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Subject Topic: bilbao ferry and pyrenees Post Reply Post New Topic
19/6/2008 at 6:20pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Outwell Hartford L and canopy
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HI

has anyone used the ferry to head into the pyrenees to camp? The pictures of the mountains look fanstastic but is it easy distance from Bilbao ?- are there any nice sites to visit with 3 kids 5,9,12 ? We're looking for rural sites with activities arond lfor the kids like canoeing , horses, lakes, walking etc

 Is there much to see round Bilbao or would it be a better option to head into france into aquitaine?

this is a last minute scabble to organise things - too many other things happening to even think about the summer until now

thanks for your help

c-mac



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19/6/2008 at 7:08pm
 Location: ery
 Outfit: V-dub Camper OK!!
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we've been to Bilbao twice now, and in each case the weather has 'driven' us east - into France n some sun.
there's a reason the area to the west is called the green coast ;-))

the mountains look terrific - and it does seem an easy enough drive the bits that we did manage to see before chickening out
there are two lots of mountains tho - there's a pretty decent range south of Bilbao.
liked bilbao - lots of history around there - and it's basque rather than spanish of course
San Sebastian was nice - large ish campsite just a bus ride from town -
I've heard there are good sites further west around Santander - but again that's coastal

on the ferry - remember to take lots of food n drink - then grab a spot with a view and relax for a couple of days
sorry - can't really help - but have fun whatever you decide

and don't forget your yellow jackets n warning triangles

-------------

But itīs all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya canīt please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
Ricky Nelson


19/6/2008 at 7:43pm
 Location: Portsmouth
 Outfit: Camplet concorde + tent
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hi c-mac, unless you have money to burn i would avoid the booze cruise ferry. it's expensive and loads of stag/hen do's go on it. from where you are it is just as easy to get to the alps where it is activity heaven

-------------
Andrew Underwood and since nov 05 Fraser


19/6/2008 at 8:30pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Outwell Hartford L and canopy
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Not much of a thumbs up for the area then - was quite excited about going somewhere warmer - tho sounds like its more wet than anything else! Three kids on a boat and not much driving just felt a better option than 9 hours in a car!

Thanks for your advice

c-mac



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19/6/2008 at 8:33pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Dandy folding camper
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Anywhere south of Bordeaux should be warmer. No mountains but the Girande peninsular is great for camping.

-------------
Cryptian
Life is not a rehearsal--It's the real thing !


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19/6/2008 at 9:56pm
 Location: ery
 Outfit: V-dub Camper OK!!
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first time we went we ferried down - then drove back along french coast - great - but probably not with 3 kids.
I would guess you would like Landes - which is the coastal bit of the Aquitaine

wouldn't fancy driving down and back - too much like hard work - too much to see on the way to drive past

enjoy

-------------

But itīs all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya canīt please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
Ricky Nelson


19/6/2008 at 10:51pm
 Location: Madrid - Spain
 Outfit: Touring caravan
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Take a look here:

http://www.turismo.navarra.es/eng/home/

and here:

http://www.lariojaturismo.com/

Navarra and La Rioja are quite near from Bilbao (around 150 kms). There is a huge offer of rural turism, and both regions are quite warmer, as they are landlocked. And if you like wine, sure you will enjoy the visit.


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19/6/2008 at 11:09pm
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
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Also, the ferry to Bilbao costs a fortune.  You could do a return journey through France, including overnight stops, for less than a single leg of a crossing to Bilbao.  It sounds attractive, but in reality if you make the journey through France part of your holiday, rather than a road-trip to a destination, you'll have a far more enjoyable holiday.

We've done 'Spain' (or or the Costa  Brava or Costa Dorada) in a two week holiday - with a couple of overnight stops each way, so ten days on site, at far less than the cost of a crossing to Bilbao.

If I were you, with children that age, then I would head to France - lovely, fantastic sites, and great areas (but I wouldn't choose the Landes area - for the activities you love, but the Ardeche/Aveyron/Tarn areas instead, which offer everything you want)>



20/6/2008 at 7:55am
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Quote: Originally posted by c-mac on 19/6/2008

Not much of a thumbs up for the area then - was quite excited about going somewhere warmer - tho sounds like its more wet than anything else! Three kids on a boat and not much driving just felt a better option than 9 hours in a car!

Thanks for your advice

c-mac



Its an easy 5hr drive from Bilbao across the top of Spain to the Med coast around Salou/Cambrils park area which is a popular holiday spot with nice beaches & plenty of campsites, Jul/Aug it is genrally hot, sunny, 30degrees. If you want to go to south west France it is sunnier further up the coast nearer Bordeaux & going there you might as well take a western channel crossing to St Malo.


-------------
Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!


20/6/2008 at 11:29am
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Outwell Hartford L and canopy
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thanks for all your ideas....looks like a simpler crossing to france and the longer drive!

c-mac



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20/6/2008 at 1:05pm
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Hi my parents live just over the French border and several of their guests come by those longer ferries. I have two young children and find the shorter Brittany crossing and longer drive easier with them, they go nuts on the ferry but in a car you can strap 'em down

The area around Hendaye, St Jean d Luz is great for kids, You're right next to the lower mountatins, day trip distance to higher ones, great beaches, nice towns for coffee.



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