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 Topic: Ferry to Spain for French campsite
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
26/8/2013 at 2:18pm
Location: NE Scotland
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Ok here goes. It's many years since we did Santander crossing but the ship was excellent with cinema and kid friendly for a long journey. We stayed at Bidar just outside Biarritz. Cloud from the Pyrenees every day made the sun disappear till lunch time. Would I go again? No.
Reasons
1 cost of Ferry v £58 return with caravan to Dunkirk.
2 cloudy days
3 plenty wonderful sunny sites much nearer uk with less travel.
Unless you are sure that's the destination for you, I'd suggest reconsidering. Depends when you go but nice weather is pretty likely from the Loire on and plenty excellent locations around there
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=7&TopicID=301549
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playing at tinkies
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26/8/2013 at 2:35pm
Location: Mid-Wales UK
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Hmm, interesting about the cloud. I know you gamble with the weather wherever you go, but the hope is always that the further south you go the more likely it is to be good.
We know Castels are high-quality campsites in France, are there other chains we should be considering?
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Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
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26/8/2013 at 5:43pm
Location: NE Scotland
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Castlels are very good but if you read reviews on the sites listed here in UKCS - have you checked out the sites search tab above? - you can find wonderful gems from municipals to all singing ones with restaurant and all facilities. To each their own but for us, if the pitches are decent and the loos and showers immaculate then we are happy. Prices from 8euros to the sky's the limit or 12/14/16 per night with the ACSI card in the season beginning mid August or up till end of June - ie out with peak holiday season.
ACSI sites usually have pool and restaurant and good standard.
I believe that cloud from the Pyrenees is common anywhere around Biarritz there but we have only been once so others may comment.
Edit: you have submitted lots of reviews so you are obviously well aware of the site search facility ( and probably ACSI as well)
Whatever you decide enjoy the trip
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playing at tinkies
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
26/8/2013 at 5:51pm
Location: Mid-Wales UK
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Yes I always check out the reviews - they are partly to blame for my indecision..just when I think I've found what I'm looking for I read reviews which throw a damp towel on my excitement ;)
We're stuck to peak season, so no ACSI card for us.
Thanks for your comments - much appreciated.
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Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
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26/8/2013 at 6:08pm
Location: County Durham
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Hi Claire, we've not done the Spanish crossings before but of you want France without all the travel I would strongly recommend the Vendee. If you sail to Caen it is only 250 miles. About 180 from St. Malo. We do Caen in less than 5 hours towing.
The drive is easy and if you go via Rennes and Nantes the tolls are 2 euro each way. We got back a week ago and had 14 days of sunshine up to 27 degrees.
We stayed at Le Pin Parasol and it certainly lived up to its 5 star billing. We never go back to the same place twice but we have already booked Le Pin Parasol for next year. Everybody we spoke to was on at least their third visit. We can't wait to go back.
Hope the above helps.
Graeme
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26/8/2013 at 6:12pm
Location: Mid-Wales UK
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Thanks Graeme - we've done the Vendee and tbh we said we wouldn't go back (we stayed at Domaine de Forges which was fine, but there was just so little to do in the surrounding area). You are right though, the idea is to cut as much driving out as possible. The hunt continues!
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Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
26/8/2013 at 6:33pm
Location: Cheshire
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Bilbao ferry is fine and comfortable, they realise you are on there foe a while so use decent ships you'll find it a doodle as long as you have sea legs so to speak, Bay of Biscay can be fun
Its darn expensive though and for that reason i'd use Dover any day but being from Cheshire it makes little difference on this side.
Camping Le Pins is a lovely site but been there and ouch when it comes to cycling, as for beach thats a car trek. Though cant knock the pool complex but if you want a game of throwing ball for the kids its a no no so puts them of...
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26/8/2013 at 8:04pm
Location: Mid-Wales UK
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That's interesting Naldo, where did you stay in northern Spain? We've considered Spain, but again, don't want to drive more than say 150 miles max. Great outdoor pool with plenty to do in the surrounding area (towns, markets etc).
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Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
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Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
27/8/2013 at 9:49pm
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I've considered the Biarritz area several times but worry about the weather. have you looked at Pavilion Royal (think that's the name) at Bidart? Beachfront too.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=12720
Post last edited on 27/08/2013 21:55:48
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Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
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27/8/2013 at 10:35pm
Location: Cumbria
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Last year we got the ferry to Bilbao (a 2 night journey, had some time in Northern Spain and then drove back up through France, getting the ferry back to Portsmouth from Caen (Ouistreham). We had a Commodore class cabin (pricey, but we really enjoyed it) going out and reclining seats coming back. We had free breakfasts with the cabin both mornings, bought lunch on board and had picnics from our cool box for the other meals! As it was a posh cabin we had a kettle etc in the cabin so could have teas, coffees etc as we wanted. We had a great trip, the cabin was like a decent hotel room with a double bed, small sofa and chairs, a coffee table, TV and DVD player and en-suite facilities with the usual toiletries, and 2 large windows. For the crossings (2 adults, car and caravan), accommodation and 7 Camping Cheques we paid just under £1100, booked through Camping Cheques.
This year we're back to £58 DFDS Dover to Dunkerque, but for what we wanted it was ideal.
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