First Real Trip - Portugal - Advise sought and welcomed

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The Dickson

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Hi All

I am about to embark on my first euro trip.

A friend moved to Portugal a year ago so I am going to see them. I am limited with time due to work so am having to work around the time i have and also the bank holiday in August.

Plan

Thursday night - Southport to Folkstone - no day off required!!
Friday morning tunnel to France
Friday - get to Biarritz, a big push but Im used to long drives with my job, still be tough though. Staying in a hotel, any recommendations with safe parking
Saturday- Biarritz to Coimbra
Sunday - Portugal
Monday - portugal
Tuesday - Portugal
Wednesday - ferry from santander to Plymouth

Any advise on the route from Calais to Biarritz would be welcomed, don't want to go near Paris if i can help it

Also, what to take that a novice may not think of. I have BMW warranty and breakdown cover. Do I take a hefty lock and chain
 
You have 2 big days covering a total distance of roughly 1150 miles and according to google 17.5 hrs thats if you take all the major routes, if you avoid tolls its roughly the same distance but 22.5 hrs and thats not allowing for any stops on either journey, all very doable but not easy. i would if possible take 3 days to get to Portugal and spend a little more time to take in the sights a bit more. Have you done this sort of mileage on bike before? With reference as what to take, licence, mot if needed log book, insurance, EHIC card, spare set of bulbs, i am sure someone else will tell you Hi Viz vest, and to disable your speed cameras for france on sat nav if it has them.
 
Calais to Biarritz in one day.... Motorway... All the way... If you find yourself in Paris, you have gone very wrong.
 
Personally if you planned ahead I would have caught the Friday morning sailing from Portsmouth to Santander leaves at 8.15am in Spain at 11.15 next day in Portugal a few hours later therefore in Portugal for Saturday night. Far easier on the body and bike, also fits in with your current plans without being knackered when you arrive. You may travel long distance for work by car but a bike different kettle of fish, did potes to Calais in 2 days and was knackered by the third day.

Cost wise probably not a lot in it time you pay tolls and fuel and that nights accommandation.
 
No ferries available, thats why I am having to go the long way unfortunately
 
A couple of routes came up on google, that was one, and having previously done it in a motorhome wanted to avoid
 
leedude03 said:
You have 2 big days covering a total distance of roughly 1150 miles and according to google 17.5 hrs thats if you take all the major routes, if you avoid tolls its roughly the same distance but 22.5 hrs and thats not allowing for any stops on either journey, all very doable but not easy. i would if possible take 3 days to get to Portugal and spend a little more time to take in the sights a bit more. Have you done this sort of mileage on bike before? With reference as what to take, licence, mot if needed log book, insurance, EHIC card, spare set of bulbs, i am sure someone else will tell you Hi Viz vest, and to disable your speed cameras for france on sat nav if it has them.
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It may be a strugle, i'll have an open mind and have a few hotel lists to hand a periodic points should i need them
 
As i said its very doable, and there are some who would relish the challenge, as would i, but as its your first euro trip on bike i thought it may be better for you to take in a bit more on the ride, i would probably do half toll and the rest on lesser roads just to kill the boredom.
 
just spotted Poole to St Malo for £80, taked a fair few miles off and works out cheaper than tunnel plus fuel
 
So, do we guess that you are now looking for routes from St Malo to Biarritz - or somewhere else- in a day?
 
Here this will work, when you get to St malo put Beer and Tits into the sat nav and it will take you there. Hotels in the town do exist but there is an Ibis budget on the edge of town.
 
Ferry was £80, so a little bit of sleep to prepare me. 0300 leaves Poole St Malo for 1120. 8 hrs including stops if needed to Barritz. Over nighter in a hotel then another 8 hrs over saturday, should get there for tea time with ease.

Gel seat being done this week.

Used my avios points for the ferry from Santander to Plymouth so £152 with a cabin.

Very excited to say the least!!!!!!
 
david a hall said:
Here this will work, when you get to St malo put Beer and Tits into the sat nav and it will take you there. Hotels in the town do exist but there is an Ibis budget on the edge of town.
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If I have a drink before im there it will be at my own peril, im not one for one or two
 
Wapping said:
Excellent.

Assuming you stick with Biarritz it's 500 miles, give or take. A reduction of about 120 miles over starting from Calais.
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500 mile is fine, i regularly do my place to Aberdeen without a pee break, 435 miles, although i dont reckon pi$$ing in a lucozade bottle will work on the bike
 
Last question, my sat nav has not been updated since...2009 is it critical to update/buy a new one. Its old and worth no more than £40
 
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