If youre looking for a longer holiday, just throw in some beach time! Some spots are even right on the beach! Motorhome with children Motorhome with animals Surftrip motorhome Wedding VW combi. NOTE: Gas bottles can be tough to get- and its forbidden to fill foreign gas cylinders. 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. Leave Calais on the A 16 following signs for Abbeville. keep your dog in the ferry cabin with you (like you can from Portsmouth to Caen). READ MORE: There are some basic rules to follow whilst motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. RELATED POST: Motorhome Aires in Spain All You Need to Know. Our award-winning customer service team . Documents You Need to Travel & Drive in Spain, Can't decide? 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. The slip road ends in traffic lights where you need to be in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. 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. A reader review of Plassey Holiday Park An editorial review of Exe Valley Caravan Site Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Ireland. Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Tours, Poitiers, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Hendaye, Pamplona, Zaragoza, Sagunto. 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. Dont forget you will need snow chains and make sure you have fitted all-weather tyres. Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. 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 routes through France France is the perfect place to plan a motorhome route, for example along the country's southern coast . Guided wildlife tour in Jasper National Park. Most trucks will have taken to the motorway but the road is still quite slow through a continuous urban sprawl. 29 of the Best Motorhome Apps Free & Downloadable Now! Either way you end up in Pamplona. 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. Youll find great hiking and bird-watching trails here. 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. Continue to the arid and wild Cabo de Gata national park, 71,500 acres of protected land since 1987. See all our dog travel and road trip tips, Emergency Numbers: 112 will get you everything, Language There are several local variations of Spanish. OK I admit, not quite a toll free route to Spain! Motorhome aires in Spain are not as plentiful as in France but they are out there! You might even wish to fit an extra camper habitation door lock and never leave your vehicle unattended in an unsecure area. English usually spoken in campsites and in tourist areas, but not often elsewhere, Cards most major credit and debit cards are accepted. 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. DISCLAIMER: This post was last updated in October 2021. The motorhome route costs: 14.99PRO users will pay: 11.99. To find out where to stay during stage 4 - click here. As someone who gets seasick (hilarious considering Im ex-Navy and lived on boats for 15 years), I avoid this crossing and prefer to drive from the UK through France to Spain, but its entirely up to you. Taking a motorhome to Italy is an experience not to be missed. 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). The AP7 on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol retains some charges, but they are minimal and are no longer decided by the weight of your vehicle, making them even better value for motorhomes. You can find out more information here. 4. In both Pampaneira andTrevlez, we were the only motorhome in their car park,hereandhererespectively. 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. 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. Motorhomes < 3,500 kg (also relevant for those touring Spain by car or campervan). 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. Its a long crossing of 32 hours, but does give you the chance to have a proper nights sleep if you book a cabin. head to that area to get some winter sunshine. Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday Editor's Pick - The best open-all-year campsites. This doesnt apply to a sat nav but you must not touch or program your sat nav unless parked in a safe place. You will need to get a worming treatment done by a registered vet before you leave Spain, or between 24 hours and 5 days before re-entering the UK.Sandflies, fleas and ticks are common in Spain, so get a collar or treatment which protects against these. Can I take a pet to Spain in my motorhome? perfect campsite for your next trip away. Whether you're in Frauenfeld for business or pleasure, the Auto Europe team can help you save big on Switzerland car rentals! These are surprisingly effective! This will be my first time in the van into France,Spain and Portugal. There are two low emission zones in Madrid planned, and other Spanish cities with a population of more than 50,000 are required to implement an LEZ by 2023. Founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., the city boomed during the Roman period. We stopped atCamping Osunain the east of the city, close to the airport. Make your booking for the ferry to Spain with Direct Ferries, where you can compare routes and prices to ensure you get the best deal. In January 2020 and September 2021, many motorhome tolls were removed. The Pyrenees is best visited between May and October, unless you want to ski, as outside these times you will definitely encounter snow. Just like other tolls in Europe, youll usually get a ticket when you enter the toll route, then have to pay when you exit at either a manned or automatic toll booth. Go straight on and in just 500 yards take the slip road towards motorways and Evreux. To take your motorhome from the UK to Spain you have a basic choice: either take a ferry across the Bay of Biscay to Northern Spain, or take the Channel Tunnel or a ferry to Northern France, and drive across France to the Pyrenees. In the past, Spain has been VERY crowded during the winter months, especially in the south. 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. The UK Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK motorhomers abroad. If you wear glasses you MUST carry a spare pair! 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. We havent travelled any further than the south of France and as were working at the time we used the motorways. You can find out more informationhere. This tranquil and beautiful nature wetland nature reserve is known for its birdlife and encompasses rivers, dunes & beaches. Do I need an international driving permit to drive in Spain? A good tip is to try and arrive AT your destination just before lunchtime. The Arige in the heart of the Pyrenees 4. Free camp in the car park atCoripefor the Via Verde de la Sierra, a really stunning ride. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Garmin Camper 760LM 7" - Lifetime Europe Maps Sat Nav - Camper/Motorhome/Caravan at the best online prices at eBay! From the Cote dAzur to the deserted and tranquil interior, France is the perfect place to spend a summer in your motorhome. Paying just a few euro in tolls is a good time saver. Make sure you have proof that you can take the vehicle across a border into another country if thats what youre planning to do. 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. This tiny country packs one hell of a punch; wild coastlines, lively buzzing cities and exquisite wines. This page may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Try a dish like. Are you new to motorhoming? There is no obligation to buy any produce, but our experience when we have bought has been really positive. Motorhome touring in the beautiful and varied country of France is a pleasure. Find motorhome and campervan sites at Pitchup that are bound to get the bark of approval These motorhomes are generally significantly larger than their high-top van counterparts, and usually have showers, more cupboard space, and more fully-kitted kitchenettes. Most of them have some sort of discount- some are as little as 10/ day, including electric. More than 340 kilometres of the A75 (Clermont-Ferrand - Bziers) are toll-free apart from the Millau Bridge. the packaging is unbroken unless in current use. This has not changed since Brexit as the information-sharing agreement with the DVLA continues. 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. Many shops and businesses also shut for a long lunch (between 12-2pm) and some will not open on Wednesday afternoons. For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. These are usually exceptionally good value and will give you a taste of the local and seasonal flavour and cooking style. The first question to ask yourself if whether you want to drive from the UK through France and down to Spain, or whether you want to take a ferry direct from the UK and sail around the coast and down to northern Spain. We intended to do Callais to Biarritz area, cross the border through centre of Spain to Portugal. Continue to Pont-de-lArche where you cross the river and keep going, still on the D6015, for 4miles to a round-a-bout. 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). We are off on a long winter stay, so a few extra days driving are insignificant and part of motorhome enjoyment is the journey itself. Spains capital city is a beautiful and cultured city with stunning architecture, tranquil parks and some of the best art museums in Europe. Santiago de Compostela is a stunningly beautiful city full of twisting alleys, elegant squares and historicreligious buildings, with interesting nooks and crannies everywhere. Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. Lunch, which is the main meal of the day, is eaten between 2 and 3pm. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. 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. 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. The new decree aims to level the rules whether youre in a motorhome or tent but there is some acknowledged ambiguity around the wording, you can find out more inthis article. Make sure your wild camping spot is not on private property and that you have parked respectfully of residents and other wild campers nearby. Motorhoming in Spain- what gear do you need to carry? Get all the information you need in our Spain Travel Guide, including what to pack, the best time of year to go, getting there and practical tips to help you have the best trip! We have been using and recommend ConnectPlus for cloud sim connectivity in the UK and Europe. Campsite review: South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park. There is history and culture everywhere you look, as well as friendly and welcoming people, delicious food and SUNSHINE- even in winter. You cannot book motorhome aires in advance- its first-come, first-served, so if youre visiting at peak times you might feel happier booking a campsite so youre assured of somewhere to stay. This first link is an award winning database about France. 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. You cannot touch a screen while driving (television, video, DVD etc.) 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. Sniff out the world's best dog friendly motorhome and campervan sites in Yecla, Spain. You can pull over into a rest stop and eat and drink within your vehicle, but setting up a table and chairs next to the road is not allowed. When planning a motorhome tour of Spain, the first thing you need to do is to figure out where youre going (and how long you have for your road trip!). 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). 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. but in others it seems to be accepted as the norm. The UKs longest running outdoor motorhome & campervan show, four nights camping, with live entertainment and extensive exhibition area. Expect to show your passport or identification on arrival and many places require you to leave one passport behind the reception. 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. 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. For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe. You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. Park outside and use public transport to get in. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. 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! 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. ), you might find things a little quieter, certainly with British vans. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! All UK providers now limit data usage in the EU in some way or another, and its best to check with your provider to make sure you dont run up a big bill. Peaje or AP is a toll road. In Spain, as in most of Europe, LPG is known as GPL, and both are a mix of butane and propane. If youre towing with your motorhome or campervan in Spain and the overall train length is 12m or more you must have at least one yellow reflector on the rear, sized 130cm x 25cm (or two sized 50cm x 25cm). 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. Essential if your car, caravan or motorhome has a GB plate. 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. When you think of Spain, many people think of overcrowded beaches in Benidorm, drunken teenagers and possibly Sangria. Most hire companies allow their motorhome rentals to be taken overseas, including our recommended hirer, Spaceship Rentals. Spains fabulous climate will seduce you and its people charm you. MMM is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine and it has been for over 55 years. 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. Each route takes about a day to drive, so take this into account when planning your Spanish road trip itinerary. Everyone should do this at least one Mont St Michel - one of the most historical places in France. 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. Speak to a Canada & Alaska Tours Expert. Brittany- one of our favourite areas in France The Loire Valley. Many fuel stations are 24h on the main roads and are self-service with card machines. They will probably be smaller than other pitches and perhaps not as favourably placed. Country information - all the info for your trip, Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact), Total length of the route: 910 kilometres. The load must be indicated by a. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you wait until youre at the ferry/ tunnel, you could spend THREE times as much! Basically we need to get past the Pyrenees and driving over the inland passes in winter is risky. On the way, stop atSant Carles de la Rapita,a charming Spanish town with lots of great seafood restaurants. Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible. The bullfighting season runs from March to October with fights usually taking place on Sunday afternoons. These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). 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). Book your perfect motorhome easily, safely and affordably. From the green north and the mountainous interior to the gorgeous coasts, youll find all the best road trips in Spain here. Like much of Europe, wild camping in Spain for motorhomes and campers is tolerated in many places but not strictly legal and its certainly not a right. 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. This 220km coastline boasts uninterrupted white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Ratings and Reviews Powered by TripAdvisor. Sin Plomo 95 is Regular Unleaded, Sin Plomo 98 is Premium Unleaded and Gasoleo (sometimes called Gasoil A)is Diesel and sometimes its also called diesel in Spain! The on-the-spot fines apply to you as the driver, not the company. 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. Thanks. Digital e-guides FAQ UK Car Sticker. Morocco is the perfect post-Brexit escape if youre looking to spend three months out of the Schengen area. Dont forget you will need to bring a different nozzle to connect the Spanish gas bottle fitting to your UK system. Our quintessential motorhoming in Spain road trip begins in the northern city of Barcelona, taking you through snow-peaked mountains and medieval towns, before heading south to the warmer climes of the historical Moorish region of Andalucia. 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. The D810 runs almost parallel with the A63 past Biarritz and St Jean de Luz to the French border town of Hendaye with its Spanish neighbour Irun just across the river. The non toll free route from Calais to Basel is via the A26 motorway and the A4 motorway. Many people move on after. 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 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). Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. Headlight beam converters (unless you can adjust yours automatically). 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! The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. Campervan Castaways Vanlife 44 | Expert Adventure Motorhome Travel Writing. From here to Bayonne is 256 miles but its a fast dual carriageway virtually all the way with only Bordeaux having heavy traffic. If you want a different pitch, you will be charged a supplement which often wipes out the benefit of the ACSI card, so pick smaller sites for the best experience. 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 you are travelling between 15 October and 15 April and driving near the mountains, you will need to have winter/ all- season tyres and carry snow chains. Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. Tolls can be paid for in cash (Euros) or cards at selected booths. You will find some petrol stations with additional facilities for motorhomes, like waste disposal, water (NOT always drinkable!) We try to keep it as up to date as possible, but cannot be held responsible for any changes made to the law since the last update. Personal travel and medical insurance along with an EHIC or, Two warning triangles for the front and rear. Free motorhome parking in Spain is easy and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. There are plenty of opportunities for short or longer mountain walks. b) Short crossing to northern France, motorways to Perpignan, then the Spanish AP7 coastal motorway to your destination. With the colourful traditions, good food and wine and fabulous architecture, you have all the ingredients for an amazing tour. If bakeries open on Sundays, they are often closed on Mondays instead. But let's get down to practicalities. We are Phil and Izzy. 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. We recommend you dont drink this water and also clean out your motorhome freshwater tank thoroughly before refilling it to get rid of the particles found in de-salinated water. Leave this in the inside lane and in just under a mile take the third exit signposted to Vernon. Do not drive until you are happy you comply with the local laws. In over twelve years we've had no problems, if it doesnt feel right move on. Normandy between cliffs and traces of war 5. This also includes a motorhome sat-nav- program it before you leave and dont touch it unless youre parked up safely. Motorhome Route France, Spain and Andorra - Straight through the Pyrenees Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. In Spain, LPG is grade C, which means the percentage mix of propane to butane is approximately 30/70. The nearest metro station is Canillejas, about a ten minute walk and on the same line as all the major tourist destination stops, so no changes are required. Planning a trip to France with your motorhome or camper? Wild camping is not allowed in any of the Spanish National Parks. Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. When it comes to reaching the Spanish Mediterranean coast there's basically two options - drive through France or catch a ferry to Northern Spain. . Travel by the iconic Rocky Mountaineer. These caterpillars can kill dogs and small children, and will most definitely spoil your motorhome trip if you bump into one! Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) 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). Grab your FREE France travel checklist so you remember it all! There are many aires along the coast south of Bordeaux and many motorhomes only come this far for the winter. 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 editorial team's campsites of choice in the north of England Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Dorset. A similar scheme to France Passion, Espana Discoveryprovides motorhomers with stopovers at over 206 off-the-beaten-path farms, bodegas (vineyards) and producers. motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. Just before Biarritz, take the D932 due south to Cambo-les-Bains. Often vegetarian means made from vegetables, not vegetarian in the true sense of the word. The best times to visit are probably the shoulder seasons of Spring and Autumn. If you are driving in the mountains, you MUST sound your horn before a blind bend, but its illegal to use a horn in built-up areas. 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. 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. An editorial review of Tyddyn Llwyn Camping, Caravan & Touring Park Editor's picks - ideal campsites for city breaks. If this happens, then we recommend stopping for the night somewhere safe (the beauty of travelling in a motorhome) and then continuing on when the snow has stopped and the roads have been cleared. Users rate their experience with 4.8/5! September and October offer warm sunshine, with the earth and sea still warm from the heat of August. Campervans or motorhomes and cars with caravans or trailers are not allowed to exceed 18.75m in total length, 4m in height and 2.55m in width.