Nov 13, 2007
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We are intending to spend up to 3 months in Spain to avoid the worst of the British winter, early in 2010. This is a completely new venture for us & would be grateful for any advice regarding routes, stopovers, Spanish campsites etc.

Any help from experienced "winter sunseekers" would be appreciated.

With thanks,

Redboots
 
Mar 14, 2005
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We have spent at least some of the winter in Spain for the past sixteen years. Sometimes on the Costa Blanca; sometimes on the Costa del Sol and once in Portugal. There are hundreds of sites situated along the coast which are open all the year. The site fees are generally the same all the year round, but then they give discounts are longer stays during the winter months. Some sites accept booking, others don't. For the best of the weather you'll need to travel at least as far south as Valencia. There's not a great deal of difference between the weather on Costa Blanca and that of Costa Del Sol. You don't travel many miles inland to find the temperatures dropping to below freezing at night. Also expect rain at times - heavy rain - sometimes 36 hours at a stretch.

I find the best route from Calais is via Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Bordeaux, Border, Burgos, Madrid, Costa del Sol. Travelling to Valencia is better via Pamplona and Zaragoza.

Camp sites in France and inland Spain that are open during the winter are few, however there are some well-lit and reasonably secure service areas which I regularly use on the route.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Agree with JD's comments. I've only been going for about 8 years and live in the West Country so we always use the "West Channel" routes.

An "essential" is CC Europe volume 1 which will give you open all year sites and much other valuable information.

It all depends on what you want from a site - some have bars, pools, entertainment etc even in low season. These are not my thing, I'm not even a "coast" person but the inland sites can be very cold Jan/Feb/March.

Our route is Portsmouth/St Malo overnight, then down the west coast of France to Pons area, then St Jean de Luz, then Pamplona, Zaragoza, Valencia and then south.

Assuming you start from where we do, this is a much better straight line than via Barcelona and also avoids any problems and heavy traffic around that area. You will find OAY sites near Calatayud, Manzanera, Valencia.

The roads are very good and there are many less HGVs Saturdays and Sundays.

Last trip we had only two overnights between St Malo and Mojacar area although it did mean one day over 400 miles.

Spanish autoroutes are very good (in general) but have relatively few stopping places: so suggest refuel (etc.) when tank down to half.

Many sites discourage "wild campers" by having high fees for one or two nights - unavoidable if you are en route, but it's worth studying the tarrif when you get somewhere you want to stay for a few days - one extra night could make a lot of difference.

Be aware that the Spanish Police aka Guarda Civil are now much more active in traffic matters than has been the case in years gone by e.g. seatbelts and marker platers on outfits longer than 12m total. But driving is still a pleasure compared to UK.

Over recent years there has been a fall-off in attendances, so you should not have a problem about finding a site with a pitch in the months you describe, particularly in the less populated and touristed areas. Pitches may be smaller than in UK - a good pitch in spain is 9m x 10m and electrics may not be more than 6 amps. Down the Med. coast you should not have too much of a problem if you only have a few words of Spanish - some of the larger supermarkets now sign in English, and the food is generally very good, particularly fish and vegs.

Supermarkets do not sell petrol/diesel, nor do they have pharmacies. many shops etc. are closed 14.00 - 16.00 but stay open late.

Inland Spain is desert-like in the south but with wonderful displays of almond and peach blossom in late january / February. The genereral pace of life has, unfortunately, increased somewhat over the years but is still relaxing and friendly. Eating out is fun - many small places have a set menu - Menu del dia - but still with choices for each course and it is still possible to get a good 3 or 4 course meal, with water, wine, coffee etc. for less than 10 euros/head (but watch the wine, particularly the driver). Inland is generally better value than the coast.

Go back through other posts in this topic and you will pick up a lot of good advice. But do try it - pace yourself and go with the flow and we all look forward to you joining the (very unofficial) club. If you see a black bull sticker or the Andelucian "Indalo Man" sticker on a van - this is a styleised human figure with a semicircle of arms above the head, then the owners have probably been to Spain and - if asked - will doubtless be pleased to bore you with how nice it is !

hasta pronto !
 
Nov 13, 2007
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To John Douglas and Ray S. A very sincere thank you for the trouble you took to help us. It confirms our view that, with a few exceptions, caravanners are the salt of the Earth.

Roberta and Stephen
 
Nov 13, 2007
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To John Douglas and Ray S. A very sincere thank you for the trouble you took to help us. It confirms our view that, with a few exceptions, caravanners are the salt of the Earth.

Roberta and Stephen

Anymore comments would be gratefully received.
 
Dec 12, 2007
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Hi All
Im looking at taking about 3 months to travel via Dover through the west side of France, north Spain into Portugal then down to the south of Spain and then return to Dover. Has anyone got any sites they can recommend ? My outfit is 8m van and a 4m Jeep
 
Dec 14, 2006
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Hi - When are you going? If off-season (ie outside peak weeks in July/August) then Camping Cheques and an ACSI card are both worth having - giving you a night on site for two people, outfit, awning, and electricity, for between 13 and 15 euros and often a discount for longer stays - 7 nights for the price of 6, or 14 nights for 11, or better on some Spanish sites.
A website worth noting, too, is Campsites near the Main Routes - which gives details of all sites within 15km of the major routes through Europe. Those open all year are highlighted in red (but still best to check first).
I can't help with personal recommendations for sites, but I'm sure others will help out. Have a great trip!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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It depends on the time of year. as I said in my previous posting there are OAY sites on the west cost of France route.
From Dover look at Futuriste near Poitiers, then La Rouletta near St Jean de Luz. Into Spain look at Camping Sabinan (sometimes spelt Savinan) in the CC book under Calatayud. Then across to Valencia - quite a few sites round there and then go south - Crellivent and then to Mazaron or further south to the Mojacar area. - not so much night life but very restful - we're just back for our 8th year.
To minimise the distances study the maps. For example from French / Spanish border near Irun take the direct road to Pamplona rather than go across towards San Sebastian. To get to Sabinan, don't go to Zaragoza, go 'across the corner' from Tudela to La Alumina and then south.,
My advice concernign re-fuelling in the previous post still stands and don't rely too heavily on satnav. This year we travelled on autovia which has been open to my certain knowledge for 5 years but which still shows up as ' of road' on the satnav.
 

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