Camping for xmas
 

i did a thread a while ago about spending january touring europe, well thats now off due to other things. i am however free from the 21st dec till 6th jan. which is enough time for a trip in my eyes. thing is am i likely to be able to camp during xmas? will the sites be open or is rough camping ok abroad?
im thinking of hammering through france (as its cold, i checked online) & having a look at northern spain. or turning left a bit after the ferry & doing greece, but i can see me being distracted by the alps on the way which doesnt seem a good idea in the winter on two wheels.

so basicly is it worth going over xmas/new year or not? i carry everything i need so as long as i can put the tent somewhere & buy food every few days im fine.
oh & buy petrol of course.

Brave Man......
 

Hooli, I live in Southern Spain, Near Sax (40km from Alicante, Inland) and this morning it was very frosty, temp dropped to -1 or -2 last night.
Northern Spain will be even Colder!:freezing: Spain isnt all :Beach: & :palm: ya Know, especially this time of year!

Martyn

wouldnt camp here... c-c-coooold....
 

I wouldnt recommend to camp in northern Italy either, coming back home just a few minutes ago (6pm) the countryside roads were a bit icy in some points (Venice area) but here is usually cold in winter, maybe in southern Italy? I think Juddadredd was in southern Italy last week, maybe he can advise you on temp condition?

by the way, careful crossing the Alps in winter on two weels, roads can freeze in minutes, it's dangerous. If you have to, use the motorways and check the weather first.

Ride safe.

Check the weather and the hours of daylight
 

I have had similar ideas, but I have to be realistic:-
BBC - Weather Centre - World Weather - Europe - West and Canary Islands

I use that link as a guide to what is happening to the weather up to 5 days ahead.
We now know that it is actually pretty cold even in Spain when that forecast above indicates low value double figure centigrade values.
Anyway, the only place in "West Europe" worth considering at present, IMO, is Morocco or even further south (did you know that Morrocco put in an application to join the EU some years ago?).
Currently the wind is coming out of the East, so no better there.

Get one or other of the south of England to north of Spain ferries is one deduction and go south as fast as possible.
None of this takes into account the lack of daylight - already been said elsewhere that couped up in a tent, below freezing, for many, many hours is not much fun - romantic perhaps, but not fun.

ps I've just read posts 3/4 in here:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...thusiasm-31661

(says it much better than me)

thats a damn shame, considering weather sites i looked at where showing 3c min in spain over night & ive camped in worse than that before.
cheers for the info people, have to find something else to do for 3 weeks (dont suggest family things i hate xmas, whole plan was to avoid it).

Snowing in Puglia at sea level!
 

oops.. what a coincidence!
Just watched the news on the Italian television: it's snowing in Puglia seaside!!! Incredible, at sea level... some airports have been shut too.

Puglia is in the far south of Italy and it doesn't usually snow there especially at sea level but when it does it's a breaking news.

Look here for pictures: Maltempo in Puglia, Bari sotto la neve - Galleria - Repubblica.it

just prove I aint lying.......
 

Hooli, This is my Dads VW Passat this morning at 9.30am

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...s/DSC05065.jpg

Just so ya know....... it does get COLD in Spain........

Martyn

Martyn,
at least I can see some sunshine in your picture....


http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...pidweather.jpg

would you believe according the met office website the hotest place within a sensible distance is currently northwest scotland! i think maybe not a good plan

Hooli, I'm looking for some winter camping too. I will pick my days and go local. This time of year it's all about the camping and less about covering distance. That way if the weather turns for the worse I can run for home. You're in Essex, that's a lovely county. Have a few days in the marshes or go up to Orford. If the wind is right it'll be fine. Get a sheltered pitch. Stick a tarp up and light a fire.

hi there
 

I've been in the Canary Islands at this time of year before, It was ages ago, just visiting on foot with backpack and I missioned from Santa Cruz down south and then ferry to El heirro, furthest Island west. The weather there over this time of the year, was enjoyable, round the 20°c, It's a volcanic island not as high as Tenerifé but dry, bar a little bit of rain. might be worth a look. Otherwise there is always fuertaventura, or gran canaria or Gomera - ta