Where to go/stay-driving through France and spain

[GGibbo]

Hi all,

Just booked the channel tunnel to get me, the mrs and the Porsche to Calais and a ferry back from Santander a week later.

We want to get down to frejus/San Raphael area then go along the coast before crossing through the mountains towards Santander. Looking for good places to visit and hotels to stay in. Also(mrs is unaware) I'm looking to drive some epic roads along the way...

All we've decided so far is maybe lake Lausanne on the first night then get to the coast by day 2. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Cheers

[Roger645]

Biarittz and San Sebastián should be on your list of places, hotel 7b in Biarittz and the NJ in San Sebastián are worth considering. The NJ has secure underground parking which is a bonus.

[Kneetrembler]

Roger645 said:

Biarittz and San Sebastián should be on your list of places, hotel 7b in Biarittz and the NJ in San Sebastián are worth considering. The NJ has secure underground parking which is a bonus.

Do you mean the NH Hotel ?..........really good Hotel as you say with really secure underground parking, and some nice Tapas Bars opposite and round the corner.

If you are in San Sebastian you must go into the Casco Viejo ( The Old Town) in the evenings after 7pm to go around the Tapas/Pincho bars which are the very best in the whole of Spain, make sure that you take a camera with you as they are so picturesque.

[Roger645]

Kneetrembler said:

Do you mean the NH Hotel ?..........really good Hotel as you say with really secure underground parking, and some nice Tapas Bars opposite and round the corner.

If you are in San Sebastian you must go into the Casco Viejo ( The Old Town) in the evenings after 7pm to go around the Tapas/Pincho bars which are the very best in the whole of Spain, make sure that you take a camera with you as they are so picturesque.

Yep, sorry the NH, when I typed it I thought it was wrong!

[rsv gone!]

I wouldn't worry too much about pre-booking hotels. Just take a smart-phone with you and use trip advisor for the cheapest, well regarded hotel in a particular town. The IBIS hotels are quite decent.

I would head down the extreme eastern border regions of France and its neighbours. Towns like Colmar are stunning. You could visit the car collection at Mulhouse.

http://goo.gl/maps/EF3nZ

Avoid central France as it is flat and boring.



ETA, if you do want a little luxury on the way then;

http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/barcelo-monasterio...

Edited by rsv gone! on Monday 29th April 09:15

[paulwirral]

defo go to both , and if you do make it to biarritz search out the small fishing port and eat in the last open air fish cafe , its slightly scruffy with brown plastic garden furniture and one of the staff looks like an eighties pop star , its worth the trip for the sardines , prawns and squid alone .

[GGibbo]

Thanks for all the inputs guys. What's are all your thoughts on booking in advance? I like the idea of turning up somewhere and staying wherever looks nice, but don't want to either end up in a formule un because its the only place with rooms or get y pants pulled down on the price on a walk in.

[magooagain]

When are you going ? If its July or August then get booking.

[rsv gone!]

GGibbo said:

Thanks for all the inputs guys. What's are all your thoughts on booking in advance? I like the idea of turning up somewhere and staying wherever looks nice, but don't want to either end up in a formule un because its the only place with rooms or get y pants pulled down on the price on a walk in.

As I said above, "I wouldn't worry too much about pre-booking hotels. Just take a smart-phone with you and use trip advisor for the cheapest, well-regarded hotel in a particular town. The IBIS hotels are quite decent."

I've done lots of bike trips to Europe. We've never had any problem turning up and getting multiple rooms.