Northern Spain

[jamestaylor18]

Hi all, I am after some advice on going to Spain with my van next year.

I was think of doing France, but ideally I don't want a massive drive on the other side, so I'm considering crossing to Santander and driving an hour ish to remain in northern Spain. Anyone done this before? Any tips on places to stay?

I know it will be a lot longer crossing, but I'm planning on making the ferry part of the holiday, almost like a mini cruise!

 

[Jaydug]

Crossing to Santander or Bilbao certainly cuts down on the towed mileage. I've been towing to Spain each year for around 25 years - sometimes through France and sometimes on the Spanish ferry. Going through France and then to my part of Spain is about 1300 miles each way. From Bilbao its 650. But all my journeys are done for the winter. Going out in November and back again in early March. You didn't say when you were planning on travelling but in mid-summer ferry fares are on the high side.

 

[jamestaylor18]

I am looking at going in September, just after the kids are back in school. San Sebastián looked pretty nice, I want to keep the mileage down if poss, just because I want to enjoy the holiday and not spend days on the road!

 

[Raywood]

We have done the Santander Plymouth route. How useful it is for you might depend in part on where you are coming from. coming from the West of Scotland it is not seriously further than most other channel ports but wherever it save an almighty drive through France.
It is expensive but the ferry is good and it can make a pleasant break in the trip and has to be set against the several hundred pounds in the cost of fuel and tolls and an extra overnight stop which eats into your holiday. When you add everything up there is probably not that much in it although it may depend on how you view the effort involved in the extra drive.
The downside is the Bay of Biscay, this has a justified reputation for being rough and if you get a bad day you will know about it. I can sail happily in the worst the weather can throw at you but many cannot. If heavy seas could be a problem avoid the long crossings, although you have to accept even the channel can be rough sometimes.

 

[jamestaylor18]

I live in Manchester, so it will be a pretty long drive to the port, but I know that hence why having a shorter drive on the other side would be better. We have a dog too, and Dover to Calais means he has to stay in the car, where as the Spain routes means he does in kennels and we can *** and see him anytime we want, which I think would be better for him, and is!

 

[Jaydug]

I live in Manchester,!

So you could consider Plymouth to Northern Spain. Only 40 miles longer than Portsmouth and maybe a cheaper fare.

 

[RayS]

On their Econime service Brittany ferries have a few pet friendly cabins but I understand these get booked up very quickly.
The ships are smaller than most of the full price fleet though and may be less comfortable in poor weather

 

[Lappy]

I went to Spain this year and sailed from Portsmouth to Santander. We went to Biarritz France for the first week and Playa Joyel in Noja Spain for the second week. The reason I used the Portsmouth ferry was because it sailed on the Saturday, the Plymouth ferry sailed mid-week. These sailing times may differ next year, but the drive when you embark is less daunting. The crossing takes 30hrs so make sure you have enough books, magazines etc to cure the boredom, we went on the economie ferry and there was very little to do other than watch the Euros which were taking place at the time.

 

[AdifferentJim]

I came back from Santander last Monday. We go down to Biarritz every year and travel Portsmouth/Plymouth - Santander in one direction at least: have done so for the past 25 years. It takes 22 hours and I've only had one rough crossing in that time.
Biarritz is only about 130 miles away and it is motorway all of the way. Well sign posted and an easy drive. For the last 4 days we stayed at Caravanning Oyambre. A very nice and friendly site about 30 miles west of Santander with some great beaches and beautiful scenery.
The main drawback with SW France and Northern Spain is that the weather is often very changeable. So if lying on the beach is your no.1 priority you could be disappointed. In every other aspect it's a beautiful and fascinating area of Europe.
If you decide to book I have a code that will give you a 10% discount. Just get in touch