aussiedreamer

At the route planning stage for our 'little drive' around Spain & Portugal. I always find the intial part of setting out a plan hard but once I've got a rough route in mind, I'm off and running.

We will be arriving into Madrid on the 27th December, we will probably just stay one night and then pick up a hire car or maybe even a camper. We've always wanted to have a go at a camper holiday, this seemed like a good time to do it.

We will have 17 days to explore, which also allows us a night or two in either Madrid or Barcelona (20 days in Spain) before heading to Amsterdam for our flight home. We have been to Barcelona & Valencia previously. Without going into any detail I've mapped out a rough plan, I'll be able to spend some time filling in the blanks re where to stay & for how long & what to see once I've worked this bit out.

Madrid to San Sebastian via Sergovia & Pamplona. Then follow the coast around to Santiago de Compostela, down to Lisbon via Coimbra & Nazare before heading to Seville. Then on to explore the Andalucias route through the White Villages before making our way back to Madrid or Barcelona (depending on flights)

We are (will be ;-( ) both 50 and pretty seasoned travelers, we've driven in Europe many times and love to be able to change our minds re how long we stay somewhere etc. For us, pretty scenery, historic villages & buildings and Food & wine are our big drawcards. DH loves 'discovering' cave, grottos interesting hikes etc.

My biggest question I guess is, is this route possible in late December early January? Love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks as always AD

Robert2533

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.

Viajero2

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.

danon

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.

kimhe

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=aMv9E...eature=related
Ardales: http://servicios.diariosur.es/fijas/...s/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

aussiedreamer

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.

aussiedreamer

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

ribeirasacra

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.

aussiedreamer

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.

ribeirasacra

Wild camping in theory against the law. But in reality it may be accepted. Just find "hidden" spots away from main roads and The Guardia Civil may not move you on.
This 22 day drip? do you mean this one?
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...in/spain22.htm
or this one
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti..._spainport.htm
If so they are far too fast for a motorhome to travel.
I feel that you may have lost comments because you are still not understand what has been said. Good luck with you plans and lets hope that the weather is not too bad.