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Topic: Totally Ignorant

philomena185

08/2/2015 at 11:04pm
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Hi everyone, we are hiring a Motorhome for first three weeks in June. Thing is we know nothing about taking a Motorhome to Europe. We are also taking our small schnauzer with us. So we need a dog friendly campsite Nr Bilbao and also Santiago de Compostela. And any and all information all you kind people can give us.any campsites, tolls? Oh, anything really that you think of.

So many thanks

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Val A

09/2/2015 at 7:39am
Location: West - North Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate

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Hi Philomena and welcome to UKCS. I'd suggest you read (or print off and read later) the Continental First Timers Thread (pinned above these posts). Although it was written a while ago there are very useful tips in there.

There are lots of other posts about dogs, here which might help.

I can't help with the campsite suggestions, but I'm sure someone else will.

Are you staying in one site, or travelling further afield. If the latter then you might want to have a look at the ACSI Card website for information about a way of obtaining discounts on a lot of sites, particularly early and late season - and sometimes well into July and again in mid-August. There are (some) sites for just 10 euros, and the remainder fall into one of four bands, 12, 14, 16 or 18 euros - and this pays for a night on site for two adults, car and caravan (or motorhome), awning, and electricity. The website will also tell you whether dogs are welcome and if so generally the fee for the dog is also included.

Have a great trip - and then come back and tell us all about it.

Kelper

09/2/2015 at 10:51am
Location: Northern Ireland
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Hi Philomena ... North Coast of Spain ... one of our favourite areas.
If you have a look at some on my campsite reviews, you'll see several in the area ... though we've never camped in Bilbao ... there are a couple of nearby sites.
Here's a couple of good browsing sites Guia de camping, and Campings.net ... on the latter, always click on the regional rectangle beneath the map to get all sites in the area, as, at first glance, it only appears to offer one or two sites.
The Guggenheim is extraordinary ... and you'll fall in love with Santiago ... try to see the "Botafumeiro", a huge solid silver incense burner which is swung from the ceiling of the church by a team of energetic men ("tiraboleiros") hauling on ropes, they do this on most Sundays ... but check ... it's a phenominal site!
Don't miss a detour into the Picos de Europa.
No tolls, except near the border with France ... but going the other way ... just the extraordinary Autovía/Autopista del Cantábrico with it's succesion of huge viaducts ... for quick movement along the coast.
I won't list all the suggested places to see ... they're in my campsite reviews.
You'll have a ball!

Berriow

09/2/2015 at 11:08am
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Philomena, As you are hiring a motorhome I would check very carefully what equipment comes with it and think hard about what else you might need.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

KeithChesterfield

09/2/2015 at 2:50pm
Location: Near Stand Road Chesterfield
Outfit: Pilote Reference P716 LPR

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As mentioned earlier – check what equipment you are provided with, post the list on here and we may be able to suggest extra items you might require.

We hired Motorhomes a few years ago and although they seemed 'fully equipped' we soon found a few things we wished we’d taken over and above the Hire companies idea of 'fully'!

What route are you taking to and from Spain?

Rob and Tina

09/2/2015 at 5:00pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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We wanted to try this a few years ago but found there were very few companies that would allow a dog in the van. Most companies wanted to charge quite a lot extra for taking the van abroad as well. Have you actually managed to book a motorhome yet? They seem to get booked quite a long way in advance.

Rob

philomena185

09/2/2015 at 8:02pm
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Gosh, so many helpful replies. Firstly Val A thank you for so much information. We haven't looked yet but we will and will get back to you with questions, I am sure! Keller you are inspiring me. Can't wait......

Berriow/Keith,,Rob and Tina, am in the process of booking the Motorhome with Landcruise,Chichester who have dog friendly hires so will post what is included so you can point me in the right direction. We did hire from them a couple of years ago to tour Ireland, with the dog and were impressed with the Motorhome and the service.

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

philomena185

09/2/2015 at 8:59pm
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Sorry, forgot to mention route, of sorts! Plan is to drive from Bilbao ,visit Laredo(visited 30 yrs ago) and head to Santiago and then who knows? Portugal which is an unknown area. Exciting times. I think we are having an adventure!

billy

09/2/2015 at 9:23pm
Location: North Essex
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Make sure get information on road tolls if you go to Portugal. They have some sort of system of advance payment, I think.

Berriow

09/2/2015 at 10:23pm
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Is it really cost effective to hire a motorhome in England and then pay the expensive ferry costs to ship it Spain and back again?

Wouldn't it be quicker, easier and cheaper to fly out there with Easy Jet or the other airline and pick up the vehicle in the part of Spain you want to go to?

saxo1

09/2/2015 at 10:47pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 09/2/2015
Is it really cost effective to hire a motorhome in England and then pay the expensive ferry costs to ship it Spain and back again?

Wouldn't it be quicker, easier and cheaper to fly out there with Easy Jet or the other airline and pick up the vehicle in the part of Spain you want to go to?

Not quite so easy with a dog.
saxo1

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

philomena185

09/2/2015 at 10:54pm
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Hadn't even thought of that. I guess our dog is a priority and a ferry crossing seems easier. Although looking at the rules and regs for dogs on Brittany Ferries I'm not sure. You're right it is expensive though. £1000 return does seem a lot.......however have now booked the ferry and Motorhome hire.

Fait accompli"............

saxo1

09/2/2015 at 11:01pm
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Extremely difficult to find an airline to transport a dog to Spain certainly not a budget line.
saxo1

Kelper

10/2/2015 at 1:28am
Location: Northern Ireland
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Could have gone as foot passengers and hired a motorhome in Bilbao ... but, as you say, you've done it now .... might be worth having a look at a couple when you are over there ... get some prices, and work out relative costs ... I'd be interested to know that!

naturalblonde

10/2/2015 at 4:33pm
Location: south Coast
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Hi philomena185, we toured Spain and Portugal last year in our MH. We visited Santiago de C, and lots of other places you may like. If you look at our blog (click on my Homepage) I've put in info re Portugese road tolls.
In Spain our Mh is class 1 but in France class2 so Spain is cheaper. But in Spain if you keep to the very good Autovia it is free, whereas the AutoPista is their Peage.

PS we just got back form Spain today!

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