New Year in Spain - Wintering

[Dogsense]

Advice please.
We looked at Brittany Ferries Porsmouth to Bilbao or to Santander.
Seems that time to Bilbao is about 8h sailing out longer then to Santander or 5h sailing Back. Cost of sailing to Santander £30 more then Bilbao including to way private cabin. Driving time from Santander to Bilbao 1-1.5 h.
What is the attraction to sail to Bilbao?

 

[vwalan]

some ferries do stop at roscoff . some dont . if they do it makes it along crossing . sometimes two nights . best go in early november then you can go from plymouth .

 

[Dogsense]

Thanks Alan.
Due to a new grandson due mid November, we well be able to go to Spain only early December.

 

[Dave and Ginny]

Advice please.
We looked at Brittany Ferries Porsmouth to Bilbao or to Santander.
Seems that time to Bilbao is about 8h sailing out longer then to Santander or 5h sailing Back. Cost of sailing to Santander £30 more then Bilbao including to way private cabin. Driving time from Santander to Bilbao 1-1.5 h.
What is the attraction to sail to Bilbao?

The timings are the same to either Santander or Bilbao from what I'm seeing on the Brittany Ferries site. I think you must have compared with the Roscoff stopover ?

 

[Dogsense]

Thanks
Will check again.

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[Geejay]

It's only the Sunday sailing on Cap Finistere that is a 2-day trip. It leaves late at night on Sunday, does a brief stop at Roscoff next morning to change crew and then arrives Bilbao early Tuesday morning. Having arrived at both ports I don't think there's much difference, if you're heading south, as they both have good motorway connections.

 

[vwalan]

It's only the Sunday sailing on Cap Finistere that is a 2-day trip. It leaves late at night on Sunday, does a brief stop at Roscoff next morning to change crew and then arrives Bilbao early Tuesday morning. Having arrived at both ports I don't think there's much difference, if you're heading south, as they both have good motorway connections.

you could be right this winter . but in 2012 i had a crossing from portsmouth that stopped at roscoff we left on a thursday late as you say and arrived santander about 8 in the morning . and yes that one was on the cap finistere.
we were supposed to be going from plymouth and it got changed and changed . ended up with a free cabin as we hadnt ordered one from plymouth .
every thing went ok . but the pont aven is a real luxury crossing the cap finistere isnt a patch on it .
i was opn the first sailing of the pont aven . i feel at home on it . mind it did play up coming back in the spring . but great boat .
i prefer santander then drop down to burgos . across to soria and call in to canyon los lobos on the way then almazan cheap fuel there by the industrial estate . then down to laguna de gallocanta , spains biggest natural lake . in november you can see thousands of cranes(the birds ) resting on the lake on their way south to maroc . well worth a visit by anyone . not interested in bird watching but that many is interesting .
have fun .

 

[Geejay]

you could be right this winter

And last winter, as we were on it. They do play around with their sailings depending on which boats are in dock being serviced etc.

I agree the Pont Aven is a lovely boat, but I think you're a bit hard on the Cap. The cognoscenti on the BF Enthusiasts forum reckon the Cap Finistere is a better sea-keeping boat. I hope we don't have to test that theory come this December when we do the 2-nighter again.

 

[vwalan]

must say my favourite boat with brittany ferries used to be the quiberon .used to use it frequently to get to roscoff . but wouldnt want to be on a rough bay of biscay in it . had several rough roscoff to plymouth crossings but again it felt like home . knew lots of the staff as i used it that much.
i do find bf staff very helpful and very pleasant .

 

[Dave and Ginny]

We're on the Cap Finistere but have to say a little anxious about the Bay of Biscay in November. Fortunately neither Ginny or me suffer with seasickness! 700k to Benidorm as opposed to 16ook from Calais has to be worth the risk!

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[vwalan]

only ever had one rough biscay crossing that was years ago.
dont be put off . drink lots of cola . that helps if you start feeling sick.
i,m sure it will be ok . i,m going through early november so it better be .
try the canyon and the lagoon its near daroca .
nice good local roads and not far out your way . mind ideally stop a night in the canyon ,a night by the lagoon there is a good stop by the info center in gallocanta on google they havent got a late pic showing the info center but its there.
here is the pic of the canyon carpark ,

 

[Geejay]

Some swear by ginger. e.g. ginger biscuits. On your way to the port remember to keep your mobile on (assuming BF have your number) in case there are any delays etc and they will text you.