Xmas 08 in Spain Forums

teensvan

Hi.

Wow you lot do drive fast. It takes us between 10 to 30 days to get from Dover to Benidorm, and then the same coming back.

steve & ann. ------------ teensvan.

julie798

I have just arrived back from Adra Almeria, I left Adra at 3 pm Friday afternoon, took the 4 am tunnel on Monday morning back in Manchester 10 am, I was the only driver, so I drove inbetween 7 and 8 hours a day, so at included 61 for tunnel 30 for dog, all tolls and diesel.
I would add, that the weather on the coast in Spain can be very unpredictable in December/January, and if you want to enjoy the xmas atmospere, i would make it Benidorm, as there will be a lot of other Brits around
Either way enjoy your xmas

38Rover

Hi
I live on the Costa del Sol so have done the trip many times in fact will be going back in August again.
When I just want to get home asap it takes 2 days to Calais 1350 miles we stop half way in the Bayonne area.12 hour days but that includes the stops so about 10 hrs at the wheel the roads are good and fast if you stick to the toll roads but expensive about £120 mostly in France where you get charged 50% more for a Motorhome with 2 axles 100% more with tag axle.
In round figures the return trip costs about £1000 ie tolls fuel O/N ferry etc etc so the Portsmouth Bilbao ferry at that time of year is good value and saves wear and tear on vehicle and driver.
Why not drive a little further to Eastern Costa del Sol or Costa Tropical good weather and a short drive to the Siera Nevada plenty of snow.
The best route from Calais is Rouen Le Mans then down to the border at San Sebastian,Burgos Madrid Motril then you are on the coast.
and yes it will be worth it.
Colin Frier

Codfinger

Hi all, thanks for your info, flying and hotels is not an option(have invested too much in our m/h) I will have to get the map out and start looking at all routes and destinations, we are off to western scotland for 2 weeks at the end of the month after that I should be able to persuade she who must be obeyed that we need to go and find some sun lol Razz

Cheers Chris

bobandjane

Hi Chris. We went down to Spain in Januaury/Febuary this year from Dover, we did it in 3 days you will not want to hang around in France to long its cold so it makes you push on. I don't know where you plan on to stop but they turn the water off at most of the aires, so its best to take water with you.We went to Javea and then further south to visit friends,but Javea and Denia are quite nice places it seems to be a bit of a sun trap on that part of coast, it was nice in the day a bit chilly at night, I would say have at leased 3 weeks, we went for 4 1/2 weeks it soon goes, as 38Rover says Rouen Le Mans we never travel in Spain in the dark Its not the safest place and once in Spain always park at campsites get your self the ACSI book most campsites are very expensive can be 30 odd euros with the ACSI about 14 euro inc electric and showers most you need the 2 pin plug.

Have a good trip. Bob.

bobandjane

Hi Chris. We went down to Spain in Januaury/Febuary this year from Dover, we did it in 3 days you will not want to hang around in France to long its cold so it makes you push on. I don't know where you plan on to stop but they turn the water off at most of the aires, so its best to take water with you.We went to Javea and then further south to visit friends,but Javea and Denia are quite nice places it seems to be a bit of a sun trap on that part of coast, it was nice in the day a bit chilly at night, I would say have at leased 3 weeks, we went for 4 1/2 weeks it soon goes, as 38Rover says Rouen Le Mans we never travel in Spain in the dark Its not the safest place and once in Spain always park at campsites get your self the ACSI book most campsites are very expensive can be 30 odd euros with the ACSI about 14 euro inc electric and showers most you need the 2 pin plug.

Have a good trip. Bob.

C7KEN

Hi Chris
You have plenty of options but as its very late here I won,t bore you with another one right now. However later I will post the route I would take down to Spain and also the places I would stay in Spain. They will be safe places if free and inexpensive if paid for . We live here but when son Mark was racing him and I travelled this journey many times. We would drive non stop to the north of France.(Ernee) We would go to England for the weekend from here. I'm glad to say I don't do it now. I consider UK to here is a three day trip Smile

Codfinger

Hi Bob and Ken thanks for your advice will have to think about it for a while and look at our options, cheers
Chris

dora

WE'll be travelling down to Salou, Northern Spain for Xmas, planning to leave 22nd dec to arrive Christmas Eve, then leave New Years day to get back to work first working Monday in new year. I know it'll be expensive compared to flying but as I want to take my dogs feel its worth it. Hoping wild camping will be easier then, but I would definately say its worth it as the climate will be so much warmer. IF you go just before Christmas most towns have a live nativity play and Salou belts out christmas carols through loud speakers through the whole period. Its very christmassy and they have such a different outlook on the festive period, its more about family than the commercial side. Christmas Eve is their big feast and nothing will be open, but Christmas evening onwards restaurants start to open again. Go for it, and have a great time, maybe see you en route.

Fego

I did that trip in 2006 and with 4 kids. It was well worth it.

I went Dover -> Calais -> France -> Spain -> Bilbao -> Portsmouth.

It was a bit cold in France and a bit bumpy on the ferry back, but other than that it was great fun. Probably helped that I went to see my parents though.

I did a blog of the trip if you're interested in more detail at www.fegosontour.blogspot.com