Driving north to south spain
Dec 30th 2015, 4:38 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Ayamonte
Posts: 1,022
Re: Driving north to south spain
Hola, welcome to the Ayamonte thread some of us have been here for years and can be a bit grumpy but what you have met so far are the best.
We have been travelling north to south and back since 2006 and have tried a multitude of routes. Our first trip was on the old P&O Pride of Bilbao "ice breaker" and my wife was ill in both directions. Since then we have used Brittany Ferries both Pont Avon and our favourite Cap Finistaire and most times it has been a great crossing. The three northern ports Gijon, Santander and Bibao have great connections to the motorways so if you want a rapid trip you can do it in the day but that would be a waste and exhausting. We normally land in Santander and that puts us on the Rute de la Plata which goes back to the Romans or maybe the Phonecians for exporting silver.
The major Spanish towns that figure throughout Spain from the Moors to date all seem to lie on your route. We have explored the major Cathedral cities of Burgos, Vallodolid , Salamanca and Caceries and they are all worth a day. Merida I am told has the best Roman remains in Europe but we have not managed a stopover yet but we will.
We have been travelling north to south and back since 2006 and have tried a multitude of routes. Our first trip was on the old P&O Pride of Bilbao "ice breaker" and my wife was ill in both directions. Since then we have used Brittany Ferries both Pont Avon and our favourite Cap Finistaire and most times it has been a great crossing. The three northern ports Gijon, Santander and Bibao have great connections to the motorways so if you want a rapid trip you can do it in the day but that would be a waste and exhausting. We normally land in Santander and that puts us on the Rute de la Plata which goes back to the Romans or maybe the Phonecians for exporting silver.
The major Spanish towns that figure throughout Spain from the Moors to date all seem to lie on your route. We have explored the major Cathedral cities of Burgos, Vallodolid , Salamanca and Caceries and they are all worth a day. Merida I am told has the best Roman remains in Europe but we have not managed a stopover yet but we will.
Hi John, we went to Merida last year and the Roman remains there are truly amazing and a lovely drive from Ayamonte, regards Bryony
Jan 1st 2016, 9:49 am
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,675
Re: Driving north to south spain
[QUOTE=BobD;11824072]This site lists all the legal requirements:
Driving in Spain | RAC
It's a good idea to contact your Insurance Company before you go, to see if they offer a "green card". If you have Comprehensive Insurance, this will get you covered in the EU at that level, rather than the normal third party (depending on your Insurance Company). You may need to pay a premium for this (I don't with Prudential).
It's also a good idea to have European Breakdown Insurance - you can get it for just the length of your visit from some specialist providers (I used QDOS - Google them)
The other essential I found was to buy a windscreen internal sun mask for when out of the car (you can get cheap ones from the Chinese shops). Never used it in the UK, but wouldn't have been without it in the hot sun of April/May in Spain.[/QUOTE
The only thing I would add is have a really good service before you start - see to those little things you think will just about last a couple more thousand - sod's law says they won't. Obvious things like tyre condition - Spanish law says you must have the same tyres on the same axle - tourists probably won't be challenged but if you need a replacement for an unusual make then you could be stymied
Driving in Spain | RAC
It's a good idea to contact your Insurance Company before you go, to see if they offer a "green card". If you have Comprehensive Insurance, this will get you covered in the EU at that level, rather than the normal third party (depending on your Insurance Company). You may need to pay a premium for this (I don't with Prudential).
It's also a good idea to have European Breakdown Insurance - you can get it for just the length of your visit from some specialist providers (I used QDOS - Google them)
The other essential I found was to buy a windscreen internal sun mask for when out of the car (you can get cheap ones from the Chinese shops). Never used it in the UK, but wouldn't have been without it in the hot sun of April/May in Spain.[/QUOTE
The only thing I would add is have a really good service before you start - see to those little things you think will just about last a couple more thousand - sod's law says they won't. Obvious things like tyre condition - Spanish law says you must have the same tyres on the same axle - tourists probably won't be challenged but if you need a replacement for an unusual make then you could be stymied
Jan 1st 2016, 2:31 pm
#18
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Driving north to south spain
Some added information:
Brittany Ferries are the only company sailing to both of these ports.
Last year we had several parties of guests arriving via Gijón. The ship sailed from Saint Nazaire, France. I say sailed because it looks as even this service has ended.
You have to have proof of your insurance with you. Green cards are not obligatory. More information via the AA website in PDF
The information about the same tread patten on the same axle is only enforceable with Spanish registered cars.
If you fancy getting some wine for your vacationon the way down then how about a stop off at either Bilbao or La Rioja on the way towards Madrid?
Our first trip was on the old P&O Pride of Bilbao "ice breaker" and my wife was ill in both directions. Since then we have used Brittany Ferries both Pont Avon and our favourite Cap Finistaire and most times it has been a great crossing
The three northern ports Gijon, Santander and Bibao
You have to have proof of your insurance with you. Green cards are not obligatory. More information via the AA website in PDF
The information about the same tread patten on the same axle is only enforceable with Spanish registered cars.
If you fancy getting some wine for your vacationon the way down then how about a stop off at either Bilbao or La Rioja on the way towards Madrid?
Jan 1st 2016, 2:52 pm
#19
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Re: Driving north to south spain
Hola All
Thanks again for all your info it has been so helpful, we really appreciate all your responses and tips.
We are now busy looking and planning routes and hopefully be arranging this at the end April/May.
If you think of anything else that might help us please keep posting!
Happy New Year
D&K
Thanks again for all your info it has been so helpful, we really appreciate all your responses and tips.
We are now busy looking and planning routes and hopefully be arranging this at the end April/May.
If you think of anything else that might help us please keep posting!
Happy New Year
D&K
Jan 1st 2016, 7:27 pm
#20
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Driving north to south spain
Hola All
Thanks again for all your info it has been so helpful, we really appreciate all your responses and tips.
We are now busy looking and planning routes and hopefully be arranging this at the end April/May.
If you think of anything else that might help us please keep posting!
Happy New Year
D&K
Thanks again for all your info it has been so helpful, we really appreciate all your responses and tips.
We are now busy looking and planning routes and hopefully be arranging this at the end April/May.
If you think of anything else that might help us please keep posting!
Happy New Year
D&K
Yes a pack of sea sickness pills?
There is no national public holiday at the beginning of May this it is only is some areas. That will ease the traffic then.
Here is a link in Spanish I an sure you will get the idea of what is what. If not just ask.
or click this link for a larger version
Last edited by Casa Santo Estevo; Jan 1st 2016 at 7:29 pm. Reason: link added
Jan 1st 2016, 9:41 pm
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,675
Re: Driving north to south spain
A word on headlights. I see the RAC advice is that headlight deflectors must be fitted. This is not necessarily the case. The requirement is that your dipped lights must not dazzle an oncoming car. It's true that older UK cars and cars with conventional halogen lights have an assymetric beam pattern - ie the dipped beam kicks up on the left (to illuminate the kerb). These lights will require a deflector of some sort to block this part of the beam.
However, many modern cars have a symmetric beam pattern, especially Xenon HID lights, which don't need the deflectors.
However, many modern cars have a symmetric beam pattern, especially Xenon HID lights, which don't need the deflectors.
Jan 4th 2016, 9:05 am
#22
BE Positive
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,980
Re: Driving north to south spain
You are so lucky to have so many great options! How about a 'circular trip' come down through Spain then go back through Portugal perhaps taking the Alentejo coast to Lisbon and Porto then upwards through Galicia, on your return... Picking up a bootload of the excellent wines along the way.
Whatever you will have fun!!
Jon
Whatever you will have fun!!
Jon
Jan 4th 2016, 11:40 am
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 89
Re: Driving north to south spain
I am a momber of Brittaby ferries if anyone needs a 10% off code for crossing
Jan 5th 2016, 7:29 am
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,903
Re: Driving north to south spain
Just a word to the wise Brittany Ferries do monitor this website. A friend has had his membership suspended and even his son could not use his friend facility until his post was removed. He was told it was against the t&c's and he lost his own privileges with no recompense.
