Portugal in January/February
We have been motorhoming for many years and pre-retirement toured France extensively, if somewhat quickly in two week breaks. Now we are retired we are enjoying spending longer away and are thinking of heading to Portugal for a month or so in January/February.
Part of the joy of motorhoming for us is flexibility. If we like somewhere we stay a bit longer, if not we move on. Consequently we never book a site until a couple of days before we move. We are not wedded to Club sites and have used ACSI (and other independents) extensively. We don't know Portugal and Spain so I have a number of questions:
Are there any preferred routes from the North of Spain down to Portugal?
Any must see/avoid places?
Any recommended sites?
Am I right in thinking it is illegal to tow a car with an a-frame in Spain? No we don't want a caravan instead!
Has anybody had any difficulty touring without pre-booking sites?
When. starting off we load our fridge with fresh food and freezer with homemade meals. Are there any issues with this post-Brexit? Has anybody actually had their fridge inspected, or are the stories just hearsay?
We are thinking of using the Plymouth/Santander crossing rather than driving through France. What are other peoples preference? We won't use Portsmouth because of the ULEZ cost!
Any other thoughts/advice/comments gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
Mike
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Mike, you can’t go from Plymouth at that time of year . There are no sailings from Plymouth to Santander after 2 November 2022 until the end of March 2023.
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PS . From Portsmouth there are only two sailings a week in January to Santander-and none at all to Bilbao. As a result you may find availability is limited . Would you consider driving from one of the French ports?
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Try this for info and there's more under the Euro Campsite & Crossing tab above.
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/useful-information/travelling-after-brexit/
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Hi Mike, I have travelled Spain and Portugal in winter. If you want to avoid road tolls I have always travelled Santander - A67 to Palencia where you join the E80-A62 to Valladolid - continue on the E80-A62 to Salamanca - at Salamanca change to the E803 - A66 to Caceres then Merida where you change to the E90 - A5 to Badajoz where you cross the border into Portugal, take the E90-A6 road to junction 12, where you turn onto the 4 road to Elvas, continue on the 4 road to Estremoz, then just passed the town turn left on to the slip in the centre of the road taking the 18 road to Evora then the E802-IP2 to Castro Verde, then take the 2 road to Faro and the Algarve.
There are camp sites en-route at 215 miles from Santander on the E80 Camping Olimpia - 130 miles on is camping Caceres - 130 miles on is camping Alentejo 7 miles from Estremoz on the 18 road, there is a camp site at Evora, then on to the Algarve where there is a choice of sites. Mileages not approximate.
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A quick blanket “thank you “ for all the replies so far, they are very much appreciated.
Thanks for the information about Plymouth sailings - I would have found out the hard way later!With regard to the Portsmouth ULEZ, we took our car over to the Isle of Wight earlier this year and we’re told the port was in the ULEZ zone, so we went from southampton instead.. I’ll certainly double check it.
I really appreciate the suggested route, that’s a great help.
I shall follow the link above and also check out motorhome fun.
Your help is very much appreciated.
Mike
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The IoW terminal is inside the CAZ but the international port is outside.
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And the timetable from Portsmouth to Santander is depart 2130 on day 1 and arrive 0800 on day 3 - so two nights on board ship.
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It is some years since I last went to Portugal in the motorhome but you can read my comments about the trips we have made >here<. They cover routes I have used and the places visited but are now rather dated but you may find them useful because I suspect much is still valid. A major change is probably in the motorway system, routes, charges and how they are paid and the Algarve will be more developed.
Am I right in thinking it is illegal to tow a car with an a-frame in Spain? No we don't want a caravan instead!
Yes that is correct
Has anybody had any difficulty touring without pre-booking sites?
I have never booked any sites in Portugal but I have never toured the more popular areas (The Algarve) in peak season
peedee
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Thanks peedee, I'll check it out
Mike
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Just google 'Portsmouth ULEZ' and it will confirm what I have said! Further to ET's remark about Santander ferry saves all that mileage through France in mid winter, 2 o'night stops en route and you arrive fresh in Spain. It is a very busy crossing so if you opt for that route get booking asap..
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