motorhome routes through france to spain motorhome routes through france to spain

With this in mind, we've asked our campsite assessors to come up with their suggested route through France to the Catalan border. Tarifa, Spain is one of our favourite places for van life. Campsite review: South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. If in doubt, double check with the chef or waiting staff. (If you do need an IDP, heres anin-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permitand which one(s) you needfrom a UK post office. The Route des Grandes Alpes traverses 16 alpine passes and ascends about 16,000 metres until finally, after about 700 km, you arrive at your final destination on the sunny Mediterranean coast. A motorhome tour of Germany offers incredible adventures. Nor is getting out the awning and putting up your TV aerial. Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. *We work hard to make this the best motorhome blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. Calais-Alicante via Paris Clermont Ferrand then Perpignan and the coastal AP7. Either way, travelling through France to Spain could be the perfect European route for you. From here either turn towards Ainhoa to cross the border, or continue on to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port where you enter Spain and climb to a 1,000m over the Ibaneta Pass. Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. If youre driving in Spain, you need to carry the following documents: Most UK citizens do not need anIDPto drive in Spain, as long as you have a card driving licence issued in the UK (in date, of course!). Heres everything you need to know about campervanning or motorhoming in Spain. Continue to the arid and wild Cabo de Gata national park, 71,500 acres of protected land since 1987. Day 1 -Vron to Gron. Motorhoming in Spain- motorhome at Mesa Roldan tower Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park in Almeria, Andalusia Spain Road tripping Spain in Spring and Autumn The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. Just like motorhoming in France, there are certain things you MUST carry with you in your motorhome or campervan whilst touring in Spain. We intended to do Callais to Biarritz area, cross the border through centre of Spain to Portugal. Are you desperate for some Spanish sun but dont want to fly? Our hand-selected campsites for a super staycation Holiday park profile: Rockbridge Country Holiday Park (Discover Parks). The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. Contains eBook, checklists and more. Go straight on and then bear right onto the D6015 still signed for Vernon. Due to the huge swathes of nothingness in the interior, tolls are definitely worth taking if you are trekking from one side of Spain to the other in your motorhome. We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. Also, many campsites put ACSI users on lesser pitches (either bad view or no electric or drainage). Should I Take My Motorhome to Spain for the Winter? This is a generous and joyous country, full of colour and extremes. You can pay with cash or credit card, or with an electronic tag system likeEmovis, which also covers you in France and Portugal. This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. There is no obligation to buy any produce, but our experience when we have bought has been really positive. Motorhomes and Campervans weighing over 3.5 tonnes: Motorhomes with trailers or caravans (over 750kg). Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. The Gap Decaders are participants in a number of affiliate programmes. With the fantastic beaches of the Costa Brava and a beautiful old town, this makes a great final stop on your motorhome tour of Spain. This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Unlike other countries in the continent, in the UK there are no Areas enabled for overnight stay for motorhomes or campervans. You are allowed to cross a white line to overtake a cyclist AS LONG AS nothing (not even another cyclist) is coming the other way. Using radar detection equipment is prohibited under Spanish law and new regulations from January 2021 mean that it will also be illegal to be in possession of such equipment, There is one low emission zone in Spain currently, in Barcelona. Many businesses close between 12.30 or 1pm until 5pm and then open again until 8pm. Ile de Re and La Rochelle Don't . Peaje or AP is a toll road. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! RELATED POST: Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know. 2500 mile round trip in a fortnight. Here is a list of things we highly recommend when motorhoming in Spain, but which are NOT essential: Ok, lets deal with the basic rules and some tips for motorhoming and road tripping in Spain: The Spanish road network is pretty good and has a mixture of paid and free roads. Spain has certain days where driving is restricted. Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Hendaye, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Sagunto. These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. If youre feeling brave, go to Valencia during Las Fallas, the famous fire festival. If youve been motorhoming in Italy, you might surprised to learn that aires are called Aires in Spain, just like in France (theyre called Sostas in Italy). Avoid cities if youre driving in a motorhome- many of them are too crowded and the streets are just not cut out for large vehicles. How four people together all talking at the same time can ever take in what the other is saying is a mystery to me, but they seem to manage it! Spain's prime minister denounced Friday a plan by construction giant Ferrovial to move its headquarters to the Netherlands as the decision triggers a political storm. However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. which could distract you when driving should be positioned where you cant see it. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Perhaps its because there are several options, or perhaps because theres a mountain range in the way, but its something which gets asked over and over again in Facebook groups and forums (feel free to join our motorhoming Facebook group here). Motorhoming in Spain in winter offers many benefits but be prepared as you may need to use your heating and will find it cools down as soon as the sun sets. We havent travelled any further than the south of France and as were working at the time we used the motorways. Stay at the lovelyCamping Ribamar(although be aware that getting there requires a few km of unmade road) and hike into Peniscola along the coastal path. Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. In practice, this could mean towing your car while its fixed to a trailer, although there is ambiguity around this and differing advice can be found on the internet. All opinions remain our own. Route 2 is straight south from Calais, skirting around Paris and then down to Clermont Ferrard and Perpignan on the A75 (which is largely free from tolls). In a short while, the Seine appears to the right and you are clear of the city. Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). Reception at the campsite will give you more information about the Metro and explain the different types of tickets. motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. Free delivery for many products! If youre coming from the south, make sure to stop at thewetlands of La Albufera and try the traditional paella which originated here. Crdoba is full of Moorish treasures. Its easy to find motorhome campsites in Spain and theyre much like campsites anywhere else in Europe. The best campsites for a holiday with your four-legged friend Editor's Pick - Top northern England campsites. Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when motorhoming Spain. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. Lidl carries a good basic range and has by far the best value wine in Spain. In this post, youll find all you need to know about touring Italy by motorhome. The roads within the site are deteriorating badly and the showers and sanitary facilities are poorly designed (although clean and with plentiful hot water) but this is all surmountable if you want to see Madrid! Remember if youre driving across France, youll need to observe the French driving laws and road rules, which do differ from the rules in Spain. Heading east, stop in the pretty and modern city ofAlmeria for an afternoon lunch along the promenade. About 600 euros have been spent on gasoline and tolls, the most expensive of the trip without a doubt. Dogs allowed | Compare RV and motorhome campgrounds in Yecla, Spain, read trusted reviews and book with confidence on Pitchup. It has a host of information on best routes to many locations. We found some ofthebest hiking in Spain here and were able to kite-surf, cycle and run, all in the balmy winter temperatures that southern Spain is known for. This also includes a motorhome sat-nav- program it before you leave and dont touch it unless youre parked up safely. What food can I take in my motorhome to Spain? 020 7084 6500. Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. Order a Cerveza pequea (small beer) for 1 and get a free tapa, you can do this in all the bars in Len and literally have your dinner for nothing! The slip road ends in traffic lights where you need to be in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. From here to Bayonne is 256 miles but its a fast dual carriageway virtually all the way with only Bordeaux having heavy traffic. The festival commemorates San Jos, the patron saint of carpenters and is held from 15th-20th March every year. Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). Breakdown cover documentation (not compulsory). Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st-century B.C. Andalucia epitomises southern Spain for most visitors; vibrant, colourful and passionate. For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. A similar scheme to France Passion, Espana Discoveryprovides motorhomers with stopovers at over 206 off-the-beaten-path farms, bodegas (vineyards) and producers. This doesnt apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place. If a vehicle is blocking the road, use hazard lights and put the red warning triangle 30 metres from the scene to warn approaching traffic. The aire here is on the banks of the river Bernesga, which affords some good runningroutes along level paths. Complete Europe Motorhome Travel Toolkit, CHECKLIST: Dont forget to grab your FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE. Heading further north, the beautiful cities of La Rochelle and Nantes are already waiting for you. On hills, use the crawler lanes to get out of the way of faster-moving traffic. In the past, Spain has been VERY crowded during the winter months, especially in the south. Its a long crossing of 32 hours, but does give you the chance to have a proper nights sleep if you book a cabin. Is there any other city throughout the whole of Europe that offers visitors a more diverse range of things to do than Barcelona? Whether you like it or not, bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish life and culture. American Express is only taken in large stores (not at tolls and often not at fuel stations), Timezone GMT+1 (or one hour ahead in BST). At 35 a night, this is without doubt, the poorest value-for-money motorhome campsite site we have ever stayed on, although our research suggests its the best motorhome site in Madrid! Another beautiful city to fall in love with! Is there a straighf. Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. Generally, taking a ferry from the UK to Spain is much more expensive than driving through France (depending on time of year and type of cabin). It looks horrible, smells disgusting and its a real bummer when you tread in it. Yep. Day 4 - Roullet Saint-Estephe to Virollet-Font Paillaud. All Rights Reserved. For Spanish gas bottles, you will need a different regulator, available from most DIY or camping shops. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. 6 awesome Campervan Storage Ideas youll regret not using! View Larger Map. What Is the True Cost of Touring Europe in a Motorhome? Top Tip: Even if you book a standard class cabin, its possible to book into the Commodore C-Club lounge, where free hot drinks, water and wine are served, along with generous snacks, meaning you dont need to pay for expensive food on board. These are surprisingly effective! Spanish campsites range from very basic camping spots in fewer tourist areas to full-on touring stops where people pitch up for six months and want entertainment every night, direct access to a sandy beach, three different bars to choose from and a covered, heated pool. Sundays are truly sacred days in Spain. Two days from Dunkerque to Biarritz. Let this tour take you on a journey of discovery through Northern Spain and Portugal as we show you some of the best of the lesser-known gems. MMM is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine and it has been for over 55 years. Do I need an international driving permit to drive in Spain? Of course, the downside with any book is that it goes out of date, but dont worry if its only a year or two out- most information about aires wont change too much. Leave Calais on the A 16 following signs for Abbeville. Although the UK left the EU at the beginning of 2020, because the pandemic came swiftly on its heels, many of us are still realising the repercussions and getting used to how it affects travelling in a motorhome. I dont like the Bay of Biscay in winter, nor paying to use expensive motorways. You cannot book aires for camping in Spain, it is advisable in the holidays and in popular places to try and get there early in the morning or just after lunchtime. Most of them have some sort of discount- some are as little as 10/ day, including electric. Cabins are not mandatory, but the alternative reclining seats are uncomfortable and noisy. Even in the middle of summer. However, with a little common sense and staying within the restrictions, its often possible to stay off-grid with your motorhome or campervan. You can buy an annual guide for just 23 (in 2021) and if gives you access to over 200 businesses which allow motorhomes to park up overnight in exchange for buying a meal in their restaurant or a few bottles of wine at the vineyard. There is history and culture everywhere you look, as well as friendly and welcoming people, delicious food and SUNSHINE- even in winter. Starting at the English Channel and continuing to the Bay of Biscay, you're sure to make the memories of a lifetime along the way. We use, 120 km/h (74mph) on motorways/ autovias and many dual carriageways, 90 km/h (56 mph) on secondary roads (out of town)- can increase to 110km/h to overtake, 50km/h (31 mph)- on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction, 30 km/h (19 mph) on roads with one lane in each direction, 20km/h on small lanes where road & pavement are the same level. Read our blog post about hiking in the Ordesa Valley here. Check out our post about driving from the UK to Spainfor scenic routes and destination ideas. Read on to find out all you need to know. In both Pampaneira andTrevlez, we were the only motorhome in their car park,hereandhererespectively. Your options for driving to Spain from the UK in a motorhome are these; Sailing from Portsmouth or Plymouth to the northern Spain ports of Santander of Bilbao (depending on which day of the week you want to depart) is the only way to avoid France. You might even wish to fit an extra camper habitation door lock and never leave your vehicle unattended in an unsecure area. You can find out more, It is allowed to park a motorhome during the day anywhere that parking is allowed (as long as there are no signs specifically banning motorhome parking, which will say something like , If you have an accident youll need to complete the. They are old, disused railways lines that have been converted to cycling and walking tracks, often through stunning scenery with few other users. ), visit the Start Here page to find out how we can help you! You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. Use an app likePark4Nightto locate motorhome and campervan services. From Lyon, you will drive through France's breathtaking landscape to the Atlantic coast. In some places, to turn left across a dual carriageway you need to pull-in on the right and wait until it is clear in both directions. All that walking demands you sample the tapas scene, arguably the best in Spain, with regular live music and tapasthat are a bit more inventive than the normal tourist offering. Eastern route Paris - Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers - Perpignan - La Jonquera The eastern route through France is the obvious choice for travelling to eastern Spain. ( Fastest route if no delays round Paris) W1 Fastest - all motorway or dual carriageway except through Rouen. In Spain, yourACSICampingCard will come into its own if youre planning on touring and stopping for less than seven nights at sites. b) Short crossing to northern France, motorways to Perpignan, then the Spanish AP7 coastal motorway to your destination. Of course, you can always drive down one route and back up another! This quintessential Andalucian city is perfect for wandering, with cool bars and cafes on every corner, perfect to enjoy tapas and a glass of crisp white wine whilst watching the world go by. First is the ferry crossing options from Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao - both of these ports are in Northern . Some are rustic and have basic facilities, while others are designed for long-term visitors and have entertainment, clubs, pools and bars! Castilian (or Spanish) is the main language, with Catalan being spoken in Catalonia, Valenciano being spoken in Valencia (both being more like the French language), Galician belonging to the northern region and Basque belonging to the Basque Country. Destination. Motorhome touring in the beautiful and varied country of France is a pleasure. It can take some time to get all the documents together and the vaccines organised, so make sure you start the process well in advance. Immerse yourself in nature and explore places that are difficult to reach with a motorhome, such as narrow gravel paths to the mountain peak or off-road bike routes through the pine trees. Before motorhome overnight parking, do your usual checks and add an extra one look forPine Processionary Caterpillars in Spain, which make their nests in those lovely shady pine trees we all like to park under.