WTnow

Aduchamp1 - It will depend on the campsite, city and where you want to go. Sometimes you can walk ( or ride a bike as most RV's have bikes on the back for all) even in big cities. Sometimes you take buses, subways or trams. Sometimes they even have free private bus or van service that leave every 15 minutes day and night.

One of the very best ways to visit Venice is the many campgrounds nearby, then you take a short ferry ride to the city which is a very fun way to arrive!

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2007/0...oria.html#more

At this campsite right in Paris, we could walk to many things, but also they had a free shuttle & we used buses & subways and our bikes.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/0...bois-de-b.html

This lux resort in Tuscany, has tour buses that take people to Florence and many places, even at night.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2007/0...y-camping.html

When we stayed a month in Santorini, we could walk to everything easily, yet were in another world away from the crowds. We also took public buses & even rented a car for cheap one day to see the whole island well.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2009/0...eece.html#more

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2007/0...ini-campi.html

We love this resort no a beach near Barcelona and have been there 8 times in our world tour, usually staying a month or more each time at bargain prices. We walk, bike, use public transportation and have even taken the free group bus tour into the city proper on our first visit.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2007/0...ona-beach.html


Most campsites in Europe are set up as "resorts for budget travelers" so they are placed in areas that make it easy for people to tour and usually provide maps, information and often guided tours even.

They are also placed in areas that are usually easy to get to.

Some how American's have not learned this secret as we almost never run into Americans, but people from all over Europe, NZ & Oz ( even occasionally Chinese and Koreans). Unlike hotels, it is a great place to meet and connect with other travelers from around the world & it is common to have someone over for dinner, drinks or brunch etc....sometimes becoming life long friends. You can connect as much or as little a one wants as privacy is respected and they are very secure places, usually with security guards at night.

aussiedreamer

Sorry to top an older post but this is great. We are two well traveled (lots of driving in Europe) Aussies and we are thinking of hiring a 'small to medium' camper for a couple of weeks, to explore Portugal and some of Spain. This post has really got me excited. I'm going to read every link that has been offered.

It will be early January, after a week in Austria with the 'kids' for Christmas. They are all heading off in different directions and then we will all meet up in London before flying home. We have never 'caravaned' before but really want to try it. I'm thinking as it will be quite cool it would be a good cosy introduction.

Do camp grounds close for winter at all?

Can't wait to get serious and start planning this new adventure.

ribeirasacra

January can be cold in a lot of places in Spain, including Andalusia.
Yes a lot of camping sites will be closed then too.
I would do your sums first. Hiring a camper plus fuel; (higher than a car) higher road tolls (than a car). Having to pack every up before moving on. Parking/access is going to be limited with a camper over a car too. The camper will be slower than a car.
In winter the likes of hotles/hostals/casarurals will have good prices for accommodation.

WTnow

I am just now seeing this @Aussiedreamer but maybe you will check back since you are not planning on traveling until January. MOST, if not all, of the campsites in Andalusia and southern Spain will be open.

It is true that it is not hot summer weather, but the Costa del Sol and Algarve in Portugal will be the warmest areas of Europe and usually sunny. We often just wore T-shirts during the day in December and Jan, but it can get quite chilly at night sometimes.

Just make sure you have a little heater with the rental ( a tiny one keeps things cozy all night long).

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2010/0...tography-.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...ng-in-alg.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...rto-de-sa.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...-marbella.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2010/0...ter-roman.html

There are even quite a few campsites open in winter ( and all year) in northern Europe, ( in Paris, London but also many small towns too) and I've known some who have done ski trips in Europe using their motorhomes. Of course, some close for the winter, especially in the north, so check ahead.

All the great campsites that we know in places like Granada, Seville, Jerez, near Nerja, Cadiz, Algarve, Malaga, Marbella etc are open all year at super low "snow bird" ( usually retires from northern Europe, but some from Oz, NZ) prices.

As low as 7 euros a night in luxury places.

One of the great things about motorhoming ( and a small van would probably be fine for your needs) is you do not have to pack and unpack and can easily make your own meals.

While staying in Marbella, you can easily take the hours ride to Ronda ( we did it in a van when family visited) and park your van at the beautiful parador ..then tour and have lunch there.

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/0...-to-ronda.html

The buses and trains are great in Spain so you can also do that from a base campsite when it is easier and you do not feel like driving.

Most of Europe is pretty wet, dreary and cold, so sunny southern Spain is a good choice!

Happy planning!

aussiedreamer

Thanks WTnow, appreciate you coming back to me. Its time we started 'nutting' out a 'rough' route to take and places to stop. I've just watched Rick Stein (UK chef) latest travels through Spain & I'm really excited.

I'll be back with lots of questions, thanks again.

ribeirasacra

aussieD; That Rick Steins programmes is a bit of a fake. The part he is in Glaicia does not give any sense of the travelling time between one location and another. At one point he remarks that one monastery is just outside Santiago. It is actually over an hour away by car, even longer in the "bus" he is supposedly driving around Spain. But hey that is TV for you.
When planning a trip remember some road tolls could be more expensive for a camper than a car.

aussiedreamer

good point, thanks ribeirasacra.

ribeirasacra

knickers me spelt cheque did not work ing at hall. sorry four the erros in that lasted posted.