If not, the light will remain on red to slow you down! Follow this for 2.5miles to the D938 which you follow southwards past Belleme and then as the D301 past Bonnetable towards Le Mans. Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. Lunch, which is the main meal of the day, is eaten between 2 and 3pm. but in others it seems to be accepted as the norm. Documents You Need to Travel & Drive in Spain, Can't decide? 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!). Its warm for one thing, and theres nothing like a little sunshine to chase away those winter blues. 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. If you prefer to stay on campsites, few are open in winter, so your route and driving time will be dictated by those that are. 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). Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Route 1 is via Tours, Bordeaux and down the Atlantic coast on the N10 until you cross the border between Biarritz and San Sebastien. From the green north side to the rugged south side and back again, ending at the foot of the Pyrenees. Some larger sites or those run by corporates will have a fixed number of ACSI pitches which will have EHU but no water or drainage. France is a vast country and unless you have months, it's impossible to see all the best bits in one trip. Look out for Ainsa, a beautiful medieval hilltop town inAragn, with incredible mountainviews. The quickest motorway routes from France are the E70 to northern Spain (the route continues to A Corua in the northwest) and the E15 to south-east Spain. Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. In both Pampaneira andTrevlez, we were the only motorhome in their car park,hereandhererespectively. Wild camping is not allowed in any of the Spanish National Parks. 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. Brittany- one of our favourite areas in France The Loire Valley. Day 6 - Bordeaux. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August. Location: Gerard's Lane, 14 / 15 James St, Fortitude Valley Brisbane. Free motorhome parking in Spain is easy and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. As in France, sometimes there is a fee per night but often there is no charge and basic services are provided. The bullfighting season runs from March to October with fights usually taking place on Sunday afternoons. Autopistas are marked red on the map and they will have the letter P next to the number, Toll-free motorways are marked with the letter A and are marked blue on the map, Main routes /dual carriageways (green on the map). READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. Our motorhome beginners resources have everything you need from helpful printable motorhome checklists and easy guides to taking your first motorhome trip. 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. However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. We stood looking at these tinyvessels in awe of the courage and belief it must have taken to start that famous voyage. Spain is not as finished as you might be used to. Book your perfect motorhome easily, safely and affordably. OK I admit, not quite a toll free route to Spain! 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. You need lights on in the tunnels (there are signs to remind you). Home Motorhome Advice Travel to Europe Motorhoming & Campervanning in Spain Complete Guide. This is one of our favourite Spanish national parks, for its dramatic landscape and fantastic hiking. Should I Take My Motorhome to Spain for the Winter? This is because of the financial crash in 2008 and the subsequent bursting of Spains property bubble. See Through France without tolls. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. Motorhome route along the most beautiful locations in Spain A motorhome tour of Spain offers plenty of variety: from sun, sea and sand in the south of the country to green surroundings in the north. Visit La Rbida to see the amazing full-scale models of the three ships in which Columbus and his crew sailed across the Atlantic to discover the New World. Motorhome hire from a local owner. 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. stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. The biggest consideration to this ferry (apart from the cost), is the weather. ), you might find things a little quieter, certainly with British vans. 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.). Continue on the N12, for another three miles and take the second exit. The most famous French motorway connects Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva with Menton on the French Riviera. Motorhomes < 3,500 kg (also relevant for those touring Spain by car or campervan). We intended to do Callais to Biarritz area, cross the border through centre of Spain to Portugal. Try your luck and risk a break-in at the free parking spots, park underground safely and overheat, or trythis campsite, who provide a reasonably priced shuttle into the city. 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. Motorhome touring in the beautiful and varied country of France is a pleasure. So dont walk out into the road thinking traffic will stop for you. If you are driving a motorhome or campervan in Spain and towing, and the overall length is more than 12m (which would be one large motorhome and trailer! We are Phil and Izzy. You will be crossing the notorious Bay of Biscay- and it can get ROUGH. Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. Gerard's Bistro, Fortitude Valley. Head to Zahara de la Sierra and follow the spectacular CA-9104 road to Grazalema, which climbs to the Puerto de Las Palomas (Pass of the Pigeons), at 1180m its a spectacular drive and worth the fuel to get there this is what motorhoming in southern Spain is all about! c) Short crossing but drive across country through France and Spain. If bakeries open on Sundays, they are often closed on Mondays instead. Ile de Re and La Rochelle Some towns are making real efforts to combat this issue (one traces the poo and posts it back.how??) Many camping sites will provide desalinated water instead of potable water. 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?) Spains capital city is a beautiful and cultured city with stunning architecture, tranquil parks and some of the best art museums in Europe. With the colourful traditions, good food and wine and fabulous architecture, you have all the ingredients for an amazing tour. With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. Visit to Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk. 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 . Rent a motorhome between individuals. 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. You might even wish to fit an extra camper habitation door lock and never leave your vehicle unattended in an unsecure area. Home to the famous and breathtaking Mezquita, Cordoba is city rich in history, architecture and Spanish charm and perfect for a one day visit. Motorhome with children Motorhome with animals Surftrip motorhome Wedding VW combi. Is this your first time visiting Spain? 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! Three-day friendly festival in West Sussex. Day 4 - Roullet Saint-Estephe to Virollet-Font Paillaud. If you wear glasses you must carry a spare pair. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! Weve spent months touring in France and from tips about driving, budgeting, where to stay overnight and off-grid 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 road trip in France. With over 3,500 top campsites to choose from, we can help you find the 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). Sundays are truly sacred days in Spain. If you like to hike, head for the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, to hike the famousCircodeSoaso. ), 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. This is a fascinating and ecologically diverse part of Spain withover 80species of birds livingand breeding here. Planning a driving route from UK to Spain, Hiring a motorhome or camper to tour Spain. Spains fabulous climate will seduce you and its people charm you. All rights reserved, Gift ideas for motorhome & campervanners, Our favourite motorhome & road trip gear, (Already purchased a guide or course? Flying and hiring a motorhome is the best way to tour Spain if you dont own one. Motorhome wild camping in Valencia is no longer permitted. Go straight on and then bear right onto the D6015 still signed for Vernon. Youll need to book a pet-friendly cabin or kennels on the ferry or travel via the tunnel. 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. Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. Nestled down a leafy street, in the heart of Brisbane, is Gerard's Bistro. Use an app likePark4Nightto locate motorhome and campervan services. However, with a little common sense and staying within the restrictions, its often possible to stay off-grid with your motorhome or campervan. Go out along the coast in a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board if you can, and marvel at the crystal clear turquoise water, an abundance of sea life, wired rock formations and hidden sea caves. Calais-Alicante via Paris Clermont Ferrand then Perpignan and the coastal AP7. 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). 020 7084 6500. The Spanish Pyrenees are absolutely stunning. At the bottom of the N10 you can either continue on the A63 toll motorway, or take the D810 towards Bayonne, Biarritz and the Spanish border. This is a long drive so to break it up we suggest stopping off at Eighty Mile Beach to stretch your legs. Unlike other countries in the continent, in the UK there are no Areas enabled for overnight stay for motorhomes or campervans. If youre going later and youre in a popular town or city, expect to wait for a table or book. If youre coming from the south, make sure to stop at thewetlands of La Albufera and try the traditional paella which originated here. To find out where to stay during stage 1 - click here. Dogs allowed | Compare RV and motorhome campgrounds in Yecla, Spain, read trusted reviews and book with confidence on Pitchup. Often vegetarian means made from vegetables, not vegetarian in the true sense of the word. This dramatic and wild space is iconic Andalusia; it seems like everyhillside cradles a pueblo blanco. In the height of summer it can be blisteringly hot and wild camping can be a challenge without air conditioning. Book with Eurocampings for the best deals on over 520 campsites in Spain. Find it here). The long road south - a motorhome route through France to Spain You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Go straight on and in just 500 yards take the slip road towards motorways and Evreux. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible. But of course there is much more to see along the way! If not, 1p Mobile SIM cards are widely available and a cheap option for phone calls. Many fuel stations are 24h on the main roads and are self-service with card machines. John, we did that trip last year, although we had longer and set off earlier. Continue to Pont-de-lArche where you cross the river and keep going, still on the D6015, for 4miles to a round-a-bout. Discover incredible deals for motorhome/ camper rentals, 10 essential questions to ask before you rent a motorhome, aires and approved free overnight motorhome stopovers across Europe, step-by-step guide for motorhome wild camping. 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. Want to rent a vehicle for your road trip? There are plenty of opportunities for short or longer mountain walks. You might find these posts helpful: See all our Europe motorhoming posts here, NEED GEAR? If youre feeling brave, go to Valencia during Las Fallas, the famous fire festival. The area has hardly any mass tourism. Cross the Loire and follow the fast D347 past Montreuil-Bellay and Loudun all the way to Poitiers. Weparked for the nightat the top of the hill by theFranciscanmonastery where Columbus met Queen Isabella of Spain to successfully seek funds for his journey to the new world. Essential if your car, caravan or motorhome has a GB plate. Some go for up to six months from October onwards, we prefer to spend Christmas at home and travel out in January. Over the years we've fine tuned our route so that, as far as possible, we avoid toll motorways, heavy trucking routes and roads passing through endless villages with low speed limits, speed bumps and traffic lights. 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. We have been using and recommend ConnectPlus for cloud sim connectivity in the UK and Europe. So how do we all get there, to enjoy the warmer weather, and cheaper drinks, all subsidised by huge savings on winter energy bills. When it comes to the cheapest Switzerland car rentals online, Auto Europe . DISCLAIMER: This post was last updated in October 2021. Dont forget, if you are driving through France to get to Spain, you need all the kit required by France as well as the kit for that country. 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. This tiny national park nestled between Alcossebre and Peniscola is gorgeous for hiking with stunning sea views. When you click on an affiliate link in a page or post, at no cost to you, we earn fees by advertising and linking to our affiliate partners. Is there any other city throughout the whole of Europe that offers visitors a more diverse range of things to do than Barcelona? You may find that Spanish people are not as friendly towards dogs as you are used to, and youll often see dogs tied up or confined within rural properties. Featured in Experience the ultimate motorhome holiday . 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!). Mealtimes are revered in Spain, as much about the time spent socialising at the table, as the food. Bullfightingis seen as heroic, atest of wills involving courage, intelligence, and elegance; matadors are national heroes. In practicality, youll find that the further than civilisation and the beach you are, the better your chances of finding a quiet, free overnight parking spot will be. Our route only involves one major junction so, outside rush hour, traffic should be reasonably light. On our 2019 tour we drove to the eastern end of the Pyrenees, using the free A75 motorway south of Clermont .