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Best place to break journey to ports

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 12:43am
17 replies551 views10 members subscribed
PeterC

PeterC

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Thinking of making a trip to UK by car - ferry from Santander or Bilbao - we prefer not to make a mad dash these days, so does anyone recommend a good place to break the 8-9 hour journey?

Gax

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 7:42am

Gax

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 7:42am

Hi Peter, I'm driving from the opposite direction, Santander to San Javier and would also be interested in some recommendations for an overnight stay with secure parking, clean & comfortable, also any advice on best route appreciated, i know i can google this but it's good to hear first hand experiences. Hope you don't mind me piggybacking your post, enjoy the journey.

Regards 

Gax.

crissywissy

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 9:12am

crissywissy

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 9:12am

laparadahotel.es

w found this in Ontigola south of Madrid..its a service area, cheap, clean, free wifi and great food.....we stayed every time we went back and forth over three years....

very simple but adequate...fuel on site and great breakfast!!

Gax

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 10:16am

Gax

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 10:16am

Hi Criss, thank you very much for that advice, i will check it out. 

Regards 

Gax

Sucina Explorer

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 12:28pm

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 12:28pm

Hi

I have made the trip several times. I usually try to stay somewhere interesting and I found Avila (Walled City), Segovia (Roman Aquaduct) and Toledo (Historic hilltop town). THe latter is probably best for the journey from Santander depending on time of ferry arrival.

There are cheap hotels in these places and some have their own car park so look on Booking.Com for deals. Hotel Las Murallas in Avila was right near the town centre with car park underneath. A bit difficult to locate but it is right by the city wall, which helps in the location. The under-building car park is entered from a lower road on the hill. Take the top of city wall tour if you have time, an incredible experience.

Good Luck

Bob

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Roberto30710

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:27pm

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:27pm

I agree with Bob, stop over in Toledo, Avila or Segovia if you can, they are all amazing in their own way, in all cases parking will be difficult in the old walled cities, Avila was easiest, you can park outside the wall, say 300metres from hotel, Last week stayed at El Rastro (via Booking.com), but if you take a small backpack with just overnight gear you can park away. Just make sure you have your camera out and if you have time climb up onto the wall. Honestly tho why do it in two days take three or four.

I am writing this from Salamanca, it has to be the most beautiful city in Europe, heading south from the Bay of Biscay ports, via Burgos, Vallalodid, Salamanca, Trujillo, Mérida, Cordoba, Cabo de Gatos, to Los Alcázares.

PeterC

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:59pm

PeterC

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 1:59pm

Thanks all - some good ideas! I do want to be nearer the ferry port for the outbound journey though, being nervous about any delays en route. I keep looking at Burgos, but know nothing about it - anyone used that or nearby?

Gax

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:03pm

Gax

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:03pm

Thanks guys Roberto & Bob that is all brilliant info, looking forward to the journey now.

Regards

Gax

Roberto30710

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:17pm

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:17pm

Stayed in Hotel Alda Cardeña in Burgos last week, (again via Booking.com) where the hotel it is not in a pretty area, its not expensive but it's only about 400 metres from the beginning of the old town, parking is relatively easy and staff are very nice. 

The old city in Burgos is interesting.

Make sure you have at least Google Maps on your smartphone, with internet on. I actually use a GPS.

BobG

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 4:52pm

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Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 4:52pm

Roberto30710 wrote on Mon May 13, 2019 2:17pm:

Stayed in Hotel Alda Cardeña in Burgos last week, (again via Booking.com) where the hotel it is not in a pretty area, its not expensive but it's only about 400 metres from the beginning of the old town, parking is relatively easy and staff are very nice. 

The old city in Burgos is interesting....

...

Make sure you have at least Google Maps on your smartphone, with internet on. I actually use a GPS.

And if you don't have roaming data you can pre download the route on Google Maps or download entire regions with Here Maps (previously Nokia) completely free.

Some good tips on places to stay too, I've done that route twice now and both times just drove the 8 hrs in one go, might have to have a rethink for the next time.

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