First Time in Spain

Hi

Wrote a post a few weeks ago entitled Spain/Portugal - First time. Well we've decided to 'do' Spain first.  We arrive in Santander at 5.30pm on 15th February and plan to stop for the first night at the aire not too far away in Cabarceno as recommended by a few of you - thanks. Because this is our first time in Spain and are not sure what to expect we've already booked to stay for a few days at Camping Ribamar (which seems to have a few good reviews) near Alcossebre on the med.


Anyone got thoughts of a couple of good stops en-route? Hoping not to do toll roads, are other main roads ok in Feb? We've got a 3500ton motorhome but only a 2 litre engine so don't fancy doing any mountain passes!


What kind of weather can we expect in February/March? We've got 4 weeks in total away so will be planning to move a bit further south but how far do we need to go to get some warmth?? Any recommendations of campsites/aires good places to visit would be very much appreciated.  We're travelling with our dog too so looking for dog friendly places, walks, beaches nearby etc.

Any tips/advice would be very much appreciated please 

M & L

Hi inga we are on the same boat leave 14th. Fed arrive 15th

Hi shuggy68

Have to meet up for a drink then! Hope you've got some tips to share for us first timers in Spain.

inga wrote:

Hi

Wrote a post a few weeks ago entitled Spain/Portugal - First time. Well we've decided to 'do' Spain first.  We arrive in Santander at 5.30pm on 15th February and plan to stop for the first night at the aire not too far away in Cabarceno as recommended by a few of you - thanks. Because this is our first time in Spain and are not sure what to expect we've already booked to stay for a few days at Camping Ribamar (which seems to have a few good reviews) near Alcossebre on the med.


Anyone got thoughts of a couple of good stops en-route? Hoping not to do toll roads, are other main roads ok in Feb? We've got a 3500ton motorhome but only a 2 litre engine so don't fancy doing any mountain passes!


What kind of weather can we expect in February/March? We've got 4 weeks in total away so will be planning to move a bit further south but how far do we need to go to get some warmth?? Any recommendations of campsites/aires good places to visit would be very much appreciated.  We're travelling with our dog too so looking for dog friendly places, walks, beaches nearby etc.

Any tips/advice would be very much appreciated please 

M & L

Being your first time travelling in Spain do you intend staying on campsites en-route to Alcossebre or would you consider wilding or an Aire stop over.
Its a little over 400 miles from Santander which I would spend at least two days to do so at least one night along the way is required and the weather should be quite nice by day and a wee chilly at night, the further south you go it does tend to be a bit warmer and drier but there are many site around the area you are heading for.

camping BonTerre at Benicassim is a full facility site with supermarket outside the gate and the promenade is great. 

There is the new Aire posted today by searchforsites and one we will staying at for visiting Valencia on our way home in March.

Two more very popular Aires are at Denia and Calpe the latter being the best location (for us) 

Just give us some idea of what your requirements are and we will see if we can help with more info.

Bob

as its your first time in spain,have you thought about benidorm,{for a littlte  blowout}

you never know you might like it.great site within easy walk to the beach and bars/restraunts/supermacados{a little bit of my spanish}

the site is  EL RACO.

Thanks for your replies so far.......
 
We've never done wild camping before so would feel a bit unsure about doing that especially in a strange country, but are happy to use Aires - have done many Aires in France and Stellplatz in Germany.  I've seen you mentioned the Aires at Denia and Calpe in an earlier topic so looked them up but the one at Denia is showing closed for now, it looks like they're hoping to make a new aire next to the old one!

Don't necessarily need an all singing and dancing site.  Somewhere that's got clean facilities and perhaps nearby walking or beach area for the dog.  Also, although some of the time we'd like to be near the sea we like countryside too..... but as said earlier not keen on going up mountains!

We've got 4 weeks and usually like to move on after a few days but we don't want to keep travelling unnecessarily if the weather's good and we've found somewhere nice to chill out, although saying that we definitely won't be staying in one spot for the whole holiday!  Also wondered if travelling right down to the south and back would be too much in 4 weeks.

Also what's everyone's opinion on using toll roads or not in Spain?

We found Spanish toll roads a fair bit cheaper than they are in France and we would definitely use then to get past Barcelona if you are coming that way.I will check the maps and diary tomorrow to see which sites and aires we used last year

inga wrote:

Thanks for your replies so far.......
 
We've never done wild camping before so would feel a bit unsure about doing that especially in a strange country, but are happy to use Aires - have done many Aires in France and Stellplatz in Germany.  I've seen you mentioned the Aires at Denia and Calpe in an earlier topic so looked them up but the one at Denia is showing closed for now, it looks like they're hoping to make a new aire next to the old one!

Don't necessarily need an all singing and dancing site.  Somewhere that's got clean facilities and perhaps nearby walking or beach area for the dog.  Also, although some of the time we'd like to be near the sea we like countryside too..... but as said earlier not keen on going up mountains!

We've got 4 weeks and usually like to move on after a few days but we don't want to keep travelling unnecessarily if the weather's good and we've found somewhere nice to chill out, although saying that we definitely won't be staying in one spot for the whole holiday!  Also wondered if travelling right down to the south and back would be too much in 4 weeks.

 
A toll free route to your destination with Zaragoza on route, and there is Camping Municipal Zaragoza, but have a look at searchforsites.co.uk along the route for other places like Marlofa Aire not to everyones taste but safe and cheap.
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Hia

Enjoy your Santanda crossing years ago me and my late hubby did this crossing twice when going camping with tents. On our first journey we left Portsmouth/Plymouth which ever in fog and the journey was foggy couldn't see anything. when we reach Santanderit seemed to rise out of the mist the most lovely introduction to Santander

Quote :

Also what's everyone's opinion on using toll roads or not in Spain?

We try and avoid toll roads as much as possible due to being twin wheeled and 5500kg but saying that the N roads in Spain are in general very good and we even use the National through Barcelona at Times.

the camp site in denia is now shut and not due to reopen

the vicar wrote:

the camp site in denia is now shut and not due to reopen

 Has he still got the Calpe Aire which we like better, I suppose it will have some more vacant and unoccupied apartments built on the land in Denia.

yes calpe still open