Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. We are booked on the ferry to Bilbao and have 5-6 weeks. Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? Many people will go to church but it is the extended family lunch, hosted by the matriarch, which is the most important part of the day. Rent a motorhome between individuals. Spend a few days wandering the old townand Barrio Santa Cruz; admire the architecture and enjoy the typical Spanish ambience. But the Spanish government . In the southeast of the country, water is in very short supply. There are speed cameras just as in the UK, and the Spanish (and other EU) authorities have been known to pursue Brits for non-payment of fines. Most of them have some sort of discount- some are as little as 10/ day, including electric. A one-way trip takes about 24 hours and booking a cabin is recommended. RELATED POST: Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know. Motorhome Ferry Routes to Europe - Motorhome Insider These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021 a new law requires that a. Reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers). This also includes a motorhome sat-nav- program it before you leave and dont touch it unless youre parked up safely. Combining flavours of the Maghreb and Middle East, they offer a modern take on classic dishes using traditional techniques and local ingredients. As you can see very little time difference between the routes. 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. We fancied maybe staying at camping oyambre the other side of Santander and doing a car trip into the Picos and surroundings then down to Haro to taste some Rioja. See below for best route avoiding Spanish tolls. Spanish life is all about family, religion, food and tradition. The bullfighting season runs from March to October with fights usually taking place on Sunday afternoons. Sniff out the world's best dog friendly motorhome and campervan sites in Yecla, Spain. Broadly speaking from the UK you have three options. Europe's Must Travel Motorhome & Campervan Routes Mileages where quoted are approximate, road signs in kilometres can seem very high, just remember 50km is 30 miles, 100km is 60 miles, etc. From the stunning Alps, the Black Forest with its gorgeous romantic road, to medieval cities, fairytale castles and magical Christmas markets this surprising and interesting country is a must-see road trip destination for campervans and motorhomes. Then, after a few hours' driving, its nice to stroll around where we've ended up, which brings us to the issue of where to stay. Most garages will require you to pay electronically for fuel at the pump, usually you can adjust the instructions to English. This route is available in the Campercontact app. If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. You can find out more about them here, Some of the bigger cities in Spain have environmental zones which only residents are allowed to drive in. Some of our favourite places for motorhome trips in Northern France include: The Normandy beaches. You may find that if youre in the mountains in winter, this mix causes your boiler to sound like a freight train unless you have a specific altitude setting which some models of Alde boiler have as an extra. 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. Ultimate Canada & The Rocky Mountaineer Tour | Trailfinders Valencia is a green and vibrant city, with great nightlife. In both Pampaneira andTrevlez, we were the only motorhome in their car park,hereandhererespectively. This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. If the weather is good there are two low altitude passes you can take instead. As in France, sometimes there is a fee per night but often there is no charge and basic services are provided. motorhome routes through france to spain See Through France without tolls. Dont forget you will need snow chains and make sure you have fitted all-weather tyres. GUIDE: Stop the overwhelm with our step-by-step guide. To find out where to stay during stage 2 - click here. This is an ideal option if you have plenty of time and are planning a few months or more for your motorhoming in France and Spain trip. The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. Lidl and Carrefour have great parking facilities for motorhomes, the others less so as they are often more centrally situated in towns. ), Driving in Spain- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident, Other essential tips for campervanning in Spain, More useful things to know when motorhoming in Spain, FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist HERE, best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain, heres what we recommend and where to find it. Hi there, Im Kat. You can find out more informationhere. If under 3,500kg go straight on, otherwise the inside lane swings right down to a bridge, after which you turn left to bring you back, through the commercial area, to the main road. OK I admit, not quite a toll free route to Spain! Okay, it's winter and may be raining, or worse, but you get to visit towns and tourist sites without the summer crowds. Motorhoming in France: Your Complete Touring Guide for 2023, Motorhome Wild Camping Your Complete Guide, Madrid in One Day Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, How to Live the Van Life in Tarifa, Spain, One Day in Seville Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, Cordoba in One Day Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, One Day in Barcelona Itinerary, Map, Tips & Guide, Best for campervan and motorhome hire UK to Spain >>, The Perfect Andalucia Road Trip: Itinerary, Map & Tips, or menu of the day. Not all spaces are level and the majority were originally designed for cars so have kerbs in what is now the middle of the space! ( Fastest route if no delays round Paris) W1 Fastest - all motorway or dual carriageway except through Rouen. It's almost Toll free (more on that a little later . Your pet will need amicrochip, a validrabies vaccination and ananimal health certificate (AHC). Turn back under the main road, across the round-a-bout and at the next take the first exit on the D401. If you are staying longer, then it is likely that the sites own rate will be better value the longer you stay the cheaper it becomes. From the Cote dAzur to the deserted and tranquil interior, France is the perfect place to spend a summer in your motorhome. See Route guide - Calais, Rouen, Orleans, Clermont-Ferrand route Toll May 2022 ~ 85.20 Distance: 1162 km Driving time: about 11h. From 28th September 2021, you will have to display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle when travelling in Spain, even if you have a new style UK numberplate which displays the Union Jack flag. Planning a driving route from UK to Spain, Hiring a motorhome or camper to tour Spain. From Lyon, you will drive through France's breathtaking landscape to the Atlantic coast. Unlike other countries in the continent, in the UK there are no Areas enabled for overnight stay for motorhomes or campervans. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! Continue on the N12, for another three miles and take the second exit. Sometimes we take three, but in the winter there is not much point stopping, we prefer to get to home quicker. TOP TIP: If you are travelling outside of peak season, definitely get an ACSI CampingCard youll save a fortune on campsites all over Europe, including Spain. Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. This is a long drive so to break it up we suggest stopping off at Eighty Mile Beach to stretch your legs. But let's get down to practicalities. There is history and culture everywhere you look, as well as friendly and welcoming people, delicious food and SUNSHINE- even in winter. Each of the . This has not changed since Brexit as the information-sharing agreement with the DVLA continues. 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. Discussions | The Caravan Club In the short term, this is fine but you may want to clean out your fresh water tank with a high-pressure hose once you have moved away from this part of Spain due to the sediment found in desalinated water. Dog poo is a real issue across Spain. Weve tried all sorts of kit- some useful, some not so much. 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. With a depot in London, top-notch customer service and all the equipment you need for an easy holiday, Spaceship offers the best deals for Europe. This is an ideal crossing if time is of the essence, or youre travelling with a dog (some boats have pet-friendly cabins and some have kennels) but cabins and kennel places do book up quickly. Youll find great hiking and bird-watching trails here. 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 the height of summer it can be blisteringly hot and wild camping can be a challenge without air conditioning. However, now that BREXIT has happened and rules have changed (more on that later too! These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. Number of days: Two to four. Journey along the loneliest road in America. Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. Featured in Experience the ultimate motorhome holiday . Use an app likePark4Nightto locate motorhome and campervan services. Motorhome touring in France - a 20 day itinerary through SW France Expenses of the 10-day route through French Brittany by motorhome In total, this trip that we have made in a motorhome has had 1000 uros of cost for the 4 that we are in the family. Vegetarian or vegan food can be hard to find outside of bigger towns and cities. Many camping sites will provide desalinated water instead of potable water. However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. Had however been in France and Spain in the January/February. Water is regulated in much of the country, especially in the south, and many sites provide de-salinated water instead of potable. If youre not sure, read, Spare bulbs for all lights in the vehicle, be yellow in the centre with a red outline, Vehicle V5 logbook (which must show your correct address), Green card (get from your vehicle insurer), a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, Solar panel- perfect if you want to wild camp in Spain with your motorhome, Driving in flip-flops or open-backed shoes is illegal, Speeds are in km/h, not mph (you might want to change the setting on your sat-nav). TOP TIP: If youre planning to stay in one area for a long time (30+ days), negotiate a special rate with the campsite directly. Bullfightingis seen as heroic, atest of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. Motorhome rental between Individuals We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. Want to get exclusive tips and tricks? Each four-weekly issue is packed with the best motorhome travel features, genuine reader reviews of campsites, in-depth motorhome reviews, plus the latest technical advice, buying tips and much more. From tips about driving, where to stay overnight and wild camping, to motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations, youll find all the information you need for an amazing motorhome road trip in Spain. Can you wild camp with a motorhome in the Spanish National Parks? Morocco is the perfect post-Brexit escape if youre looking to spend three months out of the Schengen area. Is there a straighf. There are also sites open at Tours and Bordeaux (two) if you are not making good time. Mountain roads are also very slow and if your destination is Valencia or further south there is little saving in overall mileage compared to the much safer and faster route along the Atlantic coast near Biarritz. Documents You Need to Travel & Drive in Spain, Can't decide? As you leave the ferry terminal stay on the main road, dont turn into town unless you intend staying on the aire near the harbour. If youre looking for a longer holiday, just throw in some beach time! ROUTES TO SPAIN - AVOIDING TOLLS - Motorhome Matters - Out and About Live PDF versions of our most popular campsite guide books. The letters pages suggest some of you are not convinced about using them, I simply suggest, give them a fair trial. The non toll free route from Calais to Basel is via the A26 motorway and the A4 motorway. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. 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. The Pyrenees is best visited between May and October, unless you want to ski, as outside these times you will definitely encounter snow. (PLEASE do not leave a pet in a van or car while you go sightseeing, especially on a hot day.). Everyone should do this at least one Mont St Michel - one of the most historical places in France. The trade-off is the Costas where traffic ramps up and tailbacks are frequent. Of course, Spain is a classic summer destination, and it can be CROWDED, especially at the UNESCO world heritage sites in Spain and on the beaches. Often vegetarian means made from vegetables, not vegetarian in the true sense of the word. A good tip is to try and arrive AT your destination just before lunchtime. There are many aires along the coast south of Bordeaux and many motorhomes only come this far for the winter. In under a mile the road forks; if you intend staying on one of the coastal aires follow the D940; otherwise the D901 via Montreuil is faster. Or take a campervan route through the popular region of Normandy and Brittany! The Arige in the heart of the Pyrenees 4. Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when motorhoming Spain. The best campsites for discovering this popular southwest county Editor's pick - The top adults-only campsites. The minimum driver age for campervan and motorhome hire in Spain is 21. Either way, the destination is Abbeville where, just north of the city, you pick up the free A28 motorway, which takes you all the way to Rouen. Itsprobablybest visited in Spring or September/October on your way to sunnier climes. Santiago de Compostela is a stunningly beautiful city full of twisting alleys, elegant squares and historicreligious buildings, with interesting nooks and crannies everywhere. Most of the aires included in this route have paved parking suitable for poor weather and are close to village or town centres for shopping and restaurants. Personal travel and medical insurance along with an EHIC or, Two warning triangles for the front and rear. This is one of the quickest motorhome routes through France to Spain and is the cheapest from a toll perspective. Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. Theyre not often allowed on public transport, even with a muzzle, which made visiting places difficult. Dogs allowed | Compare RV and motorhome campgrounds in Yecla, Spain, read trusted reviews and book with confidence on Pitchup. To find out where to stay during stage 4 - click here. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. So instead turn right on the N12 towards Alencon, leave most of the traffic behind, and enjoy the mainly fast dual carriageway for 34miles to Mortagne-au-Perche where you turn south. On the other hand, if you have 10-14 days or longer, you can get a lot further south, certainly as far as Costa Blanca or Andalucia and possibly even get to enjoy motorhoming in Portugal if youre happy to drive every day. Normandy between cliffs and traces of war 5. Even in the middle of summer. Its one of the warmest places in Europe in February average temperatures in Malaga are 17c (but only 12c in Madrid- that extra bit south does make a big difference). You cannot touch a screen while driving (television, video, DVD etc.) We stood looking at these tinyvessels in awe of the courage and belief it must have taken to start that famous voyage.