Road Trip to Southern Spain - Any Experts?

[Charmless man]

I'm planning on a road trip to the south of Spain in July this year, heading for a town roughly 40 miles NNW of Almeria. I've done road trips to the Alps on a number of occasions so not worried about distance, stamina etc. Just wondering if anyone has any views on taking the chunnel or a ferry to Bilbao or similar, I'm hesitating booking at the moment as 24 plus hours stuck on a Butlins style boat doesn't really appeal!? Any tips/adivce?

[Stephanie Plum]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... the best Ferry service to Spain?

Few opinions on the ferries in there

I'd ferry from Plymouth one way and drive the other - assuming it's a return trip?

[JCW]

Personally, I'd never use the ferry and usually jump on the pipe and drive through France which is an event in itself; civilised natives who can actually drive without resorting to chavlike road rage when you overtake them - plus its a lot quicker than the ferry.

In terms of roads, the main drag down from Madrid is good, especially around Jaen through the twisty bits. Any of the 'B' road around Granada/Baza are good as most of them are paved to a much higher standard than the UK but give us an idea of your timescales and I can make some other recommendations.

[Bettyswollox]

Hey Mr Man,

Sounds like fun, done your trip both ways, Driving through France & Portsmouth/Santander & Bilbao Ferries...

The drive through France is spectacular & is worth doing just to go through the Pyrenees, the contrast from France to Spain when I went in May was, snow in France & 70 degree heat & sunshine when we got through to Spain... The views are spectacular... However the drive is quite tiring even with a rest day, but well worth it...

The ferry!.. Well.. What you really need to do is park your car on the Ferry, take your brain out & any senses of reality, leave it all in the car then go up & have a few beers & marvel at how Darwin's theory of evolution really isn't working anymore!... People, actually go on a 'mini cruise' & just go backwards & forwards, for fun!... Each to their own I guess..

The trips I have done I have stayed around northern Spain, Llanes a lovely fishing village, going through the Picos & all the way across to Andorra, fabulous roads, Sant Lloreac de Morunys is a beautiful area with views down the valley for miles looking at crystal blue water in the many reservoirs that are there..

I have not driven down as far as Almeria which is quite a distance but, I would recommend a few days in Northern Spain at least if you have time...

If you don't mind driving & you have good company then I would drive... If you tire easily when driving & don't want the stresses & strains that are included then the ferry to either port will suffice...

The ideal really would be to drive down then get the ferry back from Santandar or Bilbao, it will trim 1000 miles driving or so & you can rest for your short trip home in Blighty... Its what I have done & works well as you can rest in your cabin, if you have heard the birdy song once too often!...

Hope this helps a little, have fun.. Betty...

[bint]

Charmless man said:

I'm planning on a road trip to the south of Spain in July this year, heading for a town roughly 40 miles NNW of Almeria.

Out of interest - where? (my parents live that way) One thing you won't have a problem with is roads in Spain, especially that region. They seem to have spent a lot on ensuring they are kept in good form, they're frequently empty and new ones are being built all the time.

I hope they bring back the car/auto train one day, would reduce the driving time - it used to run all they way to the south of Spain from the north.

[Charmless man]

Thanks for all the informative replies, very useful. I think maybe a drive down and ferry back may be the answer.

The outlaws to be own a place in Albox. We've had several holidays there and have had some good road trips to Puerto Banus. Just thought driving over would be a laugh, I'm not fazed by the distances and renting a decent hire car costs a fortune so might as well take our own. Plus I hate flying, not the actual in the air bit but the whole waiting around and shuffling around the airport thing.

So is it worth planning a scenic route? I had just planned to go by tw@t nav but I guess that could end up being a dull drive on, all be it quite and smooth, fairly dull dual carriageways. I know the girlfriend is keen to have a look around Bilbao. Looks like it might be worth planning this one rather than just giving the tyres a kick and setting off!

[Charmless man]

JCW said:

give us an idea of your timescales and I can make some other recommendations.

Forgot to add timescales. We're going to take two weeks off work for the whole holiday so no major rush. We plan to have some friends joining us at different times in the first week. If anyone has any strong recommendations we could look at taking more of a scenic route if anyone has any lodging recommendations!

[hornetrider]

Wiggle your way along the France/Spain border, the Pyrenees has the best roads I've ever ridden.

This precise route is absolutely outstanding. Brand new smooth tarmac with such a wide variety of corners - total heaven.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

[threespires]

hornetrider said:

Wiggle your way along the France/Spain border, the Pyrenees has the best roads I've ever ridden.

This precise route is absolutely outstanding. Brand new smooth tarmac with such a wide variety of corners - total heaven.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

I agree with you - fantastic roads. We were rallying there 18 months ago.

We'll be taking a similar route on Classic Rally Tours Picos to Pyrenees 2 Classic Rally later this year, going from Bilbao to Barcelona.

Brochure here :-
http://www.classicrallytours.com/Generic%20Brochur...