Calaise to Portugal (1 Viewer)

sdc77

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People will be along to reccomended their favourites .. but have you considered using the free via michelin site/app and the also free campercontact app which would allow you to plan your own route and stopovers ..
 
Oct 5, 2012
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I can tell you NOT to use the coast road from porto to Figueria da foz. Portugal is a third world country when it comes to roads and drivers.

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Nov 24, 2008
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I can tell you NOT to use the coast road from porto to Figueria da foz. Portugal is a third world country when it comes to roads and drivers.

I guess by a couple of post I've read from you you've not been to keen on your experience in Portugal:)

I think the worst road I've been on has been the IC1 from Alcacer do Sol to Grandola which even at around 25mph I thought the van was going to fall to pieces around us, whilst being hunted down by artics swerving the craters in the roads and the humps where the roots from the trees have spread under the tarmac. But other than that I don't actualy think they are that bad. Maybe where we are in the centre the roads aren't used as much because I can't think of anything thats worse than some of the roads I've driven in the UK.
 
Nov 24, 2008
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@campa cola

Ive just had a thought, (careful Shawn) perhaps its reverse psychology. You make it sound like Portugal is not worth visiting, keeping it nice and quiet for those of us here. Now I do like that thinking.
 
Oct 5, 2012
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@campa cola

Ive just had a thought, (careful Shawn) perhaps its reverse psychology. You make it sound like Portugal is not worth visiting, keeping it nice and quiet for those of us here. Now I do like that thinking.
Ever had people run into their houses and put the shutters down on you because you happened to stroll into their neighbourhood ? Ever had a self appointed car park attendant deliberately take the back end of your van out ? I did, I found the Portuguese in general miserable rude and unfriendly (unless they were taking your money) which no doubt they have been off you! Driving was really bad, especially the reversing onto the main roads business. There were quite a few high points in Portugal but the roads and the miserable stary people were the lows. Avoid the locals and some of the bad food and roads and I think you will be fine.

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Nov 24, 2008
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@campa cola
Don't really know what to say to that. Not how we've found it at all.

Generally find the Portuguese will go out of their way to help with anything. I'll agree they do like to use the whole road so you have to be extra careful on the corners.
Any socialising that we've done I have to be quiet insistent that we pay our way as they just keep wanting to pay for drinks and food. Only Sunday night we went for a drink in a bar after a concert and a young chap wanted to pay for our drinks as he wanted to speak English with us, no ulterior motive just to have a conversation. Find it all quiet humbling really. Not how I've found the past few years living in the UK at all.
 
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@campa cola
Don't really know what to say to that. Not how we've found it at all.

Generally find the Portuguese will go out of their way to help with anything. I'll agree they do like to use the whole road so you have to be extra careful on the corners.
Any socialising that we've done I have to be quiet insistent that we pay our way as they just keep wanting to pay for drinks and food. Only Sunday night we went for a drink in a bar after a concert and a young chap wanted to pay for our drinks as he wanted to speak English with us, no ulterior motive just to have a conversation. Find it all quiet humbling really. Not how I've found the past few years living in the UK at all.
Oh well, I have travelled enough countries (must be 17 at least now in the MH and a total travel of the world of 54 countries all round the world and counting) to know who is generally what. I agree the younger Portugese are more open. Many of The older ones seem to still think they are living in a fascist regime and the slightest hint of openess might end up with them in some police station. I find people in the UK far more polite, open and friendly kinder and far better drivers than the Portugese. Clearly we have vastly different experiences.
 

nomad

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Hi Freddie, my route to Portugal (mainly toll free) is A16 to Boulogne N901 to Abbeville, A 26 to Rouen, N6015 to Saint Etienne and A154/N154 to Nonancourt, N12 to Mortagne la perche, then Belleme/Bonnetable towards Le Mans and follow ring road to Le Fleche and Bauge (nice aire by campsite) then on to Saumer and Parthenay, Niort, Saints, and Blaye (parking overnite 3€) then Bourdeaux ring road towards A63/N10 and if you exit at junction 18 to Pissos and turn back towards the A63 (Labouheyre) you miss the toll, then at Junction 12 turn towards Mont de Marsan on D947 and then on to the D824 you miss the next toll on the A63. After this if you keep to the N10 it gets very time consuming with traffic lights and other holdups so I usually use the A63 up to the border (about 12€) also on the Spanish side follow the toll road (2 or 3€)towards the N1 turnoff towards Victoria Gastez and Miranda de Ebro (aire by Hotel Tudela) stay on N1 to Burgos then follow the free A62 to Valadolid and Salamanca then you choose whether to head for Vila Formosa on the N620 or Caceres on the A66 then EX100 to Badajos. both on the border of Portugal.
Be warned that Portugals motorways are quite expensive but the ordinary roads can be poorly maintained.
I hope that this helps.
Colin
PS nice aire in Caceres

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Montybe

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When going that way I use the (free) Aire in Nonancourt because it is a comfortable drive from Calais/Dunkirk. It is just behind Les Pompier (Fire Station) and next to La Marie (Town Hall). Only 6 places but I have always managed to stay the night, sometimes in the car park without hook up. I usually go on to Chartres and use the McDonalds on the ring road for emails/FB/Twitter etc and a cheap breakfast, then head towards Tours where there are several useful campsites, and the town is worth a visit. For me I head for the coast and always stay at La Cote de Beaute in St Palais sur Mer, not least for the seafood and the sunsets. I have used the ferry at Royan, and then meandered down the West Coast, but it all ends up at the same place crossing into Spain. But many recommend the Ferry to Bilbao/Santander but I like the journey through France and I have the time to enjoy it.
 

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