South of France northern Spain in a tent Aug/Sep

maman

Jackieboy wrote: »

Northern Spain and south of France - how long are you going for?

I was curious about that too. I assumed OP was planning either /or and taking a ferry to Northern Spain cut down on driving the length of France as they have little experience of driving in Europe.

Personally we've almost always driven through France and stopped on the way except when we were going to Southern Spain or Portugal.

elantan

We were thinking maybe 3 weeks or 4 ... arriving in Santander then driving up to France

elantan

agrinnall wrote: »

Schools in Scotland will be back in mid-August so I doubt if any September date is viable if school-age children are involved.

Hi all, should have said ... no children just husband and myself ...

isplumm

elantan wrote: »

We live in central Scotland .. but this was for a ferry from somewhere down south going to Santander ( cant remember the port we were leaving sorry) it was for height of season, and we had to purchase accomadation as well, we chose not the cheapest ( seats) but the cheapest cabin, it was a return journey. our car is a vauxhall astra

This was not including autoroute tolls, it was ferry with 2 passengers and car with cheapest cabin for sleeping as it was a 23 hour ferry trip

Just checked it was Portsmouth

Hi

If you plan on doing a journey like that - join Brittany Ferries Club - costs about £100 - but you get a large discount of the cost of ferry.

The other option is to take the Eurotunnel or the Dover Calais ferry and drive down through France.

Have you thought about going somewhere like Normandy / Brittany - not as far to drive, weather will be good and lots of nice beaches?

Thanks Mark

Beenie

One of your questions was about the heat. It could be murderously hot in a tent in the south of France in August.

We camp each year and always go in June in order to avoid extreme heat. This was after two holidays spent sweating, unable to sleep, having to get up early (7am) as the sun was so strong. You also find it doesn't cool down until after midnight sometimes.

This wasn't normal by the way - we have camped for nearly 40 years and it's only recently that we have noticed this problem. It could be global warming, or it could be the popularity of camping (and lack of tree shade as all shady pitches taken) because of the financial crisis. So if you do go, try to get a shady pitch or be prepared to sweat it out!

maman

elantan wrote: »

Hi all, should have said ... no children just husband and myself ...

Unless you love being surrounded by children then I'd definitely wait until September.;)

grawiz

Camping in Southern France and Northern Spain at that time of year is usually wonderful - but the most important thing to remember is only to use sites with pine trees (it's normally listed in most decent site guides). I'll never forget the first time I did a trip like that and discovered why the pine trees were such an advantage as soon as the Mediterranean sun rose on our first morning: the tent turned into an oven within a few minutes!! The cover also lets you sit out in cool shade when you need a break from the heat.
I also have a Brittany Ferries Club discount code which I would be glad to help out anyone who pms me for it. They are definitely the best way to start and end a holiday in France or Spain.

AlexMac

Your pricing seems toppy as you're missing the classic "Moneysavingexpert" trick which we pull one or two times a year when using B Ferries to the Picos; that is to hit the "Ferry and Holiday" button on the homepage and get a quote for crossings with even a few nights in a hotel or casa/cottage.

That way, the crossing prices tumble, even if you add in (as we always do) a cabin upgrade to a larger "2/4 berth outside cabin" both ways so you get a window and no ladders to upstairs berths (which are folded away anyway)

I have just done a dummy booking and got just over £1200 as the price for Portsmouth- Santander returns, the cabin upgrades and 12 nights in a casa in the Picos. I reckon that will be cheaper than campsite fees and a stand-alone ferry crossing without upgrades. And stacks cheaper than driving, fuel and tolls 600miles through France (although ast year we permed Caen and Santander for the fun of driving the French Atalantic coast en route to the Picos).

We are paying comparable prices for 2 weeks this May but staying in a variety of hotels over 2 weeks. If you were to stay in a hotel or casa for even 3 nights you'd get the discounted ferry package rate; you can then do your own thing the other nights

Or do a mix of hotels, casas and camping freelance; our favourite is the Hotel del Oso in Potes-Cosgaya, Cantabria; ideally located for walks in the peaks and high valleys, and withthe best and biggest breakfasts in the world thrown in on the BF discounted rate; it would cost you £80-90 a night freelance; do the maths!

Play with possible accomodations on the BF website- great map search options then, when you have a shortlist, ring in to book if satying in multiple locations; the staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Dunno about France, but the picos de Europa are wonderful in autumn; not too hot at all; ceratinly not at between 2000 and 4000 feet! Look at my posts on the Cantabria forum of Tripadvisor - and those of forum expert RatonCantabria who also has an evocative wordpress blog- google her.

And next year,get on their mailing list so yu catch their 20% early booking discount window- usually in November... but even at rack rate their package prices are keen.