NORTHERN SPAIN PICOS DE EUROPA TOUR 2011

[axeman]

was talking about this the outher day, i think that the drive is going to be the option that we go for, with getting a ferry from pool looking the best for us. i recon on about 400m a day is a realistic distance to aim for, a convoy through france should not be as hard work as through belgum and germany as the motor ways in my experence are not as busy.
also i figure that the long boat may well be a nice crossing BUT if the weather is bad, i dont thing that sort of crossing would be fun

neil

[Essex Nige]

Well we was thinking portsmouth to Santander, for this October 1st return crossing is 630 quid i have done this trip on a mini cruse and it was rough as ya like, but only when you was in bed, to be honest me and the guvna are now thinking of taking a drive through france anyway, from Colchester to Santander is 952 miles.

I suppose it depends on how much time you have available.

But i'll be up for a convoy as time i have

[JustSharon]

We crossed (Calais) on a Friday 11pm ferry once - arrived 1am Saturday,and drove. We arrived in Perpignan 6pm Saturday.
Long hard drive that was, not one to be repeated! Especially as we hadn't slept since 6am Friday.
I would say a safe drive is 2 days minimum. 3 days comfortable.

Cost wise - road tolls need to be calculated into this one aswell, reckon it's pushing £100+ (not entirely sure as we haven't driven it for a while)

[Essex Nige]

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I had a look at this, says tolls will be 82 yo-yos each way if ya take the quickest way

[rogerg-wagon]

Just checked the route from Plymouth to Santandar and onto the Picos it is 113km, about 90 minutes drive but the ferry crossing takes 24 hrs.
If we go Plymouth to Roscoff as google suggests it is over a 1000 kms through france, we are seeing what deal can be made with the ferry out of Plymouth to Santandar

[Essex Nige]

I wonder if a bulk booking discount could be sorted? For either portsmouth/plymouth - santander?

[rogerg-wagon]

Working on it

[Essex Nige]

Working on it

[rogerg-wagon]

Initial contact with Britanny ferries, who are prepared to offer 10% off each booking provided we book a minimum of 10 vehicles travelling together.

[Essex Nige]

Initial contact with Britanny ferries, who are prepared to offer 10% off each booking provided we book a minimum of 10 vehicles travelling together.

Thats around a 60 quid saving

[Dai]

Titus A Duxass
Sonic23
Axeman
Jed The Spread
Rogerg-wagon
Syncrodoug
KarlT
Essex Nige
HarryMann
pmrad4d
t3rrism
Futbus
Oettinger Dave & Bev
v-lux
Syncropatrick
Dai and Debs

Were up for this,
would prefer to take a leisurely drive down over 3 or 4 days so we can see some of the sights rather than doing the long tiring days.
Makes the trip down and back part of the event too,

[GoldSyncro]

Hi All

Just a quick note to let you know that I'm trying to make an apointment with the Cantabrian tourist board. As soon as I have some news I'll let you know.

Good news about the Brittany ferry discount. I'll try my end to see if I can better 10%.

Maybe it would be a good idea to start suggesting some possible dates. Does anyone know the dates for October half term next year?

Cheers

Rob

[JennyTyger]

Half-term dates for the school year 2011-12 have not been published yet (at least for Herts). However in my experience autumn half-term is always the last weekend in Ocotber.

[syncropaddy]

For Bernie and I this trip is too far ahead to plan for but looks like a cracker and its pencilled in for 2011.
For the outward trip to Santander, depending on the time we land in France, we would do that leg in one shot - it isnt really that far(1125 kms). Avoiding highways, the travel time is doubled, so overnights are essential, so what you save on tolls you could probably spend on fuel plus you have the overnight costs as well. This would be my option for the return journey

To drive from Cherbourg/Roscoff/Le Harve/Calais to Santandar is only covering a distance of 1125kms (1300kms Calais), €80 in tolls max and €150 in fuel (30 mpg / current prices) and 11 hours driving (12hrs Calais).

Why would you want to spend £600 on a boat trip and see nothing?

[rogerg-wagon]

Our thoughts are going much the same way, We would like to enjoy a leisurely trip through France and hopefully will use the van again for next year, by boat to Santandar in October could be a bit rough as well, and I am not a good sailor