Its a bit late I know, but having had a successful October in France, we rather fancy spending 3wks or so over Christmas in Spain and/or Portugal. We spent 9 wks there in the summer and know our way around a bit, but I've got lots of questions for anyone used to overwintering there.
Where is the weather likely to be best? does it rain quite a bit?
Anyone who reads out Blogs knows that we like to tour around and not spend too long in anyone place.
Will be still be able to move about, or will sites be full of long term stayers?
Will we need to book?
Any other helpful tips, or site/ Aire recommendations gratefully received!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by naturalblonde on 12/11/2014
Its a bit late I know, but having had a successful October in France, we rather fancy spending 3wks or so over Christmas in Spain and/or Portugal. We spent 9 wks there in the summer and know our way around a bit, but I've got lots of questions for anyone used to overwintering there.
1) Where is the weather likely to be best? does it rain quite a bit?
2) Anyone who reads out Blogs knows that we like to tour around and not spend too long in anyone place.
3) Will be still be able to move about, or will sites be full of long term stayers?
4) Will we need to book?
5)Any other helpful tips, or site/ Aire recommendations gratefully received!
Answers but not on a Postcard.....
1) It can rain quite a bit but generally it's dry with warm days
2)We also like to move around so you can generally find sites that are not full as the 'Snow Bunnies' tend to travel down after Christmas.
3) Reply included in 2)
4) No never had a problem with not booking.
5) Read a few more Blogs from other people who have travelled down and get their tips, it certainly made our travels easier.
Hope that helps.
P.s You might still need to pack the Sun Tan Lotion!
------------- According to Winnie the Pooh .... “Planning is what you do before you do it so that when you do it you don't get mixed up".
You need to be below Valencia for the better weather. The Med. coast is generally much dryer and less windy than the Atlantic Coast of Portugal. Normally in Spain we would expect rain only 10% of the time and the further south the warmer it will be.
Some larger sites in the popular areas like Benidorm can be full at times especially with long term guests but smaller sites a little away from the bustle normally have room.
If you are in a MH, a lot of the time they seem to congregate on a beach car park to avoid the need of a site.
Thanks Crach and KarlFritz for your helpful info. I've been reading blogs and was surprised at the bright blue skies in a lot of the photos from December and January.
Looks as though we will give it a go.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Lucky you - we just got back to Devon! Mind you much warmer here than in Burgos in N. Spain!
Agree with others : driest warmest weather likely to be SE Spain - southern Costa Blanca, Alicante etc.
We stayed on many sites (without booking) where the Brits etc were starting to 'over-winter.' However we usually found that we wanted to move on after a week or so - some sites pitches too small and would become hardwork/boring - not what you want on holiday! (Best not to wear identical shell-suits and ride identical electric bikes! )
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.
Having read your Spain/Portugal blog you seem to like the same sort of sites and locations we do - in fact we've been to a lot of the same places! We've spent two winters in Spain/Portugal, but never been there over Christmas - we took a cheap flight home for a week. But this year we're going in early December and staying until March. Like you we prefer to travel around rather than stay in one place, but decided it might be safer to book a site just for the Christmas period - it would be awful to turn up on spec and find "no room at the inn"! However we've not booked anywhere for the trip down, or for the post-New Year period.
It's true the weather is warmer south of Valencia, but plenty of people spend the winter further north and enjoy it. It's also possible to find pleasant sites with good-sized pitches and not a shell-suit in sight, but you have to do quite a bit of research and ignore the odd bad review - not everyone has the same tastes! We were tempted to return to sites we'd enjoyed before, especially in the Cabo de Gata or Murcia area, but have settled for a site on the Costa de la Luz, Pinar de San Jose. It's in a lovely area that we've been to before, and gets good reviews. But the weather can be windy - the beaches are popular with surfers and kite-surfers.
If you've not come across our blog, click on View Profile for a link. Good hunting!
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
Quote: Originally posted by naturalblonde on 13/11/2014Thanks Crach and KarlFritz for your helpful info. I've been reading blogs and was surprised at the bright blue skies in a lot of the photos from December and January.
Looks as though we will give it a go.
Our pleasure 'naturalblonde'!
If you really want to do something 'special' then try Morocco for 3 Months, if you get past the first 48 hours then you will love it, we did!
Look at my 'Profile' and use the Link then pick on a Blog written by 'XCOVLOV70' and enjoy!
Having said that my good lady and myself found Portugal nicer than Spain!
(That might set the cat among the pigeons!)
------------- According to Winnie the Pooh .... “Planning is what you do before you do it so that when you do it you don't get mixed up".
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by KarlFritz on 13/11/2014
Having said that my good lady and myself found Portugal nicer than Spain!
(That might set the cat among the pigeons!)
... this pigeon won't scatter - we agree with you Karl!
Loved Portugal and the Portuguese! (- but Spanish were ok too!) Guess we would choose Portugal for long winter stay even if wetter than Spain!
We will starting our 3rd year winter touring at end of December, we are always free birds this year starting at Mojacar Canada Camping a small site then moving across Southern Spain then up though Portugal good fun & cheap.
------------- Traveling thoughout Europe in our caravan
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: Christmas in Spain/Portugal.
