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Having triumphed on our first camping adventure in France recently, we are thinking about trying out Spain next summer.

The Ferry P&O looks like its around 24hrs and then the drive from Bilbao to Taragona, a further 6 hrs. just wondered if anyone had done this before, had any tips if they thought it was doable with a 6 and 3 year old?

We got evening ferries this year, and then payed for accomodation at the ports. we were thinking the ferry journey being that much longer to Spain, would kind of act as a substitute for hotels...wishful thinking? 11/12 nights camping leaving a day and a half for travel each way.

Any tips or experience of this or similar appreciated! x

Hi we have just done the Portsmouth Bilbao crossing and it was quite choppy on the way out and then like a millpond on the way back so I think its just your luck really.   We stayed at a lovely site near Salou - camping sanguli, it was fantastic and had temperatures in the high 20's/30's every day.   We left the ferry at approx 8.30am and had a really leisurely drive with quite a few stops for at least 20 mins each time and arrived on site at approx 4pm.   Salou isn't far from Tarragona as we visited while we were there.  Would I do the ferry crossing again?  probably not as I was quite ill on the way out, (the rest of the family weren't though) and I think that 2 nights on the boat is a bit much, the nights went quite quickly having a meal and then watching the show but the daytime was never ending just lots of sitting around, quite boring really.  

Have you thought about the long crossing but staying on the Bilbao/Santander coast and not driving down through Spain, despite that being a decent ride? Camping Playa Joyel at Noja I would say is perfect for your age little people, the beach is just superb and climate also quite suitable. Its a taste of Spain without some of the razz of the Tarragona coast. We also drove from Calais over 2 days and stayed at Sanguli as mentioned in a previous post (and also had a fab time! despite 2 days rain and beach closed due to chemical spill for 2 days!) I think it would be a long trip with little ones to that coast via the Calais route,ours are teenagers and happy to sleep and watch DVD's, and eat, drink and comfort break in line with Ma an Pa!

Just back from Callella area.

We did the P&O crossing, outbound, good weather ferry ok but Im now wondering what I could have done better than the 38 hrs on the boat. Entertainment was well poor, rooms typical cabin size. Meals reasonable, the international food court ok for a dinner and pud for £8.95 or the carvery £17.65 / person or £11.50  for kids and I can highly recommend that. The main restairant much more expensive but quality is superb.

Return journey delayed due to medical evac when we had to go toward La Rochelle so a toddler could be airlifted. The trip back out to the Biscay was choppy as was the channel, choppy and raining but acceptable. I have good sea legs so the swell didnt effect me nor the family who suprisingly are usually very ill on the Dover Calais routes (smaller ships I accept)

All in all £868 for 4 adults, 1 large caravan and 4x4 in outside room I didnt think too bad.

I have already looked at Brittanys prices to compare and I will be strongly looking at their crossing with a deluxe room for £70 more and at least 12 hrs less at sea on a newer boat.

I will however be sitting down douing some maths to see if the drive may outweigh the ferry in costs etc or a hard slog and go for it.

Has any one done the Brittany route?

Quote: Originally posted by shielsy on 03/9/2009

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.I have already looked at Brittanys prices to compare and I will be strongly looking at their crossing with a deluxe room for £70 more and at least 12 hrs less at sea on a newer boat.

I will however be sitting down douing some maths to see if the drive may outweigh the ferry in costs etc or a hard slog and go for it.

Has any one done the Brittany route?

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Hi

THink you will find the Pont Aven ( Brittany Ferries ) a bit different to the P of Bilbao. Much newer boat, quite stylish, certainly fast, I had a club cabin which had a big picture window not far above the water line, and you can't believe how quick you seem to be travelling. Better than watching the tele. 20 hrs with a sleep in the middle, passes pretty quickly, even single handed,( Mrs FM does n't do long sails and prefers to fly back). Did n't find an a la carte restaurant, but the self service food was good for b/fast and lunch, only slight criticism was that the dining rooms are at the front, which bounces about the most.

Entertainment was on a par with what you might expect, This year there was an "Ant and Dec" tribute pair, and the usual singer etc., which passed a pleasant evening in above avereage bar space. For the kids, the daytime emtertainment seemed pretty good.  There was a clown whose performance was the best on board for my money.

Car decks were a bit tight if you had a caravan and particularly if it is one of the newer 7 ft 6 ins models. Need to keep your eyes open when loading.

In general, Biscay is almost always going to be a bit bouncy, and can be much worse. Pont Aven seemed reasonably stable, as is P of B. Brittany boats do seem to have a bit of style about them, and I think the Bilbao is now getting a bit long in the tooth. 20 hrs Brittany vs 33 hrs P & O seems to me to be a much better bet.

FM