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ContentsAIRES: 1 REGIONS/PLACES 11 Spain 11 CYCLE ROUTES 12 ROUTES AND TOLLS France 13 www.viamichelin.com 13 Tolls worth paying for: https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm 13 13
Going to be at least 70 Euros for us. 13 Portugal 13 Spain 14 GENERAL HINTS AND TIPS 15 Spain 15 LPG 16
AIRES: 1 REGIONS/PLACES 11 Spain 12 CYCLE ROUTES 13 ROUTES AND TOLLS France 13 www.viamichelin.com 13 Tolls worth paying for: https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm 13 13
Going to be at least 70 Euros for us. 13 Portugal 13 Spain 14 GENERAL HINTS AND TIPS 15 Spain 16 LPG 16
AIRES:General Check out the Campingo website. www.campercontact.com France: For a guide to machines, signs and photos of several aires, see https://techno.smugmug.com/Travel/France/ If problem getting to our usual stop, then there is a free aire at Wissant on the D940. 50.886751, 1.670197 Or further south Stella Plage. Off the D940 south of Boulogne 50.474325, 1.577373. Berck sur Mer between Boulogne and Dieppe. 5 Euros.? Following reviews mostly from airetoday.co.uk: Listed North to South, all follow Atlantic coast. I have picked out the ones from his reviews that look best suited for us. Dieppe: Aire/Stellplatz: DIEPPE Quai de la Marne (Normandie) On the plus side: Very convenient for port, quite close to town centre, overflow parking available if required. But: Can be a bit noisy if you're a light sleeper. Per night: 7 Euros (2010) maximum stay 48 hours, pay & display machine (horodateur) The obvious reason for staying at this Aire would be because you are catching (or have just disembarked from) the Dieppe ferry. In that respect, this Aire couldn't be more convenient, as it's right next to the ferry port. So close in fact, that looking down the line of camper vans one could be forgiven for thinking that a very large amphibious camper van with a huge brightly-coloured funnel had joined the end of the row .Aire/Stellplatz: HONFLEUR (Normandie) Per night: 9 Euros (2010) - pay at machine (horodateur) by entrance This is a big, busy Aire situated within walking distance of the town centre, between an extensive (but largely empty) quayside area and the marshes and meadows of the Seine estuary. The impressive sweeping span of the Pont de Normandie dominates the estuarine skyline to the North east, carrying traffic across the Seine towards (and from) Le Havre. If travelling to or from Calais it is worth diverting across this bridge to avoid weaving through the city centre of Rouen, which has no by-pass worthy of the name yet. Even with a SatNav you'll need your wits about you when traversing Rouen, whereas the only thing you will exercise crossing the Pont de Normandie is your sense of awe at its amazing architecture and at the surrounding vista it provides. If you pull into the parking area by the bridge's toll station (Gare de Peage) there is an overhead walkway that affords some excellent views of the bridge and the surrounding scenery. We often use this Aire as a first night stopover after catching a morning ferry from Dover to Calais, as it's just about the right distance for a leisurely drive from Calais Port, with only a slight detour from our main route to either the Southwest or West of France. On the plus side: Quiet (apart from the baker's van and the fruit seller's lorry), very convenient for visiting the town, and not far off the main autoroute if passing through to somewhere else. But: It's quite busy and a bit pricey. You need to arrive in good time to ensure a parking spot in summer. - .Le Puy Aire/Stellplatz: LE PUY DU FOU (Pays de la Loire) Per night: 5 Euros (2010) - collect ticket on entry, pay on exit at machine It may surprise you to know this, but after Disneyland Paris, Puy du Fou is France's most popular theme park, bringing in around 1.5 million visitors per year. This goes some way to explaining why their Aire is probably the most vastly hugely massively big Aire you will ever stay on, should you go there. On the plus side: Low cost, plenty of spaces, easy access to the park, about a day's drive from the N Coast if using it as a stopover. Theme park is well worth a visit. But: Sloping pitches on most rows, service point limited for such a big Aire - 4.Aire/Stellplatz: CHATEAU D'OLERON Bd Philippe Daste (Poitou-Charentes) Per night: 8 Euros - credit/debit card only at entry barrier (2010) - maximum stay 4 nights On the Ile d'Oleron, when old campsites fizzle out they don't just fade away, they become Aires Camping-Car. Even better, the same applies at the north end of the island near Saint-Denis d'Oleron. These two Aires represent huge value for money, If approaching this Aire from the Oleron bridge direction, ignore all SatNav instructions to drive through a gate and enter the walled part of Chateau d'Oleron. Stick with the D734 (Chemin de Ronde), and your SatNav will soon see sense and correct itself. It's not impossible to extricate yourself from inside the walls, but if it's a market day it's a bit of a bind. Access is controlled by an automatic barrier that only accepts a bank card ('CB' in French), and which issues a ticket with a time-sensitive entry code that needs keying in to lift the barrier on entry and exit. Take care with these keypads and take your time entering the digits - sticky keys can cause delays, and error messages aren't always displayed in English. the Ile d'Oleron is generally very flat, and is well-served by a network of marked cycle tracks. It doesn't take long to travel from one side of the island to the other by bike, and even a lengthwise bike journey wouldn't be beyond the more active cyclist. On the plus side: Campsite-style extras including showers and electricity, so real value for money. Beach close by, and convenient location for nearby town. But: Ile d'Oleron is not very camper van friendly elsewhere. Not the ideal place if you rely on your camper for mobility - better suited to cyclists. - - 5.Aire/Stellplatz: DOLUS D'OLERON Route du Stade (Poitou-Charentes) there is no maximum stay, no automatic entrance barrier, and in addition to a tarmac hard standing On the plus side: No barriers, enabling greater touring flexibility. Spacious grassy parking, so good value for money. More central location for walking/cycling. Next to a water park. -- On the Ile d'Oleron in Poitou-Charentes there is a quiet, grassy Aire Camping-Car that offers 7 nights' motorhome parking for only 30 Euros, along with a service point. It's a short walk or bike ride from the town centre, which is linked to a network of cycle tracks that run the length and breadth of the island. 6.Aire/Stellplatz: PARC FUTUROSCOPE Jaunay-Clan (Poitou-Charentes) Per night: 2 Euros between 5pm and 8am (2010), otherwise 6 Euros for 24 hours, pay at machine before exiting through barrier, or at attendant's booth on Aire. Please note: Maximum height limit at entry barrier = 3.5m There are small Aires, medium-sized Aires, and big Aires, and then there's theme park Aires, and this is such a place. It's huge. I couldn't imagine a situation where you'd ever fail to find a spot here, but please feel free to e-mail me and let me know if that's ever the case. This secure, spacious and well-managed Aire serves a number of useful purposes, not least because it's within spitting distance of the main A10/E5 autoroute to Southwest France, and is about a day's travel away from the Honfleur Aire in Normandie if you're making the journey south in daily stages of up to 300 miles, as we often do. Secondly, you're not obliged to visit Parc Futuroscope if you use this Aire, and if you arrive after 5pm and leave before 8am it's ridiculously cheap at only 2 Euros. Thirdly, there is a substantial shopping centre including an Auchan hypermarket adjoining the site, just a short drive up the D910 Route de Paris to the next junction. If you need to stock up on essential supplies before hitting the Southwest coast, here is a very good place to do it, rather than at the more costly Cite de l'Europe at Calais which is priced for day trip shoppers. The Auchan petrol station also has a tall enough canopy for campers to fit under so you can benefit from French supermarket petrol prices, anything up to 20 cents a litre less than the main Autoroute service stations Entry to the Aire is through the main car park barrier for Futuroscope, where you collect a ticket before making a right turn into the parking area. Please note the height restriction of 3.5m here. There is an on-site attendant's office where you can pay for your stay at any time and have your ticket validated ready for exit. This can also be done at a machine that can be found at a pull-in just before the the exit barrier, so don't panic if the office is shut. On the plus side: Secure, well-managed, low cost overnight rate, loads of space, nearby hypermarket, very close to main route to/from southwest France, entertaining theme park. - - St Jean de Mont large car park next to cycleway about 500 yrds to beach pleasant 5 euros. Address: Rue de Notre Dame, 85160 Saint-Jean-de-Monts, France. Aire Camping Car le Repos des Tortues. =
>> Broglie, (South of Rouen). 49.007003, 0.531023. 5 Euros? Collected. Keith Chesterfield. Looks really nice and quiet. = 7.Aire/Stellplatz: LA ROCHELLE P+R Ave Jean Moulin (Poitou-Charentes) Per night: 10 Euros pay at booth (2010), includes two-way P+R ticket In France, P+R means 'Park & Relais' (relay), which actually makes more sense than its English counterpart expression. If you stop here, the price includes a two-way bus ticket to the centre of town for up to 5 people, which is pretty good value really, even if only two people use it Access to the Aire is through the normal entry barrier where you collect a ticket. Don't be distracted by camper vans lurking near the service point ahead and to your left - where you need to turn is right, and then head towards the grassy parking area at the back of the car park, where the majority of vans will be. If you go all the way up to the riverside you might even be able to find a riverside parking spot, but this will also be closer to the flyover, so it's your choice. The mainline SNCF station is very near to this Aire, so overnight there will be train sound effects and bing bong platform announcements wafting your way on the breeze. Once you've found a place to park, if your knowledge of the French alphabet is nothing special, write your registration number on a bit of paper then take it and your ticket to the pay booth (Acqueil) by the bus pull-in. You pay up front for however many nights you wish to stay, then they'll ask you for your registration number and validate your ticket for use at the exit barrier. You'll also be handed a bus ticket for the Park and Relay service which runs regular services to the Domus Blanche on the Quai de Maubec, near to the main harbour area. The bus picks up from this stop too. La Rochelle is a distinctive town, with a substantial harbour area fed by a long channel that runs out to the sea between two of its three historic defensive towers. On your departure from the Aire you'll notice the exit is quite well hidden. As you drive out of the grassy parking area, work your way towards the right - the exit lane is behind the camper service point. The service point offers the usual emptying and refilling facilities at no extra charge, but no electric hook up. You'll need your validated ticket to use in the exit barrier as you leave, a bit like in an NCP. Summary: On the plus side: Couldn't be more convenient for visiting La Rochelle. Well-managed and easy to use. But: Some overnight noise from the railway station, P+R apparently closed on Sunday, and night time exit restrictions. Near Biarritz: Aire/Stellplatz: ANGLET Boulevard des Plages (Aquitaine). Per night: 6 Euros collected by Police Municipale (2010) - maximum stay 48 hours (in theory..) This is a tidy, purpose-built Aire on a hill behind the Plage des Corsaires, with marked tarmac bays surrounded by a hedge, and a golf course on one side. On the plus side: Calm, well-managed, and convenient for beach, Biarritz buses, bakery and bike track. Generous marked bays. But: Sloping bays, and not much shade when it's hot. Aire: Mimizan Plage (with street market), Coordonnées GPS : Longitude : -1.29703 Latitude : 44.20525 Adresse : Rue des lacs en bord de mer Parking de l'Hélistation angle rue des Lacs et rue des Gourbets 40000 Mimizan Type de l'aire : Aire municipal (Keith Chesterfield) GASTES. Avenue de Lac. South of Bordeaux. Cycle paths. 7 Euros. From the D652. AYTRE 17440 (Charente-Maritime) (E -1.12233 / N 46.11361) – Just South of La Rochelle. Free parking and services by Windsurfer's Beach. Good cycle paths along coast. Quiet, level, hardstanding, very popular. Wide bays for 10 vans, but quite short - had to overhang curb - no problem. Good location, we stayed a couple of days. ECHILLAIS 17620 (Charente-Maritime) (E -0.95542 / N 45.89829) - Aire Communale, Rue de l'Eglise (05 46 83 03 74). 40km South of La Rochelle. Parking for 10 vans. - Chem disp. has grill - be careful! Max 8 days, open all year. Quiet town with medieval church. ET. (Sept 2002). (UPDATE: Now charging 2009). FOURAS 17450 (Charente-Maritime) - Aire Communale, Place Jean Moulin (05 46 84 60 11). South of La Rochelle. Free parking for up to 20 vehicles. Services - 1E (Jeton from Tourist Office) for 50 litres of water. Open all year, no limit. Lovely location overlooking Charente estuary. Beautiful location for town on a peninsular in the estuary, with castle, good beaches and nice walks. There are three other free parking places, one with a borne de service. Definitely recommended! ST. AGNANT 17620 (Charente-Maritime) (E -0.96536 / N 45.86646) - Place de Verdun – South of Roquefort. free parking , WC. Service point out of order. Quiet at night - OK for overnight stop. LA PALMYRE 17570 (Charente Maritime) (E -1.18884 / N 45.69202) - Aire du Pique Nique du Corsaire . 30 miles SW of Roquefort on coast. Large aire for 50 vans, free from 01/10 - 31/03, 6E/night in Sept and April - June, not allowed in July/August. Water - 4E, electricity 2E. Quiet overnight, good walks and excellent cycle paths along coast Also: LA PALMYRE - Parking by port (E 1.18883 / N 45.69201). No services, spacious, trees between parking bays, charging policy as above. - Ignore the urban legends and wild rumours about narcotic gas attacks, and don’t waste your money on so-called narcotic gas detectors. If Aires were unsafe the French wouldn’t use them – they're not fools. French Aire users are friendly, polite, considerate, and as keen for a safe and quiet night as you are. Aires are not riddled with shifty foreign cartoon villains lurking behind trees in black capes going "mwoohahahaha" and trying to gas you in your sleep. The vast majority of Aires we’ve stayed on are calm, orderly, and quiet. The odd few that weren’t (usually due to passing idiots, not camper owners) were still very convenient and low cost compared to a campsite. If you're daft enough to leave equipment and furniture outside your van at night without locks on, expect theft. Spain: Transit: Burgos Camping Fuentes Blancas, North Spain en route to Salamanca, approx. 150 miles from border depending on which route you take. (240-300 km on google maps). ACSI site with reasonable reviews. If you are travelling to the site from the direction of Salamander & use Tomtom don’t rely on it once you get close to Burgos as it is determined to take you down a no through road!!! Cross the river and turn right along the river and come at it from the other side. Just used as a stopover but facilities are fine with good sized grass pitches. Sporadic bus service into the town from outside the site but probably more frequent buses on the other side of the river a short flat walk away. Transit: Caceres Camping Caceres. South-west-central-ish! Spain. En route from Salamanca to south coast or Portugal. ACSI site. Site with individual washing huts but has several negatives reviews about the reception lady (in more than one language). Probably worth a punt if it fits with travelling time, otherwise find alternative. Longer Stay: In the winter, favourites include: Caravaning La Manga, La Manga del Mar Menor; Ecoresort Marjal, Costa Blanca ; Crevillent; Camping Almafra, Benidorm ; Bella Vista, Malage; Bonterra Park, Benicàssim, Castelló; Marjal Guardamar, Guardamar del Segura; Marjal Costa Blanca; Vilanova Park, Cabopino, Marbella; Roche, Costa de la Luz; and Ribamar, Castellon. Caravaning La Manga, Campsite Pueblo Blanco. Camping Giralda (ACSI). Seem to get good reviews Went to Bonterra Park, Benicassim this past Dec/Jan/Feb with motorhome. Been there 7 yrs before. Still a good site, with decent size pitches, ease of access, ample facilities. e.g toilets, showers, fresh water standpipes, waste disposal points. On site restaurant extremely good value, supermarket across the street, others 1 mile away in town. Sea front 1 and half away. Small welcoming town with many festivals depending on season. Very helpful staff and multi cultural. Cadiz: Campsite Playa Las Dunas (ACSI) near Cadiz has a lot of negative reviews. Camping Roche looks quite good; possibly wifi included? We arrived at La Manga late in the afternoon. We opted to stay at a campsite for the night, to make use of our new camping card. On reflection, we wish we hadn't. - See more at: http://www.toureuropebymotorhome.com/tour/europe/2014/1/24/not-living-la-vida-manga#sthash.EQUybuQ3.dpuf -- We sailed into Santander & spent 1 night on a site 40 mins drive from ferry called Oyambre in Los Llas,Canabria. We then drove to Salamanca about 250 miles & stayed on a site next to the river ( Din Quijitao or something like that)where you could cycle on a cycle path into the city( well worth visiting!). We then moved on and crossed into Portugal & stayed on English run site(only 10 pitches but unfortunately he closes at the end of October & it was lovely)close to Marvao. If you are near there you must visit & their is an Aires under the city walls with fantastic views. We then made our way across to the western Atlantic Coast & our first stop was in the Marinha Grande Leira region at a small seaside town called Sao Pedro Dr Moel( my favourite place). We stayed on the Orbitur site which was only a 10 15 minute walk to a beautiful beach. We stayed here 3 nights. We visited Nazare & took the feniscula lift up to the old town before moving on to our next site just outside Figueira Da Foz. It was another Orbitur with access to a fantastic beach but it was getting a little chilly. From there we moved up to a site outside of Aveiro at ilhavo & cycled along the river to Costa Nova with all its candy striped houses. It was about 15km round ride. We had a day in Aveiro & rode a gondola & had lunch. We liked it here. We then drove up to Porto & stayed on a site at Vila Cha. From the site you could get a taxi 8 euros to the metro station then a 40 min metro ride into the city( easy). We loved Porto there is so much to see & will certainly be back. We then travelled into the middle of no where where you can watch Iberian wolves & stayed on a very quiet site( Figueruela De Arriba) but had a fantastic lamb meal cooked by the owner. Following from http://www.bdauncey.heliohost.org/portugal.htm#INDEX HONDARRIBIA (Guipuzcoa) (E -1.79457 / N 43.39114) - Higer Bidea. Just over French/Spanish border. Free parking for 10 - 15 vans outside El Faro campsite, near lighthouse. No services. Very quiet aT night. AYEGUI (Navarra) (E -2.04411 / N 42.65046) - Irache Monastery. 120 Km south of San Sebastian. Free parking for 5 vans in front of monastery. Slight slope on gravel. Very quiet at night. On Pilgrim's Route VITORIA GASTEIZ (Alava) (E -2.68528 / N 42.86583) - Portal de Foronda, near police station. 100km SW of San Sebastian. Free dedicated parking for 10 vans in large car park. Free water/waste point, signposted, level, tarmac surface, maximum 3 days stay. Very popular, quiet at night. A bit far from centre, but OK.. LOGRONO (La Rioja) (E -2.50193 / N 42.44921) - Pantano de la Grajera. 200 Km south of San Sebastian. Large public car park by attractive lake on outskirts of Logrono. Space for 50+ vans, no services. Nice walks around lake with cafes, picnic tables etc. ZAMORA (Zamora) (E -5.57611 / N 41.50361) - Parking de Valorio, Calle de los Pisones. Due North of Salamanca. Free parking for 30+ vans in public car park. No services. Illuminated, tarmac surface. We only stopped for lunch, but looked OK for overnighting. ZUMAIA (Guipuzcoa) (E -2.24708 / N 43.29303) - Calle de la Estacion. 40km West of San Sebastian. Free Aire for 20 vans beside river, near cycle path. Free water/waste point. Tarmac surface, signposted. Quiet at night. Lovely fishing port. Also: ZUMAIA (Guipuzcoa) (E -2.25408 / N43.29682) - Santiago Auzoa. Free parking by marina for 30 - 40 vans. No services, but looks OK for overnighting. SAN VICENTE DE LA BARQUERA (Cantabria) (E -4.38458 / N 43.38986) - Parque Natural Oyambre. 70km West of Santander. Free parking for 30+ vans by surfers beach opposite the town. Grass and hardcore surface. Nice walk across old bridge to an attractive town centre. Lovely scenery. GIJON (ASTURIAS) (E -5.63639 / N 43.54751) - El Rinconin park, Camino de las Mimosas. 150 km West of Santander. Large public car park with room for 30+ vans. No services, tarmac surface, lights, WC. Nice outlook, and good walk along promenade by cliffs at lower end of park. Bread van calls in morning. Quiet at night, good for overnight stop. NAVIA (Asturias) (E -6.72028 / N 43.54528) - Traversia de la Granja, Calle Los Campitos. 250 km West of Santander. Picnic area next to supermarket with dedicated parking for 12 vans. Free service point (signposted). We only stopped for lunch, but fine for overnight stop. ORTIGUERA (Asturias) (E -6.73389 / N 43.56083) – 300km West of Santander. Free dedicated parking for 3 vans overlooking beach. There's more space on grass further on. Free signposted service point. Beautiful outlook, and nice walks along headland to lighthouse. Maximum 2 days. Well worth a stopover. Alternative: ORTIGUERA (Asturias) (E -6.73003 / N 43.55922) - Free public car park with space for 6+ vans overlooking beach. No services. MIENGO (Cantabria) (E -3.96522 / N 43.44945) - West of Santander free parking by surfing beach - lovely scenery. Space for 50+ vans. No services, open all year. No company, so we didn't stay, but looked OK for overnight stop. (May 2015) CABARCENO (Cantabria) (E -3.81959 / N 43.35802) - Lago de Acebo. 20 Km south of Santander. Free parking for 20 vans beside lake, next to large animal park. Free services point, tarmac surface, quiet at night. Very popular. CEDEIRA (A Coruna) (E -8.06001 / N 43.65833) - Ave Moreno, by port. Due West of Santander on Atlantic coast. Free public car park by quayside. Room for 10 vans, no services. Pretty town with old buildings. We only stopped for lunch, but would probably have been OK for overnight TAPIA DE CASARIEGO (Asturias) (E -6.94586 / N 43.56625) - Playa Grande, Ave San Esteban. NW Corner-ish! Dedicated parking for 20+ vans overlooking the sea. Free service point, signposted, 3 days maximum. Pretty fishing port with attractive quay and good walks around the town. Quiet at night A CORUNA (A Coruna) (E -8.44472 / N 43.37167) - San Pedro de Visma port. Almost the furthest NW Corner of Spain. Dedicated Aire for 30 vans beside small fishing community on outskirts of A Coruna. Slight slope, but no problem. 2 free service points. Very windy. Nice walks around surrounding headland. Quiet at night, illuminated, WC. Open all year PONTEVEDRA (Pontevedra) (E -8.65633 / N 42.42307) - Ave de Marin. On West Coast approx. 90 km North of Portugal border. Large public parking space beside the river, dirt surface, room for 50+ vans. Signposted service point - manhole for waste, separate manhole with hose for fresh water (not very hygienic). Nice town to visit, but we didn't stay overnight. ASTORGA (Leon) (E -6.06556 / N 42.45111) - Plaza de Toros, Carretera de Sanabria. Between Santander and Porto. Looks to be at foot of the mountains and possibly reachable without mountain driving? Free Aire by bullring, near stadium. Picnic area, free service point, grass and tarmac surface. Quiet setting, apart from the odd helicopter (heliport right behind us). Nice town, centre within easy walking distance. LAS MEDULAS (Leon) (E -6.76761 / N 42.46148) - Calle El Penedo. . Between Santander and Porto Free public car park at entrance to village. Room for 8 - 10 vans, no services. Very attractive setting, and easy access to the old Roman gold mines - a marvellous sight. Well worth a visit. Very quiet at night. LEON (Leon) (E -5.58472 / N 42.60472) - Ave Peregrinos. Between Santander and Porto . Free dedicated parking for 10 vans on paying car park. Free services (marked manhole covers, one for fresh water, one for waste). Nice old centre, but very busy, although things were quiet later on. PALENCIA (Palencia) (E -4.53501 / N 42.00556) - Isla Dos Aguas Park, Ave Ponce de Leon. Between San Sebastian and Salamander. Dedicated parking for 20 vans next to park. Wide marked parking bays. Free water/waste point, signposted, tarmac surface, illuminated, quiet. Very pretty town, old buildings. Very popular parking. Portugal: Quinto do Pomarinho - http://www.pomarinho.com/new/upload/files/pdf/POMARINHO_3luik%20folder_algemeen_engels.pdf. Possibly in very mountainous area near to Spanish border. Emailed with question about cycling and got half an answer. Tour Europe by motorhome blog – massive amount of info: http://www.toureuropebymotorhome.com/tour/europe/2014/3/17/welcome-to-portugal Travelling through Portugal in the winter look for the Municiple campsites , they are open all year and are cheap, paid on average 6 Euro including electric a night and they have everything you need and tend to be quiet Following all from http://www.bdauncey.heliohost.org/portugal.htm#INDEX VILA NOVA DE CERVEIRA (Viana do Castelo) (E -8.74564 / N 41.93885) - Rua Costa Brava. NW corner of Portugal. Dedicated parking for 4 vans in large public car park next to bus station. Free service point, signposted, open all year. Lovely old town by river Minho. Beautiful park by the river, interesting town centre with lots of sculptures. BICO (Aveiro) (E -8.64733 / N 40.73021) - Rua Vasco da Gama. NE of Porto. Free parking for 20 vans beside lagoon. Picnic area, WC, free water, very quiet. Nice walks, cycling, lots of wading birds and storks. (May 2014) Looks very peaceful. BRAGANCA (Braganca) (E -6.74595 / N41.80391) – NE Corner of Portugal. Free dedicated parking area below citadel for 25-30 vans on tiered site with picnic tables. Free water/waste point, paved surface, signposted, illuminated. Max 1 day during 1st July - 15Sept, otherwise no limit. Attractive views, good walks and interesting town. IZEDA (Braganca) (E -6.72291 / N 41.56788) - NE Corner of Portugal free parking in centre of town for 10 vans. Free service point. Quiet. Nothing much there, but OK for an overnight stop. Also these from same guy: AVEIRO (Aveiro) (E -8.65788 / N 40.64363) - Cais das Falcoeiras. South of Porto. Free parking for 30+ vans on large public car park next to canal and flyover. No services. Signposted, illuminated, level tarmac surface. Quiet at night apart from occasional train - very loud! Pretty town with traditional boats providing trips along canal. (May 2014). CONDEIXA (Coimbra) (E -8.49514 / N 40.11321) - Rua Santo Antonio. Between Porto and Lisbon. Free parking for 10 vans, with free water/waste point. 2 days maximum. Level, quiet. TORREIRA (Aveiro) (E -8.70141 / N 40.75721) - Between Porto and Lisbon. Free parking for 6-8 vans by small fishermen's harbour. No services. Level, rough surface. Nice view, quiet. LORVAO (Coimbra) (E -8.31526 / N 40.25911) - Rua do Rio da Ponte. Between Porto and Lisbon Free public car park with free service point (bit run down) in small village with monastery. Not much there, so we only stopped for lunch. (May 2014) SANGALHOS (Aveiro) (E -8.47536 / N 40.48661) - Rua de Silvarosa. Between Porto and Lisbon Free parking for 10 vans by sports centre. Level tarmac surface, illuminated, quiet, free service point. MIRANDA DO CORVO (Coimbra) (E -8.33222 / N 40.08806) - Between Porto and Lisbon Free dedicated parking for 7 vans, separated by hedges, with additional space for 10+ vans on normal parking. Free Euro Relais service point, including 2 free electricity points. Slightly sloping tarmac surface, signposted. Picnic area. 8 days maximum stay. Pretty old centre to town. GDM Note: From photo looks like a train line behind? PENACOVA Bairro de Carrazedos. Between Porto and Lisbon. Free dedicated parking for 8 - 10 vans next to new fire station. Free water/waste point, WC (very clean), signposted, quiet at night (until fire station siren sounded!). Lovely scenery, especially from closed up Hotel Penacova.
FURADOURO (Aveiro) (E -8.67317 / N 40.87617) - Rua das Camarhinas. Coastal location south of Porto. Free parking for 50+ vans on large public car park behind sand dunes. Level tarmac surface, illuminated. No services. (May 2014). I am at the moment at a parking N 37.100410 W 8.354330 in Armacao de Pera next to the beach, excellent position (water, empty cassette, and toilet) €1.50 per day. Campercontact site code: 42047. C*CC Club Rallies We started motor homing 4 years ago and have spent a couple of months each winter in either Spain, Portugal or both. We have been on these rallies every year, sometimes for 12 weeks, sometimes 1 week sometimes a mixture of 2 or 3 different rallies. Can honestly say that they are normally well run with good stewards and that the more you put in the more you get out of each rally. We will definitely go on another one next year but not sure which yet. We have been to castilo de banos 3 times, El rocio, Guadarmar in Alicante, Turiscampo, Almafra in Benidorm and Moncofa. The only one we did not enjoy was Moncofa where we did not think much of either the location or the stewards- but then others loved it. We have also visited the site at La Manga but not participated in the rally. The more familiar we have become the more we tend to do our own thing most of the time but book one or two rallies for a week-sometimes for no other reason than to exchange reading matter and to see places that are best done as a group. We have met some very nice people on these rallies and generally think that they offer value for money - Most rallies have good stewards who work hard to provide at least two daily activities. - Some rallies consist mainly of eating and drinking events with a little gentle exercise thrown in. - We will definitely not be going to Albufeira, Portugal again - poor site, pitches ill defined, poor drainage, town worse than the worst British resorts etc. It also rained hard whilst we were there, great restaurant on site though. Learning point - research the location better before booking. - We liked Playa Tropicana and would revisit. - La Manga has its good points (large 'en suite' pitches) but not our sort of area. - The 'new' Marjal Costa Blanca is absolutely massive and will be nice in five years when the trees/hedges grow but not close to the coast (or much else for that matter) - Bonterra park gets rave reviews - just why I don't know , maybe it's because there is a Lidl next door and a Spanish supermarket opposite. Site pitches are tight/close together and it was packed with mainly German and Dutch campers when we visited. - Many rally sites have long stay regulars - some of whom make new visitors welcome. Download 175.2 Kb. Share with your friends:
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