TOUR HIGHLIGHTS​

 

• In France: The Loire Valley including Angers and Le Mans, Bordeaux, St Emilion, The Atlantic Coast.

• In Spain: San Sebastian/Donostia, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Pamplona, Salamanca, The entire Northern Coast, The Picos de Europa Mountains.

• In Portugal: Porto, Braga, The Atlantic Coast.

DAY - TO -DAY ITINERARY

 

Night before: We stay on a campsite close to Dover where we provide a full briefing for the tour and advice on motorhoming on the continent in general. This is a complimentary night and you are welcome to join us at no additional cost.

 

Day 1: We head to Dover Port for our scheduled morning crossing. On Night 1 we have a fairly short drive with a stopover in Neuchatel-en-Bray close near Rouen.

 

Day 2: Today is primarily a driving day as we head south through France with our destination tonight in the Loire Valley near the ancient town of Angers. The Loire is best known for its chateaux and vineyards of which there are several on our route.

 

Days 3 - 4: We head deeper into France today heading inland close to the Atlantic Coast. Our destination is the historic port city of Bordeaux. The city is home of the wine-growing region and is often compared Paris with its wide boulevards, grand villas, river frontages and public gardens. Our schedule allows for a full day in the city.

 

Days 5 - 6: We enter Spain today as we skirt the Pyrenees Mountains and head to the capital of the Navarre region, Pamplona made famous for the ‘running of the bulls’. This will not be on during our visit allowing us time to walk the network of attractive narrow streets with history dating back to Roman times.

 

Day 7: We have an overnight stop close to the beautiful old walled city of Burgos. Here you can walk down the tree-lined avenue next to the River Arlanzon and visit one of the largest and most dramatic cathedrals in Spain.

 

Days 8 – 10: Today we head for our most southern point and the historic city of Salamanca. From our riverside campsite it easy to get into the city where you can wander the narrow streets, sit in the vast square or admire the old buildings and the famous arched Roman bridge. Salamanca is a food lover’s dream with no shortage of cafes and restaurants.

 

Days 11 – 14: We leave Spain for the next few days as we head into Portugal and the second largest city of Porto. The highlights of the city are contained mainly within the relatively compact Ribeira District and Old Town along with the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. You can walk over the bridge or admire the view from the nearby cable car. Porto of course is home to Port wine and also has a bustling gastronomic scene, with perhaps the best places down on the quayside. Here you can enjoy dramatic views of the old city rising into the surrounding hills either side of the might River Douro.

 

Days 15 – 16: Today we head for the historic city of Santiago de Compostela with its imposing 11th Century cathedral. This marks the end of the 500-mile long St James’ Way pilgrimage route that has been walked for centuries. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to several palaces, churches and museums. There is also a lively culinary scene with no shortage of restaurants and cafes.

 

Days 17 - 18: Today we start our leisurely route across the entire northern coast of Spain, known as the Cantabrian Coast or “Green Spain”. This first stretch is in Galicia, perhaps the least discovered coastal region of Spain. You can expect rugged coastline, riverine landscapes and lots of small towns and villages dotted along the coast.

 

Day 19: We continue or journey along the “green coast” with mountain views across the Picos de Europa range and a collection of pretty towns and villages dotted along the coastline. We spend the night in the mountains.

 

Days 20 - 21: We continue east along the coast with the opportunity to visit some of the local seaside towns and villages. You can take in some Gaudi architecture or head into the mountains to visit Cantabria’s oldest village. We head into Basque territory today with the mountains to the south and the Bay of Biscay to the north. We are close to San Sebastian/ Donostia famed for its beaches, picturesque promenades and the cobbled streets of the old town.

 

Days 22 - 24: We start our journey north through France tracing a slightly different route back with stop overs in the Aquitaine and Loire regions before arriving back at the same campsite we started at!

 

Day 25: We head for the ferry today or you may choose to extend your stay and take advantage of your flexible return ticket.