Goin a...wandering and looking for advice.

[macberran]

So a curve ball has been flung our way and disrupted the winter calm...we both have February off. Musing to taking a slow amble through France and south from there. Not been for 20 odd years and apart from the obvious considerations and wishing to avoid any form of 'negative vibes' of any description I am asking the learned forum here if there be a particular route anyone would take ?. We have no agenda..like the absolute peace and quiet, maybe some culture, standing stones etc are a great interest. Taking a small camper and awning and other necessary cargoes...possibly do some Air BNB's as we are just free really and it's the first for a long time and have 4-6 weeks. Any suggestions as to tried and tested routes appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Jo001]

February could be quite cold in northern France - if I were doing this trip, I'd head south pretty fast and meander back slowly.

You are taking an awning, so you could only use that on sites and you will find a lot won't be open in February, especially in the North, so thats another tick for heading out fast and coming back slower.

As for route, how far south are you thinking? Into Spain? The south of Spain?

 

[macberran]

February could be quite cold in northern France - if I were doing this trip, I'd head south pretty fast and meander back slowly.

You are taking an awning, so you could only use that on sites and you will find a lot won't be open in February, especially in the North, so thats another tick for heading out fast and coming back slower.

As for route, how far south are you thinking? Into Spain? The south of Spain?

Yes down into S Spain for kinder weather hopefully and a slow return north. I know its not an ideal time its just as it has happened, and as I said, no real agenda just a change scenery with some time to pass...a total luxury. Thought maybe some folks had an idea of a route to meander along.

 

[Boris7]

Personally, I just don't plan trips.

Just chuck your stuff in the van and go.

Obviously you may need to book a ferry if that's your choice, but I much prefer just waking up and thinking "time to be elsewhere" It the same with meets (or gatherings) for me, its got wheels for a reason.

 

[runnach]

So a curve ball has been flung our way and disrupted the winter calm...we both have February off. Musing to taking a slow amble through France and south from there. Not been for 20 odd years and apart from the obvious considerations and wishing to avoid any form of 'negative vibes' of any description I am asking the learned forum here if there be a particular route anyone would take ?. We have no agenda..like the absolute peace and quiet, maybe some culture, standing stones etc are a great interest. Taking a small camper and awning and other necessary cargoes...possibly do some Air BNB's as we are just free really and it's the first for a long time and have 4-6 weeks. Any suggestions as to tried and tested routes appreciated. Thank you.

I am certainly not trying to burst your bubble, Feb 2026 =28 day month. You will of course consume much of the 28 days travelling down and back to UK. And as mentioned by Jo001 post, Feb can be a weather lottery.

If this were me, I would look into villa/apartment rent on Canaries, Morroc, hire a car and go see some sites that interest you.

What ever you decide, enjoy.

 

[mark61]

There are so many good routes, it's hard to suggest one. Is the awning needed for every overnight stop? Or just for a bit more space when staying a few nights in one place?

 

[macberran]

There are so many good routes, it's hard to suggest one. Is the awning needed for every overnight stop? Or just for a bit more space when staying a few nights in one place?

Preferably as it's not a motorhome but not absolutely necessary.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Personally, I just don't plan trips.

Just chuck your stuff in the van and go.

Obviously you may need to book a ferry if that's your choice, but I much prefer just waking up and thinking "time to be elsewhere" It the same with meets (or gatherings) for me, its got wheels for a reason.

Are we related?

 

[macberran]

am certainly not trying to burst your bubble, Feb 2026 =28 day month. You will of course consume much of the 28 days travelling down and back to UK. And as mentioned by Jo001 post, Feb can be a weather lottery.

That is kind of the idea, being from the North and with tartan blood inclement weather is a norm so anything better is a bonus and we can be out of UK in 48 hrs from here. Then thought a drive down to S.Spain maybe or further and wander back...just asking for ideas of a pleasurable route really.

 

[Jo001]

Would you consider missing France on the way down and getting a ferry to Santander or Bilbao? That's going to save you a lot of days.

I'm not trying to be awkward with all the questions, but knowing your rough plan will help people make better suggestions.

 

[barryd]

For a quick blast to Spain I would use the Toll road Peage and just run right through France and down the western side (avoiding any altitude in France and the Pyrenees and hopefully any snow) then across Spain and down to the southern coast. Then as suggested above take longer coming back through France. If its a small car like van you can sit on the motorway at 80 all day and probably get through France in two days.

 

[marchie]

Yes down into S Spain for kinder weather hopefully and a slow return north. I know its not an ideal time its just as it has happened, and as I said, no real agenda just a change scenery with some time to pass...a total luxury. Thought maybe some folks had an idea of a route to meander along.

At present, Southern Spain, all around the coast is forecast to continue hissing down. We're in Vilafranca del Penedes, and yesterday's promised sun has been replaced with rain (and it is, hard!) and the start of the dry'ish weather forecast has slipped back a day. The question is in which part of Spain do you want to be rained on from a great height ...

Steve

 

[mark61]

Very true, France can be cold that time of year, it can also be very pleasant, and it's hardly artic circle kind of cold.

This site gives a pretty good route, that misses a lot of toll roads, but uses ones that make sense, https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes
I've only had 50/50 success on it though, and a few times have dumped it, and jumped back on toll roads purely because of heavy traffic. It works a right treat if driving through the night though.
Regardless of weather, I'd be tempted to go down through the centre'ish. A20, or A75. Beauty of going in camper you can completely change plans at spur of the moment so who cares what the weather does, if you wanted France can be done in a day, if the weathers really bad everywhere you can be in Morocco in less than 3 day.

 

[Debroos]

If you can afford the ferry to Spain that would save you lots of time and it will at least be warmer if not drier....

 

[macberran]

Thanks Mark that’s just our thinking tbh and thanks will have a look at the link

 

[macberran]

If you can afford the ferry to Spain that would save you lots of time and it will at least be warmer if not drier....

I think a bad crossing for one of us at least might ruin the adventure and the BoB is notorious… never mind the cost .. we have time so it’s the Shuttle for us

 

[macberran]

At present, Southern Spain, all around the coast is forecast to continue hissing down. We're in Vilafranca del Penedes, and yesterday's promised sun has been replaced with rain (and it is, hard!) and the start of the dry'ish weather forecast has slipped back a day. The question is in which part of Spain do you want to be rained on from a great height ...

Steve

We live near Oban right on the coast we’re the wind (and rain ) comes straight from Nova Scotia so some rain isn’t so bad. Also we can get prolonged periods of -4 so a bit milder is a welcome change.

 

[barryd]

We live near Oban right on the coast we’re the wind (and rain ) comes straight from Nova Scotia so some rain isn’t so bad. Also we can get prolonged periods of -4 so a bit milder is a welcome change.

Even the south western corner of France around Biarritz would seem pretty tropical compared to an Oban winter I would think.

Biarritz - BBC Weather

14-day weather forecast for Biarritz.

www.bbc.co.uk

Actually that forecast this week is not much worse than southern Spain right now. Quite nice that corner of south western France. Only been in summer and autumn though.

 

[Jo001]

Even the south western corner of France around Biarritz would seem pretty tropical compared to an Oban winter I would think.

I'd be aiming for the Mediterranean coast of France, around Perpignan, for a couple of reasons. For one, the weather on the Med coast (as,opposed to the Atlantic coast) might be nice enough that you don't feel the need to rush into Spain. The other is that if you do want to go into Spain you can avoid the Pyrenees so you won't need snow tyres.

 

[alcam]

I think a bad crossing for one of us at least might ruin the adventure and the BoB is notorious… never mind the cost .. we have time so it’s the Shuttle for us

The drive down to southern Spain is easy enough.
I usually go early February from Dover down west side . Couple of long drives and weather quickly gets better (usually) .
I would possibly take ferry to Spain but can never get dog friendly cabin or reasonable price .
We are all different but , personally , I enjoy the journey