We are off next week. Help on where to go please (1 Viewer)

[peterc10]

We have booked the tunnel for Wednesday late afternoon and are off for 6 weeks or so to see if we can get warmer than we are here. First stop will be Cite Europe and then probably head South to Spain and/or Portugal. So where should we be aiming for?

The last few times we have headed through South West France and crossed into Spain via Bayonne. We may fancy a change this time and maybe go via Clemont Ferrand and the A75. What do you think?

Should we stop off at the Riviera or elsewhere on the French Med? Haven't done that for a while. And then where - wander down the Spanish Costas or put my foot down and head South fast?

We mainly use Aires and wild camping, but have no problem with splashing the cash at a campsite if it is in the right place. So any recommendations please of your favourite places would be very welcome Aires or campsites or wild camping places. We just like interesting places and good scenery and good company.

One thing we would like to do is the Alhambra Palace, but we will need to book that up at least a couple of weeks in advance, so not sure we want to be that organised.

Hope to bump into some of you on our travels.

 

[Lisa]

I can’t answer your questions Peter, but hope you and Angela have a fab time. Send us pics x

 

[StephandJohn]

Roses and L'escala are good places to visit just over the French/Spanish border. There is a campsite in the middle of l'Esaca itself so its halfway way between the modern bit (beaches, hotels etc) and the old town and harbour. You can walk or get the tourist train through sand dunes to the extensive roman ruins and then on to a small touristy but pleasant peninsula village (St Marti).

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[Robert Clark]

Hi Peter
Benarrraba is one of my favourte places in 'real' Spain.

Great views from this free aire

https://www.campercontact.com/en/sp...0517/motorhome-parking-area-de-benarraba.aspx

Camperstop at Sierra Espuna in Totana is also great

Hope you have a great trip

 

[The Dudess]

Another vote for Totana. Also take a look at Los Escullos in Cabo de Gata - one of our favourite sites but you would be advised to book first.

 

[EX51SSS]

There is a parking area (Aire) at Clermont-Ferrand and a regular bus service into the city centre. There is also an aire at the extinct volcano although it is apparently unofficial and easy access to the mountain train or walking is possible although I've just looked and it is closed (train not the mountain) at the end of the month.
Very nice trip and fantastic views.

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[Jenben]

We really enjoyed the Sherry triangle on our last trip not just for the Sherry (although we did enjoy that ) but the beautiful beaches especially at Rota. We also loved our visit to Cadiz and would definitely like to go again.

 

[Reallyretired]

Clermont Ferrand and the A75 is our fav route when the weathers better but it is quite high in parts. The weather around Roses is still not great though we expect to be there in a week or so. Weather in Sierra Espuna is as good as it gets and thats where we are at present

 

[Parrot Face]

We did the Alhambra Palace and Gardens about 7 years ago. The site we stayed on said we had to wait about a week to get tickets. We ignored that and just turned up very early as soon as it opened. Got in easily and the advantage of turning up as soon as it opens is that its cooler and we managed to finish the tour before it got too hot.

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[scousebird]

Morning Peter

We travelled the Clermont Ferrand route 3 or 4 years ago in May and drove through a heavy blizzard over the top but did enjoy our travels that way. We also liked the Roses area but haven't been there for many years and only in the summer.

Whichever way you go enjoy your travels and keep us updated.

 

[FIDGET]

Hi , If going towards Clermont ferrand ,there's 2 nice aires
St Amands Montrond aire , CC 19310, Free services rural by a lake
Sancoins , CC 2055, by a disused canal ,services payable
no ehu at either though.

 

[peterc10]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far everybody. They show just what a great forum we have.

Interesting to see that several places we have already visited and enjoyed have cropped up, like Los Escullos and Cadiz. We were going to visit Totana last spring but decided to miss it because the weather was not so good when we were passing close by. Thinking we may stay there for Easter as places on the coast will be manic I understand. Is it likely to be full then? Are there any local festivities going on for Easter? @jumar @jumartoo

Please keep the suggestions coming.

As you may realise we are not ones for doing much planning. We generally consult the weather apps to decide where to head next. It either that or the chicken entrails. So we could end up anywhere in Spain or Portugal! And also suggestions for Aires on the way down are welcome. So good to have lots of recommendations from Funsters to give us lots of options. We have several Aires books, use campercontact and Park4night apps, and have the ACSI card and books, but there is nothing better than personal recommendations.

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[Pia]

We have booked the tunnel for Wednesday late afternoon and are off for 6 weeks or so to see if we can get warmer than we are here. First stop will be Cite Europe and then probably head South to Spain and/or Portugal. So where should we be aiming for?

The last few times we have headed through South West France and crossed into Spain via Bayonne. We may fancy a change this time and maybe go via Clemont Ferrand and the A75. What do you think?

Should we stop off at the Riviera or elsewhere on the French Med? Haven't done that for a while. And then where - wander down the Spanish Costas or put my foot down and head South fast?

We mainly use Aires and wild camping, but have no problem with splashing the cash at a campsite if it is in the right place. So any recommendations please of your favourite places would be very welcome Aires or campsites or wild camping places. We just like interesting places and good scenery and good company.

One thing we would like to do is the Alhambra Palace, but we will need to book that up at least a couple of weeks in advance, so not sure we want to be that organised.

Hope to bump into some of you on our travels.

At this time of year it may be best to stick to the original plan and go down the west side....most campsites and many AIRES will not be open/operational (water turned on) until April or Easter. You can always head across the north of Spain if you want to go down the Med side of Spain or go on into Portugal.....though if it were us we would stick to the Med this early in the year because of the weather.
If you do go down the A75 make sure you check the weather as the Massive Central can be very cold, icy and snowy in winter. It is beautiful though but again you may have probllems with finding water turned off in the aires and very few campsites open until April. In Spain on the east side there is a lovely Aire about half an hour over the border in Spain in Peralada...there are 6 places....it's free and has water, waste water and chemical toilet disposal...wifi is not good though....the little town is beautiful. As for the Alhambra it is amazing and you can book on the net a couple of days before you go...go for an early morning visit though as it does get crowded. We stayed at this campsite and caught the bus into Granada.
Camping Alto de Viñuelas
GR-3107
18184 Beas de Granada
Spain

Whatever you decide have a wonderful trip.

 

[Clarky]

A75 route is glorious as long as the weather is good. The road is well over 1000m high for long stretches. You can leave the motorway at Millau if you don't want to pay the toll over the viaduct. It takes 30 minutes from leaving to rejoining the motorway and there are tremendous views as you drop down into the town.........as long as it's not enveloped in cloud.
My choice would be to use the western route going south as it will be a tad warmer and come home on the A75 in warmer weather.
Lots of terrific aires off the A75 route, you will be spoilt for choice.

Have a great trip.

Richard.

 

[Pia]

Easter is a massive religious celebration in Spain particularly in the south. We've been in Cadiz at Easter and the buzz is greaat.......make sure you book somewhere though especially if good weather is forecast as the Spanish LOVE Easter and will be off camping for sure....and don't forget to enjoy the seasonal food especially in Catalonia where they serve 'Mona' cake...yummmyy traditionally brought by godfathers for godchildren to enjoy. We stayed at the campsite in El Puerto de Santa Maria...it's a lovely campsite with a good restaurant and a great little tapas bar on the beach about 5 mins walk away...you can catch the ferry to Cadiz across the bay and if you are into cycling there is a fantastic 'Salt Marsh' about 15 minutes bike ride away which is beautiful and peaceful and so good to cycle round....it is miles and miles of natural park with lots of wild life and wild flowers and in the spring will be heavenly. Oh and by the way cycling in Spain is 'heaven' motorists are sooooo courteous and careful...and there are lots of cycle routes...enjoy

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[funflair]

Personally I would do Seville and Cordoba rather than the Alhambra, we enjoyed Granada better looking at the Alhambra from over the valley rather than the visit as once you have seen the Alcazar in Seville the Alhambra is a bit the same.

Martin

 

[peterc10]

Thanks again everybody. Our reason for using the A75 is that we have used the Western France route the last 3 or 4 times and just fancy a change. Have done the A75 a couple of times and we were lucky with the weather - in shorts at the Millau bridge in March! Maybe a dose of snow will bring us back to earth! But I suspect it will all depend on what the Ventusky weather app shows us when we wake up in Cite Europe Thursday morning!

@Pia we stayed at the campsite at El Puerto (Camping Playa Las Duna) last spring and caught the ferry to Cadiz too! Don't have bikes, Angela fell off hers in Salamanca a few years ago and broke her arm so is too nervous to try again. But we do carry a Scooter, so use that to explore.

 

[bellabee]

Another vote for Totana. Also take a look at Los Escullos in Cabo de Gata - one of our favourite sites but you would be advised to book first.

We’re at Los Escullos now. It’s a lovely place to stay - and half-empty at the moment, so no need to book unless you plan on being here during Easter week.
Given the weather in Spain/Portugal this year, you could well be best to keep to the eastern side of Spain and Almeria. We originally set off to go to Portugal but, like many others we have met down here, turned round and headed east because of the weather.

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[jumartoo]

Thinking we may stay there for Easter as places on the coast will be manic I understand. Is it likely to be full then? Are there any local festivities going on for Easter? @jumar @jumartoo

Easter is normally OK on the Camperstop but this year so far has been very busy. I think many Dutch will be back home for April so it may quieten down soon. If you are coming contact us before the 30th cos we fly to the UK then!!! Or contact Paula direct on her number or email found on

www.camperstopsierraespuna.blogspot.com

There are local Easter festivities in Totana as elsewhere.

 

[Clarky]

My choice of aires on the way south via the western route might be:-
Cite Europe
La Mailleraye-sur Seine 49.48334º 0.77386º On banks of Seine next to charming small town. €6, pay at barrier with CC. Very quiet, apart from the rumble of ships as they pass. Free dump but water requires jetton for €3.
Montreuil-Bellay 47.13255º -0.15815º Free aire with dump, water is €2 from memory. Quiet with river one side and old town and huge chateau towering above. Nice walks along the river where we have watched otters hunting for their supper. Be careful about the route because the the town streets are very tight and steep. Watch my video for the best way in.
Blaye 45.12514º -0.66611º Overlooking the Gironde and the town. There is another popular aire round the corner at a wine chateau.
Biarritz. Aire de Camping-Car Gabrielle Dorziat (Camper Contact 51886) Pay at barrier with CC. Out of town beside woods with pleasant walks. Very quiet with free water and dump.
Torquemada. Close to motorway but quiet at night, beside old chapel and cemetery. Free aire with free water and dump. 42.03705º -4.31615º
Salamanca. Camping Regio site (www.campingregio.com) Large camp site with facilities on the edge of Salamanca behind a hotel. Restaurant, bread etc at the hotel. Bus service into the city centre from the site €1.40.

We tend to drive for the morning and stop in time for lunch then go and explore in the afternoon, therefore quite a few stops. You may want a more direct and faster route.
Many of those aires are on my blog and YouTube channel. links under this post.

 

[namwaldog]

Download a weather app ( el tiempo.es for Spain) and be guided by the weather. The best pitch in the world is always diminished by bad weather.

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[Lenny HB]

We are on the ferry at the moment get into Dieppe at 3pm, sill not decided which route to take but via Somport tunnel favourite at the moment. Starting off at Benicassim meetings friend there as they are putting on some Rock'Roll dances on the site so we can get a bit of dancing in, does mean staying on a site.
Only got 6weeks so we are going to have get a move on to get some warm weather.

Did Alhambra 2 years ago got the tickets the night before at the campsite, not that impressed other places much nicer in Spain, although Granada is a nice city.

 

[suavecarve]

Roses and L'escala are good places to visit just over the French/Spanish border. There is a campsite in the middle of l'Esaca itself so its halfway way between the modern bit (beaches, hotels etc) and the old town and harbour. You can walk or get the tourist train through sand dunes to the extensive roman ruins and then on to a small touristy but pleasant peninsula village (St Marti).

Another vote for this particular area and if you could oblige us with an in depth view upon your return, that will tie nicely in with our plans for late April

 

[Busman]

Hello Peter, we came down that way about a month ago for a change, liked it, we stopped at Issoire a nice free Aire (pic below) which had black/grey waste dump and water still working and there's a good supermarket 50m away also a couple of fuel stations at decent prices.
Currently on one of the free Aires at Castello de la Plana. Weathers sunny and a bit blustery but lovely.
Hopefully meet up again on route
Dave

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[peterc10]

Another vote for this particular area and if you could oblige us with an in depth view upon your return, that will tie nicely in with our plans for late April

Thanks. My only worry is that they may be a bit too far North and a bit too cold at this time of year to persuade Mrs peterc10 to take her thermal undies off

View attachment 218572 Hello Peter, we came down that way about a month ago for a change, liked it, we stopped at Issoire a nice free Aire (pic below) which had black/grey waste dump and water still working and there's a good supermarket 50m away also a couple of fuel stations at decent prices.
Currently on one of the free Aires at Castello de la Plana. Weathers sunny and a bit blustery but lovely.
Hopefully meet up again on route
Dave

Thanks Dave, the Aire at Issoire looks very good. Which Castellon de la Plana are you on? The one at the far end of Calpe by the harbour, or the one North of Alicante?

Let's see if we can meet up again for a drink and a chat once we are down in Spain, if we are close to each other that is.

 

[peterc10]

Download a weather app ( el tiempo.es for Spain) and be guided by the weather. The best pitch in the world is always diminished by bad weather.

That is what I intend to do.

 

[peterc10]

We are on the ferry at the moment get into Dieppe at 3pm, sill not decided which route to take but via Somport tunnel favourite at the moment. Starting off at Benicassim meetings friend there as they are putting on some Rock'Roll dances on the site so we can get a bit of dancing in, does mean staying on a site.

Is the site Bonterra Park? If so I think you are not going to like it much Lenny ......................... Isn't really like your style I suspect.

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[Speve]

We are leaving Portugal after the last week of rain we were going to travel up the west to San Sebastián but the weather forecasts are wet for next few weeks so we have changed our plans are going over to the Eastern side and making our way up to Dortmund before returning to UK. The forecast is marginally better on that side.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[Viennese]

If you go via Clermont Ferrand, visit Orcival 17 miles sw of the city. Mysterious and interesting little town with a big church built over a druid site.

 

[B-well]

Hi
Have you visited Oradour -sur -Glane to visit the village, there are a couple of Aires in the town. not far from camping parc verger on your way down south.
East side of France may be having a little snow next week.
Happy travels.

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