Diamonds with a black line through mean you no longer have priority ( this is usually on roundabouts.). Check out our post about driving from the UK to Spainfor scenic routes and destination ideas. Seville is hot, steamy and so very Spanish! If you only see one thing, it must be the Cathedral, where all roads seemingly lead, includingthe famous Camino. 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. If you wear glasses you must carry a spare pair. A one-way trip takes about 24 hours and booking a cabin is recommended. 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. The author is giving their chosen route from the ferry port. Stayhereon the north of the lEncanyissada lagoon and if youre lucky youll spot flamingoes migrating. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. Its common to tip other services, like taxi drivers. If everyone else is, feel free to join them but remember you may be asked to move on.) Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. 2500 mile round trip in a fortnight. Read more. 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). The age-old conundrum about the best route to Spain in a motorhome from the United Kingdom is whether to pay for a long ferry crossing or pay for fuel and tolls doing long miles through expensive France. stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here. 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. Picturesque towns of the Red Coast 3. Look out for Ainsa, a beautiful medieval hilltop town inAragn, with incredible mountainviews. They are old, disused railways lines that have been converted to cycling and walking tracks, often through stunning scenery with few other users. Are you feeling a bit nervous about wild camping for the first time? Check out our guides to travelling in France where you'll be sure to find lots of ideas and inspiration, get our 2 week motorhome itinerary France complete with a motorhome route map of France, or check out our French destination ideas. Read on to find out all you need to know. The 90 in 180 day rule works on a rolling basis and it can be difficult to work out whether you are within the rules or not, especially if you have visited the Schengen area on several occasions in the preceding 180 days. 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. The pace of life is simple and unhurried. We parked and stayed at the Municipal Camping Car Parking (1 Av. This is a fascinating and ecologically diverse part of Spain withover 80species of birds livingand breeding here. We loved Tarifa with its laid-back surfer dude feel and abundant opportunities for activity. It looks horrible, smells disgusting and its a real bummer when you tread in it. 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. There are a number of must-sees including the Plaza de Espaa, the Real Alczar, the Giralda Tower and the Cathedral. The SpanishCostas can feel crowded withtouring motorhomes over winter, as Northern Europeans seek a milder climate. 020 7084 6500. One of the cheapest places is on Amazon. The huge highlight from this route is crossing the Millau Viaduct in your motorhome or camper- its well worth the experience. READ MORE: Discover the best & warmest places to enjoy winter in Spain. 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. Motorhoming in Spain- what gear do you need to carry? Heading east, stop in the pretty and modern city ofAlmeria for an afternoon lunch along the promenade. Follow the N11 towards Girona and Barcelona. 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. American Express is rarely accepted but UK credit or debit cards should work (but not always, so carry cash to be safe! A visit to Lourdes is also possible. 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. A very efficient drive all the French motorways despite getting caught up in a se. Digital e-guides FAQ UK Car Sticker. Norway is one of the most beautiful countries we have ever visited and a real bucket list destination. 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. *We work hard to make this the best motorhome blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. TOP TIP: Buy these essentials for driving in Spain in advance. 1861 km and about 147 in tolls (over 200 in a camper van or motorhome). 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). 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. Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). If you are stopping for over 30 nights it is possible to stay at a good quality site for 10 a night including electricity. Cross the Loire and follow the fast D347 past Montreuil-Bellay and Loudun all the way to Poitiers. Remember, this is for daytime parking for motorhomes- lets move on to overnight parking. As you approach the N12 the map, and probably your navigator, will suggest turning left past Dreux and Chartres to meet the N10. Valencia then the N340 where the A7 goes peaje. I dont like the Bay of Biscay in winter, nor paying to use expensive motorways. Anything with a screen (television, video, DVD etc.) Spanish cooking is very regional, with fish, shellfish and pork featuring heavily on most menus. Weve spent over 18 months travelling in a motorhome in Spain, and in this campervanning and motorhoming guide youll find lots of practical and helpful information. We highly recommend paying extra attention to your motorhome security when travelling in Italy. Set a mile from the north Norfolk coast in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kelling Heath is an environmentally aware 300-acre holiday park offering a wide range of activities for all the Yorkshires largest motorhome and campervan show returns to Harrogate, with indoor and outdoor exhibition areas. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. IMPORTANT: Drivers do NOT have to stop at a zebra crossing for pedestrians IF there are no lights. If you're planning a UK campsite stay then visit our Campsite Finder, with over 5,000 campsites to search you'll be sure to find the perfect place to pitchup to in your Motorhome. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. Just make sure to ask how to get from the airport to the rental agency- not all of them are at the airport itself and you might need to book a taxi. Just like motorhoming in France, there are certain things you MUST carry with you in your motorhome or campervan whilst touring in Spain. Essential if your car, caravan or motorhome has a GB plate. These are prettier than the coastal sprawl but the narrower winding roads mean no mileage saving and a longer journey time. Many people move on after. Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. These caterpillars can kill dogs and small children, and will most definitely spoil your motorhome trip if you bump into one! On our 2019 tour we drove to the eastern end of the Pyrenees, using the free A75 motorway south of Clermont . For some reason, driving from the UK to Spain seems to confuse people. 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. In Spain you can visit the Spanish National Park Aigestortes. 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 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. But the Spanish government . We are booked on the ferry to Bilbao and have 5-6 weeks. You can park a motorhome during the day anywhere parking is allowed (as long as there are no signs banning motorhome parking) and as long as you arent overhanging a space or blocking the road. 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. If in doubt, double check with the chef or waiting staff. 29 of the Best Motorhome Apps Free & Downloadable Now! Menu Skip to . 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. What food can I take in my motorhome to Spain? You can also hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it across to Spain. 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. Spain is a fantastic country for road tripping. Motorhomes and Campervans weighing over 3.5 tonnes: Motorhomes with trailers or caravans (over 750kg). 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. Campervanning in Spain- motorhome overnight parking, Motorhome wild camping guides for the UK & Europe. 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. Exit at junction 29 and drop down a hill. A good tip is to try and arrive AT your destination just before lunchtime. The Pyrenees form the natural border between France and Spain and are richly blessed with natural beauty. Its warm for one thing, and theres nothing like a little sunshine to chase away those winter blues. Why hire a motorhome through Goboony? ), visit the Start Here page to find out how we can help you! Road map of Spain. Park your campervan, set up your mountain or road bike, fill up your water bottle, and get exploring! 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. Spanish roads are typically well-maintained, and the drivers are considerate and relaxed. From the Cote dAzur to the deserted and tranquil interior, France is the perfect place to spend a summer in your motorhome. The Gorges d'Hric in Southern France brings our Vanlife diaries to the most dramatic destination where river pools and waterfalls await. Most of the routes i have seen on the forum have avoided toll roads. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! However this is a busy slow trucking route and takes you right through Tours, where believe me, you dont want to be. 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. To find out where to stay during stage 4 - click here. Vegetarian or vegan food can be hard to find outside of bigger towns and cities. You may be surprised at how many motorhomes from northern Europe travel to campsites in Spain for the winter. 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. Broadly speaking from the UK you have three options. 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. Make sure you check them in advance! Then you have two main routes through France to Spain. About 600 euros have been spent on gasoline and tolls, the most expensive of the trip without a doubt. 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. Dogs allowed | Compare RV and motorhome campgrounds in Yecla, Spain, read trusted reviews and book with confidence on Pitchup. human resources job scope; holland america cruise cancellations due to coronavirus From the green north side to the rugged south side and back again, ending at the foot of the Pyrenees. Petrol and diesel are widely available. Dont forget to grab your free wild camping checklist here. Just before Biarritz, take the D932 due south to Cambo-les-Bains. This route is available in the Campercontact app. 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. Packed with great museums and atmospheric squares and quarters, Madrid is a great city in which to spend a day or so. Youll need to book a pet-friendly cabin or kennels on the ferry or travel via the tunnel. 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. To find out where to stay during stage 2 - click here. Following on from Sundays, many shops and restaurants will also close on Mondays with a sign on the door stating . Guided wildlife tour in Jasper National Park. The main thing to know about wild camping in Spain is that you must not display any signs of camping, such as leaving chairs out or having your step out when you go to bed. Motorhome services are generally widely available, especially along the coast. 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. 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). This road trip itinerary will take you to the major cities and best places to visit in Andalucia Spain, bringing the country alive. We are Phil and Izzy. 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. You may want to consider asat navorsatellite navigation appwhich can be configured to your motorhome camper size and weight. Youll often see the typical pictogram sign by the side of the road pointing you to a service point, this may be a dedicated area, within an aire or another facility. Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when motorhoming Spain. Of course, you can always drive down one route and back up another! This comes in at 474 miles and a traveling time of 8 hours and 4 minutes. 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. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. Journey along the loneliest road in America. Free delivery for many products! Of course, the downside with any book is that it goes out of date, but dont worry if its only a year or two out- most information about aires wont change too much. Anywhere near the beach will be tough all year. This tiny country packs one hell of a punch; wild coastlines, lively buzzing cities and exquisite wines. Bear in mind that you are more likely to find Spanish camping aires inland than on the coast. If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. 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). Weve been touring Europe in our motorhome for several years. If you're planning a trip to Ireland, make sure to check out these great campsites to stay at Our selection of the best campsites for exploring wonderful Wales With two coasts, Devon is the perfect county for a beach lover Editor's Pick - The best campsites for families. Once in Spain, leave the Spanish motorway, the A7, at junction 1, "La Junquera". 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. 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 campervan route through Spain will take you to the country's most beautiful locations. (stuffed aubergine) when this mediterranean vegetable is in season and youll be blown away. On hills, use the crawler lanes to get out of the way of faster-moving traffic. Things you need to drive in Spain- safety gear, Road trip accessories you MIGHT need when campervanning in Spain, Motorhomes or campers with a total train length of over 12m. En route you will enjoy lovely landscapes, jagged peaks, picturesque villages and breathtaking views. 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!). Weve tried all sorts of kit- some useful, some not so much. 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. Your UK licence allows you to drive in all EU countries. We love helping motorhome & campervan owners make the most of their time on the road, whether youre a complete motorhome newbie or planning a long tour of Europe. 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. 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. Some towns are making real efforts to combat this issue (one traces the poo and posts it back.how??) The UKs longest running outdoor motorhome & campervan show, four nights camping, with live entertainment and extensive exhibition area. Some places have flashing amber lights before a normal traffic light. Cabins are not mandatory, but the alternative reclining seats are uncomfortable and noisy. Our pick of the best campsites for a family holiday Editor's Pick - The best open-all-year campsites. All Rights Reserved. This can vary a little from town to town but fundamentally the afternoon is for relaxing and spending time together as a family; if you cant beat em, join em! When it comes to the cheapest Switzerland car rentals online, Auto Europe . Make sure you have proof that you can take the vehicle across a border into another country if thats what youre planning to do. Or check out our motorhome beginners e-book and find all our resources and guides in one place! 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