Hi I have been reading about a Rally for the winter months in La Manga has anyone been there and what are your + and = How did you travel there with the Rally being January to April - January being a bad time for ice on the roads etc.,All your help is greatly appreciated . We have never been on a Rally before and wonder whether people will be in their own company an we will be odd ones out? regards Ann and Bob
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Not been to La manga nor on a rally as we prefer to do our own thing but the roads going down there have always been ok when we have used them. We stick to the motorways. If there are problems they are cleared well.
We're off to the Rally at Almafra, nr Benidorm. Not been on a winter one before. We have been on a summer Camping and Caravan Club one and it was fantastic. The stewards will make you very welcome, as will the other campers. There will be organised events like, cycle trips, restaurant meals, games nights, barbecues etc. You can join in as many as you want and are guaranteed to make new friends. You will not regret it. Just take your time and watch the weather reports.
We were on the Rally at La Manga this year and are going again January 2011 , and you will certainly not be left on your own as there is a good programme of events organised by the rally marshalls during the day and the evening entertainment is also good .
You will meet caravanners and Motorhomers from all walks of life and age groups .
The last two years we have driven all the way from Calais to La Manga taking 4 days but next year were going from Portsmouth to Santander sailing on the 28th of January arriving in Spain on the 24th and having 1 overnight stop near Madrid arriving at La Manga on the 30th for 5 weeks.
Then were of to another C&CC rally at Camping Almafra near Althea / Benidorm for 2 weeks and then onto Bonterra park at Benacassim for 3 weeks before returning home via Calais and Eurotunnel .
The route we used when driving from Calais was A16,A28 to Rouen N15,N154 Dreux , Chartres , Orleans , A71 Clermont Ferrand A75 Millau then onto the A9 Mediterean Motorway.
This route is mostly toll free although there are some toll sections and it also climbs to 1100 metre's at it highest point which can be affected by snow but the last two years its been ok and the French Authority's are good at snow clearing .
While this route may not suit some it works for us and would not hesitate to use it again
Quote: Originally posted by Happy+Chappy on 08/11/2010
We're off to the Rally at Almafra, nr Benidorm. Not been on a winter one before. We have been on a summer Camping and Caravan Club one and it was fantastic. The stewards will make you very welcome, as will the other campers. There will be organised events like, cycle trips, restaurant meals, games nights, barbecues etc. You can join in as many as you want and are guaranteed to make new friends. You will not regret it. Just take your time and watch the weather reports.
Sue
Sue I see your going to Almafra , what date's are you there ?
We will be at the La Manga rally for 4 weeks from Feb 2 and then 3 weeks at the Benidorm rally both with the Camping club.
Quite a few people spend between 1 and 26 weeks on the rallies and you will soon meet like minded people.
You can join in the organised events such as walking, cycling, boules and evening dinners in the site restaurant or you can do your own thing but at the same time feeling part of the rally.
This will be our fourth year and will be travelling down through France after using the Hull Zeebrugge ferry.
You can always take the longer but more expensive Portsmouth Santander route and this will only leave you around 550 mile to travel.
Mike
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We will be at the La Manga rally for 4 weeks from Feb 2 and then 3 weeks at the Benidorm rally both with the Camping club.
Quite a few people spend between 1 and 26 weeks on the rallies and you will soon meet like minded people.
You can join in the organised events such as walking, cycling, boules and evening dinners in the site restaurant or you can do your own thing but at the same time feeling part of the rally.
This will be our fourth year and will be travelling down through France after using the Hull Zeebrugge ferry.
You can always take the longer but more expensive Portsmouth Santander route and this will only leave you around 550 mile to travel.
Quote: Originally posted by Happy+Chappy on 08/11/2010
Hi Neil, We will be at Almafra 2nd December till 30th January then we go to Bonterra Park till mid February.
Maybe see you there.
See what we mean Ann and Bob, making friends before we even get there. Caravanning is a fantastic lifestyle. We camp whenever we can.
Sue
Sue were at Almafra from the 6th of March so I think you will be away by that time and then were of to Bonterra Park from the 21st through to 20th April
For the moment it looks like we will settle for a 2008 Abbey GTS 418 which is available from the dealer who is selling our Burstner, this means that we will not have to part with any cash as it will come out of the motorhome sale whenever that happens. The Abbey is also suitable for a bike rack as discussed in another thread and the dealer has confirmed today that as he is a Swift dealer he can fit it with no problem.
We have however just recieved the Burstner Caravan brochure so depending how we feel with the Abbey we may order a Burstner in a few months time.
I have already exchanged my Volvo V70 for an XC90 so all we need now is the van which hopefully will be available next week.
Mike
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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: Winter caravanning abroad
