Road trip road recommendations
Discussion
Morning all,
I leave next Sunday to drive to my Dads house in Spain and have planned the stops out as follows:
Blackpool (:-))
Dover
Le Mans
Bordeaux
Salamanca
Merida
Posadas
So I wondered if anyone had any road recommendations for the route - given that I dont want to spend all my drive time on motorways.
Suggestions appreciated.
Return route still to be planned!
Cheers, Tony.
I leave next Sunday to drive to my Dads house in Spain and have planned the stops out as follows:
Blackpool (:-))
Dover
Le Mans
Bordeaux
Salamanca
Merida
Posadas
So I wondered if anyone had any road recommendations for the route - given that I dont want to spend all my drive time on motorways.
Suggestions appreciated.
Return route still to be planned!
Cheers, Tony.
The West coast of France isn't the most exciting driving wise, to me. Though to be fair the 2x I've done it I was in slightly more of a rush than when I've done the East.
Going over the Pyrenees is cool enough. I found the roads through/around Andorra better than the quick route that will likely be the most open to you (San Sebastien). I also picked up some very cheap camera gear there which was a double bonus!
The pilgrims' route between Leon and Santiago de la Compostela is worth a drive IMO, and the towns either end are worth a visit - stay in the Paradores, which are fantastic). Salamanca is lovely enough that the roads to get there aren't really the best bit.
Am not much help other than that though. I've definitely found the roads further East in Europe better for exciting driving...some nice roads between Barcelona and Madrid, and a few in Portugal. But on balance I prefer the roads further right
Going over the Pyrenees is cool enough. I found the roads through/around Andorra better than the quick route that will likely be the most open to you (San Sebastien). I also picked up some very cheap camera gear there which was a double bonus!
The pilgrims' route between Leon and Santiago de la Compostela is worth a drive IMO, and the towns either end are worth a visit - stay in the Paradores, which are fantastic). Salamanca is lovely enough that the roads to get there aren't really the best bit.
Am not much help other than that though. I've definitely found the roads further East in Europe better for exciting driving...some nice roads between Barcelona and Madrid, and a few in Portugal. But on balance I prefer the roads further right
Murph7355 said:
The pilgrims' route between Leon and Santiago de la Compostela is worth a drive...
Never done it but I think it would be fab.I was near Posadas yesterday, and once you´ve put your feet up for a couple of days head over to Cordoba or down to Seville - from both areas you could head across the Sierra Nevada on the A-92 and spend some time in Granada / Alhambra / Albacin. The A-92 has many straight parts, a few static cameras (switch on your sat nav), and fabulous mountain views.
Nice choice on the French part, though sMurph is correct regarding the eastern side. Any trip that involves staying in the finest wine region in the world certainly gets my approval.
If you fancy a beer in La Manga...though, I have to warn you.....I come back the day you leave
So for the return trip I am thinking of:
Posadas
Madrid
Toulouse
Dijon (via Millau Viaduct :-))
Calais
Dover
Blackpool (:-))
It is a bit longer route than the way down and I have one day less to do it in - but I have just got to go over that bridge!
George - got the iPhone App on my iPad and am now being accused of being 'sad' by my daughters (but I bet they play with the accelerator when I am not looking!).
Jockman - sadly La Manga is a bit far to go 'for a pint' :-(
Posadas
Madrid
Toulouse
Dijon (via Millau Viaduct :-))
Calais
Dover
Blackpool (:-))
It is a bit longer route than the way down and I have one day less to do it in - but I have just got to go over that bridge!
George - got the iPhone App on my iPad and am now being accused of being 'sad' by my daughters (but I bet they play with the accelerator when I am not looking!).
Jockman - sadly La Manga is a bit far to go 'for a pint' :-(
Keep off the motorways in Spain. The A roads, and even the B roads will provide much better driving... and scenery.
On the Motorways, the speed limit is 110 (recently reduced due to climate change???) and it is enforced quite strictly.
On the A and B roads, the speed limit is 100. However, the tourism board understands the importance of British tourism... so these signs are in mph, and they are not as strictly enforced as the motorways.
You will find speed traps in villages, and also near some road junctions. These junctions have two speed limit drops (80, and then 60) as you approach them. These limits are in kph, and you must obey them.
Don
--
On the Motorways, the speed limit is 110 (recently reduced due to climate change???) and it is enforced quite strictly.
On the A and B roads, the speed limit is 100. However, the tourism board understands the importance of British tourism... so these signs are in mph, and they are not as strictly enforced as the motorways.
You will find speed traps in villages, and also near some road junctions. These junctions have two speed limit drops (80, and then 60) as you approach them. These limits are in kph, and you must obey them.
Don
--
Murph - as luck would have it, I terminate my trip just before I get to that hell hole called Blackpool!
Jon - breakdown cover is sorted, I get it as part of my current account - its with AXA. What I do need to do is get the list of places which can get new tyres, just in case of a puncture.
Don - I hope to use a mix of motorways and more interesting roads. I dont have enough time to avoid motorways completely. I have a week to get there, a week with my dad and then a week to get back. I have planned some stop over days so I will get a day to look round each of Le Mans, Bordeaux, Salamanca, Toulouse and Dijon.
The excitement is mounting!!
Jon - breakdown cover is sorted, I get it as part of my current account - its with AXA. What I do need to do is get the list of places which can get new tyres, just in case of a puncture.
Don - I hope to use a mix of motorways and more interesting roads. I dont have enough time to avoid motorways completely. I have a week to get there, a week with my dad and then a week to get back. I have planned some stop over days so I will get a day to look round each of Le Mans, Bordeaux, Salamanca, Toulouse and Dijon.
The excitement is mounting!!
don4l said:
On the Motorways, the speed limit is 110 (recently reduced due to climate change???) and it is enforced quite strictly.
Don, the limit is 120 kmh, 75 mph so faster than in the UK. If you want to open up the car it´s the best place for it.Speed limits were reduced recently as a result of the high oil prices, in an attempt to preserve fuel. Temporary measure and the Spanish people played ball ok.
Driving through the Sierra Nevada on the A-92 last week exposed some breathtaking scenery, though Don´s comments on scenery in general are correct.
Off to Carthagena shortly
WOW - what a trip you could have - i would miss the west coast of France from bordeaux downwards - very droll. my own route would be reims - troyes - dijon- le puy en velay -mende - millau - albi - toulouse etc.
French roads are simply fab, i have been biking on them every year since 1989 ( and have been stopped by the police every year ! but only fined once
enjoy
French roads are simply fab, i have been biking on them every year since 1989 ( and have been stopped by the police every year ! but only fined once
enjoy
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