Petra Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 We are considering going down to Spain in December or January for a month or so and wondered whether campsites or aires would be available without booking. We don't want to commit ourselves to staying anywhere we might not like and we tend to move on every couple of days and we are not the type to sit around playing bingo. Sites need to be fairly close to local amenities as I am in a wheelchair and we also have a dog. What are the beaches like for dogs in the winter? Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 We've been going for the last few years Petra although missed last year due to health problems. Over the years it has got steadily busier with all the popular sites booked up. However, we have managed previously to fund availability as long as you don't mind getting the smallest or shakiest pitch. If we like a place we just wait fir a better pitch to come up and move. We have also used the quite plentiful Aires in between staying on site but be aware that camping in many of the previously tolerated spots (beaches etc) has also become more difficult as the police have moved people on when it gets too busy. We still hope to get away by December if things stay on track and would be staying for around three months. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matrix Meanderer Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Petra - 2018-11-01 12:37 PM We are considering going down to Spain in December or January for a month or so and wondered whether campsites or aires would be available without booking. We don't want to commit ourselves to staying anywhere we might not like and we tend to move on every couple of days and we are not the type to sit around playing bingo. Sites need to be fairly close to local amenities as I am in a wheelchair and we also have a dog. What are the beaches like for dogs in the winter? Any help would be appreciated. In addition to a lower tolerance of wild camping in Spain, less beaches are now dog friendly than they used to be. The Spanish are notoriously bad with dogs leaving them outside all day where they can and some do bark incessantly. Local tourism chiefs have a similar attitude and ban dogs from beaches for health (and tourism income) reasons. There are plenty of websites that give dog friendly beach advice if you search using Google. Example: http://www.redcanina.es/mapa-de-las-playas-para-perros-en-espana-2016/ There are travel guides as well: https://travelnuity.com/dog-friendly-spain/ We are not dog owners but do support dog rescue organisations which have to deal with the aftermath of Spanish cruelty to dogs. We've been to Spain for most of the last ten winters but are giving it a miss this year for BREXIT and family reasons. Our advice is that there will be sites you can use without booking but the popular ones will be much more difficult to get onto. As for Spanish Aires, we never use them, we've seen enough of them and prefer to overnight in civilised, safe surroundings. The Spanish are also not very good at providing wheelchair access especially outside city centres. Most promenades are good however but don't expect the standards we have in the UK. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Probably worth getting the ACSI discount book/card. That gives details of wheelchair friendly sites. But as stated the pavements are not always very good, and do have quiet high curbs Also many sites will be full , as many fill up early with bookings. Hope you get there, Good luck PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Petra - 2018-11-01 12:37 PM We are considering going down to Spain in December or January for a month or so and wondered whether campsites or aires would be available without booking. We don't want to commit ourselves to staying anywhere we might not like and we tend to move on every couple of days and we are not the type to sit around playing bingo. Sites need to be fairly close to local amenities as I am in a wheelchair and we also have a dog. What are the beaches like for dogs in the winter? Any help would be appreciated. Best of luck with that plan.......Touring Spain without booking ahead in the winter is now only for those who like wilding :-S ......... If I were you I'd be ringing around the sites that interest you to see if they have any cancellations ;-) ....... Dogs and beaches are a bit of an issue too, as many don't allow them :-| ......... Camping Kiko is good for them though ;-) ............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Hi We went on spect about 6 years ago and had no problems but we do tour, rarely spend more than a few days at any site. Some of the inland sites were virtually empty when we went in January. We are also thinking of touring Spain in February. We won’t book ahead cos I never know where I will be. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 peterjl - 2018-11-01 6:02 PM Hi We went on spect about 6 years ago and had no problems but we do tour, rarely spend more than a few days at any site. Some of the inland sites were virtually empty when we went in January. We are also thinking of touring Spain in February. We won’t book ahead cos I never know where I will be. Peter Peter, 6 years ago, you did not get the French leaving France in winter!. The last few years they have discovered Spain. along with the Dutch, Belgians/Germans , and even the Spanish have moved over to motorhomes from caravans! PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Than you PJ. Is FebruAry busier than January? We drove down to Cadiz, en route to Canaries, and dropped into sites in that area in mid Jan with no problems. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Petra - 2018-11-01 12:37 PM We are considering going down to Spain in December or January for a month or so and ......... Hi Petra. No experience of Dec/Jan, but been Spain and Portugal Feb/March last two years. And it was busy. Usually means you get the worst pitch on site. But if you move on that’s ok. Also , people do move on so maybe you can move to a better pitch. It’s all about the weather, so that’s the decision. Take a chance? For a month it’s a small window of opportunity. . You know what the problem is with small windows! Regards, Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted November 4, 2018 Author Share Posted November 4, 2018 Thanks for all the replies. Think we might head back to Greece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Petra - 2018-11-04 9:11 AM Thanks for all the replies. Think we might head back to Greece. So maybe you can advise us on how to do Greece rather than Spain? Like is there a way to reduce the mileage: before you get to Greece, and where would you head for: is it feasible to take ferries to more southern islands? And what are campsites like? Cheers, Snowie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Petra - 2018-11-04 9:11 AM Thanks for all the replies. Think we might head back to Greece. Love Greece and islands, but in January? Bit too cold for me, even staying in a hotel! PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matrix Meanderer Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 And I understand that Italy is no better :-D Most campsites closed and terrible roads further south. So Spain is still the best option for the Winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 We lived in Crete for 6 years and had some wonderful winters. Christmas Day was 25 degrees. It is usually lovely weather November to Mid January, then it starts to deteriorate until mid March usually 15 degrees. Not all sites are open but wild camping is tolerated and tavernas are quite willing to let you park in their car parks. There is no easy way to get to Greece. We used to go from Ancona to Patras, then drive to Piraeus to get ferry down to Crete. If Crete is too far the Peloponnese is quite nice but not quite as warm. Ferries run from Piraeus to the Islands subject to weather conditions, we've only been held up once in many trips. We have travelled extensively around Crete in the winter, obviously not everything is open but the towns inland are much busier than the tourist resorts on the coast. Quite a few sites on the south coast are open during the winter. If you want all the razamatazz of Spain obviously Greece is much quieter in the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Petra, Have a think about Portugal. Tends to be a bit quieter than Spain and very friendly. We avoid the Algarve (too touristy), but the lower Atlantic coast is lovely and so are the sites in the hills - its just as warm and many are open all year round. Have got recommendations if you are interested. Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 Thanks Laurence I'd be interested in the recommendations, we've been to Portugal before but not in the motorhome but know the country reasonably well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 Petra, PM me, and I send you some thoughts and recommendations. Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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