Where to go to get the sunshine December for 2 months

[Minxy]

We have been planning our usual winter 2 month jaunt abroad, we usually got to Spain in December and return late Jan/early Feb but with the issues in Spain at present we can't go to our usual places so looking for alternatives, a bit of info about how we MH first:

• We have 3 dogs so don't do sites as they tend to have too many restrictions or try to charge silly money for them, we also don't like to be crammed in.
• We like quiet places and exclusively 'wild camp' and/or use aires/sostas/MH parkings (usually freebies)
• We have no need EHU as we have sufficient solar and batteries for our needs and can stay in one spot indefinitely.
• We have 2 toilet cassettes and can extend the range of these for quite a while by using pee bottles (we empty the loo in suitable places, ie not just dumping it anywhere!)
• We have 2 x refillable LPG cylinders so no problems there either.
• We seldom eat out as by the time we've given the pooches loads of walks we're usually to tired to go anywhere, but would like a Chinese on Christmas day if we can.
• We do use local shops etc as/when required or just to have a mooch especially if the weather's a bit inclement.
• We don't use toll roads.

Our main reason to go is to relax and chill in the warmth so having to wrap up in scarfs etc is a no no! We like to do a bit of sightseeing but have seen quite a few places over the years so if we see/are near somewhere nice to have a shuftie at we will but won't go well out of our way to do so.

In the past we've done Portugal but with the restrictions on MH parking I'm not sure how practical that is now, especially further south.

We usually go Dover to Calais or Dunkerque and back but are also considering Newhaven Dieppe to cut down on some of the travelling via France especially as it's likely to be very cold.

So:

Is Portugal still do-able 'wild camping' or is that a no-no now?
Should we still do Spain but do a big swerve of the affected areas?
Should we go somewhere else completely for the warmth, bearing in mind we've only got 2 months in total so don't want to spend loads of time travelling, and with 3 dogs Morocco is out.

Any suggestions?

 

[125BEER]

Spain is a large country....

We are in Greece at the mo hoping the weather stays good....we will see...

Yamas

 

[Minxy]

Spain is a large country....

Yup I know but not all of it is warm in winter.

We are in Greece at the mo hoping the weather stays good....we will see...

Yamas

I'd love to do Greece as Northernraider tempted me with the lovely coastal spots but it's a bit far for just 2 months especially over winter. Maybe in the spring/autumn one year ...

 

[125BEER]

Yup I know but not all of it is warm in winter.


I'd love to do Greece as Northernraider tempted me with the lovely coastal spots but it's a bit far for just 2 months especially over winter. Maybe in the spring/autumn one year ...

Just thought we'd give it a go.....

Yamas

 

[Carpmart]

There are lots of areas in Spain that are largely unaffected by the recent storms and floods. Valencia is obviously a no go, but elsewhere it’s largely back to near not normality already…. Certainly will be by the time you arrive!

If you’re spending locally, you’re bolstering their economy which is good.

Maybe plan to eat out a bit more (menu dia with pooches) and then you have nothing to feel bad about travelling to where you would ‘normally’ travel.

We are in Portugal still at the moment and don’t camp off site, whilst we do regularly in Spain!

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[Run to the Sun]

Wild camping in Portugal is more tolerated now than a few years ago with the law changes, although I would not go near the coast in the Algarve. If you wild camp near the beaches or surrounding areas like Armação de Pêra, Ferragudo, Portimão, Carvoeiro and Lagos the GNR if they are around will issue you a fine. I would be careful going all the way to Sagres heading west from Tavira if you intend to wild camp. You can park for 48 hours on most municipality’s, they have been approved by the IMT in Portugal and there should be signs up telling you if you can, but all the protected areas/national parks, coastal areas its a no no. I have attached a link, its in Portuguese so you will need to use the G translate if you can’t read the language.

Near Armação de Pêra there are some campsites, if you don’t know the area its dog friendly and no problems walking dogs on the beaches this time of the year. Weather can be great, not so great but it doesn’t get cold, I have been through many winters here in shorts. Christmas morning its dress up as a Santa and go for sea swim, lots of expats, Dutch, Germanys join in with the locals, money raised goes to the local kid charity. I think the Chinese in the middle of the promenade usually open Christmas Day.

Apresentado o Programa de Ação para o Autocaravanismo Responsável

business.turismodeportugal.pt

 

[BikerGraham]

It’s a distressing and sad situation to be looking at from the outside and my heartfelt sympathies go to everyone affected in Spain.

I also think many will be keeping a careful eye on developments in Spain and looking to maybe change their plans over this Christmas period.

I certainly am now. Not sure of what to do.

Its 6 weeks till we are due to head down and we don’t want to intrude on people dealing with and coming to terms with the devastation that has occurred.

 

[Minxy]

It reminds me a little of when we went to Italy, whilst there they'd had earthquakes in some areas but as we didn't know about them as we never watched the news, nor looked at it on the internet, it came as quite a shock. We were saddened but even more we were disgusted by some people specifically visiting the areas to take photos ... we saw the devastation in some places, complete villages made totally unhabitable and the last thing on our minds was to take photos.

 

[VXman]

I was going to say Morocco but as you say, difficult with dogs. Canary islands is nice but probably difficult getting a mh there. We're thinking of going down the Nile in a boat. Spain/Portugal is about as south as you can get in Europe but it's still not particularly warm. I think deserted beach resorts are depressing in winter. We give up on motorhoming after November. Better curled up in front of a log fire at home.

 

[Jewellbags]

Currently in southern Italy and have been for the last two weeks - shorts and t shirts all day , maybe a sweatshirt at night . Lots of sosta and campsites open - can’t guarantee what the weather will be like in December but between 20 and 24 degrees during our trip

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[Jewellbags]

Currently in southern Italy and have been for the last two weeks - shorts and t shirts all day , maybe a sweatshirt at night . Lots of sosta and campsites open - can’t guarantee what the weather will be like in December but between 20 and 24 degrees during our trip

Doubt you’ll get a Chinese though

 

[Ashdud26]

I understand your hesitation about Spain, but the main areas affected are concentrated in Valencia and surrounding (50 kms) inland towns. We live 100kms south if Valencia and all coastal areas south are normal.

 

[Coolcats]

We have been planning our usual winter 2 month jaunt abroad, we usually got to Spain in December and return late Jan/early Feb but with the issues in Spain at present we can't go to our usual places so looking for alternatives, a bit of info about how we MH first:

• We have 3 dogs so don't do sites as they tend to have too many restrictions or try to charge silly money for them, we also don't like to be crammed in.
• We like quiet places and exclusively 'wild camp' and/or use aires/sostas/MH parkings (usually freebies)
• We have no need EHU as we have sufficient solar and batteries for our needs and can stay in one spot indefinitely.
• We have 2 toilet cassettes and can extend the range of these for quite a while by using pee bottles (we empty the loo in suitable places, ie not just dumping it anywhere!)
• We have 2 x refillable LPG cylinders so no problems there either.
• We seldom eat out as by the time we've given the pooches loads of walks we're usually to tired to go anywhere, but would like a Chinese on Christmas day if we can.
• We do use local shops etc as/when required or just to have a mooch especially if the weather's a bit inclement.
• We don't use toll roads.

Our main reason to go is to relax and chill in the warmth so having to wrap up in scarfs etc is a no no! We like to do a bit of sightseeing but have seen quite a few places over the years so if we see/are near somewhere nice to have a shuftie at we will but won't go well out of our way to do so.

In the past we've done Portugal but with the restrictions on MH parking I'm not sure how practical that is now, especially further south.

We usually go Dover to Calais or Dunkerque and back but are also considering Newhaven Dieppe to cut down on some of the travelling via France especially as it's likely to be very cold.

So:

Is Portugal still do-able 'wild camping' or is that a no-no now?
Should we still do Spain but do a big swerve of the affected areas?
Should we go somewhere else completely for the warmth, bearing in mind we've only got 2 months in total so don't want to spend loads of time travelling, and with 3 dogs Morocco is out.

Any suggestions?

How about Australia and hire a unit for 2 months could be fun to do.

 

[carolyn]

How about Australia and hire a unit for 2 months could be fun to do.

They have 3 dogs, they won’t be leaving them behind!

It does sound as though Harvey Carpmart is correct, once this initial devastation is over they will want their visitors back. Other areas will continue as usual. Tragic but true. We spent a wonderful 5 nights at the Aire/Camperstop there in April as we slowly made our way home. It’s a glorious city.

 

[Coolcats]

They have 3 dogs, they won’t be leaving them behind!

From memory didn’t Johnny depp and amber heard take their dogs to Australia think there was a bit of a storm about it. But just hire a private jet and do it by the time the authorities catch up they will be back…

(All I have written is tongue in cheek and responding to the title, totally get Minxy has her dogs so makes things a little harder)

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[MichaelT]

We are booked for January and plan to go. Hoping they cleared up by then but if not we will avoid the area but our initial plans were seville and ronda to start then see where the sun is shining so may pop into Portugal.

 

[helzie2020]

How about Albania? It's not as far to drive as Greece. There is a ferry between Ancona in northern Italy and Durrës in Albania.

We were there last month and really liked it.

Here is a comparison of the climate in the Vlorë region with Andalucia.

Climate comparison

 

[steve69]

I just fly to Goa.
Much as I love my motorhome, December to March anywhere in Europe is not guaranteed warmth & sunshine.

 

[MichaelT]

I just fly to Goa.
Much as I love my motorhome, December to March anywhere in Europe is not guaranteed warmth & sunshine.

But Minxy has 3 dogs so not really practical?

 

[Brains]

I'd just do what you normally do.
Flooding is very localised.
One street across and everything is as it should be.
The locals need your money.

We cycled down the Danube a few weeks after the 'Thousand year flood'.
Whilst a lot of damage in certain places, most places were open and desperate for tourists.

We even stayed in the 4th floor attic rooms of one hotel, the three floors below were all flood damaged!
But there were so happy to have their first guests, even if we had to go up the hill to the owners house to get breakfast!

(The most surreal sight, was a massive tree, the tree was gray rather than green from the mud, and at the top, we estimated at over 60' up, was a car that had floated into the branches.)

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[activecampers]

We were having similar thoughts.
125BEER how is Greece? Its a longer way, but not that much longer really is it? Ferry from Italy?
Keeping an eye....

 

[125BEER]

Hi,about 2000 km to Igoumenitsa (check ferries).Weather still 20/23° sunny.Although due to change.....Very limited campsites if you like but out of season we will see how park ups go.
Just having some R&R in Plataria off unknown avrio.
You don't know until you give it a go......

Yamas

 

[mikebeaches]

Our 'go-to' winter destination is Almeria. Generally good weather and home to the only official desert in Europe. Still plenty of parking places, including a few by the sea.

 

[activecampers]

Hi,about 2000 km to Igoumenitsa (check ferries).Weather still 20/23° sunny.Although due to change.....Very limited campsites if you like but out of season we will see how park ups go.
Just having some R&R in Plataria off unknown avrio.
You don't know until you give it a go......

Yamas



View attachment 973702

View attachment 973703

Thanks. Ferry seems to be running and fair prices, but is it as chaotic as I imagine
edit: YouTube reviews of ferry make it look dire lol - had worse, but not for 9hrs!

We're probably bumbling tourers, like wildcamping and avoiding people but equally would use sites if it was the only legal/safe option

 

[125BEER]

The approach roads to Brindisi port are atrocious.The check in process was far simpler than I thought it would be and we have 2 dogs.
Trucks go on first on our day.Whole process took time but that's the the way it is.

With regard to overnight places we shall seek and find and not park illegally.Parked in the Lidl carpark first night at Igoumenitsa....

Yamas

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[jupeter]

We have been planning our usual winter 2 month jaunt abroad, we usually got to Spain in December and return late Jan/early Feb but with the issues in Spain at present we can't go to our usual places so looking for alternatives, a bit of info about how we MH first:

• We have 3 dogs so don't do sites as they tend to have too many restrictions or try to charge silly money for them, we also don't like to be crammed in.
• We like quiet places and exclusively 'wild camp' and/or use aires/sostas/MH parkings (usually freebies)
• We have no need EHU as we have sufficient solar and batteries for our needs and can stay in one spot indefinitely.
• We have 2 toilet cassettes and can extend the range of these for quite a while by using pee bottles (we empty the loo in suitable places, ie not just dumping it anywhere!)
• We have 2 x refillable LPG cylinders so no problems there either.
• We seldom eat out as by the time we've given the pooches loads of walks we're usually to tired to go anywhere, but would like a Chinese on Christmas day if we can.
• We do use local shops etc as/when required or just to have a mooch especially if the weather's a bit inclement.
• We don't use toll roads.

Our main reason to go is to relax and chill in the warmth so having to wrap up in scarfs etc is a no no! We like to do a bit of sightseeing but have seen quite a few places over the years so if we see/are near somewhere nice to have a shuftie at we will but won't go well out of our way to do so.

In the past we've done Portugal but with the restrictions on MH parking I'm not sure how practical that is now, especially further south.

We usually go Dover to Calais or Dunkerque and back but are also considering Newhaven Dieppe to cut down on some of the travelling via France especially as it's likely to be very cold.

So:

Is Portugal still do-able 'wild camping' or is that a no-no now?
Should we still do Spain but do a big swerve of the affected areas?
Should we go somewhere else completely for the warmth, bearing in mind we've only got 2 months in total so don't want to spend loads of time travelling, and with 3 dogs Morocco is out.

Any suggestions?