Winter sun

[Gixer]

Thinking about winter 2021 [virus & government permitting] in Spain, how far in advance do people book sites for longer periods and do you use any websites or straight to the park ? I've looked at a few for early 2021 and either no availability or dates greyed out after December.
Maybe start a new topic on sites ?
Thanks all - subscription is the best spend for my MH so far [other than buying it, obs !!]

 

[TerryL]

If you know where you want to be and intend spending a while there book direct with a campsite - if you're a member CMC have affiliated sites in Spain, book through them but they're not the cheapest. TBH the sooner the better because in the past the best sites get booked up by now - but who knows what the situation is going to be? You're just going to have to persevere I'm afraid.

If you're like us, don't stay in one particular place for very long, then all I can say is we've never booked or failed to find somewhere to stop, albeit it may not be precisely where we would like to be. Your friends here are the various apps such as Park4Nite and Campercontact - we've found going inland a short way makes it easier. The Vicarious publication, All the Aires Spain and Portugal, has some good suggestions too, we carry a copy, renewed every 2/3 years as they don't change much.

 

[Crazylegs]

We did our first winter tour of Portugal and Spain without any bookings last year, as above, we never failed to find somewhere to stop for a night or longer if we liked the location. Some sites were full, but somewhere else you would find a spot. It seemed to us that more experienced snowbirds would be queued up outside the more popular sites early in the day so they could get a pitch if someone moved on, but that just ain’t our style.
We also took the opportunity to look at a couple of the CCC winter sun rallies which are usually booked up early in the year, however they have cancelled all future rallies for the foreseeable so that isn’t an option. We will make a late decision about this winter depending on the advice at the time.

 

[mikebeaches]

We've never booked ahead in southern Spain for winter, and I think only been turned away once. But we don't tend to stay put for too long, preferring to move around. And we perhaps steer clear of the out-and-out most popular spots.

If there is somewhere you know you want to stay, then suggest book it.

I should have thought there might be a bit more availability this coming winter, but I don't know... ?

 

[Speve]

Get. Yourself an ACSI book and card they give you discounts and loads of sites in them

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[bigtwin]

I believe that the Camping and Caravanning Club have cancelled their whole winter season for 2020/2021. That should give a fair amount of availability at the sites they usually use.

Ian

 

[9526]

As others have said, if you know where you want to go, and it’s a popular spot (Benidorm etc) then your best bet is to book.

If you want to move round a bit and don’t mind camperstops then the popular apps are your friend.

We’ll book if we’re going to Villasol for instance, but dont bother for anywhere else.

 

[Gixer]

Cheers all, useful advice

 

[mart]

We spent 3 months travelling in Spain and Portugal and never booked , and found sites via ACSI books and the Aires book. Only once in Calpe did we struggle for a pitch , but were lucky when one person decided to leave the last campsite we tried.

 

[2657]

Things are going to be completely different this year, what the situation will be is anybody's guess.
My guess would be that sites will be quieter, especially ones that had C& CC rallies or in their winter sun list.

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[jumar]

If you book a long stay and don't like the place, neighbours or the weather then you are stuck....better to arrive at a place and get the feel of it....extend as you wish...long stays do come with a discount offered,...normally...no rallies this year... restricted time limit for next...go with the flow....

 

[Midnightflyer]

Hi Gixer. I booked the sites for our 2021 trip over 2 months ago. We are off to Spain in Feb band booked the ferry to Bilbao as soon as Brittany Ferries released there sailings. I found that the majority of the sites that we use well booked up, in fact one site we had to book in March of this year to secure a pitch. All sites are saying that they are exceptionally busy with bookings so I should get in as soon as you can.

 

[Gixer]

I'm not looking at this winter so I'll start looking early 2021 - thanks for all the advice everyone

 

[Rayb182]

We toured Spain and Portugal for many years, never booked anywhere, if we liked the place we would stay a while if not we left, We would go in December and return to the UK March, however now we're saving up and if covid free, return to Portugal, to the most dog friendly campsite, Motorhome Friends near Paderne.