Ile de Re and La Rochelle You can find out more information here. It looks horrible, smells disgusting and its a real bummer when you tread in it. Its warm for one thing, and theres nothing like a little sunshine to chase away those winter blues. but in others it seems to be accepted as the norm. Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. There are many aires along the coast south of Bordeaux and many motorhomes only come this far for the winter. Wild camping for motorhomes in Spain (sometimes called free camping or wild parking) is generally tolerated away from busy beaches town and city beaches, and outside of national parks. Visit the very modern science museum with contemporary architecture and wander the old river bed which runs right around the city. Your UK licence allows you to drive in all EU countries. Service is usually included in the fixed price, which can range from 10 to 18 or possibly more if youre in a big tourist city. Spanish cooking is very regional, with fish, shellfish and pork featuring heavily on most menus. You are literally over the road from the old town and within 5 minutes, you will be at the Mezquita. This is a fascinating and ecologically diverse part of Spain withover 80species of birds livingand breeding here. These are surprisingly effective! Whether you like it or not, bullfighting is a huge part of Spanish life and culture. However, with a little common sense and staying within the restrictions, its often possible to stay off-grid with your motorhome or campervan. 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. Leave this in the inside lane and in just under a mile take the third exit signposted to Vernon. ), Alternatively, get a toll pass/ payment tag so you can use the Telepeaje, VIA-T or T lanes. stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. Gas bottles are also widely available, with butane generally being more popular because of the warmer climate (butaneis more suited to milderweather conditions but propane is better for cold weather as it burns at lower temperatures). Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know, whether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter, SIM Cards in Morocco: How & Where to Buy + Best Deals, Driving from Lisbon to Porto: Itinerary, Route & Tips, Route Napoleon: A Historic French Road Trip, Austria Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips, Switzerland Road Trip: The Best Itinerary + Map & Tips. Most hire companies allow their motorhome rentals to be taken overseas, including our recommended hirer, Spaceship Rentals. Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. You can choose from unlimited data packs to just single days, depending on your needs. Driving your motorhome through France into Spain Your journey through France to Irun in a motorhome will be close to ten hours. What documents do you need to drive in Spain? 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. Motorhoming in Italy: Your Complete Guide for 2023, Planning Your Morocco Motorhome Adventure, Campervanning in Portugal: Complete 2023 Guide, Campervanning in Norway Tips, Routes & Destinations for 2023, Motorhome Germany: 2023 Complete Touring Guide. Motorhoming through France means that you are totally flexible as you road trip France, and you can either have a fixed plan and route all mapped out or you can travel along and decide where to go as your whim decides. UK citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area (a zone in Europe where countries have no internal borders and allow the free and unrestricted movement of people) for90 days in every 180 daysin the Schengen Area. READ: 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome. Of course, if you only have a week for your holiday, travelling from the UK and back leaves only a few days to explore the country, and the further south you go, the less exploring time you have. 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. 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. I know there are those HUGE mountains called the Pyrenees, but the routes are all open, unless you happen to be really unlucky and hit it in the middle of a snowstorm (do check the weather forecast before travelling.). Our ready-made Spanish road trips are here to help, guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit, Tips for Campervan Rental and Motorhome Hire in Spain (and the rest of Europe!). The other popular option for groups of 4 or larger, or for those seeking a few more luxuries within their campervan, is the motorhome style of camper. This cosmopolitan city boasts contemporary and historic attractions and is packed with character on every street corner come with us and spend a perfect day in Madrid. Why hire a motorhome through Goboony? Or, get to France any way you like and take a slow meander south using non-toll roads and spend some time exploring France as you travel. We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices and excellent service. Brittany- one of our favourite areas in France The Loire Valley. Nestled down a leafy street, in the heart of Brisbane, is Gerard's Bistro. 1861 km and about 147 in tolls (over 200 in a camper van or motorhome). You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Each route takes about a day to drive, so take this into account when planning your Spanish road trip itinerary. This is a generous and joyous country, full of colour and extremes. 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! Brit Stops collects the best alternatives for parking and overnight stay in an easy-to-use catalogue, ideal for those who want to design their own route and depart into an adventure as soon as possible. You may want to consider asat navorsatellite navigation appwhich can be configured to your motorhome camper size and weight. ), you might find things a little quieter, certainly with British vans. Northern Spain is mountainous and you can expect snow during winter- and it will be cold, even on a sunny day (just like in the Alps or any other mountain range.) Three-day friendly festival in West Sussex. This is our favourite route for a France road trip as you pass some incredible places (including some of the most historic places in France!). As you can see very little time difference between the routes. NOTE: Gas bottles can be tough to get- and its forbidden to fill foreign gas cylinders. If you are ordering a chicken dish in Spain, be very careful with your pronunciation of. There, we visit some of its brightest jewels: Granada, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and Ronda. Between 1st November and 31st March every year, the mix changes to 35/65 to account for the colder weather. The Valencia region passed a new law which came into effect on 8th May 2021, which prohibits motorhomes from parking or camping, unless in designated areas. Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are. You join the bottom of the A10 motorway for the free section towards the city. 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! If you intend staying on the city campsite then watch for airport signs to go anticlockwise north, otherwise continue clockwise to the free A63 motorway. If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. You can find out all the detail you need in our guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. Users rate their experience with 4.8/5! There are also sites open at Tours and Bordeaux (two) if you are not making good time. When visitingCrdobain a motorhome, this is the only designated parking allowing overnight stays; we found it to be great value for money, with security being important. When it comes to reaching the Spanish Mediterranean coast there's basically two options - drive through France or catch a ferry to Northern Spain. For more information about over-wintering, check out our post aboutwhether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter. Pump colours are green for petrol and black for diesel. Once in Spain, leave the Spanish motorway, the A7, at junction 1, "La Junquera". The weight of your motorhome no longer matters- all motorhomes are charged the same. But, I promise you, there is much more to Spain than the Costa del Sol, especially if youre travelling and touring in a motorhome or camper. Spanish people live a more relaxed life than perhaps any other country in Europe and this is reflected in the organisation of the day. Go straight on and then bear right onto the D6015 still signed for Vernon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. This tiny national park nestled between Alcossebre and Peniscola is gorgeous for hiking with stunning sea views. Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday Editor's Pick - The best open-all-year campsites. Across France to the Spanish border Stage 1: Calais to Rouen Leave the ferry terminal and follow the A16 free motorway for 24 miles to Boulogne. 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. If you decide that you want to drive your motorhome or camper down to Spain, you first need to decide if youre going to take the ferry or tunnel from UK to France (there are pros and cons to both). See Motorhome Fall Into River Amid Catastrophic California Storms Man City want 100m Liverpool target at all costs with current star ready to 'pack up and leave' for Spain 'You can't trust . Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. The load must be indicated by an aluminium panel with diagonal red and white stripes, manufactured to ECE70 standard. The landscape changes from the rugged north, with mountains and scenic views to rival anywhere else in Europe, to the desert and arid areas, to the sparkling azure blue of the Mediterranean. 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. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Taking a motorhome to Italy is an experience not to be missed. 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). This dramatic and wild space is iconic Andalusia; it seems like everyhillside cradles a pueblo blanco. In 15miles you can either turn onto the A660 towards Arcachon and the coastal beaches or continue for another 13 miles when the free A63 suddenly changes back to the N10. If you are travelling at or below the speed limit, the red traffic light will change in your favour. More than 340 kilometres of the A75 (Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers) are toll-free apart from the Millau Bridge. English usually spoken in campsites and in tourist areas, but not often elsewhere, Cards most major credit and debit cards are accepted. Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when motorhoming Spain. Hi there, Im Kat. Anywhere near the beach will be tough all year. If youre travelling out of high season and are planning to use campsites, we highly recommend buying an ACSI CampingCard membership, but be aware that many campsites either shut during the winter or are booked up entirely months in advance, so you may wish to book one too. Then you have two main routes through France to Spain. Ronda is surrounded by mountains and is split in half by the gaping gorge of the river Tajo. These are usually exceptionally good value and will give you a taste of the local and seasonal flavour and cooking style. Search my posts about motorhoming, wild parking, taking a van to Europe, tips for new owners and much more. The drive west from Great Basin to Reno along Highway 50 takes you across central Nevada and past stunning state parks, only-in-America roadhouses, and wonderfully preserved . Travel by the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. Day 3 - Chteauroux to Roullet Saint-Estephe. In over twelve years we've had no problems, if it doesnt feel right move on. Spanish people talk LOUDLY and over each other constantly. If you arrive at 6pm expecting a place, then you will probably be disappointed. Motorhome Tour to Spain Part 1 - Powering through France with some sadness. This is designated motorhome parking, well-lit and manned with CCTV and services but no EHU. Picturesque towns of the Red Coast 3. These caterpillars can kill dogs and small children, and will most definitely spoil your motorhome trip if you bump into one! the packaging is unbroken unless in current use. The Spanish Pyrenees are absolutely stunning. 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. 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. del Corregidor). Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. Our route only involves one major junction so, outside rush hour, traffic should be reasonably light. (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. You may carry a load, such as bikes on a rack, extending by up to 10% of the length of the vehicle to the rear. Main roads (mostly modern single carriageway roads) are in green. As with most countries in Europe, you have four options when it comes to where to park your motorhome or camper overnight: Sadly, Spain is getting tougher about free overnight motorhome parking spots and many places now ban them completely. 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. There is a lot of diverse hiking here but the weather can be unstable and the terrain unforgiving. Had however been in France and Spain in the January/February. 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. 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). Next on our Perth to Darwin travel itinerary is the wonderful town of Broome. Whether you're in Frauenfeld for business or pleasure, the Auto Europe team can help you save big on Switzerland car rentals! Spain uses the Euroconnector adapter. ), visit the Start Here page to find out how we can help you! See below for best route avoiding Spanish tolls. Spains fabulous climate will seduce you and its people charm you. There are a number of must-sees including the Plaza de Espaa, the Real Alczar, the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral. 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. This final stretch towards Bayonne now has toll points which are difficult to avoid unless you go out to the coast. This has not changed since Brexit as the information-sharing agreement with the DVLA continues. A selection of campsites for Christmas breaks Make the most of your motorhome this winter by relaxing at campsites that welcome you all year long, Campsite review: Tyddyn Llwyn Camping, Caravan & Touring Park. Of course, you can always drive down one route and back up another! Sometimes we take three, but in the winter there is not much point stopping, we prefer to get to home quicker. Following on from Sundays, many shops and restaurants will also close on Mondays with a sign on the door stating . The most famous French motorway connects Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva with Menton on the French Riviera. Portugal is a perfect motorhome and campervan destination. - Travelling down the coast is one of the best France motorhome routes If you've got the staying power, then get yourself down to the south west of France where this cool coastal town, not too far from the Spanish border, can offer you a few days of sun, sea and surf. If youre travelling in Spain and your outfit exceeds 12m, you need to have marker boards fitted to the back of your vehicle. Halfway between San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela, the Picos are a miniature masterpiece, 40km across and wedged between three great river gorges, the Picos are a natural paradise. Take your caravan or motorhome on the slow route to North-East Spain Spain France Travel Advice We're often asked for suggested routes, and the way to Spain is one which crops up regularly. We work hard to make this website the best it can be. A visit to Lourdes is also possible. 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. Seville is hot, steamy and so very Spanish! Andalucia epitomises southern Spain for most visitors; vibrant, colourful and passionate. Spare wheel and the tools to change a wheel, or a tyre repair kit. If bakeries open on Sundays, they are often closed on Mondays instead. For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe. This will be my first time in the van into France,Spain and Portugal. 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. Then read on for all our top tips and practical advice about how to wild camp in a motorhome and get off the beaten track like an expert! If you are stopping for over 30 nights it is possible to stay at a good quality site for 10 a night including electricity. With great routes across Europe, its easy to drive to Spain by car, arriving refreshed and unstressed from the comfort of your own vehicle. Continue to Pont-de-lArche where you cross the river and keep going, still on the D6015, for 4miles to a round-a-bout. The motorway becomes dual carriageway at the citys edge and drops down through a tunnel. Dont forget you will need snow chains and make sure you have fitted all-weather tyres. Wander here for a day and see the cathedral, Plazas Mayorand Santa Domingo andtheBasilica de San Isidoro. Day 2 - Gron to Chteauroux. The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. Just before Biarritz, take the D932 due south to Cambo-les-Bains. Approved motorhome overnight parking places/ aires, Free approved overnight parking spots/ schemes, Dont try and wild camp on the coast unless youre somewhere REALLY remote (more likely to be allowed in the North and centre of Spain). MMM is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine and it has been for over 55 years. 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. Either way, travelling through France to Spain could be the perfect European route for you. If you only see one thing, it must be the Cathedral, where all roads seemingly lead, includingthe famous Camino. 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. 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. You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. For us, we find it too hot during high summer, especially as we travel with a dog and keeping a dog cool on a road trip is never easy (especially when theyre a cocker spaniel who doesnt understand the meaning of the word chill! In Spain, as in most of Europe, LPG is known as GPL, and both are a mix of butane and propane. Park outside and use public transport to get in. 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. Expect to show your passport or identification on arrival and many places require you to leave one passport behind the reception. 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 mighty SierraNevada is home to the highest point of continental Spain and the third highest in Europeafter theCaucasus Mountainsand theAlps; Mulhacnpeaks at 3,479m above sea level. For a more authentic Spain, head to inland rural areas away from the Costas and enjoy everything the mountains and gorgeous interior cities have to offer. 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. You will also be within easy walking distance of the Casco Antiguo, the old town. The SpanishCostas can feel crowded withtouring motorhomes over winter, as Northern Europeans seek a milder climate. 9 Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From France Dover - Calais Dover - Dunkirk Newhaven - Dieppe Plymouth - Rostoff Poole - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Caen Portsmouth - Cherbourg Portsmouth - Le Harve Portsmouth - St. Malo Motorhome Ferry Routes to and From Spain Plymouth - Santander Portsmouth - Bilbao Portsmouth - Santander This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But dont enter the town, which is busy and narrow. Itsprobablybest visited in Spring or September/October on your way to sunnier climes. Try a dish like. Heading further north, the beautiful cities of La Rochelle and Nantes are already waiting for you. Exchange your details with the other involved parties. Our recommended Spain campervan hire company is Indie Campers and they have depots in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville and Bilbao perfect starting points to see all the best bits as you road trip Spain. However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. Book your perfect motorhome easily, safely and affordably. 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. If youre looking for a longer holiday, just throw in some beach time! MOTORHOME ROAD TRIP TO SPAIN DAY 1 Calais 52,125 views Apr 15, 2018 173 Dislike Share Save Mark Davies 17.3K subscribers SPAIN or BUST! Want to rent a vehicle for your road trip? In the height of summer it can be blisteringly hot and wild camping can be a challenge without air conditioning. The types of built-in Flot Blu services like you find in France are few and far between. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. The magical French Brittany 2. Cross the A13 motorway and continue onto the free A154 motorway which soon becomes the N154, a fast dual carriageway, taking you past Evreux to Nonancourt where you meet the N12. If you are overtaking a cyclist or a group of cyclists, you must leave at least 1.5m of clearance, and also reduce speed by 20kmh (WHY Spain, WHY?) The Peaks of Europe, so called because they were the first landmark to be seen by sailors of old on approaching the continent, are well worth a visit. On hills, use the crawler lanes to get out of the way of faster-moving traffic. This route is available in the Campercontact app. Make sure your wild camping spot is not on private property and that you have parked respectfully of residents and other wild campers nearby. Another beautiful city to fall in love with! TOP TIP: If youre planning to stay in one area for a long time (30+ days), negotiate a special rate with the campsite directly. Use the three-step search above to select your ideal vehicle, or contact our 24/7 customer service team at +1-888-223-5555 for expert assistance. Camping Los Escullosis a great site, which is situated in the national park, close to Los Escullos beach ( a good spot for wild camping on the beach in Spain) and a couple of really good hikes. Mileages where quoted are approximate, road signs in kilometres can seem very high, just remember 50km is 30 miles, 100km is 60 miles, etc. Leaving the motorway you drop down a hill. If not, 1p Mobile SIM cards are widely available and a cheap option for phone calls. Many roads have automatic speed cameras on in Spain and theyre quite happy to send tourists a fine through the mail. For information on how to find good wild camping places, WHAT to do when youre there and how to stay safe, check out our step-by-step guide for motorhome wild camping in the UK and Europe, complete with database of 250+ overnight spots weve stayed with our motorhome. If you wait until youre at the ferry/ tunnel, you could spend THREE times as much! As a result I'm looking for as much help as I I can get. 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. We will tell you more about nine selected places on this route.