Hoping to do overnighter to Bilbao July 2020 then travel up coast of France and back to UK via Caen.
We normally caravan but have decided to try tent to save money and cover more distance as just 2 of us now.
Are we better taking larger 4 man tent or a small 2 berth type and a gazebo shelter. Only planning on taking convertible car so packing light. Advice needed regarding set up for speed and possible heat.
Regards
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I'd take a smaller tent and a tarp. The tarp is more configurable than a gazebo and packs smaller. We used two Coleman Phads and a tarp for three of us a couple of years ago. There are some pics of tthe set-up in my trip report here.
I always recommend ... if you've gone as far as Bilbao ... do take in the extraordinary Picos de Europa area ... gobsmackingly stunning ...
As for tents ... I'd always go for the largest you can carry/easy pitching ... and, as OP says ... tarp/fly-sheet rather than gazebo ... Decathlon do a great/cheap tarp by Quechua.
A few back a couple camped near us in the Pyrenees had a BMW Z3 & were using a Vango Omega & Decathlon tarp. They also had table & chairs set for dinner.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
When I tent alone I use a 4 man tent. A 2 man would be too small to move about in, change etc. if there are 2 of you it would be very cramped. I take my camping stuff on a motorbike and I also take a tarp with king poles. I have only used it once for shade from the sun.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara