C
Chockswahay
Deleted User
Just returned from 10 weeks in Portugal and Spain. We were looking forward to some winter sun in the Algarve and headed there first…… What a disappointment!
Am I the only one who got the distinct impression that the Algarve is full of motorhomes that appear to be 'in for the duration'? There was a clear relationship between the cost per night of an Aire and how many people were staying on it (for a long time!).
Indeed the places where vans stop for free were just FULL of vans, all with their chairs, tables, generators, gas bottles and all forms of detritus littering the place. It often looked as if these areas were Gipsy camps.
I don't understand the attraction of spending many thousands (many!) on a motorhome only to spend all winter parked up in a car park!
The Algarve struck me as a good place for sand, sun, cheap booze and not much else quite frankly. The 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the old and fine architecture and the coastal towns are high rise, jam packed, touristy blotts on the landscape.
After two weeks or so of working our way along the Algarve we got to Sagres and headed North. The scenery got better, the beaches and towns much nicer and the whole place less busy. Then we drove inland towards Evora and the country took on a nicer more authentic feel altogether. Admittedly the weather was nothing like as nice inland. After a while we crossed the border back into Spain and drove South towards Seville, Gibralter, Granada etc.
I do realise that this post does sound like a lot of whining and might upset a few people. Each to his own and all that! I just think that after all the talk about how marvellous Portugal is, it might help a few people who are wondering if they should go to read an alternative view.
Portugal (particularly the Algarve and the South) does not cater so well for Motorhomes. Aires are few and far between and often full of virtual 'residents'. Wild camping is possible but not as easy as one might imagine.
If you crave culture then other countries are available On the other hand, if you just want cheap access to some pleasant winter sun then fill your boots
I apologise in advance for upsetting those that will be upset by my remarks
Am I the only one who got the distinct impression that the Algarve is full of motorhomes that appear to be 'in for the duration'? There was a clear relationship between the cost per night of an Aire and how many people were staying on it (for a long time!).
Indeed the places where vans stop for free were just FULL of vans, all with their chairs, tables, generators, gas bottles and all forms of detritus littering the place. It often looked as if these areas were Gipsy camps.
I don't understand the attraction of spending many thousands (many!) on a motorhome only to spend all winter parked up in a car park!
The Algarve struck me as a good place for sand, sun, cheap booze and not much else quite frankly. The 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the old and fine architecture and the coastal towns are high rise, jam packed, touristy blotts on the landscape.
After two weeks or so of working our way along the Algarve we got to Sagres and headed North. The scenery got better, the beaches and towns much nicer and the whole place less busy. Then we drove inland towards Evora and the country took on a nicer more authentic feel altogether. Admittedly the weather was nothing like as nice inland. After a while we crossed the border back into Spain and drove South towards Seville, Gibralter, Granada etc.
I do realise that this post does sound like a lot of whining and might upset a few people. Each to his own and all that! I just think that after all the talk about how marvellous Portugal is, it might help a few people who are wondering if they should go to read an alternative view.
Portugal (particularly the Algarve and the South) does not cater so well for Motorhomes. Aires are few and far between and often full of virtual 'residents'. Wild camping is possible but not as easy as one might imagine.
If you crave culture then other countries are available On the other hand, if you just want cheap access to some pleasant winter sun then fill your boots
I apologise in advance for upsetting those that will be upset by my remarks