FIrst time motorhomers trip to Portugal
Hi, My husband and I purchased our first ever motorhome last year and we are embarking on a trip to Portugal this Spring via Santander in Spain. We want to see the real Portugal and was wondering if anyone who has done this trip could give us any advise. We are hoping to stay the first night somewhere near Potes in Spain as we don't disembark the ferry until 5.30pm. The next day we will make our way down through Portugal, however, we are not sure which way to go and where to stay. I have done some research and there are obviously lots of amazing places to choose from. We don't want to stay anywhere too commercialised and we will be taking a scooter so we can go our for days to different villages and beaches. Is it necessary to pre-book sites or find them on the way? We are going the first two weeks of May and we do have a larger twin-axel Autotrail Motorhome. Any advise or help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards
Fran and Gary
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Bear in mind that your ferry may not arrive at Santander on time at 5.30 pm. and then disembarkation may be slow. Rather than driving two hours to Potes that same evening it will be better to stay near the ferry port and go into the mountains the next day. Others can advise on the rest of your journey better than I can. Take care.
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Agree with eurotraveller. Last time we sailed to Santander ferry was 2 hours late and then there is disembarkation time. I would suggest you consider staying your first night at Cabo Mayor just outside Santander (10 minutes from the port). Not a brilliant site but fine for that first night, it opens on 14th April.
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No delays ? Read today's B/F sailing updates. Due to bad weather today's 0800 sailing to Bilbao will not even set off until 2300 tomorrow. That's a 39 hour delay
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Thank you, it will be the first time we do the ferry so we will definitely take this into consideration.
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Thank you, we will bear this in mind and rethink the first night.
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That would be great to get some advise, you can email me at frandinsdale@hotmail.co.uk
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Fran and Gary, we are actually working our way up the east coast of Spain but have just had some time in the Algarve, coming back along the coast from Lagos eastwards into Spain.
AD has already mentioned the time element, two weeks isnt long and to explore, you won't want to be spending your time finding sites only to have to uproot after one or two days there (any longer on each site and you'll see nothing before its time to turn back....)...
you've mentioned beaches and villages, i dont know how you feel about using Aires (or even permitted overnight parking areas) in villages as you move along?
a resource like the app park4night is invaluable as it lists all the 'official' Aires, proper sites and permitted parking areas..
ok, I am talking about informal overnighting but in recognised areas, there will always be a few vans doing what you are and you'll spot them.
if its not your thing please ignore this post...
weve only stayed on one campsite since leaving Turiscampo and that was two days ago at Torre del Mar....nice resort, worst stopping place we've had, and it was ACSI....more like a transit camp than any of the other places we've stayed on..and €20 for the privilege..
Ah, ACSI.....a discount card that gives preferential rates at many sites...
good luck...
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Hi BB,
I see you are East Coasting, any chance you will be stopping off at BP?
We are on B3-6, pop in for a G&T if you do, very warm here at the moment. 24c in the shade today, very satisfactory!
BillC
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hi Bill, yes the weather's great here in La Manga, too...
in fact, after we left Benicassim (seems like a lifetime ago) the weather there has been as good as anywhere in Spain.....not unusual though..
we're weather watching, as I wanted to spend a week trickling up the west coast of France.....but only if it warms up, otherwise we'll dawdle here (or Santa Pola/Calpe/Oliva...) before the decision to turn left at Valencia or keep straight on...
probably wont have time to settle back in at BP but you never know...
take care, I know where to find you....
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OK BB, enjoy the rest of this trip, wherever! Like you say, you know where we are......
BillC
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HI we always stay on a site 30 miles from the ferry port at a site which is close to a beach called caravning oyambre it is in the Acsi book . Near by is Gaudi villa well worth a visit, the village of San Vicente de la barquera is close and lovely. Postes is beautiful but the drive into the valley is very twisty but we'll worth the drive for scenery and the mountains with snow on to fantastic a site is situated at the end of the valley. Enjoy it all pete
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