Wintering in Spain
Comments
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First of all stick to the coast. Inland Spain is very cold.
Avoid the north west coast whose climate is only marginally better than UK
On the Med coast it is generally said that you need to go beyond Valencia. Having said that many go to Ribamar Alcossebre and Benecassim. I suppose it depends on your definition of warmth and what you want to do. You are unlikely to toast in the sun anywhere
on mainland Spain, but sitting out in a cafe in shirtsleeves or a T shirt & shorts is quite the norm on the Costa del Sol or Cosat de la Luz. However the evenings can get cooler and a sweater is required.0 -
As a matter of interest, in Winter, how far South would you have to go for some warmth?
We've just arrived today at Camping Los Madriles, Isla Plana. By day it's shorts and t shirts, but when the sun goes down it's too cold to sit out. Fortunately, there's a geothermal outdoor pool here which is open for all-year swimming! Cath's just had her
first swim of 2016!0 -
Thanks for the info. We would just like to sit out in the day with just t shirt and shorts. Camping Ribamar looked nice but was not sure if we would be able to sit out n the day.
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We started out on 1 Feb in our motorhime. Thru the chunnel and across France stoping at 3 aires and two actual sites. No need to book, plenty of space. Arrived in Spain and have just got to Granada (1st April). Even with Easter we have not seen a full site
yet and we have used a couple of the popular coast locations. We are calling in advance now as we move on but have had no booking refusals yet. Electricity is very inconsistent in Spain. Sometimes in phase, sometimes out of phase. It still works ok even if
the box indicates wrong phase. Just dont try anything silly and you will be ok. If you canlook away from the costas you will find some great sites in wonderful "real Spain" locations.0 -
As a matter of interest, in Winter, how far South would you have to go for some warmth?
...There is a warmer than average microclimate around the Alicante region but generally anywhere south of Valencia can be very pleasant indeed during the winter months. The Atlantic Coast is popular but can be very windy and rather wet some winters in our
experience.0 -
The days are OK but the nights are nippy, certainly south of Alicante where there are less mountains to keep the cold wind off.
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Hi, We have just spent the last 3 months (end of Jan to beg May) but in a motor home and much prefered the sites we did not book. As you like Blencathra and mountains, I would suggest Camping Olgiva (€18 p night) (Where Chris Stewart wrote driving over Lemnons). It was lovely, small, fantastic views, freindly, loads of walking and not too far from the coast. IT WAS WARM. Another smaller, freindly site with access to its own beach and moutains at the back was La Garrofa near Almeria (€17 per night).ACSI It really depends on the size of your van & negotiating manouvering. The other club has many rally's which makes for a community feel. My favourite of these is Castell de Banos & Roche, again because they are smaller. Try it & then you will know another year.
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So Arriving at Santander, where do we stop off to break the journey to Alicante, Actualy Marhal Guardarmar and of course. How long towing a single axle van??
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You should be able to do that trip with one night stop. Via Madrid it is about 530 miles and there are several sites open all year just north or south of Madrid. Its a long time since I have been on that route (2007) but the site about 40 miles north of
Madrid was Camping Pico de la Miel, I think the one just south of Madrid was Camping Aranjuez.peedee
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Thank you Peedee
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We're thinking of going over with our caravan Mid January to Bilbao then to Benicassim. ( Is that correct spelling?)
Are the roads likely to be clear of ice/snow ? I'm looking at stopping over at Zaragoza for one, possibly two nights. Is this a sensible option?
This will be out first time to spain in winter and first time taking the route as we've only been to Barcelona before.
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Hi, I'm from Alicante, Spain. A few days ago I became a member of this club because I plan to travel this summer to UK with my family. My English is not very good, but I can help you in anything you need about your travel.
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we are brand new to caravanning, but have been to spain quite a bit we would love to go to spain in the winter, but quite afraid could anybody help us for the first time, my husband and i are sailors so we like to be near water and the beach any reccommendation
to two pensioners ,with not the greatest of budget. I am also sorry but last night i tried to copy someones blog and when i had finished i had it up on my posts as though i had written the blog OMG i am so embarassed, but not great with computors eitherthanks if can help us
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Hi Richard and Lorraine - I've replied to your other post, but would add that friends who had never travelled abroad with their caravan before went on an eight week 'rally' with the Caravanning and Camping Club starting in January this year. They really
enjoyed it and said it was good to have company, they went on some lovely sites (all near to the coast), and took part in some of the trips and activities, but not all.They came back feeling much more confident about going it alone next time, and perhaps for longer.
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o thank you so much, i was a little scared no one would reply never done this before, i will follow your great advise and do i book
this through the cc? once again thank you for your great speedy reply0 -
Hi Richard and Lorraine, we've booked to go in January. Like you a bit nervous but I've spoken to loads of people who have a great time, including one lady friend of 78 who goes alone each February. She tows through France and down to southern Spain and
stops as and when she feels like it, usually seeing friends in Benidorm , sometimes also going to Portugal as well!0 -
o thank you so much, i was a little scared no one would reply never done this before, i will follow your great advise and do i book
this through the cc? once again thank you for your great speedy replyIt was the
Caravanning and Camping Club, not this one, and we're not members, so I'm not sure how you book on to these rallies.I would imagine that there are similar rallies organised by the Caravan Club. Perhaps someone can help you out with how to find the details.
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We are thinking of downsizing and spending long spells on the continent, probably Spain or South of France. We have spoken to people who do it and have heard most of the good points, we are keen to know any pitfalls so if anyone can offer advice or stear
us to publications that will help us we would be grateful.0 -
We do European Tours, including ones for first timers. You can find all the information here
http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/european-tours.Also there are a lot of overseas rallies that our Centres run and that information can be found here
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We are thinking of booking La Managa from January 2017 for 2 months. We are looking for stop overs not far from the ferry point at either Santander or Bilbao - any suggestions? I notice people have mentioned a site near Madrid, maybe we could do this for
our 2nd trip. Many years ago we toured in Spain, but feeling slightly nervous now. However, sick of January and February in a cold environment.]
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Ref. Spain,we go to vilanova in eaarly january,and stay for 3months.It isnt hot but comfortable,shirt sleeves,cold at night.You can ferry both ways direct to bilbao,or santander from portsmouth.I usually ferry down direct,and drive thro france back in early
april when the weather is better in france.From Caen, i take 3days ,2stop overs en route,800 miles from porrtsmouth.0 -
"We are looking for stop overs not far from the ferry point at either Santander or Bilbao - any suggestions?"
Alfok, There's a large carpark in Vittoria Gasteiz where there's a small aire for motorhomes. It's about an hour from Bilbao but the carpark is huge so there would be no problem parking with a caravan. (Wed is market day so you would need to be away very early if you stopped over Tues night)
About half an hour from Santander there's an aire at Cabarceno at the elephant park. Again there's plenty of room in the winter.
Depends what time your boat gets in, as you might be able to drive to Riaza (Camping Riaza) just north of Madrid, about 4 hours away.
Remember it'll take up to an hour or so to get off the boat unless you're near the front of the queue.
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My wife and I have been spending the 6 winter months in Spain and mainly Potugal fror the last 16 years, We very seldom use camp sites and instead we wild camp, don't worry we are not hippy's or crazy, and if you try it you will find that the are many hundreds
of motorhomes on the Algarve doing the same, its quite well organized and the authorties are co-operating by providing very cheap stopover'sfor as little as 3 Euro's (last year)0 -
My wife and I have been spending the 6 winter months in Spain and mainly Potugal fror the last 16 years, We very seldom use camp sites and instead we wild camp, don't worry we are not hippy's or crazy, and if you try it you will find that the are many hundreds
of motorhomes on the Algarve doing the same, its quite well organized and the authorties are co-operating by providing very cheap stopover'sfor as little as 3 Euro's (last year)Not for me, but as long as you don't upset the locals and respect the environment then good luck to you.
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