Winter sun in Spain

2dandaddy

2dandaddy

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Since September 2017
Hi people and Happy New Year to one and all!
Planning to travel to Spain for some winter sun in the next two weeks with the coastal area of Murcia the approximate destination. As relative newbies to this fantastic lifestyle we are looking for hints and tips to arrive at said destination with the least amount of hassle and maximum amount of pleasure! Current points to ponder are:
Ferry or tunnel
Most direct route through France and Spain
Stop off points (Aires or campsites)
Possible areas to stay on arrival (several weeks)!
Last year we meandered round coastal Spain, Portugal, Mediterranean, Italy and then ventured inland to the Italian Lakes, through France and back home to Scotland! Took about 10 and a half weeks.
We would love to meet up with any of you guys with similar travel plans! Any suggestions greatly received!
 
As for the ferry/tunnel question, it is really only you that can answer it. Check the price of the ferry online and if you think it is reasonable go ahead and book it. Board the ferry, have some food and drink, go to sleep and then wake up in Spain. If you are not too bothered about time then drive through France. Remember weather could be an issue.

If you have the apps downloaded you will find plenty spots to stop for the night. Depends how much driving you want to do in a day. I personally just set the sat-nav to where I want to go, either allow for toll roads or choose to avoid them and go with that.

As for staying in Murcia I know La Manga is popular and I have stayed there before and enjoyed it but it can be booked out with everyone else seeking the sun. Plenty other sites close by if it is sites you are looking for.
 
Hi,

We are in Spain at the moment but not in our motorhome.

I would suggest east of Alicante for better campsites.

Many will say costa del sol / tropical for better weather but I disagree.

My choice would be Brittany Ferries to Santander/Bilbao.

I will send you a direct message with a discount code.

Trevor
 
We just arrived last night in Santander.Lovely quiet night.Free aire!!
Big drive today maybe to Teruel /then tomorrow drive to Moncofa by the coast and spend the next 3 months meandering.:cool:
 
We are off on our first motorhome trip to Spain on 10th January. We are getting the tunnel as we didn’t fancy the Bay of Biscay on January plus we had some Tesco vouchers to help with the cost.

We are allowing ourselves 3 days to get to Spain then we are driving down the East coast in search of a bit of Winter sun.

We have 11 weeks altogether so no rush.

Paul

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I'm setting off in a few days to do almost exactly the same. DFDS Newhaven/Dieppe ferry and then western side of France, across spain via Pamplona and Zaragoza. Work my way from Valencia around to Malaga over a few weeks and then back through the centre of Spain. Going to be staying in Aires mostly but I'm solo and self-sufficient for power etc. Most of the time I would expect to be around the Mojacar region.
 
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Having done both in the past. The cost (dis)advantage of the Ferry, depends upon personal factors, some are not good sailors (for one), Some ferries did not run during January (Annual Survey). And SWMBO won`t go down the Chunnel ever!!. If you have animals, that too could be a factor?. We found that France in winter, can be problematic as to Aires or Campsites actually being open, We overnighted more than once in the gateway of closed (supposedly open) campsites, in 2 inch of snow one time! and the same applied to some Aires, in one case we stopped in the car park of the local Cemetery! because the Aire had closed. However, It is do-able not withstanding the foregoing, so enjoy.

Edit:- My prefered route, was Calais, and then (roughly) head for Rouen, Le-Mans, Bordeaux and We always had a couple on nights at St Jean de Luz. Crossed into Spain and 2 choices dependant on your destination. Either, Head for Pamplona, (North) Or Via Bugos, Round Madrid to Albecete (South).

As for Campsites, I found that as good a deal as any was possible by booking the CCC "rallies". It was (then) the best way of keeping the daily camp cost down. La Manga we enjoyed, (we had good friends in the old ARVE who stayed there) as so did Alcossbre. Benidorm is a "marmite" destination, IMV. But there are places close by which again, IMV, are nicer. My favourite on the sea front at Villajoyosa, closed some years ago unfortunately.
 
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I would wait a while and go when it warms up, lol. We’re in Sunny Seahouses in Northumberland and it’s lovely, much warmer than Spain and no frost.

Having said that, we do Dover to Calais, the tunnel is brilliant. We stay at Canterbury Aire on the park and ride the night before.

Aires in France we like are, Watten, Mesniers en Bray, Nonancourt, Chateaudun, St Maure de Touraine, St Roman la Viree, Sauveterre de Bearn, then through the Somport tunnel and down to either Jaca Aire or Huesca Aire. We tend to stick on the N10 through France. A word of warning, in the winter months the water is switched off at some Aires.

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Picnic on the beach yesterday with friends
5A1E8A32-0A12-4247-B6CA-00D3C4B13404.jpeg
 
Just type in : routes to Spain in the forum search, lots of info there.
 
We were booked over Portsmouth Santander but last minute did Dover Calais Rouen Les Mans Tours Pau Zaragoza Alcossebre. Used aires all the way, great. Now in Playa Tropicana fabulous. Will stay a few weeks ? .
 
Mobsy said:
I'm setting off in a few days to do almost exactly the same. DFDS Newhaven/Dieppe ferry and then western side of France, across spain via Pamplona and Zaragoza. Work my way from Valencia around to Malaga over a few weeks and then back through the centre of Spain. Going to be staying in Aires mostly but I'm solo and self-sufficient for power etc. Most of the time I would expect to be around the Mojacar region.
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We will be about 10 days after you doing exactly the same route. Hope we enjoy
 
Augusta08 said:
We were booked over Portsmouth Santander but last minute did Dover Calais Rouen Les Mans Tours Pau Zaragoza Alcossebre. Used aires all the way, great. Now in Playa Tropicana fabulous. Will stay a few weeks ? .
Click to expand...

Got to agree Tropicana is a lovely place. Hope the weather stays as good as it was today. Might see you at the cofee morning tomorrow !

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Delboyarapaho said:
We will be about 10 days after you doing exactly the same route. Hope we enjoy
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We are off beginning of March Newhaven/ Dieppe west of France then on to Valencia, staying in Valencia for the spectacular Fallas festival then just seeing where the road takes us (y)
 
Lookin’ good! I,ll have a wee gander at that area! Cheers!
 
I like Tropicana and Alcossebre but the amount of dog shit along the road outside the campsite was disgusting. We were there in October.
 
Vickysponge said:
I like Tropicana and Alcossebre but the amount of dog shit along the road outside the campsite was disgusting. We were there in October.
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Didn't notice any and I arrived early so spent the first night on the beach outside. Rain must have done it's magic.

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