Any advice for new member?

debboz

Free Member

Messages
7
Hello 👋
I’m a single woman planning to travel from France into Spain in January in my camper van with my dog.
I’m hoping for suggestions on best route to take, as it’s winter I don’t want to travel for more than 3 hours a day and I want to stay in proper camp sites, not overnight stops on the side of the highway.
I’m not that keen on the toll roads as I’ve heard that the A roads are very good. Also I would like a bit of scenery on my journey and be able to stop wherever I can.
Hoping someone out there has some good suggestions
Thanks 😊
 
Hello 👋
I’m a single woman planning to travel from France into Spain in January in my camper van with my dog.
I’m hoping for suggestions on best route to take, as it’s winter I don’t want to travel for more than 3 hours a day and I want to stay in proper camp sites, not overnight stops on the side of the highway.
I’m not that keen on the toll roads as I’ve heard that the A roads are very good. Also I would like a bit of scenery on my journey and be able to stop wherever I can.
Hoping someone out there has some good suggestions
Thanks 😊
No need to park 'on the side of the highway', in France; there are numerous aires in, or on the edge of villages [many in the square outside the Mairie's Office or the churchyard, and often a freshwater tap. If there's not a grey/black waste point, there will be one signposted within a short distance from the aire, or the village toilets can be used [the village where we used to live had free parking between the church and the Mairie's Office, fresh water in the [open 24 hours] public toilets, and it was a 25m walk to the boulangerie for breakfast. It's not the UK, you know ... :ROFLMAO:

3 hours daily on RN routes will limit you to about 120-130 miles distance, so it will take a long old time to reach Spain!

Most campsites close by end of September, or mid-October, unless they are open year round, so the aires are really the only viable option [we have stayed at a couple around Orleans that are almost outside the [closed for Winter] campsite!].

We travel now on the Portsmouth-Bilbao/Santander route and this is probably less than £200 more expensive than the drive through France, and this figure is reduced when you factor in the shorter service intervals that the extra mileage entails, plus wear and tear on tyres etc. There are interesting comments on the 'Cruise Control - extra mpg' Thread today.

Steve
 
No need to park 'on the side of the highway', in France; there are numerous aires in, or on the edge of villages [many in the square outside the Mairie's Office or the churchyard, and often a freshwater tap. If there's not a grey/black waste point, there will be one signposted within a short distance from the aire, or the village toilets can be used [the village where we used to live had free parking between the church and the Mairie's Office, fresh water in the [open 24 hours] public toilets, and it was a 25m walk to the boulangerie for breakfast. It's not the UK, you know ... :ROFLMAO:

3 hours daily on RN routes will limit you to about 120-130 miles distance, so it will take a long old time to reach Spain!

Most campsites close by end of September, or mid-October, unless they are open year round, so the aires are really the only viable option [we have stayed at a couple around Orleans that are almost outside the [closed for Winter] campsite!].

We travel now on the Portsmouth-Bilbao/Santander route and this is probably less than £200 more expensive than the drive through France, and this figure is reduced when you factor in the shorter service intervals that the extra mileage entails, plus wear and tear on tyres etc. There are interesting comments on the 'Cruise Control - extra mpg' Thread today.

Steve
Thank you Steve
You’ve given me some good info.
I actually wanted to travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander but stupidly I didn’t think I needed to book as soon as Brittany ferries posted their timetable so I missed out on cabins with pets.
In my panic and haste I chose to go via P&O -Dover/Calais. Now I have to travel through the UK, stay overnight in Dover and drive through France. I’m so annoyed and very anxious 😬
I bought a van so that it wouldn’t cost me for accommodation, but you’re suggesting aires? I presume they’re like guest houses I’ll have to research.
The reason why I said I only wanted to drive for 3 hours per day is because it will be the middle of winter and I don’t want to drive in the dark.
I’m planning to be away from UK for 3 months so there’s no hurry to get to south of Spain (besides the cold)
I don’t suppose you could suggest a route from Calais? Should I go west or do you think I should go via outskirts of Paris?
Ok, probably too much to ask of you. Perhaps someone else will read this and have a good route they’ve travelled and pass it on.
I’m so glad I’ve joined this club.
Hopefully I’ll get loads of advice and help before my great adventure commences in January
All the best
Deb
 
Thank you Steve
You’ve given me some good info.
I actually wanted to travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao/Santander but stupidly I didn’t think I needed to book as soon as Brittany ferries posted their timetable so I missed out on cabins with pets.
In my panic and haste I chose to go via P&O -Dover/Calais. Now I have to travel through the UK, stay overnight in Dover and drive through France. I’m so annoyed and very anxious 😬
I bought a van so that it wouldn’t cost me for accommodation, but you’re suggesting aires? I presume they’re like guest houses I’ll have to research.
The reason why I said I only wanted to drive for 3 hours per day is because it will be the middle of winter and I don’t want to drive in the dark.
I’m planning to be away from UK for 3 months so there’s no hurry to get to south of Spain (besides the cold)
I don’t suppose you could suggest a route from Calais? Should I go west or do you think I should go via outskirts of Paris?
Ok, probably too much to ask of you. Perhaps someone else will read this and have a good route they’ve travelled and pass it on.
I’m so glad I’ve joined this club.
Hopefully I’ll get loads of advice and help before my great adventure commences in January
All the best
Deb
Hi Deb,

Aires are basically free parking [though there are some that charge fees], and most have free [or nominal charges, often for fresh water supplies - 2-3€ for 100 litres, sometimes coins, other time jetons from the local shop/boulangerie]. Imagin driving into a UK Car Park, with longer bays marked, and being allowed to park free, and to sleep overnight in safety - because that is what you do in France and Spain. Good behaviour requires you *not* to put out your table and chairs, parasol and BBQ [but try telling the Dutch, French and Germans that this is not allowed!].

Sleeping overnight on Autoroute Aires is not generally recommended, because that is where petty crime is reported to happen, but many aires are within 2-3 miles of the autoroute [some are on hypermarket car parks, because they have realised that a hungry m/home owner is a customer for breakfast supplies and, perhaps bottled water if the Aire has none or the tap has been turned off for Winter - 3 x 5 Litre bottles poured into the freshwater tank will get you through an overnight, especially if you don't empty the tank from the previous night - maintaining 20-30 litres keeps weight down and supplies in balance.

Coming from Calais, there is a Leclerc Supermarket M/Home Parking, including fresh water and grey + black waste disposal [sited on the edge of the fuel station, so you *know* you'll top up the diesel after you've bought breakfast supplies in the Hypermarket at Lumbres [about 30 miles from the Channel Tunnel, so very handy for an evening arrival]. The facilities at Lumbres are closed on Sundays, though!

We were heading down into Eastern France, but stopped at Lumbres, then Bellecourt and onto St Quentin Aire.

A lot of M/Homers stop at Gravelines, then head for Rouen/Orleans [Meung-sur Loire is great but 3€ for water]. La Bastide Murat [268 miles but used autoroute so 5-6 hour drive including a comfort stop, and still in daylight]. La Bastide to Le Boulou [229 miles] then Le Bulou to Vilafranca del Penedes [a gem, about 20 miles from Barcelona - 1 mile or so from the Train Station with direct services to Barcelona].

You need to join the Forum to get the benefit of Members' experience, and alternative points of view - it's well worth it! The technical knowedge on here will more than recoup the fee, and you will be able to use the Private Message facility to exchange inormation with Forum Members [useful when the cost of repairs/modifications are being discussed].

Any other questions, fire away! If you prefer to drive through France, a lot of members use the Newhaven-Dieppe route. 20% discount on fares and cabins if you are over 60, but you have to book by phone. If you too young, bring Mum or Grandma, get the discount and you have a dog sitter for when you want to hit the town! Aires can be found on Search 4 Sites [£10 per annum Membership] and Park 4 Night, as well as on Wildcamping [sister site to this] POI as well as on Garmin SatNav [and probably TomTom - personal preferences come into play!]

Steve
 
Hi Deb,

Aires are basically free parking [though there are some that charge fees], and most have free [or nominal charges, often for fresh water supplies - 2-3€ for 100 litres, sometimes coins, other time jetons from the local shop/boulangerie]. Imagin driving into a UK Car Park, with longer bays marked, and being allowed to park free, and to sleep overnight in safety - because that is what you do in France and Spain. Good behaviour requires you *not* to put out your table and chairs, parasol and BBQ [but try telling the Dutch, French and Germans that this is not allowed!].

Sleeping overnight on Autoroute Aires is not generally recommended, because that is where petty crime is reported to happen, but many aires are within 2-3 miles of the autoroute [some are on hypermarket car parks, because they have realised that a hungry m/home owner is a customer for breakfast supplies and, perhaps bottled water if the Aire has none or the tap has been turned off for Winter - 3 x 5 Litre bottles poured into the freshwater tank will get you through an overnight, especially if you don't empty the tank from the previous night - maintaining 20-30 litres keeps weight down and supplies in balance.

Coming from Calais, there is a Leclerc Supermarket M/Home Parking, including fresh water and grey + black waste disposal [sited on the edge of the fuel station, so you *know* you'll top up the diesel after you've bought breakfast supplies in the Hypermarket at Lumbres [about 30 miles from the Channel Tunnel, so very handy for an evening arrival]. The facilities at Lumbres are closed on Sundays, though!

We were heading down into Eastern France, but stopped at Lumbres, then Bellecourt and onto St Quentin Aire.

A lot of M/Homers stop at Gravelines, then head for Rouen/Orleans [Meung-sur Loire is great but 3€ for water]. La Bastide Murat [268 miles but used autoroute so 5-6 hour drive including a comfort stop, and still in daylight]. La Bastide to Le Boulou [229 miles] then Le Bulou to Vilafranca del Penedes [a gem, about 20 miles from Barcelona - 1 mile or so from the Train Station with direct services to Barcelona].

You need to join the Forum to get the benefit of Members' experience, and alternative points of view - it's well worth it! The technical knowedge on here will more than recoup the fee, and you will be able to use the Private Message facility to exchange inormation with Forum Members [useful when the cost of repairs/modifications are being discussed].

Any other questions, fire away! If you prefer to drive through France, a lot of members use the Newhaven-Dieppe route. 20% discount on fares and cabins if you are over 60, but you have to book by phone. If you too young, bring Mum or Grandma, get the discount and you have a dog sitter for when you want to hit the town! Aires can be found on Search 4 Sites [£10 per annum Membership] and Park 4 Night, as well as on Wildcamping [sister site to this] POI as well as on Garmin SatNav [and probably TomTom - personal preferences come into play!]

Steve
Hi Deb,

You don't give any details of your campervan. Aires are intended for fully autonomous vehicles (onboard toilet in particular).
For France, in addition to WildCamping.co.uk, you could consider https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php, which also has very good coverage of Spain.
 
Certainly within the UK and probably over the Channel Search4sites app is great for locating stopovers of all types so worth having IMHO

K ;)
 
Back in 2019 I drove down to Portugal in my van with my dog. I drove to Dover and used the Eurotunnel, paid for mostly with my Tesco Club Card points. It was much less stressful for the dog as it meant I stayed with him in the van and ate my butties and drank a flask of coffee with him alongside me, rather than having to leave him in the van on his own on a ferry.
In Calais I stopped for the night at an Aire that I'd stayed at before but it isn't one that is recommended anymore, Gravelines is suggested instead now.
I went at the beginning of February, most of the water taps on the Aires were turned off due to risk of freezing, so carry plenty of water. I mostly used Aires (the Aires de Camping Car in villages, not the Aires de Service on motorways) because most campsites are shut in winter.
I stayed at Aires till I met another British lady on her own with dogs at the last one in France and we arranged to meet up next night at a campsite she knew in Spain, then it was Aires again on my own every night till I got to Portugal and found a campsite one night so I could have a shower and wash my hair.
I didn't go on any toll roads but used the motorways where they were free.
Beware of the cold at night in Spain - as you are so high up going over the Pyrenees, it drops below freezing as soon as the sun goes down, but then it very quickly gets up to "need to take my jumper off" instantly when the sun rises again in the morning.
Hope that helps.
 
Hi Deb,

You don't give any details of your campervan. Aires are intended for fully autonomous vehicles (onboard toilet in particular).
For France, in addition to WildCamping.co.uk, you could consider https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php, which also has very good coverage of Spain.
Oh hi 🙋‍♀️
I’m driving down to Spain in a Toyota Alphard 2007. I didn’t wan’t a big van with the kitchen sink just a bed for me and my dog, besides I don’t have a lot of money. I’ve tested it out a couple of times around where I live in Bournemouth and it’s very comfortable. The only thing I’m worried about is the sound system, I’ve got to connect it to my phone via Bluetooth so if I have it on Google maps I won’t be able to listen to music 🙁 there’s not many tech’s around here that can fix it and also sort out my reverse camera but I’ll worry about that once I have worked out a route down through France into Spain and find places to stop overnight every 3 - 4 hours of driving.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🤗
I’ll definitely try that website you mentioned
Thanks Deb
 
Back in 2019 I drove down to Portugal in my van with my dog. I drove to Dover and used the Eurotunnel, paid for mostly with my Tesco Club Card points. It was much less stressful for the dog as it meant I stayed with him in the van and ate my butties and drank a flask of coffee with him alongside me, rather than having to leave him in the van on his own on a ferry.
In Calais I stopped for the night at an Aire that I'd stayed at before but it isn't one that is recommended anymore, Gravelines is suggested instead now.
I went at the beginning of February, most of the water taps on the Aires were turned off due to risk of freezing, so carry plenty of water. I mostly used Aires (the Aires de Camping Car in villages, not the Aires de Service on motorways) because most campsites are shut in winter.
I stayed at Aires till I met another British lady on her own with dogs at the last one in France and we arranged to meet up next night at a campsite she knew in Spain, then it was Aires again on my own every night till I got to Portugal and found a campsite one night so I could have a shower and wash my hair.
I didn't go on any toll roads but used the motorways where they were free.
Beware of the cold at night in Spain - as you are so high up going over the Pyrenees, it drops below freezing as soon as the sun goes down, but then it very quickly gets up to "need to take my jumper off" instantly when the sun rises again in the morning.
Hope that helps.
Hi Caz
Thank you so much for all the info, really appreciated!
I am going via the ferry but I am able to take Turbo (🐶) with me into the lounge.
You said you stayed at Aires on the way down, I was hoping that I could stay in campsites. Thanks for the heads up about the freezing nights, I may have to get an electric blanket.
Any other advice you can suggest would be great.
Thanks a lot
Deb
 
Oh hi 🙋‍♀️
I’m driving down to Spain in a Toyota Alphard 2007. I didn’t wan’t a big van with the kitchen sink just a bed for me and my dog, besides I don’t have a lot of money. I’ve tested it out a couple of times around where I live in Bournemouth and it’s very comfortable. The only thing I’m worried about is the sound system, I’ve got to connect it to my phone via Bluetooth so if I have it on Google maps I won’t be able to listen to music 🙁 there’s not many tech’s around here that can fix it and also sort out my reverse camera but I’ll worry about that once I have worked out a route down through France into Spain and find places to stop overnight every 3 - 4 hours of driving.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🤗
I’ll definitely try that website you mentioned
Thanks Deb
On the basis of what you say about your van, campsites would definitely be more appropriate than aires, though you could possibly consider aires with public toilets. The problem is that many campsites are closed in winter. If you plan to use an electric blanket, you will need access to mains electricity, which is available on some aires, but often requires you to be adjacent to the service point and is often payable by the hour. I can't help with route recommendations from Calais as I've tended to cross on central Channel routes.
As regards listening to music, if you have music on your phone, you can probably listen to it while using Google Maps for navigation, though this does apparently vary with location. See https://support.google.com/maps/answer/11523238?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android&oco=0
 
i’ve done the spain/portugal run every year for the last ten years be aware that down to the middle of spain you could have frost inside your windows in january for that reason i would recommend using the toll roads plenty of time to admire the scenery on the return journey, there are two types of aire de service on the motorways one much like our service stations but with parking alongside and others that are like a picnic area , there are many negative stories about motorway services but as long as you overnight on the peage sections they are covered by cameras at the toll booths and are normally trouble free , also on motorways you would easily drive 4 hours a day & would be reaching the warmer areas in 4 days whereas the same journey in 3 hour days non toll non motorway could be 8 days or more , many of the motorway service stations have shower facilities for lorry drivers etc whichever route you choose i hope you enjoy yourself
 
i’ve done the spain/portugal run every year for the last ten years be aware that down to the middle of spain you could have frost inside your windows in january for that reason i would recommend using the toll roads plenty of time to admire the scenery on the return journey, there are two types of aire de service on the motorways one much like our service stations but with parking alongside and others that are like a picnic area , there are many negative stories about motorway services but as long as you overnight on the peage sections they are covered by cameras at the toll booths and are normally trouble free , also on motorways you would easily drive 4 hours a day & would be reaching the warmer areas in 4 days whereas the same journey in 3 hour days non toll non motorway could be 8 days or more , many of the motorway service stations have shower facilities for lorry drivers etc whichever route you choose i hope you enjoy yourself
Oh Ken, what are you saying to me!!!
Is it really that cold? 🥶 I’ll have my dog with me for warmth and I’ll take an extra thick blanket.
I must say getting down to Spain in 4 days does sound a lot better than 8 mind. Oh boy, I’m going to have to seriously consider my route down south again. Phew 😮‍💨 I never thought this was going to be so complicated, I wish I’d managed to get on a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander damn!!
Thanks for advice
Deb
 
Hello 👋
I’m a single woman planning to travel from France into Spain in January in my camper van with my dog.
I’m hoping for suggestions on best route to take, as it’s winter I don’t want to travel for more than 3 hours a day and I want to stay in proper camp sites, not overnight stops on the side of the highway.
I’m not that keen on the toll roads as I’ve heard that the A roads are very good. Also I would like a bit of scenery on my journey and be able to stop wherever I can.
Hoping someone out there has some good suggestions
Thanks 😊
You should have no issues or concerns about driving through France to Spain. Also stopping overnight in Dover or close by should also not be an issue.
 
ASCI camping is a good one to use when travelling in Europe if you want to stay on sites, as for routes through France My advice is to use the free motorway sections around major cities and then travel leisurely on the many A & B roads..... there are so many routes that you could take
 
There is nothing at all to be concerned about if you just take it that the journey is an integral part of your trip/holiday etc..
 
Oh Ken, what are you saying to me!!!
Is it really that cold? 🥶 I’ll have my dog with me for warmth and I’ll take an extra thick blanket.
I must say getting down to Spain in 4 days does sound a lot better than 8 mind. Oh boy, I’m going to have to seriously consider my route down south again. Phew 😮‍💨 I never thought this was going to be so complicated, I wish I’d managed to get on a ferry from Portsmouth to Santander damn!!
Thanks for advice
Deb
Here's some climate data showing "normal" min and max temperatures in France in January: https://meteofrance.com/climat/normales/france
 
The Aires under discussion are 'aire de camping-car' not motorway service areas, which are confusingly also called aires (avoid them if possible).

Aire de camping-car are more like CL or CS with few facilities. Some are free, some are just cheap. Some have mains hookup, most have water and toilet disposal. In the depths of winter, the water may be off to prevent frost damage.
 
Hi

We do the run down to Spain every January and stay in campsites all the way.

Near Rouen - https://www.campingsalverte.com/en/...rouen-dans-leure-en-normandie-en-translation/ - basic but does the job.

Near Poitiers - for years we used this site http://www.camping-le-futuriste.fr/en/home-p1.php but we now use a free aire nearby as this site dropped out of the ACSI scheme so we think it is overpriced.

Bordeaux - https://www.camping-bordeaux.com/fr - not on ACSI but reasonably priced. We always book but it's never full. They have a lovely restaurant too,

Urrugne - https://www.larrouleta.com/campsite-france-basque-country.html - on ACSI scheme and no need to book.

If you pop all of these into Google maps starting at the Calais ferry port you should see that the drive lengths are around what you are looking for if you use the motorways. The only exception to that is the free (mostly) dual carriageway between Poitiers and Bordeaux as it runs alongside the MWay so silly to pay tolls.

If you use the MWays I would strongly suggest getting a motorway tag if you are ravelling alone. That way the tolls will be easier to navigate. There are a few available but I use a Bip&Go one as it covers France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. If you drop me a private message with your full name and email address I can get you €5 off your first invoice (I get it too).
 
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