A question we have been asked many times is why we chose Spain and why in a Motorhome?
Well to be honest it just seemed like a good idea at the time, we had seen Rick Stein’s Spanish cookery tour and realised we really like Spanish food, we also wanted to experience one country, see it, taste it, live it. So Spain it was.
So why in a motorhome? Just over ten years ago we spent a month in New Zealand and rented a motorhome, though we were short on time, we were able to get closer to the people and the country better that we could have dreamed. So we decided that when we were 55 we would take a another year out and do it in a motorhome. So after three months on the road were we right? Oh yes and so much more.
To try and put this into prospective, we visited Seville and there we saw that the local council was picking all the oranges off the trees while we were there. Asking why we were told that by doing this the whole of Seville would have orange blossom at the end of March. The idea being the city would have an all pervading scent of blossom in the evenings. Sounded great but we had no idea what this would be like until we stop at an orange producing town called Mala, here at the end of March the blossom is out and realise just how lucky the citizens of Seville are, we walk by a field of orange trees in blossom. The scent is wonderful and though we are parked in a carpark, all around us are orange trees in blossom and it is just lovely.
Two days later we are heading north to Toledo for Easter, it is the centre of religious Spain, as we were heading up we noticed there was a campsite 39kms away from us, as we had been driving for a few hours and diverted to it, and found another undiscovered paradise, to stop and enjoy.
A truly stunning place, undiscovered, we spent a lovely day there, before heading to the
Toledo to experience Semana Santa. The weather being kind we decided to headed east to Cuenca a world heritage site with its hanging houses. Again a stunning location like a mini grand canyon. We parked by a river which was flowing by about ten feet away. We cycled to the Enchanted town a 50 km round trip, here are some of weirdest rock
formations ever. All very Game of Thrones.
After three days of free camping we set off again stopping off at a campsite in the mountains that was in no book or app, Camping La Serradora in the province of Guadalajara. The weather continued to be kind and you would not know that we were over 2000mt up as we walked around in our tee shirts. The next morning, we were at 3 degrees and snow, so what do you do? You are in a motorhome, so we left and headed for the sunshine at Valencia.
So in a nutshell Why Spain? It is varied and truly amazing, inland Spain is a revelation, a must visit and must explore if you like walking, nature, wildlife and natural beauty and great food.
Why a Motorhome? It’s flexible, if you like a place stay longer no booking required, if it’s too cold drive and go somewhere else. You never have to unpack, and your bed, is your bed. Unlike a hotel it is your home, so you don’t have to book. Though you can’t drive it right into town and park in any carpark, it is much easier than a caravan.
We knew it was what we wanted to do, the reality is better than the dream. If you have the desire to see a country close up for longer than 3 months a motorhome is the only way to go. Nine months left on our journey, it just won’t be enough.
Paul Jackson says
That’s a really nice summary – thanks. Once we’re free to long-term in our campervan, we plan to do similar, interspersed with periods of house-sitting abroad for when we feel the need for a little more space, a long hot shower and as a base to explore a particular area.
Paul
Chris/Belgian Beauty (our motorhome, not me ;-)) says
Lots of usshare the same dream! And there are so many beautiful countries in Europe to explore. We are spoilt! Glad you appreciate Spain, lots of people haven’t got a clue!
Geoff Beasley says
Nicely put.
Looking forward to being able to do similar next year.
Been a pleasure to follow you online Always look forward to your next blog.
Andrea & Paul says
Spain is so vast I don’t think a year will be long enough!!! We keep adding to the list of must do countries I know a year is definately not long enough for us. We have already decided that we will just keep on travelling! Sorry we missed you recently. Have fun you two Andi & Paul. Ps sent from La Manga
Sylv says
Or cycle like us – the downside though being we can’t escape the weather as fast as you two.
Suparna says
Sounds incredible so far! What a fantastic idea. X
Henry says
Looks like you two are having a great time, it’s nice to see, looks very stress free to get out the rat race for a year, but tell me… does it have just different types of stresses or is as fab as it looks?! x
David says
Well Henry it may look stress free, but it is not. There are different stresses, being close proximity to someone 24/7 is a stress. We didn’t agree on lots of things before we left. That has not changed so relearning to compromise is stressful.
All that said we have learned that we are not rats, and if we were in a race it was fixed before it started. So everything you do is your choice, no race so in the end no worry.