Stop overs in France & Spain
First visit to Spain with the caravan. Would appreciate any advice on drive from Calais to Malaga . Eg what is a reasonable amount to drive each day and stopovers on route. And any other information you think could help us .
We also have 3 small dogs with us .
Thank you in anticipation.
Malcolm hayes
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Midwinter I take it?
Most people would go via Tours, Bordeaux, Hendaye and over the Spanish plateau. Some people however would go via Reims, Lyon, the Rhone valley and the Spanish coast although it's further - there are sites open both ways and only you can decide.
Some people drive 200 miles a day - others are happy to press on and do 300 or more, even though night falls early - and again only you can decide. I don't know your age or stamina.
So please make those choices and detailed advice on overnight stops will follow.
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You don't say what time of year. This will make a great difference on the number of sites open. As to distance, if using Autoroutes the Kms can be covered very quickly. However, whilst when I was younger I would happily do 400 miles or more, 250 / 300 is my absolute maximum these days.
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Hi everyone,
We are travelling down to Spain in the next couple of weeks ,we aim to take the ferry from Calais and arrive around 4am ( ish ) we are in our early 70s and reasonably fit so I think 200 miles should be ok . My concern is where to stop overnight, on the way are there areas or other sites where we can just pull in for a sleep . I know we cannot stay on aires in France
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Best I can suggest after Calais with that limited mileage are overnight campsites at Mezieres- sous- Lavardin, Fouras, Urrugne, and Valladolid - and it's still 400 miles to Malaga from there.
But up to there all those sites are open all year - but I am afraid have no idea whether they accept twin axle caravans if that is what you have, or whether they have any restriction on three dogs.
Take care.
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Ha ! Nothing on earth would induce me to go further than Heathrow Airport in midwinter .
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FWIW,
Is this a troll wind up from Rowena & co at CMCEU to keep this forum just alive ??
So setting off in two weeks, no route plan yet, 4am arriving on a 'ferry from Calais' (surely to Calais ?), 3 dogs, suggesting pulling in for a sleep - mmmmm,
Await content removed, or a correction and my apology is at the ready.
M
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But from the OP's home to a first French campsite at Tours it's a 500 mile drive with that middle of the night crossing to Calais. I'm still hoping there's some sleeping time included somewhere along the way. .
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We have travelled this route for quite a few years in March and do the following towing a Buccaneer of 8m:
We cross the first day by Channel tunnel and stay over at Chateau Des Tilleuls - 110 km from Calais.
Then on to Tours - Camping Les Acasias - 420 km
Then on to Urrugne - Camping La Rouletta - 562 km
Then on to Aranjuez - Camping International Aranjuez - 523 Km
From there we go off to Manilva which is 581 km.
Enjoy your trip. We'll be doing this again in March next year.
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Yes, that's a popular route, but what foxed us was the fact that the original questioner said she was going in December not March - and one of your stopovers will be closed - and she was talking of only doing 200 miles a day so would need many more stopovers. But they are probably on their way by now and we may not hear how they got on .
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For what its worth, here is our itinerary for February - April 2020, crossing Portsmouth/Ouistreham towing a 7.9m twin axle with 1 dog.
27.02.20 Ferry 08.15 – arrive 15.00 Camping les Capucines – Ranville (A)
28.02.20 Ranville – Bordeaux le lac 606km / 363 miles
29.02.20 Bordeaux – Zaragoza 511km / 306 miles
01.03.20 Zaragoza – Vila Joyosa 465km / 279 miles
22.03.20 Vila Joyosa – Manilva 606km / 363 miles
05.04.20 Manilva – Getafe (A) 619km / 371 miles
06.04.20 Getafe – Urrugne 496km / 297 miles
07.04.20 Urrugne – St Maure de Touraine (A) 521 km / 312 miles
08.04.20 St Maure – Ouistreham 309km / 185 miles – Ferry 14.00 – arrive 19.15
The OP might find some of this useful. TomVDH looks like we may be at Manilva La Bella Vista at the same time as you, roughly.
Paul & Gwen
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Hi BB
Yes 3 days over 600k, but am comfortable with it. We have done the Vila Joyosa or Oropesa trips several times now in October / February / March and whilst the 600+ days are tiring, its just a means of getting to the sun quicker.
As you know the French weather is crap in winter and its freezing over the Spanish plain so no point in hanging around anywhere.
First time down to Manilva but that 600k leg is after 3 weeks at VJ and well rested. Same with the Manilva - Getafe 600k leg, after 2 weeks doing nothing at Bella Vista.
The empty autoroutes at that time of year make it do-able. Gwen won't drive either, so its all down to me. She fetches the coffee from the services while me and the dog guard the 'van. Correct about the 3 legs of 2 hours each - works well and is fine for the dog's (and mine) toilet breaks and refuelling. My V8 diesel drinks the stuff at autoroute speeds with the 'van on.
Cheers Paul & Gwen
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Hi everyone ,
Just a note to thank you all for your advice & ideas reference our drive down to Southern Spain . We took your advice and stopped over night in Folkestone and caught the early ferry to Calais we have had 4 stopovers we are now at Arunjuez so it all went great .
Thanks again for your help
Malcolm & Jacqui
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