What is Spanish Snowbirds?

[David & Ann]

I have reposted this as I thought it relevant to this thread , and some may be thinking of costs.

What does it cost ?
People often ask about the cost of wintering in Spain /Portugal in a Motorhome, Well on our last trip I was determined to get an answer to what the actual cost of our trip was.I left home with a full tank of Diesel and filled up with Diesel when I was at Calais homeward bound so those costs are included as is the round trip Ferry fare,we had 250 Euros in cash when we sailed and returned with the same amount of cash Euros Everything we spent was on our Post Office credit card including cash withdrawals from the ATMs whilst away and interest that incurred.so our credit card bill reflects the actual cost of the trip.We were away from home for 102 nights, we used Aires and Wild camped, paid a few Euros for some of the Aires ,bought items such as clothes , a Spanish Paella type Barbi cooker, food,drinks and ate out a lot, bought fuel and gas refills .our round trip mileage was 4263 miles 2.8 Turbo diesel Fiat ,we lived really well food and drink wise and had a great time went short of nothing.and brought home a stock of wine and spirits which we always buy at LIDL in Calais, Our TOTAL spend was £2200 and that works out at about £21 -57 per day, I had to have the van fridge repaired in Portugal and that 380 Euros is also included in our costs.
I have just received a refund from Southern Electricity of £103 as I have overpaid on my Electricity bill because we weren't using Electric at home whilst away, or water or gas so there will be some credit there too.So is it cheap to be in Spain for the Winter, you bet it is!

Wholeheartedly agree with Vindi. My example is, we winter in Goa for 97 days. Our bill for the whole period was £2247. This included the return flights, parking the car at Heathrow. Also rented a scooter for 3 months and everything in. Life could'nt be better.

 

[carol]

Have often thought of that. Where do you look for accommodation and how do you check it out? Any links? Tia

 

[Asok]

Trip to Barcelona and Sitges

Hi
I would like to wild camp in Sitges. Is it safe and if so where's the best places?

 

[taylor]

Snowbirds

Snowbirds are people who leave Britain about September spend the winter in Spain and start travelling back about April May. Many go to the same camp sites every year and join friends from the previous year.

 

[redhand]

Wholeheartedly agree with Vindi. My example is, we winter in Goa for 97 days. Our bill for the whole period was £2247. This included the return flights, parking the car at Heathrow. Also rented a scooter for 3 months and everything in. Life could'nt be better.

Sounds interesting can you expand a little

 

[Garysan]

September

We retire at the end of September and will be heading off to the Malaga region of Spain in early October. We intend to travel on toll free roads and wild camp when possible or on free Aires to keep costs down only booking on to sites to use the facilities maybe once or twice a month. In France we intend to use the Campercar designated areas which we found last year to be super and usually well positioned in villages and towns. When in Malaga we hope to stay till April 2018 then return to do campsite work in the UK to service/tax and MOT the van, so if this appeals to anyone at about the same time get in touch as we are still in the planning stage at the moment and are flexible.

 

[Allan02393]

Portugese snowbirds

Since 2003, I/We have travelled to Portugal for three months of Jan/Feb/Mar. Usually travel first week in Jan and go straight to Evora in Portugal using the French and Spanish Aires as we go.

But now Im single but would love to do that again in company. I have a great deal of experience doing this 3 months Snowbirding but the last time I went was a few years ago and things change. I wild camped everywhere except if I went into a campsite for to do washing. I prefer Portugal to Spain.

If anyone wants to try this in 2018, please say.

 

[Garysan]

October off down south

Well if anyone is interested in travelling down through the Chunnel in to France then in to Spain and a slight detour in to Portugal setting off early October please get in touch with your plans and any advice you might like to give us.

 

[iampatman]

We're on the ferry from Hull to Zeebruge next Tuesday, leisurely drive down through France and Spain and then spending the winter in Bolnuevo. Next March/April we'll head off across Spain and France to Italy and then a ferry to Greece. Six to eight weeks in Greece and then back home when it gets too hot. Back in the UK sometime in June. Happy days.

Pat

 

[carol]

We're on the ferry from Hull to Zeebruge next Tuesday, leisurely drive down through France and Spain and then spending the winter in Bolnuevo. Next March/April we'll head off across Spain and France to Italy and then a ferry to Greece. Six to eight weeks in Greece and then back home when it gets too hot. Back in the UK sometime in June. Happy days.

Pat

Hi Pat, often thought about that route but not looked into it. How much is the ferry? Happy travels btw x

 

[iampatman]

Hi Pat, often thought about that route but not looked into it. How much is the ferry? Happy travels btw x

Hi Carol, it's not the cheapest option at £285 including cabin and breakfast but it avoids driving to either Dover or Portsmouth. We sail at 18.30 and arrive at 08.45 so it'll be lunch in Reims I reckon

Pat

 

[10para]

Winter sun

Hi everyone, I'm looking to travel south for the winter in Feb , either Portugal or Spain.
I'll be on my own so looking for a place where I can't chill out, get fit and detox.

Can anyone recommend anywhere....?

Also I've never driven that distance before, what can I expect the drive to be like....I was thinking of taking my time getting down there

 

[peter palance]

krauts

Yeh, has to be wilding, (remember Sunset Beach?), thought it might be a good idea to share some of the remaining free camping with other Full members, might even get some meets going for Us like minded lot!
Might be able to compete with the Krauts!!!:lol-053::lol-053::lol-053::wave:

sour eh pj

 

[Deleted member 58274]

We're on the ferry from Hull to Zeebruge next Tuesday, leisurely drive down through France and Spain and then spending the winter in Bolnuevo. Next March/April we'll head off across Spain and France to Italy and then a ferry to Greece. Six to eight weeks in Greece and then back home when it gets too hot. Back in the UK sometime in June. Happy days.

Pat

Hi folks, sounds great apart from the Bolnuevo bit....we found the site a bit "sardine city" ... the nearby restaurant/bars a bit naff....prom walks ok spose but not much there ? However, all horses n all that...what do others think?
Maja

 

[sololite]

Not quite fully fledged but having a scout around for next three weeks

We are sailing to Bilbao then on to Salamanca, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Sierra Nevada, Toledo, back to Bilbao and all points in between over the next three weeks with an eye to joining the Spanish Snowbirds later in our retirement and would love to meet some new friends along the way. Anyone planning to be in those parts of Spain over the next three weeks? regards, Chris & Sharon

 

[Biggarmac]

Anyone going to be on the Portsmouth - Bilbao ferry on 3rd December? Booked a pet friendly cabin. Hope its a good crossing as its the long one that takes 2 nights!

 

[alcam]

Anyone going to be on the Portsmouth - Bilbao ferry on 3rd December? Booked a pet friendly cabin. Hope its a good crossing as its the long one that takes 2 nights!

When did you book ? I've all but given up getting pet friendly cabin .

 

[Canalsman]

This is what I did last year.

I phoned around April to enquire about a December crossing. I was advised that the Winter sailings weren't yet confirmed, but the timetable would be released about 1st July (if I recall correctly).

I was offered the option to pre-book which I chose to do. All that Brittany wanted was my preferred route and date and they would book as close to my requirements as possible once the timetable was confirmed. In due course I received an email with the booking details and confirmation of the booking deposit having been paid.

It worked well ...

 

[Biggarmac]

When did you book ? I've all but given up getting pet friendly cabin .

Booked about six weeks ago? Not very long after the bookings opened. This is why I am on the two night crossing as all the one night crossings were fully booked.

 

[Blackdogmama]

Brilliant timing

What fab timing, today I logged in to get advice on travelling to Spain with two dogs. I am very interested in hearing about people's experiences of driving through France on toll free roads,
attitudes to dogs in France and Spain
Availability of drinking water
suggested itineraries for a three month trip starting in November
I have purchased a Spanish gas cyclinder and have been told I need to buy a pigtail, I don't know why or where to buy it, any ideas?
I'd love to hear your advice, thanks,Trishie