I'm needed in Madrid for a little while, I thought I'd drive to/from there to enjoy the countries.
So my plan is pretty simple:
* End of March Drive from Zurich to Madrid
* End of work assignment (assume middle of April) drive back to Zurich
Vehicle: VW California, so I can sleep in it (no need for hotel during the driving part)
Here comes the tough part (and yes I'm doing my research now)
Is there any MUST SEE places along the way
--- it's a long ways and there's lots to see so I'll have to choose accordingly
Here are some MUST see I've already decided on:
* Andorra (on the return trip)
Any suggestions are appreciated.
FAQ:
* why not fly --- Because I really want to see the countryside - I know it's cheaper to fly, but then I'll need a car while there and a hotel.
* How long do I have --- I plan on taking 3day's to get there and 4days to return
YES - I've asked for many travel related suggestions in the past, your supportive comments are taken seriously and I do research them in detail and my trips become stronger with your input - thank you.
I've driven it many times from the UK, Google maps shows the best route from ZH is down to Montpellier and Barcelona, that route is closest to Andora so I would do that on the way back. But it's a busier route.
I would head down via Bordeaux then south to the Basque Country distance is about the same). Stop anywhere in the Basque region for the best food in Europe then the drive from there to Madrid is spectacular over the mountains. The toll motorways are much quieter.
The city of Burgos is alright for a stop, but a bit further south Lerma is a must see. The last couple of hours into Madrid are a bit boring but the earlier bit will more than make up for it.
If you go via Andorra, you could cross back to France via the Col de Portalet following the Rio Gallego and visit the Mallos de Riglos rocks on the way which are spectacular.
Lots of scenery. Plenty of places to camp with the van.
I also expected the Montpelier route to be the fastest, but according to google maps is the difference just 20 minutes... so do at least once the bordeaux side:
- Bordeaux itself is a cool city
- obviously visit at least one chateau
- dont know if you like sweet wine but Chateau d Yquem (like all LVMH properties) have their marketing sorted out and offer cool tours...
- Biarritz is worth a stop over. Cool surf spot and nice town to stroll through.
Montpelier side:
- Collioure (a scenic village famous for the modern art created there)
Hi! My 2 cents: If you have the time, I suggest you to take a longer but worthy route along the north coast of Spain. Wether you enter the country through the Basque country or you'll go through Catalunya first, stop in San Sebastian for great meals and fun. Visit the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao.
Then continue discovering Cantabria and Asturias where you'll meet plenty of people sleeping in the van at the beach. Also great food and awesome mountains.
After Asturias, head down to Madrid but plan a stop along the way to discover one of the hidden gems of the north and my beloved hometown: León. Beautiful place with lots of history and a very attractive wine & tapas scene. According to your dates, you might be passing by at Easter. It's pretty iconic in this town, don't miss the chance!
From there, just 300km to destination with a full belly
Are you driving in a car with Swiss licence plates? If so, be careful and vigilant. I have heard several cases of Swiss cars/drivers being targets by criminals and scammers on the Iberian pensinsula.
WOW - I totally thought you were NUTS -- this is so far out of the way, but then I mapped it (like you said) and WOW - that's interesting how similar time/distance these are --- thanks for the suggestions, I totally never would have thought to go this route.
Should the vehicle have winter tires on it? or are summer tires ok. I know it depends on where I'll ultimately end up but the summer tires provide a much better fuel consumption.
If you want to use summer tires, then carry chains? We've seen heavy snow/ice/slippery conditions on the highway you'll be taking through the Pyrenees into late April.
I did CH-Spain more than few times with motorcycle, and I always choose a different route. I already got covered a lot, but still so much to see. Normally I just choose another road crossing Pyrenees and than build the travel around it. And every-time I find something new and surprising. Andorra is actually my least favourite crossing, but this is a full personal opinion, I just don't like my mountains to be full of shops, bars and petrol stations
If it's needed you can do it in one day, two days are laredy an easy travel and anything more it's a free time to enjoy the trip.
Regarding tyres: till the end of May you can easily have snow in both Pyrenees and French Massif Central. One of my coldest travel ever was to Siruana and back in early May. Snow storm in France, and the white menace was than following me deep into the Spain. And snow around Fribourg on the way back.
As far as I remember, Madrid is also quite a cold place till summer starts, and than it is suddenly hot.
There are so many great palces on the way, just to mentioned few on the French coast: Avignon, Nimes, Breziers and Narbonne, each of those has an incredible rich history.
Yes, any touristic place is targeted by thieves, mostly they steal electronics and valuables from the car and leave everything else. I don't think vehicle with Swiss plate is a more likely target. The good things is, in Spain in big cities it's easy to find protected parking places.
The issue here is which areas of France you have to pass through on what dates. Certain regions have introduced Mandatory winter tyres or the carrying of chains/socks from November 1 until March 31. But not all departments have opted to bring in the rule.
+1 for avoiding Andorra. It’s not exceptionally scenic relative to other Pyrenees passes , requires detours to see the nice stuff, and the traffic is at best busy and at worst prone to monster jams. If you want to gamble, Catalonia does it more fun. If it’s for the “tax-free” booze and cigs, consider whether it’s worth the risk with the French and Swiss borders to cross.