has anyone used the ferry to head into the pyrenees to camp? The pictures of the mountains look fanstastic but is it easy distance from Bilbao ?- are there any nice sites to visit with 3 kids 5,9,12 ? We're looking for rural sites with activities arond lfor the kids like canoeing , horses, lakes, walking etc
Is there much to see round Bilbao or would it be a better option to head into france into aquitaine?
this is a last minute scabble to organise things - too many other things happening to even think about the summer until now
thanks for your help
c-mac
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we've been to Bilbao twice now, and in each case the weather has 'driven' us east - into France n some sun.
there's a reason the area to the west is called the green coast ;-))
the mountains look terrific - and it does seem an easy enough drive the bits that we did manage to see before chickening out
there are two lots of mountains tho - there's a pretty decent range south of Bilbao.
liked bilbao - lots of history around there - and it's basque rather than spanish of course
San Sebastian was nice - large ish campsite just a bus ride from town -
I've heard there are good sites further west around Santander - but again that's coastal
on the ferry - remember to take lots of food n drink - then grab a spot with a view and relax for a couple of days
sorry - can't really help - but have fun whatever you decide
and don't forget your yellow jackets n warning triangles
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But it´s all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can´t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
Ricky Nelson
hi c-mac, unless you have money to burn i would avoid the booze cruise ferry. it's expensive and loads of stag/hen do's go on it. from where you are it is just as easy to get to the alps where it is activity heaven
------------- Andrew Underwood and since nov 05 Fraser
Not much of a thumbs up for the area then - was quite excited about going somewhere warmer - tho sounds like its more wet than anything else! Three kids on a boat and not much driving just felt a better option than 9 hours in a car!
Thanks for your advice
c-mac
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
first time we went we ferried down - then drove back along french coast - great - but probably not with 3 kids.
I would guess you would like Landes - which is the coastal bit of the Aquitaine
wouldn't fancy driving down and back - too much like hard work - too much to see on the way to drive past
enjoy
-------------
But it´s all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can´t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
Ricky Nelson
Navarra and La Rioja are quite near from Bilbao (around 150 kms). There is a huge offer of rural turism, and both regions are quite warmer, as they are landlocked. And if you like wine, sure you will enjoy the visit.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Also, the ferry to Bilbao costs a fortune. You could do a return journey through France, including overnight stops, for less than a single leg of a crossing to Bilbao. It sounds attractive, but in reality if you make the journey through France part of your holiday, rather than a road-trip to a destination, you'll have a far more enjoyable holiday.
We've done 'Spain' (or or the Costa Brava or Costa Dorada) in a two week holiday - with a couple of overnight stops each way, so ten days on site, at far less than the cost of a crossing to Bilbao.
If I were you, with children that age, then I would head to France - lovely, fantastic sites, and great areas (but I wouldn't choose the Landes area - for the activities you love, but the Ardeche/Aveyron/Tarn areas instead, which offer everything you want)>
Not much of a thumbs up for the area then - was quite excited about going somewhere warmer - tho sounds like its more wet than anything else! Three kids on a boat and not much driving just felt a better option than 9 hours in a car!
Thanks for your advice
c-mac
Its an easy 5hr drive from Bilbao across the top of Spain to the Med coast around Salou/Cambrils park area which is a popular holiday spot with nice beaches & plenty of campsites, Jul/Aug it is genrally hot, sunny, 30degrees. If you want to go to south west France it is sunnier further up the coast nearer Bordeaux & going there you might as well take a western channel crossing to St Malo.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
Hi my parents live just over the French border and several of their guests come by those longer ferries. I have two young children and find the shorter Brittany crossing and longer drive easier with them, they go nuts on the ferry but in a car you can strap 'em down
The area around Hendaye, St Jean d Luz is great for kids, You're right next to the lower mountatins, day trip distance to higher ones, great beaches, nice towns for coffee.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: bilbao ferry and pyrenees
