Winter long term stay; any advice please

[Madmaggott]

Hello all; we would like to get away in the van next winter and fancy Portugal or possibly Spain.  We want to use eurotunnel both ways ideally but certainly one way (because we will have our dog with us).  Our insurance only allows us to leave the house for a maximum of 90 days so we realise that we may need some careful planning if we aren't to find ourselves stuck en-route due to bad weather.

We had thought perhaps travel down in late November and return late February.  Has anyone done this journey across France (regularly) each year who could advise if it's a reasonable bet as far as route, stopping places, water/waste disposal, etc; and of course the weather, if not, any other suggestions?

I understand that we will need to book a long-term pitch asap so would also appreciate any recommendations or words of warning on that subject.  We will not have a car but will have cycles so need a site reasonably near to a gaslow garage (or should we use cylinders), shopping, restaurants and so on.

Also, anything else that we may need to be aware of.

Thanks J

 

 

[starvin marvin]

First, if you want to be away for longer than 90 days, change insurer, plenty out there. France in the winter is generally OK, but use the western route. As for booking long term stays on a site, why have you got a m/h?you need a caravan. We are free campers who uses sites as and when required. If you are going to be in Spain a long time my advice is use one refillable and get one exchange bottle, Repsol have the largest network is 2x11kg.

[Guest pelmetman]

We have refillable, but use a Repsol bottle in Spain as it saves the hassle of LPG hunting ;-).............

 

16.50 euro delivered to the pitch B-)

[Madmaggott]

pelmetman - 2014-02-03 11:50 AMWe have refillable, but use a Repsol bottle in Spain as it saves the hassle of LPG hunting ;-).............16.50 euro delivered to the pitch B-)

 

Yes, we thought that might be the case.  Not a problem as we currently have 1 lrg gaslow and a lightweight refillable, (we also have a friend who has a repsol bottle ;-)  I'll have to speak nicely to him. Thanks.

 

[Madmaggott]

starvin marvin - 2014-02-03 11:46 AM  As for booking long term stays on a site, why have you got a m/h?you need a caravan.

 

We don't have a caravan, we have a motorhome which we love to use, as a motorhome, throughout most of the year.  The reasoning behind going to a site for the winter months is that we usually only use the motorhome for the odd trip in the winter, for our own reasons which I won't go into here, so it spends most of those months parked.  It may as well be parked on a site in warmer climes as on our drive!  My query is in order to get specific advice, (for which I am very grateful) not to be told that I am driving the wrong vehicle.

 

 

 

[docted]

Don't worry about Marvin he is going through the change just now and sometimes his reponses are a little blunt. I would blame tghe hot flushes but I am a guy and what would I know

[Guest JudgeMental]

use the search function and read up on routes to spain..most of us take the westerly, mainly non toll routes,once in spain tolls far more reasonable so not worth avoiding... also do your homework and research regards sites..not a clue what you like, but plenty of well regarded sites in Spain to choose from, normally better rates for 31 days +

[Madmaggott]

Yes, we usually go via western France in the summer, down to the south, but we've not ventured across to Spain or Portugal as yet.  Usually we take a couple of weeks to pootle down but thought probably will hasten a bit faster that late in the year.  We like peace and quiet but do like to socialise; meals, bottle of wine, bit of banter, etc.  Don't mind 'organised fun' to a degree but not too much, too loud.  Probably wouldn't make use of swimming pool or suchlike because we don't like to leave the dog in the van if we can avoid it.  We like to walk or make use of safe cycle paths, where the dog can run about.  We like a walk to the shops in the mornings to get daily foodstuffs and a bit of a constitutional.  That's us really; pretty boring.

[vindiboy]

We do this trip most winters leaving England Dec,or Jan,Western route usually,Calais Rouen,Le Mans Bordeaux St Jean de Monts, Palencia, Casseres and on to the Algarve or whatever takes our fancy,get the Vicarious book all the Aires Spain and Portugal and it will be a breeze,we wild camp or Aires all the time no problems plenty of campsites too if you want them,no need to book you will always get in, plenty of LPG fill up places also listed in said book,the Camping and Caravan Club give us 180 days unoccupancy insurance for our Bungalow so no trouble there, We have experienced all types of weather on our trips down ice snow hail heavy rain and sunshine never a problem though, always got through,Have a look at Bennicassim in Spain when we had Caravans we stayed there on camping Azahar and also Bonterra both good sites and a great town with all you need.We are in fact about to set of any day now via Calais,not booked a ferry yet but that is just a phone call or a net dabble and off we go,will stay at Canterbury P n R for a night or two before the ferry and a night at Calais on the dock when we arrive then off we go to either Spain or Portugal,only a short trip this time as we are going to Ireland for the MCC National too.

[Mike88]

If you are going to Portugal you had better read up about their toll road system. It's not exactly user friendly on some roads. In fact it's so complex many people avoid going there and the locals are up in arms at the effect it is having on tourism.

[vindiboy]

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 5:40 PMIf you are going to Portugal you had better read up about their toll road system. It's not exactly user friendly on some roads. In fact it's so complex many people avoid going there and the locals are up in arms at the effect it is having on tourism.

That is nonsense,you can get around Portugal easily not using the toll roads at all, When you arrive in Portugal on the Motorway from Spain FREE assuming you are going to the Algarve as you cross the bridge there is a lane for you to use to access the toll machine where you can register your vehicle and credit / debit card and then off you go,if you go on a pay motorway your number plate is read and any toll is debited from your card,how easy is that,as for saying tourists are avoiding Portugal because of the toll road system ,that beggars belief We were in Portugal for six months last year and are about to go back again and won,t be using any toll roads at all.Take the slip road off the free Motorway for Villa Real de San Antonio and you avoid the tolls any way.

[audgreen]

We are leaving for Spain on Saturday until July. We rang 2 sites. One in L'Estartit and one in Benicarlo. Neither were worried about us booking as they had plenty of space although made a note of approximate dates and neither would take a deposit. We were not sure how long we would be using the sites but price drops dramatically if you stay for 4 weeks. Don't know about over the Christmas hols. might have to book then,

[Mike88]

vindiboy - 2014-02-03 7:04 PM

 

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 5:40 PMIf you are going to Portugal you had better read up about their toll road system. It's not exactly user friendly on some roads. In fact it's so complex many people avoid going there and the locals are up in arms at the effect it is having on tourism.

That is nonsense,you can get around Portugal easily not using the toll roads at all, When you arrive in Portugal on the Motorway from Spain FREE assuming you are going to the Algarve as you cross the bridge there is a lane for you to use to access the toll machine where you can register your vehicle and credit / debit card and then off you go,if you go on a pay motorway your number plate is read and any toll is debited from your card,how easy is that,as for saying tourists are avoiding Portugal because of the toll road system ,that beggars belief We were in Portugal for six months last year and are about to go back again and won,t be using any toll roads at all.Take the slip road off the free Motorway for Villa Real de San Antonio and you avoid the tolls any way.

 

I don't think it is nonsense but I'm no expert. I also gather that the system you describe of registering your card is only valid for 30 days and the original poster is planning to spend in excess of 90 days away.

 

There is also a tollcard The TollCard is an on-the-shelf product that is activated by SMS requiring a fixed sum to be spent on tolls in units of various denominations of euros. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card. There is also some kind of transponder arrangement.

 

To me registering a card, buying a tollcard or transponder seems a lot more hassle than paying tolls at a booth but if you think differently than good luck to you. I suggest you keep your nonsensical comments to yourself as I was merely suggesting the original poster did some research before leaving home.

 

Details are here:

 

http://www.portugaltolls.pt/en/web/portal-de-portagens/faq-s

 

As I understand it many of the non toll roads in Portugal are bone shakers and in bad need of maintenance but as I've not been there cannot verify this.

[vindiboy]

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 6:59 PM

vindiboy - 2014-02-03 7:04 PM

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 5:40 PMIf you are going to Portugal you had better read up about their toll road system. It's not exactly user friendly on some roads. In fact it's so complex many people avoid going there and the locals are up in arms at the effect it is having on tourism.

That is nonsense,you can get around Portugal easily not using the toll roads at all, When you arrive in Portugal on the Motorway from Spain FREE assuming you are going to the Algarve as you cross the bridge there is a lane for you to use to access the toll machine where you can register your vehicle and credit / debit card and then off you go,if you go on a pay motorway your number plate is read and any toll is debited from your card,how easy is that,as for saying tourists are avoiding Portugal because of the toll road system ,that beggars belief We were in Portugal for six months last year and are about to go back again and won,t be using any toll roads at all.Take the slip road off the free Motorway for Villa Real de San Antonio and you avoid the tolls any way.

I don't think it is nonsense but I'm no expert. I also gather that the system you describe of registering your card is only valid for 30 days and the original poster is planning to spend in excess of 90 days away.There is also a tollcard The TollCard is an on-the-shelf product that is activated by SMS requiring a fixed sum to be spent on tolls in units of various denominations of euros. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card. There is also some kind of transponder arrangement. To me registering a card, buying a tollcard or transponder seems a lot more hassle than paying tolls at a booth but if you think differently than good luck to you. I suggest you keep your nonsensical comments to yourself as I was merely suggesting the original poster did some research before leaving home.Details are here:http://www.portugaltolls.pt/en/web/portal-de-portagens/faq-sAs I understand it many of the non toll roads in Portugal are bone shakers and in bad need of maintenance but as I've not been there cannot verify this.

well registering your card may seem a hassle to you but most toll roads have no operator but use number plate recognition so you have NO choice, even IF the time limit is only 30 days and that is the first time I have heard of that  one could simply re register  again for another 30 days, when were you last in Portugal ? 

[Mike88]

vindiboy - 2014-02-03 10:17 PM

 

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 6:59 PM

vindiboy - 2014-02-03 7:04 PM

Mike88 - 2014-02-03 5:40 PMIf you are going to Portugal you had better read up about their toll road system. It's not exactly user friendly on some roads. In fact it's so complex many people avoid going there and the locals are up in arms at the effect it is having on tourism.

That is nonsense,you can get around Portugal easily not using the toll roads at all, When you arrive in Portugal on the Motorway from Spain FREE assuming you are going to the Algarve as you cross the bridge there is a lane for you to use to access the toll machine where you can register your vehicle and credit / debit card and then off you go,if you go on a pay motorway your number plate is read and any toll is debited from your card,how easy is that,as for saying tourists are avoiding Portugal because of the toll road system ,that beggars belief We were in Portugal for six months last year and are about to go back again and won,t be using any toll roads at all.Take the slip road off the free Motorway for Villa Real de San Antonio and you avoid the tolls any way.

I don't think it is nonsense but I'm no expert. I also gather that the system you describe of registering your card is only valid for 30 days and the original poster is planning to spend in excess of 90 days away.There is also a tollcard The TollCard is an on-the-shelf product that is activated by SMS requiring a fixed sum to be spent on tolls in units of various denominations of euros. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card. There is also some kind of transponder arrangement. To me registering a card, buying a tollcard or transponder seems a lot more hassle than paying tolls at a booth but if you think differently than good luck to you. I suggest you keep your nonsensical comments to yourself as I was merely suggesting the original poster did some research before leaving home.Details are here:http://www.portugaltolls.pt/en/web/portal-de-portagens/faq-sAs I understand it many of the non toll roads in Portugal are bone shakers and in bad need of maintenance but as I've not been there cannot verify this.

well registering your card may seem a hassle to you but most toll roads have no operator but use number plate recognition so you have NO choice, even IF the time limit is only 30 days and that is the first time I have heard of that  one could simply re register  again for another 30 days, when were you last in Portugal ? 

 

My point is that the Portugese system is not like using toll roads in France or Spain and certainly not as straightforward. My suggestion that the original poster does some research before he/she goes is not that unreasonable is it? I can't see what is nonsensical in that.

 

As for the 30 day rule which you have not heard of here is an extract from the Portugese roads authority website:

 

"THE EASYTOLL SERVICE

 

EASYToll is an automatic electronic toll payment system for tourists and emigrants. The vehicle's registration number is associated with a bank card (MasterCard or Visa).

Without having to leave the vehicle, drivers insert a bank card into the payment terminal and the system automatically associates the vehicle's registration with the card. Tolls are then debited directly to the card account.

 

Subscriptions are valid for 30 days and road users are advised to retain the receipt."

 

The point in my last post is that there are multi-systems for dealing with tolls and I provided the official link which you clearly have not read.

 

I'm not looking for an argument but the Portugese system is more complex than other toll systems in France and Spain and that it's better to know about them before you go. Surely you can see that?

[Madmaggott]

Well, many thanks for the responses expecially Vindi; extremely useful concise advice.  And we will certainly read up on the Portugese tolls system although we rarely go on the toll roads in France (once Millau, better to view from below IMO) as our van is on a Maxi chassis and the tolls are enough to take your breath away never mind the view from the bridge, if the tolls are reasonable in Portugal maybe we will use the better roads.

The only reason that we were going to book was because I've been told of people having to book up to one year in advance to get onto a site and that Spain/Portugal aires tend to be unsafe and few.  Therefore we thought it would be best to break our normal habit and just book for at least the first few weeks or so and then decide what to do.  J

 

[starvin marvin]

Madmaggott - 2014-02-03 12:09 PM

starvin marvin - 2014-02-03 11:46 AM  As for booking long term stays on a site, why have you got a m/h?you need a caravan.

 

We don't have a caravan, we have a motorhome which we love to use, as a motorhome, throughout most of the year.  The reasoning behind going to a site for the winter months is that we usually only use the motorhome for the odd trip in the winter, for our own reasons which I won't go into here, so it spends most of those months parked.  It may as well be parked on a site in warmer climes as on our drive!  My query is in order to get specific advice, (for which I am very grateful) not to be told that I am driving the wrong vehicle.

 

 

Well that's OK then.