Spanish Drive - Trip of a Lifetime!

[JAW911]

We have just returned from two and a half weeks driving around Spain. The few people I spoke to before we went said it would be good - actually it was fantastic. The roads were really smooth and virtually empty. We tried hard (satnavs love motorways) to avoid the motorways as they were so monotonous with no traffic - like being on a train! Hit the lesser roads and there is a serious amount of fun to be had. Twisty and smooth mountain roads allowed the car to be really driven hard (turns out my car has two brake pedals fitted - one mechanical and the other matrimonial!). We were accompanied by another couple in their recently purchased XKR Supercharged Convertible which was rapid but not as much fun through the bends! We saw a few speed cameras but usually pointing towards us and we saw them first fortunately. There are still the usual Spanish drivers who overtake you and then pull right in front of you and slow down but as long as you have your wits about you it is fine......and there were so few cars that it didn't really matter.
We sailed from Plymouth to Santander which was very comfortable with Commodore Cabins so we had a good night's sleep (not rough either way which was a result!). Two nights in a hotel in the Ribera del Duero with its own vineyard (Le Domaine at Abadia Retuerta) where the Goodwood R R C also stayed for a couple of nights so plenty of interesting cars to see. This hotel is a must - rated as first in Europe and third in the World. Then off to Salamanca, Caceres, Merida, Sevilla and then four nights by the sea for a bit of beach relaxation. Then back up to Almagros, Siguenza, Abalos, Pamplona and finally Santillana del Mar. Mainly stayed in Paradores some of which were 'old and tired' whereas others were 'old and beautiful' (Siguenza Parador is a castle; Almagros was a monastery - both perfect). The best surprise was Santillana del Mar (which was supposed to be a simple stopover near Santander for our last night). Turned out to be a really good hotel in a beautiful historical medieval town which is completely cobbled and traffic free. Beautiful.
If anyone wants any information on anywhere we went or any other advice, let me know. The time of year to do this is definitely September - even the traffic in Sevilla was minimal. We had no rain, clear blue skies every day and temperature was around 28 - 32 each day! Everyone should do this at least once! Our next trip is driving to the Atlantic Highway in Norway.......!!

 

[garyw]

I keep telling people how much fun the Spanish roads are, we actually drove to Spain and spent a few days in Santander before crossing the Pyrenees a few times []
As you say , wonderfully surfaced roads with little if any traffic, the odd German motorbiker who never seem to understand they aren't the quickest thing around the winding roads!!
We also did the Paradores and had some wonderful stop overs.
We are planning to return next May and very looking forward to it.

Its an odd feeling when the M.R.S. kicks in on the braking

Having done the Atlantic highway in Norway, if you have any questions ask away, also search the 997 forum for the write up and photos from the trip. -> https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=741070&mpage=1&key=%C3%B2
Truly amazing and beats Switzerland for the views- which is some call to make I do admit.

 

[Lancerlot]

You can see some photographs of our Norway trip in the 997 Register Gallery here https://www.porscheclubgb.com/regions-registers/registers/modern/997/gallery/norway-trip-2014

There used to be a full written report of the event too, but for some reason this appears to have been removed! []
Regards,

Clive

 

[JAW911]

Yes and sadly there are no photos either now. It is a shame that the Bergen ferry is now only freight vehicles (worth trying to get your car in a van!) so it is a long drive so it is unavoidable to add many miles on your car before you even get to Norway. The Atlantic Highway is a great destination as will be Alesund and that tunnel - more opportunity to use the PTB (Porsche Tunnel Button!). What are the speed limits on most of the roads? 60kph? I think we will end up making the trip a three-weeker and seeing more of Sweden and Denmark on the way.

 

[garyw]

Aarhus is well worth a visit in Denmark.
One of our group did do it the long way around and I know Mark at EDT does the Norway trip on his list of drives- includes Sweden too, and they have to go via Germany etc..
Speed limits are low and the country is somewhat anti car - pro campervan! but outside of the built up areas you don't see that many police at all (bit like the UK!) however it's so pretty I wouldn't see the need to rush []
You can pick you moment and enjoy the winding hills anyhow.

 

[paulkc]

Just browsing and saw your post on your Spanish tour. Last time I drove Northern Spain was in 2007, on an MSA trip down to Portugal. Roads were fantastic and in places it was like driving through spaghetti western villages. That was in my 3.0 Carrera and we are looking to go back again in May next year, this time in a 991.1. We have been looking at Brittany Ferries organised tours as they look good value for money and they also use Parador hotels. Their Pyrenees and Wine tour is not that long but the roads are all in the right part of the country and there should be plenty of time to go 'off-piste'.

We did the NC500 in May this year and it was brilliant (apart from the camper vans) with perfect weather all the way. I dread to think what it is like in mid-summer. We also did the Le Mans Classic in July but although it is a fantastic event, it is getting just a bit too popular now. You mention Norway and my son and I did an MSA trip of Norway in 2008, again in the 3.0 Carrera. I have to say it was one of the best holidays ever. There is a blanket speed limit of 80kph on most roads, which is a bit of a pain especially in the more populated southern half of the country. The locals seem to adhere to the speed limit religiously and take a dim view of being overtaken when close to the speed limit, even to the extent of drifting out to stop one passing. There are lots of speed cameras and the penalties are draconian. On our trip the only people to get caught for speeding were the Kuoni reps who came with us. If I recall correctly their fine for a modest infringement in their Mondeo was about £700. Local bikers told us that they budget £3,000 a year for speeding fines! Of course, the further north you go the less traffic there is and there is more opportunity to enjoy the driving. The Atlantic Road is fantastic and in some places the scenery is like driving through a lunar landscape. In others just empty roads running through Birch forest alongside lakes or fjords. It helps if you like salmon and meat balls, and if you like a drink you will need a large wallet. By the way, I think the drink situation is zero tolerance and we certainly worked on that assumption.
It is a fantastic country and I would dearly like to go back again, this time to show my wife how wonderful it is. I am sure you will not be disappointed.

 

[JAW911]

Thank you for the update. We planned our own trip which gives you obviously complete flexibility. With the internet it is so easy to plan a rough route, pick towns along the route and then search hotels/paradors etc in the towns. If you research well then you haev only good surprises as I explained with Abalos and Santillana del Mar which were both even better that we expected. Certainly we would use Brittany Ferries to go to Spain again as the Commodore Cabins were so comfortable and made the trip so much more enjoyable and relaxing (and certainly better than sitting in an armchair for 23 hours!)

 

[paulkc]

Advice on the quality of the hotels is very much appreciated and as we are more interested in the drive than the vineyards we may well be better to plan our own route. I like the idea of the commodore class cabins as in the past we have made do with a standard outside cabin. A bit of luxury will do no harm.
Forgot to say, in Norway there are road junctions and speed cameras in the tunnels. Makes it all the more interesting!