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. Do not drive until you are happy you comply with the local laws. Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. Copyright 2023 Warners Group Publications Plc. 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. 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. Some places have flashing amber lights before a normal traffic light. Day 4 - Roullet Saint-Estephe to Virollet-Font Paillaud. The Spanish Pyrenees are absolutely stunning. motorhome wild camping heres everything you need to know to stay safe and find free spots. 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. An autova is like a motorway, except that bicycles and agricultural vehicles can use it. With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. However, in common with most cities, the choice of where to stay in a motorhome is not great. 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. 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. Sniff out the world's best dog friendly motorhome and campervan sites in Yecla, Spain. Here, you can easily alternate a quiet beach day with a city trip, for example with the port city of Marseille. When it comes to the cheapest Switzerland car rentals online, Auto Europe . You can find out more about travelling with pets on the Gov.UK website. 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. Free time to explore Banff, Jasper, Vancouver & Victoria. Starting at the English Channel and continuing to the Bay of Biscay, you're sure to make the memories of a lifetime along the way. Variable landscapes, impressive mountains and picturesque villages. Incredible mountain views from Banff Gondola. The Best European Campsites For Camper, By Campers. Many Northern Europeans (like us Brits!) You must have at least 3rd party motorhome insurance cover for your vehicle. If youre planning to stay to the north, youll need to bring warm clothing. This also includes a motorhome sat-nav- program it before you leave and dont touch it unless youre parked up safely. The motorhome route costs: 14.99PRO users will pay: 11.99. If you only see one thing, it must be the Cathedral, where all roads seemingly lead, includingthe famous Camino. Its easy to find motorhome campsites in Spain and theyre much like campsites anywhere else in Europe. If you only have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man then you will need an. Developed by: NKC - travel guides (the NKC is the Dutch parent company of Campercontact) Described route: 15 travel days. Now that BREXIT has happened and the UK pet passport scheme is no longer valid, you will need to get an Animal Health Certificate before you leave the UK. In January 2020 and September 2021, many motorhome tolls were removed. 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. Andalucia is our favourite place for motorhome holidays in Spain, full of life and dramatic contrasts between sparkling turquoise seas, verdant green mountains and arid desert landscapes. A perfect and peaceful escape for you and your touring caravan, motorhome or tent, or you can purchase your Editor's picks - ideal campsites for Christmas holidays. You might also find random traffic lights, which turn to red in the middle of nowhere if youre speeding and make you wait for a couple of minutes before turning to green so you can move off again. Yellow diamond signs mean you have priority. If you are ordering a chicken dish in Spain, be very careful with your pronunciation of. In Spain you can visit the Spanish National Park Aigestortes. Road map of Spain. A good tip is to try and arrive AT your destination just before lunchtime. Okay, it's winter and may be raining, or worse, but you get to visit towns and tourist sites without the summer crowds. A motor home route through France to Spain." I read this on another site, " OutAndAboutlive. Cartagena is a city we really enjoy for its eclectic architecture andunexpected cosmopolitan feel. Peaje or AP is a toll road. The load must be indicated by a. Highlights of 20 days travelling through south-west France. For more information about over-wintering, check out our post aboutwhether you should take your motorhome to Spain for winter. Spanish people talk LOUDLY and over each other constantly. We'd love to cross some mountains but just need to be advised by people who have already done it. Ronda is surrounded by mountains and is split in half by the gaping gorge of the river Tajo. Thus you are parking not camping which is allowed and considered a legal activity, even if you intend on sleeping in your van. Further to the east, youll find El Chorro and the famous Caminito del Rey, one of the most dangerous hikes in the world until the H&S experts got hold of it! Nestled down a leafy street, in the heart of Brisbane, is Gerard's Bistro. There are plenty of opportunities for short or longer mountain walks. Enjoy holidays year-round with this selection of sites that are open all year Editor's Pick - The best campsites in Devon. Seville is hot, steamy and so very Spanish! If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them 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. Mealtimes in Spain are noticeably different to the rest of Europe. which could distract you when driving should be positioned where you cant see it. 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. Then you have two main routes through France to Spain. Be sure to get: Name and address of all the people involved in the accident, Vehicle registration numbers of all parties, Take photos of damage using a camera, GoPro or phone. Planning to tour Spain with a motorhome or campervan? 29 of the Best Motorhome Apps Free & Downloadable Now! Most of the aires included in this route have paved parking suitable for poor weather and are close to village or town centres for shopping and restaurants. Youll probably also want some form of air conditioning or at least a fan in your camper- temperatures can get up to 40+c. 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. Want to get exclusive tips and tricks? If not, the light will remain on red to slow you down! Top Guide To Buying A Motorhome; First Motorhome Trip Abroad; Winter Motorhome Trip Spain; Campsites For A Ski . If in doubt, double check with the chef or waiting staff. Your pet will need amicrochip, a validrabies vaccination and ananimal health certificate (AHC). ), Alternatively, get a toll pass/ payment tag so you can use the Telepeaje, VIA-T or T lanes. Its one of the warmest places in Europe in February average temperatures in Malaga are 17c (but only 12c in Madrid- that extra bit south does make a big difference). 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. The load must be indicated by an aluminium panel with diagonal red and white stripes, manufactured to ECE70 standard. We highly recommend paying extra attention to your motorhome security when travelling in Italy. . Dont forget you will need to bring a different nozzle to connect the Spanish gas bottle fitting to your UK system. This route is available in the Campercontact app. France Road Trip & Motorhome Travel Planner, FREE France motorhome travel checklist HERE, in-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permit, Learn more about our exclusive motorhome logbook here, board/ panel with diagonal red and white stripes, step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe, How we find motorhome LPG or bottles while touring Europe, How to get a UK Animal Health Certificate after BREXIT, Campervanning in Portugal- everything you need to know, Essential motorhome checks to do before you travel. motorhome routes through france to spain The highest quality of care for individuals with developmental disabilities Check in advance with the company what kit they will provide with the vehicle and what you will need to bring. Dont forget to grab your FREE motorhoming in Europe checklist below to help you stay organised and remember everything you need. 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. Turn back under the main road, across the round-a-bout and at the next take the first exit on the D401. Mobile Phone and Internet Its usually possible to use your UK phone and data in Spain, but do check with your provider. Read on to find out all you need to know. 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. Dont try and wild camp in busy/ popular areas- like the Costa del Sol- unless youre visiting in the lowest of low season. Many shops close on Sundays. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Spanish campsites range from very basic camping spots in fewer tourist areas to full-on touring stops where people pitch up for six months and want entertainment every night, direct access to a sandy beach, three different bars to choose from and a covered, heated pool. a) Ferry to the north coast of Spain and drive south to your chosen Costa. Motorhome Tour to Spain Part 1 - Powering through France with some sadness. You join the Poitiers ring northwest of the city and leave it just four miles later on the N10. 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. Temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy the beaches and swimming in the sea, but there are much fewer tourists and you will be able to find motorhome parking without booking in advance. The use of winter tyres in Spain is regional. Free motorways are shown in blue, Spanish toll motorways are shown in red. We have an 8m motorhome and are travelling down to Barcelona but wanted to take a detour through the mountains. This campervan route through Spain will take you to the country's most beautiful locations. There is no obligation to buy any produce, but our experience when we have bought has been really positive. 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. If you've found it useful, please consider buying us a coffee to show your support. Is this your first time visiting 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. Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. Trams always have priority everywhere- keep eyes in the back of your head if youre driving near a tram network. As you can see very little time difference between the routes. IMPORTANT: Drivers do NOT have to stop at a zebra crossing for pedestrians IF there are no lights. You may take advantage of our 30 percent savings and free cancellation within 48 hours of planned pick-up to Pietermaritzburg or elsewhere in the world right now on autoeurope.com! Our route starts at Calais, but it can easily be joined from Dieppe or Cherbourg. 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. From castle to castle along the Loire 6. France Start and end dates until Erase dates Search. Visit to Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk. If the weather is good there are two low altitude passes you can take instead. For us option C is the only contender. 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. We have been using and recommend ConnectPlus for cloud sim connectivity in the UK and Europe. Stayhereon the north of the lEncanyissada lagoon and if youre lucky youll spot flamingoes migrating. 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. 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. Let this tour take you on a journey of discovery through Northern Spain and Portugal as we show you some of the best of the lesser-known gems. 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. In our opinion, southern Spain is the perfect European winter destination. If you're on an extended motorhome tour and time is no object, of course pottering south along the west coast of France and crossing the Pyrenees is a wonderful introduction to Spain. Some of our favourite places for motorhome trips in Northern France include: The Normandy beaches. 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. ), 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. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. 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. 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! Look out for traffic signs indicating that winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory where you are. These warning triangles are now being phased out and from 1st July 2021 a new law requires that a. Reflective jacket (for the driver and all passengers). Free motorhome parking in Spain is easy and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines. A very efficient drive all the French motorways despite getting caught up in a se. 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. Wander here for a day and see the cathedral, Plazas Mayorand Santa Domingo andtheBasilica de San Isidoro. If youre an active and adventure seeking van lifer, then Tarifa, Spain is for you! Continue north from here to the cosmopolitan and must-see city ofBarcelona. The best campsites for discovering this popular southwest county Editor's pick - The top adults-only campsites. To find out where to stay during stage 2 - click here. 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! Our hand-selected campsites for a super staycation Holiday park profile: Rockbridge Country Holiday Park (Discover Parks). Many camping sites will provide desalinated water instead of potable water. 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. 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! Vehicle V5 logbook or vehicle registration document (which must show your correct address). Dont forget, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the vehicle has the required safety equipment. Check out our post about driving from the UK to Spainfor scenic routes and destination ideas. MMM is Britain's best-selling motorhome magazine and it has been for over 55 years. 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. 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. If youre going later and youre in a popular town or city, expect to wait for a table or book. Motorhoming in Spain in winter offers many benefits but be prepared as you may need to use your heating and will find it cools down as soon as the sun sets.