Winter sun - Spain or Portugal
This request is a little premature not having even got to Spring yet. Whilst we spend a couple of months in either France or Italy during the summer we have never ventured into Spain or Portugal. However, this winter has 'done' for us - we live in the 'frozen north' so are thinking of being silver surfers and taking the motorhome to try and find some winter sun early next year. Probable timings would be December and January. From previous comments we understand that booking at this time of the year is essential and that many sites are booked up from year to year. We have no real idea as to where to start for a warm winter climate and would welcome suggestions from those of you experienced in travelling at this time of the year. If there is such a site at this time of the year we would prefer one where we can get a bus to travel as once sited we prefer to leave the van insitu. Thanks.
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I know what you mean about the winter weather - this is the fiirst winter for 20 years we have not been away, and we have not been happy.
But what sort of winter weather are you looking for? Even if you go right down to Malaga the January figures over a long period are on line and clear - nights average 7C and days average 17C. That's far better than here, but for me it was never worth driving 3000 miles there and back for weather like that. I always wanted my winters warmer than that, and for 20 years that meant flying somewhere.
Most people disagree with me but I remain very much a contrarian in this matter, but I wish you good luck with your planning.
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We spent January and February near Malaga this year the temperature was as et has said temperatures ranged from 16-17 early January to 20-22 mid February. This was our first winter away but we really enjoyed it and the best thing was loads of sun and no rain 😀
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I know what you mean about the frozen North, we live in Scotland.
We have not over wintered yet in Spain but have been from September to December. While some sites are busy and some booked up, there are plenty of sites that will have room. Sites on the coast are busy the popular ones especially but there are hundreds of sites. It would be a shame if you went for the first time and just stayed in one place. Spain has so much to see and do.
Once Christmas and New Year is out of the way we usually head off somewhere hot for a weeks. Then early March we head out to the Canaries for 3 weeks. Time then to sort the mh out and plan our next trip abroad.
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Just had a thought, if you don't want to tour around just stay in one place. Why not look at renting an apartment for a couple of months. At that time of year they work out about the same price as campsites and ferries. Fly out rent a small car
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In past winters I have been really miserable by February and finally this year hubby agreed to take me to Spain for six weeks through November and the first two weeks in December. I can't tell you the difference it made to me and I am already planning next winter's trip. Sadly he won't go for longer than six weeks and he won't hire an appartment as he says we may get noisy neighbours and in a caravan you can just move on. We toured south Spain doing the history bits so only had one day on the coast but we had 37 out of 42 days of sunshine and although cold at night during the day we were in tee shirts for the first three weeks. Next time I plan to pop into Portugal.
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I guess it all depends on what you are paying for sites and to how much company you want as to whether it better to rent an apartment or not. I costed the difference this year using a return air fare of only £90 each and it came out anything longer than 2 weeks it was cheaper to stay on a site offering long term rates. Ignoring costs I much prefer a site for the facilities and the friendly atmosphere you encounter. I would hate to be stuck in an appartment.
My advice if you want to stay on one of the popular coastal sites for any length of time, book well in advance.
Three camp sites spring to mind which have handy public transport links, Bonterra Park, Almafra and Cap Blanche
peedee
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winter sun to a hot destination via plane is lovely for a couple of weeks..but most folk can't afford to cruise for 10 weeks or to stay in Barbados, or India or other exotic locations (although it's great)...for this length of time...
so, those already kitted out with caravans or motorhomes can enjoy a really good worthwhile break away from the uk weather at a reasonable cost....moving around to take in any weather changes and to seek out whatever interests you....history, hills, beaches, cities whatever...all of it.
the two types of 'battery recharging' are slightly different things but are certainly not mutually exclusive.....
as others have mentioned....2 weeks in the Bahamas is, for us, a 'holiday'....10 weeks in the van touring Spain in the winter is living somewhere else...
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With long term rates on sites this is true, we've never stayed in one place for more than 10 days so my figures were based on the normal/average Acsi rate.
With us living so far North i took into account everything, night halts using sites, fuel and the Santander ferry. For us it came down to anything under 4 weeks, fly and rent anything over then take mh.
Your point about company is a very valid one of course, we do miss the company when staying in apartments but some resorts like the one we are currently on its not a problem as there is plenty of company if required. We do however miss not having the bikes to get around on. Our flights by the way were less than £100 return for the both of us, and car rental was the same for 2 weeks. This was mid November last year staying on the Costa Del Sol.
Winter rentals can be as little as £500 per month depending on the area.
Having said all the above we do still prefer to use the mh but there are times and circumstances that its not practicable so knowing there is another way is useful.
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I wouldn't want to be stuck in an apartment either, but have toured up and down the Thailand coast and islands for many winters and found small hotels and good guest houses costing the same per night as Club UK summer caravan sites, and the flights costing the same as ferry+cabins from UK to Spain. And no shortage of company out there !
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Hi,
For what it’s worth here’s my contribution and to add into the topic.
We have just returned from a great first time 2018 Winter 8 week trip towing our caravan down to Southern Spain, and yes overland via France. This next winters 2018/19 trip will be a repeat journey but much much longer duration with probably a flight back midway. We Tunnel cross.
We did though do an advance cheap fly drive 7 nights in the November sun and sorted out the site we chose (for us) to turn up at for our longer term winter stay - highly recommended. Didn’t fancy a wasted 1600 mile drive to arrive at an awful 6 weeks of trauma - some sites we saw were just terrible (for us). We also called in at various sites when solo driving in an area for our future needs & knowledge.
We didn’t advance book any sites en route in France or in Spain and never got refused. Our preferred chosen longer term site, also not advance booked, which wouldn’t suit lots of people and also has amusing poor reviews, was about 50% full throughout mid January to mid February. Cost was e17 on acsi card for 31 nights with free 6 amps, Repsol Butano 12kgs exchange was e13 and lasted 12 days. Thanks to a forum member and after forum advice we bought a part full Repsol in UK in advance of travel.
NB We also found, as said often, that prior and during our trip lots of the popular Spanish Winter sites were fully fully booked solid on the internet and on the CMC & CC Club websites as well. The very same sites were offering us a choice of pitches when we were at the Reception desk in person enquiring or if we rang up 2 hours prior to arrival for a pitch that night during our time in Spain. I do send my smiling darling wife into reception first though. We also probably saw many more motorhomes wild camping than actually on the sites.
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I would hate to be stuck in an apartment.
Exactly how I feel. My late wife and I tried a Spanish apartment several years ago. She loved the luxurious bathroooms - yes - we had one each - and also the balcony overlooking the beach, but I hated it. In a block of 12 apartments, only two were occupied during that winter. More than anything I missed being able to chat with other caravanners. Now that I caravan on my own I visit the same site each year, staying for up to four winter months. There I meet up with other like minded travellers from all over Europe that I've met in previous years. At the end of my last blog I've listed my expenses for 120 days. For ferry fare, fuel, site fees, tolls and travel insurance they work out at about £19 per day.
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I've just been chatting to a caravanner who has just returned from the Algarve who confirmed what I found when I had my apartment on the Costa Blanca. The days are pleasant but the nights are still pretty cold. It all depends on how you define "winter sun". The snow we woke up to on site must be more of a shock to his system than mine having returned from relative warmth.
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Quote --- It all depends on how you define "winter sun".
Four weeks ago I returned from spending three months just 800 metres from the sea in Malaga Province. We had what I call winter sun. When we had a cold night the temperature had dropped to about 8C. When it was only 13C during the day, people were remarking on how cold it was. On a good day by after lunch it had reached 22C. Fortunately we had many good days. However, I'm told that since I left there's been a huge amount of rain.
Not until I started my journey home did I experience cold nights with temperatures below freezing - in spite of beautiful days.
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Thanks to everyone for all your useful information. I guess it's a question of 'you pays your money you take your chance'. Weather is so subjective but 8 degrees at night and 22 during the day is ok by me. Just have to get our minds around whether we want to take a chance and do all those miles and be disappointed. Lots to think about during our ten weeks in Italy this year. Thanks again.
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We’re coming to the end of our second winter in Portugal and Spain. We go on C&CC winter sun rallies. We spent 11 days at Turiscampo, 7 weeks at Albufeira and 9 days at Almafra. There are local buses at Albufeira and Almafra, where there’s a tram and train as well.
I know rallies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. There’s plenty of company, loads to do, walks, meals on site or in town, quiz nights, craft sessions, dances etc. - if you want to, but it’s not compulsory to join in anything. We love it and are already planning for next winter.
The weather this year hasn’t been quite so good but still a lot better than the UK and still shorts and tee shirt weather most of the time. Having said that, it’s raining hard in Barcelona at the moment!
We prefer Portugal to Spain for various reasons.
Touring isn’t so easy in the winter as a lot of sites don’t open until March.
Nora
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DD, you have one great asset in that you can move and follow the weather....this is the 'trick' to be a bit flexible and make the most of your time away.
spain certainly has many spots that fare better than the norm when the weather isn't quite 'as it should be'....some areas are sheltered whereas some are more exposed....the Valencia region does pretty well all year round, hence its popularity..
weather forecasts are pretty good these days (relatively
) and now we don't have to endure a bad stint of weather....just turn the key and away...evenings might be chilly (we're not in the Caribbean, remember) but pick the right place and you'll have a thriving Spanish town to visit after dark....pick the right site and there will be plenty going on to keep you occupied...
i wish you luck, you'll love it and the difference the warm weather and sunshine makes to folk who hate the cold is significant....
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