Christmas nagging has started already!!!

[gulfbluersr]

For the last 2 years we have spent Christmas in Florida, Elaine is asking already where or what are we doing this year, I've suggested Spain in the rv as she wants some sun mid winter, I've also suggested Ireland in the rv as I'm not fused on the sun and I think Ireland at Christmas would be something else!! She has a lot of family there and we always have fun with them drinkdrinkarty2:arty2: but I think in reality she will win with the sun thing :lol::lol:

We spent new year at Torremolinos 3 years ago and that was fine sunny and warm but not too hot, the locals said that we struck lucky as they often have rain that time of year, Elaine was a bit disappointed as it was not as warm as she was hoping........ I was happy as it was not too hot :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Is it realistic to drive the RV down to somewhere that will be sunny in Spain hopefully for about 3 weeks but maybe only for 2 as I'm not sure how much time I will be able to escape from working all depends what contracts I have nearer the time, we may even be able to stretch to 4 weeks!

Realistically how long will it take to drive down to start with I suppose is what I need to know? As much as I enjoy driving there's little point in spending more time driving than relaxing if we only manage to get away for 2 weeks! So will 2 weeks be enough?............Then I will be asking where should we be heading for?

Steve

 

[Landy Lover]

I would think that it would be cheaper and better time wise to rent something down there for a couple of weeks and fly in on a cheap deal and rent a car.

 

[stunette]

We go down to Spain over or after xmas most years for two or three weeks. Last year we spent 10 days in Benidorm due to a broken radiator, but usually have a day or two at different sites down the east coast.

Three weeks is fine as it only takes three or four days to get there at most, but depends on how much you want to hunt on down the road..:thumbup:

 

[Olley]

How long and how many miles a day are you prepared to drive? Last time I drove to the Algave, it was something like this: Left home about 18.00 Friday, got the 22.00 ferry, parked up in the Calais aire. Next morning about 8.00 drove to Park Verger, (420m) got there about 18.00. Next morning up about 8.00 again drove to Bugos and stayed at Fuentes Blancas, (415m) next morning 8.00 again and drove to Lisbon, got there late afternoon and stayed at Camping Lisbon (441m) for a few days before finally going to Faro.

So minimum three days there, three days back. Wife won't fly so I don't have a choice, that's why I won't drive that far for less than three weeks

Ian

 

[gulfbluersr]

I would think that it would be cheaper and better time wise to rent something down there for a couple of weeks and fly in on a cheap deal and rent a car.

I know what you are saying Bill and you are probably right as the best thing to do .... but it's the flexibility thing that I like with the rv, the trouble with the way I like to work now is that I quote for work and may not hear anything for a couple of months maybe longer, then all of a sudden it's all go, generally I get a lot of enquiries around September/October for work that needs to be completed before the end of March, they always say it will start before the end of December but more often than not it takes till mid/end of January to start by the time they get their paper work and h&s sorted.......(much the same problem I'm having at the moment!!) This is all fine as I allow for it all in the quoting stage :wink: but it does not help with arranging when we can get away and come back!
I usually only book anything late November or early December which I have found actually costs more

I'm thinking if we can get away early enough in the rv ....hopefully at least a week before Christmas instead of flying Christmas eve or even day as we have done the last 2 years, then I can keep in touch after new year between emails and phone and perhaps even get to stay till very late in January, if needs be and the work starts sooner we can just come back last minute, flying and renting won't allow this flexibility I don't think? We'd also like to take the dogs for a change :biggrin:

Steve

 

[gulfbluersr]

We go down to Spain over or after xmas most years for two or three weeks. Last year we spent 10 days in Benidorm due to a broken radiator, but usually have a day or two at different sites down the east coast.

Three weeks is fine as it only takes three or four days to get there at most, but depends on how much you want to hunt on down the road..:thumbup:

Was the weather warm or TFH! while you were there? How far through France do you have to get before it starts to warm up? Does it get warm in France at all that time of year? At a push it sounds like 2 weeks could be do-able but 3 weeks would be better!

Steve

 

[gulfbluersr]

How long and how many miles a day are you prepared to drive? Last time I drove to the Algave, it was something like this: Left home about 18.00 Friday, got the 22.00 ferry, parked up in the Calais aire. Next morning about 8.00 drove to Park Verger, (600m) got there about 18.00. Next morning up about 8.00 again drove to Bugos and stayed at Fuentes Blancas, (650m) next morning 8.00 again and drove to Lisbon, got there late afternoon and stayed at Camping Lisbon (700m) for a few days before finally going to Faro.

So minimum three days there, three days back. Wife won't fly so I don't have a choice, that's why I won't drive that far for less than three weeks

Ian

Driving for me is not a problem I will just keep driving all night, with my work I work a right mix of days and nights and often both together, I often drive 150 to 200 miles work a night shift and then drive home, if I need a sleep I just stop and sleep! So long far drives are no problem, Elaine don't mind either as she just goes to sleep when she needs too.
Going by your timetable above it's about 1,950 miles where does that get us too? Do you take a trailer and car or not bother? I was hoping to take ours....probably with the Beach Buggy :biggrin:

Thanks for your answers keep them coming please :thumbup:

Steve

 

[Olley]

Driving for me is not a problem I will just keep driving all night, with my work I work a right mix of days and nights and often both together, I often drive 150 to 200 miles work a night shift and then drive home, if I need a sleep I just stop and sleep! So long far drives are no problem, Elaine don't mind either as she just goes to sleep when she needs too.
Going by your timetable above it's about 1,950 miles where does that get us too? Do you take a trailer and car or not bother? I was hoping to take ours....probably with the Beach Buggy :biggrin:

Thanks for your answers keep them coming please :thumbup:

Steve

Sorry Steve cocked up, I didn't notice maps had changed to km, not miles. :blushing::blushing: Calais to Lisbon is about 1300miles
We towed the wife's Nissan micra on one occasion and hired on another when we got there. The longer the holiday the more sense it makes to tow your own. I plod along at 55ish and stop every 150-200 miles when we need LPG.

Ian

 

[stunette]

Was the weather warm or TFH! while you were there? How far through France do you have to get before it starts to warm up? Does it get warm in France at all that time of year? At a push it sounds like 2 weeks could be do-able but 3 weeks would be better!

Steve

France is pretty much the same as here, although the further you it does start to warm by day but not at night.. You do really have to get in to Spain before you notice much difference & then it is T-shirt & shorts for most of the day..:thumbup:

 

[Olley]

Have to agree I think you need to get down to Southern Spain or the Algave for the best Winter weather. We were on the beach at Quarteria in Feb. But it was chilly at night.

Ian

 

[gulfbluersr]

Sorry Steve cocked up, I didn't notice maps had changed to km, not miles. :blushing::blushing: Calais to Lisbon is about 1300miles
We towed the wife's Nissan micra on one occasion and hired on another when we got there. The longer the holiday the more sense it makes to tow your own.I plod along at 55ish and stop every 150-200 miles when we need LPG.

Ian

Aha! That sounds better! I thought that sounded a long way!

Steve

 

[gulfbluersr]

Shorts and T shirt day and cool nights are what I like, this weather that we are having at home now is killing me I just can't take it, too hot to work and then too hot to sleep at night no fun at all!!

I need to get a map out and have a look how far down are we actually talking about? when we were at Torremolinos we popped over to Gibraltar for a day, I'd like to go back there for a proper look, is that realistic in the time scale or too far? Geography was never my strong point and holidays were not for me until the last 4 years when Elaine got ill and we realised that life is too short for work work work, now I have learned my lesson and work to live not live to work!!

Thanks for the advice all very useful :thumbup:

Steve

 

[stunette]

Shorts and T shirt day and cool nights are what I like, this weather that we are having at home now is killing me I just can't take it, too hot to work and then too hot to sleep at night no fun at all!!

I need to get a map out and have a look how far down are we actually talking about? when we were at Torremolinos we popped over to Gibraltar for a day, I'd like to go back there for a proper look, is that realistic in the time scale or too far? Geography was never my strong point and holidays were not for me until the last 4 years when Elaine got ill and we realised that life is too short for work work work, now I have learned my lesson and work to live not live to work!!

Thanks for the advice all very useful :thumbup:

Steve

No where is too far for a bit of an adventure... Especially if you enjoy the drive...:thumbup:

 

[Sooty]

I'm afraid it's Egypt for us again 5star all inclusive 3 weeks 18 December till 8 January £1289.00 each difficult to beat for weather, culture and friendliness :biggrin:

 

[stunette]

I'm afraid it's Egypt for us again 5star all inclusive 3 weeks 18 December till 8 January £1289.00 each difficult to beat for weather, culture and friendliness :biggrin:

That would be lovely, but not when you have big dogs..:sad: