Spain for the Beginner

[Colin_374226612]

Hi all - we will be travelling to Spain from Portsmouth to Bilbao for the first time in the Summer. Has anybody got any tips on the following ;-

a. Route from Bilbao to Vila i la Geltru

b. Route from Vila i la Geltru through the Pyrenees - is there a motorway as I don't want to be taking a Ford Galaxy and a twin axle too deeply into the mountains ?

c. Somewhere nice and safe to stop over half way between Vila i La Geltru and Paris ?

I know that's a long question, but I know you lot have loads of spare time on your hands (joking).......

Colin and Lisa

 

[Jaydug]

First some advise while you're on board Pride of Bilbao. Take with you to your cabin a small electric kettle, together with coffee, tea & milk.

The road from Bilbao to Vilanova is a good motorway road. It starts as soon as you leave the dock area at Santurzi on the A8. After around 10 miles you turn for the A68 which is a toll road. Fortunately Spanish tolls are not quite so expensive as French ones and they don't charge extra for the van. The road climbs most of the way for the next 40 miles but it's well-engineered with no severe bends. Beyond that I'm not familiar with the remainder although I will be travelling it later in the year.

Regarding the journey back to Paris. My choice would be the coast motorway to the French border, then the A9 and A75.

 

[Colin_374226612]

First some advise while you're on board Pride of Bilbao. Take with you to your cabin a small electric kettle, together with coffee, tea & milk.

The road from Bilbao to Vilanova is a good motorway road. It starts as soon as you leave the dock area at Santurzi on the A8. After around 10 miles you turn for the A68 which is a toll road. Fortunately Spanish tolls are not quite so expensive as French ones and they don't charge extra for the van. The road climbs most of the way for the next 40 miles but it's well-engineered with no severe bends. Beyond that I'm not familiar with the remainder although I will be travelling it later in the year.

Regarding the journey back to Paris. My choice would be the coast motorway to the French border, then the A9 and A75.

Thanks John - I will pack the kettle etc - I have also told the wife and kids that we will be packing sandwiches for the whole boat journey and not spending loads on rip off food. I don't think that they are very supportive of this idea and intend to bleed me dry in the restaraunts and cafe's aboard - any tips to curb spending on the boat or is it worth sampling the fayre ?

 

[valinspain]

Hi Colin, with regard to the kettle, take a continental plug adaptor, the sockets are 2 pin on the Pride of Bilbao, also drinking water is very very expensive (