UK to Barcelona - Any tips?

[MattS3]

OK, I'm off to Barcelona with 3 mates for the F1 in May. We've already got flights booked and accommodation for when there, but I'm now thinking of taking a few days each side (2 to get there and 2 to get back) and having a little break/drive down there on my own in the MX5 (it never gets used and would be a good test as to whether I sell it or not this year) and meet them.
I'm happy to spend 6-8 hrs or so driving per day, but am looking for ideas of routes.
Typing into Google maps just gives

1. Calais-Reims-Lyon-Valence_Avignon-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona
2. Calais-Paris-Montpellier-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona
3. Calais-Paris-Bourges-Limoges-Tolouse-Carcossone-Narbonne-Perpignan-Barcelona

I've driven most of route 1 when I went to Monaco F1 in 2013 and found it rather dull, and most of route 2 and 3 when travelling down to Bordeaux 3 years ago, again on toll roads, all a little dull.
However I'm thinking it was dull due to road choice.

Happy to go via Carcossone as I've a mate who lives there and I could drop in and stay the night there in either direction.

Ideally I'd not be on toll roads and be able to enjoy some top down fun driving. But no idea how to go about getting a decent route, any ideas fellow PH'ers?

[d11fdj]

Apologies for hijacking the thread, but would you mind sharing where you booked accommodation in Barcelona? I'm doing a road trip from Santander up throughout the Pyrenees to Barcelona and back, but am struggling to find decent accommodation + parking in Barca without spending loads.

Any recommendations would be very welcome!

[Zed 44]

I presume you're using the new Google maps which is why you may be having difficulty. If you look at the map below you'll see a symbol that appears to look like a question mark in the lower right hand corner. If you click on that on your map you can then select the "Google Classic" option. To set Google Classic maps as the default system, be sure to click on yes at the top of the page when Classic first opens up.

This is much easier to use and has the advantage that you can use the free "Tyre" programme to download any maps you create direct to some sat navs (older TomToms are best). It also has pegman for a street view of the roads you think you may want to use and you simply "drag" the route for any changes you want to make.

You will see the symbol for Tyre in the tool bar on the left hand side next to the Google Earth icon.

Edited by Zed 44 on Saturday 21st March 09:08

[MattS3]

d11fdj said:

Apologies for hijacking the thread, but would you mind sharing where you booked accommodation in Barcelona? I'm doing a road trip from Santander up throughout the Pyrenees to Barcelona and back, but am struggling to find decent accommodation + parking in Barca without spending loads.

Any recommendations would be very welcome!

I booked an apartment for me and the others. A friend did it last year and said they were decent.
http://en.keybarcelona.com/

No idea regards parking, I've not looked into that yet.

[MattS3]

Cheers Zed, I'll take a look.