1st tour advice

[Simon_100]

Spain is huge, fascinating and very varied, spend time looking at the geography and climate - it doesn't have to be hot, even in July! - and prioritise what you want out of the tour, riding 7/365? stopping to explore a few lovely historic cities? finding a base to stay a few days and get to know an area in detail - by that I mean finding the most amazing back roads that few if any 'guides' will know, etc.

Also, what accommodation are you planning? Luxury hotels, camping, family accommodation like farmhouse B&B's? Do you want to experiment with great food or just eat MacDonalds or pizzas all the time?

In any event you can get all the low down on my blog - enjoy!

Regs

Simon

 

[jim123]

Are you thinking of camping or going for accommodation? A lap of Spain can be a fair challenge for a first time. Obviously this is depending on the amount of time you have for your tour, and whether you want to get to know the places you visit, or just keep driving.

If you are going in July/August and looking for overnight rooms, pre booking is advisable around the coast and touristy places. This can limit your freedom to some extent, as you are locked into set destinations and timing.

If you can get a little up to speed with some basic Spanish phrases, this will help if you are not in the big population areas, as lots of locals don't speak English. The Spanish are invariably friendly in my experience.

Don't underestimate the heat and how this can have an effect on your performance. Plan to ensure you keep hydrated.

Have you thought of doing a trip in one general direction rather than planning a lap? If you find during the first week that things are going slower than you anticipated, you can factor this in and modify your plans. My thinking
behind this is that with the lap thingy, you don't really want to be down on the south coast, and feeling like a couple of days to rest up, and at the same time find you have to factor in some really big motorway miles days to get back to the ferry on time.

 

[Simon_100]

Have you thought of doing a trip in one general direction rather than planning a lap? If you find during the first week that things are going slower than you anticipated, you can factor this in and modify your plans. My thinking
behind this is that with the lap thingy, you don't really want to be down on the south coast, and feeling like a couple of days to rest up, and at the same time find you have to factor in some really big motorway miles days to get back to the ferry on time.

That's good advice. I've done two month long 'tours' of Spain each aiming to cross the Peninsula - 2011 include Portugal - going from the cardinal points: East to West (Cap de Craus to Cabo de Touriñan) and in 2012 Northeasy to Southwest (Cabo de Higuer to Cabp de Tarfifa). But I didn't go by any direct way, oh no no no!

Regs

Simon