First Time Spain

M, certainly not a criticism but an alternative suggestion as we are heading for Benicassim (first stop) 8/1/20.

if you drove to Poole rather than Dover (similar distance from Leeds) you could relax a bit earlier and have a quet night on the dock.

morning crossing 8:30 and you'd be south of Nantes by end of first day, with far less driving.

2nd day, down to Irun, or camping closeby and then at Benicassim next day...

obviously, for us, Poole is handy, but for using the Western Route, why head for Dover and all the extra time/miles that entails.

of course, dogs not liking ferries or being a poor sailor would influence choice, but the Poole ferry is a good compromise of time, price and distance gained.

enjoy...

BB.

Time could be an issue but cost will not be even if you use tolls through France, I’ve just checked on Brittany for our dates out 27 December back 15 February Portsmouth to Spain and back and it comes in at over £1000 return for a 7m motorhome with 2 adults. Our tunnel is £260 return and it will not cost anywhere near £740 to get through France.

it will however take an extra 2 to 3 days depending where you are travelling from in the U.K.

Kev's post also hightlights that the 'short' tunnel crossing is certainly not a cheap option (perhaps Dover ferries are still a bargain?) as our £288 return compares very favourably with the £260 return tunnel price.

our pals from West Wales have a dog, so use the tunnel, but generally favour the Western route when heading south through France to Spain in winter, but their trip starts with 6-7 hr drive to Dover and then, once in France, more time tacking back towards their chosen Western preference.

yes, we've had some pretty wet journeys through France in January, but you (almost certainly) wont get snow or ice...even as you climb from Irun to Pamplona and start to cross the 'Plain' the western location (compared to a more central crossing) rarely sees snow on the route, although the ski slopes, another 300-500m higher, would be snow capped.

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as i said, boats arent much fun if not a happy sailor, but some are also 'tunnel averse'.

weve used most of the sea crossings (Caen, St Malo, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Calais, Bologne, Bilbao and Santander) and also the tunnel.

for us, i mainly depends on destination....we usually have plenty of time

safe crossings to all travelling in the next couple of weeks, may see someone at Poole....bon voyage.

Hi BB, regards, think we did see your m/h pitched at BP last February but think we will be ahead of you this trip. 

Agree there are many options and variations of routes & stops.

Ferry - am feeling queasy just typing the word. We just really don't like ferries (and especially overnight ones). Equally just prefer the flexibility of the 2 day run through France, stopping as & when we wish during the day and moreover peacefully sleeping in our own bed. Each to their own.

We are a 12.2m outfit - and for info Tunnel Jan / March at sensible times = £325 return + £70 for the hunds ! 

We use our Aldi circa £30 per weekly shop savings (52 x £30 = £1560) towards just paying for our now annual overwintering pilgrimage. Other Supermarket schemes are available.

10 days to the grand departe

M 

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M, yes it looks like youll be just gone of only staying the one night at Benicassim...we are there 10th for two weeks (for a chill) before exploring till Easter.

we were there in Feb last year, got in on a CC rally and it was fine.

we have done the odd overnight ferry to northern Spain but, like you, prefer the van and the overland route is well practised.

enjoy.

Hi again folks , next advice is about "green card " insurance . My insurance co say at moment i don't need one and they are not issuing , do any of you have them ? do i need one for the caravan too ? again my caravan insurer says "no" only need one for car ?

 

AFAIK even after 31st January there will be a transition period till end of year where everything remains "as is" so no green card required. Whilst towing the caravan is insured by the car insurance in case of accident (I hit a car once with the caravan and car insurance paid for third party damage, caravan insurance for damage to my caravan) so no green card needed even after the end of year.