North Spain - Western France

Discussion in 'Europe' started by Justin Pyfrom, Jun 19, 2017.

  1. Meant as more a campsite guide then an adventure guide.

    Arrived in Santander and stayed in "Camping Somo Parque en Cantabria" - purely for location reasons. Didn't want to drive in the dark! Seemed just about acceptable for a one nighter.

    Then drove down, via b roads, to Haro and stayed at "Camping De La Rioja" - great campsite - right near the bodegas and city centre. Perfect camp for exploring.

    Moved to a hotel in Logrono so we can experience the tapas crawl.

    Top recommendation is a drive to Bodegas Irache where they have a wine fountain you can top up for free - it has a 100 litre limit a day.

    We then drove all the way up to "Camping and Bungalows Portuondo" via Vitoria-Gasteiz - we didn't stop over but it seemed a nice town.

    "Camping and Bungalows Portuondo" was a well looked after campsite but had a 18 degree decline to get in and the same to get out. Also when you pass reception keep right! Only a beach to walk to but a beautiful part of the world.

    We then drove the coast road to "Camping Bungalows Igueldo" near San Sebastian. Spent a couple of nights here - again good campsite but in the clouds so expect the weather to settle in for the evening.

    At this point we left Spain and entered France - can highly recommend a visit to Saint Jean de Luz - beautiful little town.

    Camped at Biarritz Camping which was absolutely wonderful and had everything you could wish for (as long as you wish the same as me!) - close enough to walk into town (30mins) but easy bus access.

    We then left Biarritz and stayed in a hotel in Bordeaux, if we had more time I would have camped as the tram into Bordeaux from the campsite was in fact very easy.

    Then we moved to Dune du Pyla and "Camping Panarama du Pyla" - woah this has to be on the list - I'm a paraglider so it was perfect for me but such an amazing place - huge site with more on offer than the Biarritz one. Kids would love this site.

    We then travelled up to "Camping Whales" on the Ile de Re - a great one nighter. Weird little island which smelt very heavily of salt due to the Salt plains. Worried about rust whilst here.

    Moved onto a hotel in Rennes - only due to not being able to find a campsite with good location - great little city with a fairly substantial student population. Worth a visit.


    Last campsite was "Camping Le Balcon de la Baie" near Mont St Michael - not many flat pitches and requirement to wear speedos in the pool but a clean site which was good enough for our needs.

    Then back home via St Malo - seemed ok to spend a small bit of time in - we did arrive via Cancale, where you can have oysters next to the oyster farm. Freshest Oysters I've ever tasted.

    Need any more information please let me know.
    But try to avoid the motorways in Spain and use the a/b roads as they are much more fun.
     
  2. Chrisd

    Chrisd Supporter

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