Andalucia Sites

bobash
bobash Forum Participant Posts: 33

We went to Spain in our Autosleeper Kingham for 6 weeks last Jan/feb. We had a great time and weather was good (shorts & tee shirts during the day most of the time).

We caught the ferry from Poole to Cherbourg  and travelled through France and Spain to Benicassim stopping at Aires on the way. We then travelled south stopping at various site both in the mountains and on the coast ending up at Aguilas.

Next year we are doing it a bit different and catching the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander and heading for Andalucia and maybe Portugal. The reason for this post is get some recommendations for routes and ACSI camp sites. Also the weather in Portugal at
this time of the year. We are departing on 20th January and returning on 1st March.

Comments

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #2

    The principal reason for touring in  Andelucia must be to visit Cordoba, Seville and Granada - Cadiz as well. In February you may have look out for snow in the Sierra Nevada region approaching Granada.

    Our favourite site for visiting Granada is Campsite Alto de Viñuelas at Beas de Granada. It's a 40 minute ride into the city from the campsite gates, and you can buy tickets for the Alhambra and the Generallife gardens from reception.

    Here's the view from Beas de Granada.

  • oldagetraveller
    oldagetraveller Forum Participant Posts: 142
    edited October 2016 #3

    I am really surprised there has not been more added to this one.  As Chasncath say Granada Cordoba and Seville are the must sees.  Stay at Beas for Granada. Then there are a couple of sites near Cordoba.

    My advice then would be to head down to the coast to Puerto de Santa Maria where there is a good site close to the ferry service across the bay to Cadiz, by far the best way to approach. In Puerto and in nearby Sanlucar and of course Jerez are the famous sherry bodegas.  You must visit at least one.  Jerez is a wonderful city too.

    Next, heading towards Portugal bypass Seville (see below) and halfway between Seville and Huelva turn south to the Donana National park and El Rocio.  An excellent campsite and a wonderful pilgrimage town built for horses, i.e. very little tarmac, all sand.  Aim to be there at a weekend and you will see large groups of Spaniards staying in the hostels and forming colourful and musical parades to the church on Sunday morning, taking their banners to be blessed. Lots of partying and flamenco dancing and if you are walking past one of the hostels and they spot you you may well be asked in for a drink or three.  The Donana park, which starts quite literally in the town, has a host of widlife, birds and animals.  One of our favourite places. It is also an easy day trip to go into Seville once or twice, or along the coast to see the replicas of Columbus' ships.

    Our blog has a number of descriptions of various parts of Andalucia. Look at the entries for 2008, 2012 and 2014

    http://www.travelpod.com/members/oldagetraveller

     

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
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    edited October 2016 #4

    You asked about the weather in Feb in Portugal (Algarve). It is generally mild with temps getting up to 16-18 during the day and dropping to 8-9 at night - you will get some rain, some sun, some wind and just about everything in between - at this time of year it is better to stay at eastern end of the Algarve (weather wise).

  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
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    edited October 2016 #5

    It's difficult to make recommendations unless we know what you like doing and Andalucia is pretty big.  Seeing cities isn't our "must do", while good walking and cycling is.  One of our favourite sites is Las Lomas at Guejar Sierra to the north of the Sierra
    Nevada- fantastic situation, good facilities, great restaurant on site, bus to Granada at the door, decent little town with good selection of shops and some superb walking (if a little hilly).

    Camping Sierra Maria at Maria and Pinar del Rey a little down the road at Velez Rubio are worth a visit if you like walking.

    The hippy town of Orgiva (fewer now, I believe) has Camping Orgiva (no Acsi Discount) which is ok for visiting some of the white villages in the Alpujarra and good views.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #6

    El Rocio

     

  • bobash
    bobash Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited October 2016 #7

    It's difficult to make recommendations unless we know what you like doing and Andalucia is pretty big.  Seeing cities isn't our "must do", while good walking and cycling is.  One of our favourite sites is Las Lomas at Guejar Sierra to the north of the Sierra
    Nevada- fantastic situation, good facilities, great restaurant on site, bus to Granada at the door, decent little town with good selection of shops and some superb walking (if a little hilly).

    Camping Sierra Maria at Maria and Pinar del Rey a little down the road at Velez Rubio are worth a visit if you like walking.

    The hippy town of Orgiva (fewer now, I believe) has Camping Orgiva (no Acsi Discount) which is ok for visiting some of the white villages in the Alpujarra and good views.

    Write your comments here...We more or less like the same as you. Mountain scenery, walks and small picturesque villages rather than large towns. El Berro last year was perfect. Saying that we intend to visit Granada and Seville. El Rocio is now a must after
    reading the posts. Puerto de Santa Maria sounds good for visiting Cadiz by ferry.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2016 #8
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Geejay
    Geejay Forum Participant Posts: 232
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    edited October 2016 #9

    If you like El Berro you might like Camping Vall de Laguar, although it's not in Andalucia, but Alicante, if you go that way again.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #10

    El Rocio on a Sunday. A lot of music and fireworks.

  • Landyrover
    Landyrover Forum Participant Posts: 143
    edited October 2016 #11

    We stayed at Camping La Roselada at Conil dl Frontera a few years ago. There is a regular bus service from Conil to Cadiz which we used to have a day wandering round Cadiz.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #12

    While at Puerto de Santa Maria, catch the bus for a visit to Jerez!

     

  • bobash
    bobash Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited October 2016 #13

    Thank you all for the information it has been a big help. I have booked a couple of sites and left a few untill I am out there. I can't decide between 2 sites near Granada: Beas de Granada or Las Lomas. If anybody have been to both I would be gratefull for
    any feedback.

     

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited October 2016 #14

    While at Puerto de Santa Maria, catch the bus for a visit to Jerez!

     

    Write your comments here...

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited October 2016 #15

    While at Puerto de Santa Maria, catch the bus for a visit to Jerez!

     

    Write your comments here...

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited October 2016 #16

    Surprised, OOp's ,Somthing adrift there !! We did the "Osborne" distillary .Facinating !!Tongue Out.And
    TASTY !! 

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited October 2016 #17

    http://www.andalucia.com/culture/osborne-bull.htm

    Surprised, OOp's ,Somthing adrift there !! We did the "Osborne" distillary .Facinating !!Tongue Out.And TASTY !! 

    That's a load of Bull, TrickyHappy

    Osborne Bull © Michelle Chaplow

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited October 2016 #18

    They've just reinstated the "Osborne" bull on the N332 just south of Santa Pola.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited October 2016 #19

    Wink , Oh GOOD !! Its an iconic image .(and I've got the polo shirt !! )Cool.

  • Landyrover
    Landyrover Forum Participant Posts: 143
    edited October 2016 #20

    The Spanish authorities decided that the Black Bull was too iconic to disappear so the remaining bulls are have the status of listed buildings.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #21

    A final tip for Analucia, 28th February is Andalucía Day (Día de
    Andalucía) when pretty much everything stops: it's a good day for getting around the Seville ring road en route to El Rocio and Portugal.Happy