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I suppose you have to decide whether the sun or places of interests are top of your requirements. You have the advantage of having plenty of time but the further you go the more costly, in terms of fuel, tolls and perhaps site fees if you go to the Med in either France or Spain. Being a solo vehicle you can cover a lot of miles quite quickly. Why not decide on a two centre holiday as that could give you a bit more variety.

David

If it's your first time, then I'd definitely stick to one country.  Yes, it would be possible to do all three, but why?  If you like it then next year you can do another country, and the year after that yet another!   There are so many lovely parts of France and Spain that it's absolutely possible to go every year for thirty years, and yet still find new places to see and new things to do.  I know, because we've been every year for the last thirty years, and for about the last ten have been twice a year - and we still enjoy every minute.

Like acamper60 says, make a site your base, and stay there for a decent length of time, go out from the site, and then if you have four weeks move on to another site in another area.  Believe it or not it's still possible to 'tour' in France without booking in advance.  My friends are both teachers, and go each year during the summer holidays without booking a thing - and they always manage to get sites.  They stay at municipal type sites, or smaller rural sites, usually inland.  Big four star, family orientated sites may be more difficult, but even then it's sometimes possible to find a pitch without booking even in peak weeks and some smaller two star sites have lovely pools.

If you are absolutely set on four star facilities, with pool complex, kids clubs, and so on, then you may wish to book in advance - and perhaps more so if you decide to go to Spain as there are fewer sites and they do tend to book up in advance.

In Normandy you're very likely to find weather much as you would at home, and the further south you go, generally, the better the weather - but Spain with 7 of you in a car is a bit of a hike and you may be better looking at the Dordogne, the Ardeche, or any of the other beautiful areas of inland France.

Quote: Originally posted by bulezuik on 28/12/2010

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I think we are happy to stay a few nights in each place and explore areas. The kids will want pools but I am up for keeping costs down,I like the beach tho so a mix would be good.

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My advice would be similar to the above - too ambitious dragging a large group all over 3 countries in one long go.  Head for a sunny area depending on the forecast at the time and have a good sites book (search "le guide officiel" on here) or Michelin or Caravan Club Europe etc.  Keep costs down using ACSI Card or Camping Cheques for discounted sites with pools or municipals for nice modest ones. 

You'll never look back. 

Quote: Originally posted by johnnyhamster on 29/12/2010

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Having said that. I'm totally stumped on what to do for this years summer holidays.

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A suggestion then - How about France for a change?

To be more constructive, if you like cycling or walking there are dozens of french canals with flat traffic free towpaths - many well surfaced up to tarmac standard. Or the similar voie vert traffic free routes.  In each case through wonderful scenery.

Quote: A suggestion then - How about France for a change?

Johnny Hamster

We had camped in England for a few years and having spent many childhood holidays camping in France I was working on dragging my OH over the water. I started off by breaking him in gently by a holiday in Normandy - Portmouth Cherbourg fast ferry. The weather was fantastic and everything we did in Normandy we enjoyed. Every year since I have been 'stretching' my OH - a little bit longer and a little bit further!

Normandy is definately a good place to start. However the weather can be a gamble.

I'd sort of agree with most advice about not trying to spread yourself too thinly. If you're going to Portugal then do it as a one-off via northern Spain; if you're going to Eastern France then the journey there is enough. You could, however, combine French and Spanish Catalonia or French and Spanish Basque Country. The former would just mean going to Perpignan then along the coast or over the Pyrenees to Barcelona and the Costa Brava. It's a bit of a journey but can be done.

We've never, yet, done the wider Basque country but it should be fairly easy depending on where you start! () - you can make a good tour down from the Breton/Norman ports via the Vendee and Aquitaine and over the border to Bilbao &c.; or you could go to one of the Spanish ports and circle around the Basque Country, over the Pyrenees to France and back along the coast .... that sort of thing.

You really need to decide which port(s) you'll use and what is the furthest point you'd want to travel to .... have fun!