Differences between Spain and France? (1 Viewer)

[klaatu]

We’ve been touring France for over two months now, using a mix of aires and sites, eating out two or three times a week, shopping mainly at Carrefour, L’Eclerc and Super U. We speak enough French to get by. We are petrol-engined and have a tank for LPG for heating and cooking (with all the required adapters). We think we have pretty much got the hang of France and are enjoying it immensely.

We are now in SW France approaching the border with Spain, and although we didn’t plan it, we’ve decided we may as well go and see what northern Spain is like. We speak almost no Spanish at all.

We would be grateful for any tips and suggestions about what we will find different in Spain (we already know that most things are apparently cheaper than France). The kind of things I’m thinking of are driving, shopping, eating out, and stopping at sites, but any advice will be gratefully received. At this point, Spain feels very much an unknown, rather like France did before we got here.

Muchas Gracias!

 

[Just smiffy]

Muchas Gracias

Your half way there...

Same as when you went to France, you’ll learn enough to get by... as always first greeting with the usual hello, yes, no, and thank you in spanish of course will go a long way...

Have a great time..

 

[Munchie]

Er indoors loves Mercadona for shopping. Eating out is very cheap and we have never been disappointed!
The minute you say Por Favor or Gracias (please and thank) you they know you are a furriner!
Spain is great if, in my view you avoid the Benidorms! Get inland a bit to the real Spain!

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[Chris]

Much , much nicer people in Spain.

Try some Spanish and they will appreciate it rather than look down on it.

 

[Munchie]

Much , much nicer people in Spain.

Try some Spanish and they will appreciate it rather than look down on it.

Spanish folk are great as are the French. Having lived in France for more than five years we find the French helpful and friendly! Perhaps down to our attitude to them!

 

[hilldweller]

Aires. They are there in theory but nothing like France. We've traced a few to places we wouldn't park let alone stay overnight.

But campsites are usually up to standard and loads of them.

It's a hell of a country for sights. Going west from Granada there are places with cave dwellers and looking like Mars.

The sites the Moors left are seriously beautiful. The Alhambra is Number One.

The Picos rival the Alps for mountain scenery.

Or you head for Gibraltar and have a look at Africa, it's surprisingly close.

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[f6c]

There you go you are fluent

 

[treetops1]

We noticed this year France is far more expensive than the UK,things seem to have gone up quickly .Lots of the food and wine is now is cheaper in the UK .So you will find things much cheaper in Spain.lol

 

[Chris]

Spanish folk are great as are the French. Having lived in France for more than five years we find the French helpful and friendly! Perhaps down to our attitude to them!

I don’t have an “attitude”towards the French.

I try my best to communicate but don’t find them as friendly or accommodating as the Spanish.

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[Munchie]

I cannot find a 10ltr box of Merlot for 15 quid in the UK.

 

[klaatu]

Spanish folk are great as are the French. Having lived in France for more than five years we find the French helpful and friendly! Perhaps down to our attitude to them!

Absolutely - we have found the French to be delightful.

 

[f6c]

Spain is a very friendly country with lovely people give it a try. Menu De Dia 12Euros Enjoy.
ps Not that many campsites open late November

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[Coastal Cruiser.]

I’ll have a beer,
it’s the universal language that most people understand..
If you can manage a few more words of the local lingo it’s a bonus

Been around the world and it has never failed me..

 

[klaatu]

ps Not that many campsites open late November

Yes, thought that would be the case, same as in France. The excellent Aires in France make up for that (we’re currently on the superb aire at Gastes), if aires in Spain are not so good that may be a problem.

 

[tonka]

Yes, thought that would be the case, same as in France. The excellent Aires in France make up for that (we’re currently on the superb aire at Gastes), if aires in Spain are not so good that may be a problem.

Aires in Spain as certainly not as good or as plentiful as France. There has been some improvement in past couple of years and village ones have popped up. As you get near the southern coast they are mostly private owned and can cost almost as much as a campsite for a lot less space and features.. BUT like all adventures it's worth a try..
This may help with locations.
Link Removed

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[Chris]

I cannot find a 10ltr box of Merlot for 15 quid in the UK.

That’s because we don’t sell shit in those quantities

 

[peterc10]

There are plenty of Aires in Spain but nowhere near as many as in France. Use Campercontact app to find them.

A couple to recommend are in the Cities of Burgos and Leon. Both interesting Cities with a genuine Spanish feel. Both Aires are close enough to be able to walk into the City centre.

 

[Lenny HB]

Eating out 2 or 3 times a week in France, you must be well healed. It used to be cheap but no more however for the same budget you should be able to eat out 4 to 5 times a week in Spain.
Once you are away from the holiday resorts Spain is a fabulous country, bear in mind most of spain away from the coast is mountainous and will be starting to get cold.

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[Chris]

Eating out 2 or 3 times a week in France, you must be well healed. It used to be cheap but no more however for the same budget you should be able to eat out 4 to 5 times a week in Spain.
Once you are away from the holiday resorts Spain is a fabulous country, bear in mind most of spain away from the coast is mountainous and will be starting to get cold.

I agree.

When I try to compare the two countries I just can’t.

Cost, niceness, friendliness and attitude.

#nocontest.

 

[klaatu]

Eating out 2 or 3 times a week in France, you must be well healed.

When we eat out, we tend to eat at lunchtime and have the menu du jour, typically about 20 to 25 quid for the two of us.

However, we are now retired, have just sold our house, and we are now enjoying ourselves after many years of hard work, so the cost is largely irrelevant.

 

[sciac2001]

We call Spain "Big Sky Country" because almost everywhere you drive through there will be lots of sky - and mainly blue at that. (Perhaps not as much in northern Spain.)
The mountains throughout the country will also astound. Large Plains with imposing mountains in the distance are an unbeatable sight for the traveller. Nowhere else like it in western Europe we think. Hence we return year after year.
Do try and venture inland, the scenic variety as you travel through will truly impress.
Buen viaje!

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[Chris]

Love the French dwellers justifying their mistake on this thread.

I can’t believe anyone would buy in France myself

 

[sciac2001]

Love the French dwellers justifying their mistake on this thread.

I can’t believe anyone would buy in France myself

Uh oh!
Take cover!

 

[Chris]

Uh oh!
Take cover!

I am off to bed

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[sciac2001]

I am off to bed

Bon nuit!

 

[laneside]

Love the French dwellers justifying their mistake on this thread.

I can’t believe anyone would buy in France myself

Each to their own

Our only mistake was not moving here about five years sooner.

 

[Podney]

Well,as a sweeping generalisation,you’ll find it hotter,cheaper,and just as interesting.
Just enjoy it!
And if you at least try the lingo,the locals will appreciate that,exactly like the French do. In my experience,which involves having owned a house in France for 15 years,there is a lot of rubbish said about the attitude of French people. We found them polite,courteous,well mannered and helpful.
And I’m sure you’ll find the same in Spain!!

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[DBK]

I love Northern Spain but I wouldn't choose to go there now. Virtually all the campsites will be closed. There are aires but as already pointed out not like the numbers you get in France and the quality is a bit variable.
Spain is great but at this time of year I would head south. You don't have to go to Benidorm - though that has its attractions.

 

[klaatu]

I love Northern Spain but I wouldn't choose to go there now.

Thanks, John, but that’s a bit like giving directions and saying “I wouldn’t start from here”

We may make our way south, possibly via Portugal, but for now we’ll give the north a try.

We have Kindle Unlimited, so I’m going to have a read of your book.

 

[Vanderek]

Uh oh!
Take cover!

What's French for popcorn

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