17 days? You'll be on the go evey day based on your proposed itinerary. If you're planning on camping, you'll need reservations and may have some difficulty finding open campsites along the way.

That's one pretty ambitious itinerary for 20 days in the wintertime. In top of that you seem to be dreaming with a summer vacation-- a lot of camping grounds will be closed. Get a car. Save youself some agravation. Plan the camping trip for Scandinavia in the summer.

If I were you I would loop South first; you will have the better driving weather to "get your bearings and work out the kinks". Do not miss Merida-- a lot of people do and it is such an amazing city.

take umbrellas ( rains a lot in the north) and a warm coats for Madrid.
The winter weather in southern Europe is not good for camping.

In Andalucía, you might like the Málaga "Lake district" at El Chorro. http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/chorro/home.htm

A fine camping up here:
http://www.campings.com/camping-elchorro-alora

Close to beautiful Álora and Ardales,
Álora: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMv9EIDL32I&feature=related
Ardales: http://servicios.diariosur.es/fijas/pueblos/ingles/ardalesi.htm

And Antequera (the so called heart of Andalucía) and the quite spectacular Torcal is also close by. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWrrOMTfJeM

Just east of Málaga (which is a wonderful big city in itself) you find the Nerja Caves: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Thanks everyone, yeah I do realise that it sounds a lot but if we only get half done, thats fine. We are very easy going travellers. Some days we may just drive, or we may decide to sit longer somewhere. My main question was driving conditions on the proposed route at that time of year.

Thanks so much for all the links kimhe and Viajero2 I'll do some research on Merida, thanks.

ps, kimhe i just noticed your link to the Nerja Caves, thanks. I had 'stumbled' across them while researching this trip, dh will LOVE them.

If you do go to Portugal ensure you know how to pay the electronic toll roads.
Santiago is not a city for campervans.
here are the lists of camp site in Galicia
http://bit.ly/QaUmWd
As I have said in the other thread, you will find campsites closed for winter and you will find that accommodation in the right locations cheaper and warmer.

Okay so, I've been a bit concerned at the 'under whelming' response to this thread. That’s okay I asked and gratefully accept your thoughts. We sent away for a Campsite Guide (Alan Rogers Best Campsites in Spain & Portugal) and it’s encouraged us a lot.
It is broken up into categories; for e.g. Open All Year.
I've searched the key areas we want to visit and have found open campsites in all areas.
They also have a website where you can contact the campsites for info. So I'm thinking I'll book ahead for the first couple and then we'll see how we go. We really are easy going travellers and if we can't find somewhere, we'll be happy to keep going.

I've also been on Rick Steves site and he has a 22 day Spain & Portugal driving itinerary that seems quite doable. (We won’t be going to some places he's listed or stay as long in some.)

So the camper is booked............fingers crossed, it will be an adventure either way.

Don't think I haven't taken your advice on board, I have. That’s why we bought the book etc.

I'd love to get some more ideas for eating and drinking on our route?
And can you pull into road side picnic areas and large service centres and stay overnight if necessary?

Thanks as always.