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Spain & Portugal ideas

Started by markbradley, September 14, 2015, 09:37:23 AM

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markbradley

Hi all,

I've just quite my job and bought a campervan, since it looks so bloody fun! I'm heading out to Spain and Portugal for the first leg in January. Any suggestions on places to go, things to do, weird and wonderful happenings people have come across?

I've seen that you're about to head off that way in October, but if anyone else has any suggestions in the meantime hit me up!

Cheers
Mark

Tai-chi wanderer

Hi and welcome aboard.
Don't know how you are getting there, but January is pretty challenging, across France and the top of Spain the weather is usually pretty dire. That's why many peeps are deep South by early November.
Only a few ferries do the winter run to Santander and they are mega expensive.
Not trying to put you off because last year the weather was very kind and it was no probs if you had heating.
Start earlier and get down the the South coast before Xmas, that way you can mooch along at your own pace.
Better still go now ... luvverly jubberly... 8)

gc3746

Snow in France is a nightmare, the major roads grind to a standstill as the lorries by law have to stop they then take up residence in the slow lane of all dual carriage ways which leaves just one lane open which inevitably gets blocked, Christmas 09 I towed a 2.5 ton trailer down to Spain, got directed off the motorway into a small town and then spent the next 3 hours trying to find a way out that was not blocked, spent all the following day in low range 4 wheel drive going across country to avoid the traffic jams, which worked.
Personally if I had to make the journey again across France in snow I would get on a toll road as soon as I got off the ferry and not get off until I`m in Spain as these are the only roads that are continuously gritted, mind the service areas as these are not gritted- found that out the hard way on a motorbike. only cross the boarder at the coast I prefer the Med I just head for Perpagnan.
Good Luck

JuanRamirez

#3
Hi everyone, I´m new in the forum!

I know this is an old topic but maybe helpfull for many people, so here is my opinion (I´m from Spain). January is not the best time to come and see how wonderful is Spain, even is not that cold as some other countries, it is. The south is my reccomendation, no doubt. You should start in a city like Málaga and visit Cadiz, Seville, Huelva and the other part of Andalusia which is super old and amazing like Córdoba and Granada. You also can do it by yourself hiring a campervan. Actually I work for a company which is Caracolvan (www.caracolvan.com/en/) and we rent campervans, so if you`ll are interesting here we are for you.

Cadiz: Did you know thats the oldest city in Europe? and has the most beautiful beaches in Spain...
Malaga: I think you all know it, has fun, things to do, beach, good weather...
Seville: Is Andalusia´s capital. Amazing, you have to go and see "Plaza de España", there was filmed for example some parts of Star Wars, so beautiful!
Granada: Alhambra, it´s the most visited monument in Spain, made thousend years ago.

As you can see there are plenty things to do in the south (all are in Andalusia) of Spain. My recommendation, get a campervan and see all it by yourself.

Any doubt about what part you should visit in Spain, please let me know answering here or sending a private message.

BTW, sorry for my english  ;)


I do love travelling and I do love doing it on my campervans. I live doing what I do, which is helping people out with their goals. Campervan addict

Darren P

Here's a map of wild / free camping spots in Spain and Europe.

http://www.furgovw.org/mapa_furgoperfecto/

Navigated from Madrid to Norwich last year using this..