but with tolls round Pamplona, Before you get to Zaragoza follow turns to Magallon and go to Sabinan aka Savinan which is in the book under Calatayud.

Well run site, high altitude so cold but hard and clean and quiet.

Then leave and go a few miles south towards Calatayud, then to Darocca and rejoin the autoroute (autopista in spain) to Teruel and then to Sagunto just north of Valencia. Sites in Valencia to the south and in Moncofa to the north. Then the east coast of Spain is at your disposal.

Can be a long way between filling stations so start looking to top up at half tank not any less. Autopista Darocca to Valencia is very good but almost empty - driving easy, boredom the biggest problem. Quite possible to average 50 mph without stress. very few pull-offs except at service stations.

The other choice - if you decide to skip Valencia area and go directly to Murcia, Cartegena, Mazzaron areas - all have sites, is to go St jean de Luz towards Vitoria, Burgos and Madrid, with a site at La Carbrea to the north of madrid ( or Araanda or Burgos if you don't want to drive that far) then round a bit of the Madrid ring road onto the road for Albecete hence to Murcia etc.

Best day for Madrid ring road would be sunday morning if you have not done it before.

300 miles / day is quite feasible on Spanish autopista without undue stress _ i'm well above the bus pass age so try not to over do things myself. There are relatively few sites open winter and really not much to see, so suggest you get down to the sun without undue delay.

The alternative routes from Cherbourg e.g via Clermont ferrand involve higher altitudes in France and can be very cold. Also the road system down the east coast of Spain round Barcelona can be very busy with HGVs and worse and if you plot a line from Cherboug to Valencia the best 2straight line" is as i have described.

Finally go to www.viamichelin.com and put in your route and details - you will see the alternatives and even a route chart with actual road signs if you want.

(Please excuse me if you know all/some of this - I had assumed fro the posting that you may not have done this too often before).

Do reply to this posting if you need more detail - hopefully other readers who also make a habit of getting away from a UK winter will add their ideas.

 

[brian_374529810]

Ray, what a fantastic effort on your part! very very much appreciated. Will explore your info. with maps, Autoroute, Michelin, (googlemaps?) etc and come back if I may. I'm ignorant on the "mountain topography" of the routes so will be researching that in particular. If you've any jewels in your locker which will point me in the right direction in my "mountains" search and which you can pass on, be assured you will make (another)old man (can't speak for the wife!) very happy. GREAT! Thanks again!

 

[brian_374529810]

Ray, forgot to say, we're members of both Clubs. I have (2year old)Europe 1; will visit www.Michelin with interest.

Assuming St Malo- Murcia, how much euro shuld we carry for Toll charges on the way down? Or is a 'card' approach better? Believe I've read of a card specially for the (French)Toll roads? What's cheapest/securist/most convenient method of payment for the whole route in your experience?

You can put aside any kind considerations of "suck eggs" thanks. You're right, I'm a tyro in this. All advice greatly appreciated.

 

[RayS]

Can't really really remember how much we paid in tolls earlier this year, my 'navigator' does all the leaning out and paying _ i just top up the kitty from time to time.

The viamichelin site will show you current tolls but again I'm not sure hweter it takes any notice of you towing a caravan. If you can get the base car tolls from this add about 25%.

Cash is fine but most Uk credit cards wok too and you certainly don't need any special card for the autoroutes. There are such but they are mainly used by those who travel the autoroutes every day.

The trick is to get to the right booth. Those with an orange sign are for the special cards and there are various other variations. look for the symbol of a man in a peaked cap or coins and notes. Don't get too flustered when you stop; ther may be Monsieur impatient behind you but that's too bad. Your 'navigator' may well have to undo seat belt and open door and it's best to realise this on the approach such that handbags, tissues etc. etc. which may have been on the lap do not get cascaded out onto wet oily road (you will understand I speak from experience).

All this may sound frantic but i assure you it's no worse and sometimes better than getting out of a UK carpark. Sometimes we collect smaller coins e.g. 10 euro cents - into piles making up 1 euro and put them in a twist of klingfilm. (It makes something to do without TV). surprisingly they are quite welcome at the booths as most people proffer notes and there is a perpetual shortage of change, not helped by tariffs which go do to the nearest cent instead of rounding to, say, the nearest 20.

As for mountains, these are not a problem as the autopistas in Spain are well graded. there can be some long slow climbs, but many have a "crawler" lane for use by all slow moving traffic and not only HGVs. I use them, but be aware that you can catch up with a slow HGV very quickly.

Ups have their downs and ther are many long downhills. Use engine breaking and save you discs as much as possible. Even with an auto box you can usually select a lower ratio. My last two and current tow cars have had Tiptronic and this is absolute magic for easy hill descent. Similarly, if you have cruise control or speed limiter set it for a comfortable speed.

Appreciate your desire to plan ahead and be on top of the situation, but please don't worry yourself into a heart attack. The worst bit of my last 4 continental trips has been the bit from the ferry port home, particularly the M20.

 

[brian_374529810]

Again, thanks Ray.Especially the "Mountains" bit.Had Tiptronic Volvo v70, but 'agricultural' is more my style so happier back with manual Patrol. Not planning a heart attack, thanks. Like you, no doubt, still feel 50 yrs younger than they will insist I am! Much appreciated, thanks again.

 

[Clubman1]

Ray S has given you some good advice on routes etc. Can I offer for consideration the routes outward and inward we took in Feb/Mar this year to the Valencia area (actually Moncofa a few miles above Valencia) Like you I am comfortable with 200 - 250 miles a day, but will extend this if absoutely essential. I town a Lunar Clubman with a Volvo V70 auto. Having crossed the Cental Massif in France a number of times in summer, and with the altitude rising to approx 3500 ft I decided to use the A20 southwards towards Limoges/Toulouse and then the A9 to Narbonne and the Spanish border. The Central Massif could have been a bit unpleasant if the weather was playing up!!

We took a night crossing Portsmouth/Caen. First night was at Camping Fururiste near Poitiers, this is a camping cheque site. Distance from Caen 220 miles

Second stop was at Camping Panoramic at Payrac. Distance 180 miles. A very quiet site in the woods.

Third stop was at Camping Caistellets at St Jean Pla de Corts. Distance 250 miles and realitively near to Spanish border and just off A9.

Fourth transit stop was at Camping Vilanova Park at Vilanova I la Geltru in Spain. Distance 135 miles. This is a camping cheque site.

And finally into Camping Monmar at Moncofa distance 161 miles.

The return journey saw us take the toll free autoroute from Valencia to Camping Cuidad de Zaragoza at Zaragoza. Distance 194 miles.

Then on to Camping La Larouletta at St Jean de Luz (Urrugne) in France. Distance 184 miles - we stayed here for a few days.

Third stop homeward bound was at Camping Chez Gendron at St Palais. Distance 170 miles. Difficult to find but a cracking little site in the country. An ACSI site.

Fourth night back at Camping Futuriste at Poitiers. Distance 128 miles and then finally Camping Les Pommiers at Ouisterham. Distance 275 miles. Convenient for the ferry port, but a bit rough.

If you are using the Cherbourg crossing there is an excellent municipal site at Carentan called Camping Municipal Le Haute Dick. This site is approx 30 miles south of Cherbourg and opens in early January.

I trust that this info may give you some food for thought. Whilst I have toured extensively throughout Europe during the "summer" months during the past 35 years it is only in the last 3 years that we have joined in the "run to the sun" and in preparing to do this I gleaned as much info as possible from those that had done these trips many times before and found the advice they offered invaluable. Bon Chance

 

[RayS]

Ray S has given you some good advice on routes etc. Can I offer for consideration the routes outward and inward we took in Feb/Mar this year to the Valencia area (actually Moncofa a few miles above Valencia) Like you I am comfortable with 200 - 250 miles a day, but will extend this if absoutely essential. I town a Lunar Clubman with a Volvo V70 auto. Having crossed the Cental Massif in France a number of times in summer, and with the altitude rising to approx 3500 ft I decided to use the A20 southwards towards Limoges/Toulouse and then the A9 to Narbonne and the Spanish border. The Central Massif could have been a bit unpleasant if the weather was playing up!!

We took a night crossing Portsmouth/Caen. First night was at Camping Fururiste near Poitiers, this is a camping cheque site. Distance from Caen 220 miles

Second stop was at Camping Panoramic at Payrac. Distance 180 miles. A very quiet site in the woods.

Third stop was at Camping Caistellets at St Jean Pla de Corts. Distance 250 miles and realitively near to Spanish border and just off A9.

Fourth transit stop was at Camping Vilanova Park at Vilanova I la Geltru in Spain. Distance 135 miles. This is a camping cheque site.

And finally into Camping Monmar at Moncofa distance 161 miles.

The return journey saw us take the toll free autoroute from Valencia to Camping Cuidad de Zaragoza at Zaragoza. Distance 194 miles.

Then on to Camping La Larouletta at St Jean de Luz (Urrugne) in France. Distance 184 miles - we stayed here for a few days.

Third stop homeward bound was at Camping Chez Gendron at St Palais. Distance 170 miles. Difficult to find but a cracking little site in the country. An ACSI site.

Fourth night back at Camping Futuriste at Poitiers. Distance 128 miles and then finally Camping Les Pommiers at Ouisterham. Distance 275 miles. Convenient for the ferry port, but a bit rough.

If you are using the Cherbourg crossing there is an excellent municipal site at Carentan called Camping Municipal Le Haute Dick. This site is approx 30 miles south of Cherbourg and opens in early January.

I trust that this info may give you some food for thought. Whilst I have toured extensively throughout Europe during the "summer" months during the past 35 years it is only in the last 3 years that we have joined in the "run to the sun" and in preparing to do this I gleaned as much info as possible from those that had done these trips many times before and found the advice they offered invaluable. Bon Chance

Thanks Clubman for this. I've got some camping cheques with the ferry booking and may well follow your route (backwards) on the homeward leg to avoid wasting them. it seems you can now use them on a few sites in UK but nowhere i particularly wan to go.

 

[vectisrambler]

Brian

I agree with all of the above but would urge caution or close attention to the weather forecast, if considerering anything other than the routes through western France. In January 2007, the A20 was blocked by snow for two days north of Limoges. In "006 we encountered a similar problem south of Lyons. My tip is 'West is best'

 

[Clubman1]

Brian

I agree with all of the above but would urge caution or close attention to the weather forecast, if considerering anything other than the routes through western France. In January 2007, the A20 was blocked by snow for two days north of Limoges. In "006 we encountered a similar problem south of Lyons. My tip is 'West is best'

I cant'disagree with your logic. We used the west is best route in 2008 when heading for the Almeria area. The problem we had that year was with the quality of sites that were open. Camping Pico de Miele north of Madrid was like a battle zone. On our run south this year I was not aware that the municipal site at Zaragoza was open, hence my decision on the A20, and yes we did encounter snow! Next time I will use the west is best route knowing that the site at Zaragoza is open and of a high quality.

 

[brian_374529810]

Ray S has given you some good advice on routes etc. Can I offer for consideration the routes outward and inward we took in Feb/Mar this year to the Valencia area (actually Moncofa a few miles above Valencia) Like you I am comfortable with 200 - 250 miles a day, but will extend this if absoutely essential. I town a Lunar Clubman with a Volvo V70 auto. Having crossed the Cental Massif in France a number of times in summer, and with the altitude rising to approx 3500 ft I decided to use the A20 southwards towards Limoges/Toulouse and then the A9 to Narbonne and the Spanish border. The Central Massif could have been a bit unpleasant if the weather was playing up!!

We took a night crossing Portsmouth/Caen. First night was at Camping Fururiste near Poitiers, this is a camping cheque site. Distance from Caen 220 miles

Second stop was at Camping Panoramic at Payrac. Distance 180 miles. A very quiet site in the woods.

Third stop was at Camping Caistellets at St Jean Pla de Corts. Distance 250 miles and realitively near to Spanish border and just off A9.

Fourth transit stop was at Camping Vilanova Park at Vilanova I la Geltru in Spain. Distance 135 miles. This is a camping cheque site.

And finally into Camping Monmar at Moncofa distance 161 miles.

The return journey saw us take the toll free autoroute from Valencia to Camping Cuidad de Zaragoza at Zaragoza. Distance 194 miles.

Then on to Camping La Larouletta at St Jean de Luz (Urrugne) in France. Distance 184 miles - we stayed here for a few days.

Third stop homeward bound was at Camping Chez Gendron at St Palais. Distance 170 miles. Difficult to find but a cracking little site in the country. An ACSI site.

Fourth night back at Camping Futuriste at Poitiers. Distance 128 miles and then finally Camping Les Pommiers at Ouisterham. Distance 275 miles. Convenient for the ferry port, but a bit rough.

If you are using the Cherbourg crossing there is an excellent municipal site at Carentan called Camping Municipal Le Haute Dick. This site is approx 30 miles south of Cherbourg and opens in early January.

I trust that this info may give you some food for thought. Whilst I have toured extensively throughout Europe during the "summer" months during the past 35 years it is only in the last 3 years that we have joined in the "run to the sun" and in preparing to do this I gleaned as much info as possible from those that had done these trips many times before and found the advice they offered invaluable. Bon Chance

ray s, clubman, phil. Thanks a bunch. Truly grateful 4 your advice. Having been in my position u will not need me to tell u how valuable it is. We're both very grateful indeed. Given more water under the bridge, perhaps we can reciprocate in the future. We'll now put in the detailed work your replies so amply merit. Thanks again . Season's Best to All.

 

[deric_374537517]

As we travel to Spain for Xmas each year your site has proved a great assett knowing other campers have the same problems as us trying to find all year sites open on our route. It is so nice to speak to others and pass on all our own details and that we can all help each other with our comments. At the moment we are looking for an all year site between Zaragoza and Poitiers if anyone knows of any not too far from the main roads. Thanks for all your assistance. Lynda

 

[RayS]

Now down here in warm SE Spain. Cherbourg to 'Futurist' near Poitiers first day. then to La Rouletta St jean de Luz second then to Aranjuez south of Madrid third then to Mojacar area 4th. Very windy. Used Autoroutes where possible in interest oif speed - total tolls about 35 euro. Aranjuez not wonderful - was going to use La Cabrera north of Madrid but got there lunch time and didn't wnat to wast the afternoon. New motorway along north coast of Spain very good if going the route we followed but need to watch for turn to Pamplona soon after entering Spain if going that way. No border formalities at all,

Madrid ring road a bit confusiong - changes number from M50 to M45 and back on same section of road. Work out which exit road you want eg A3 or A4 and follow that ignoring other signs.

 

[Gafferbill]

Ray S (Moderator) ... do you happen to know if Aranjuez takes Camping Cheques?

The Camping Cheques 2010 Guide says they don't and their website says they do!

The website of Camping INTERNACIONAL ARANJUEZ makes no mention of acepting Camping Cheques

 

[hymerman1]

Ray S (Moderator) ... do you happen to know if Aranjuez takes Camping Cheques?

The Camping Cheques 2010 Guide says they don't and their website says they do!

The website of Camping INTERNACIONAL ARANJUEZ makes no mention of acepting Camping Cheques

Camping Cheque web site shows Camping International Arajuez

 

[Gafferbill]

..... yes hymerman, thanks.

Their 2010 hand book that they have just sent me omits it... thus the confusion in my mind.

I will have to phone them!

 

[RayS]

Aranjuez does take camping cheques - at least they took mine a couple of weeks ago -but whether you can rely on it or not is another matter. Reception was a little vague, to put it politely - even as to the direction of the main pitching area when leaving the office. Its was absolutely persisting down at the time and the "directions" I followed took me straight up a dead end. Lots of reversing in the rain - OH getting very wet and increasingly upset, not to say confused as to which was left.... etc. Pitches extremely muddy or flooded, not the happiest experience.

If going south I think it's easier to leave site and go back north a few miles to get onto the autovia bypass than fight through the town; I was certianly in no mood to go the 'short' way

 

[Gafferbill]

Thank you very much Ray... due to arrive there Feb3-7 to visit Madrid etc.

Yes rain and snow this year in Spain.. Storm force winds last year!

I will expect Mud.