Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

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markwilding
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby markwilding » Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:04 am

Hi DA
It would be great to have a drink with you. It would be a bit of a detour though because we are around 75-90 minutes from the border and via a toll motorway plus I am back at work on the 11th. Once you have the details, let me know and we can see if it's possible.

Regarding hotels, don't forget the internet! These days you can book with your smartphone especially as EU roaming is free now.

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Devils Advocate
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:51 am

Mark, I'll PM you my mobile number, maybe we can somehow get whatsapp sorted? We will be heading back that way anyway and will need to make a reservation for an overnight stop in the area so there may be an opportunity there, and it will be at the weekend.

Cheers
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BENIDORM
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby BENIDORM » Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:33 pm

DA,
I agree that you don't need to book hotels, however based on past experiences we usually do.
If you base in or near Caen you can easily get to the 'Landings' areas, and in my opinion well worth the effort.
Most of the museums and sites are tastefully and respectfully presented, but obviously there is always an element of commercialism around, but not too objectionable.
There are numerous small private museums around and they do have some interesting artifacts on view, so worth a look.
Pegasus Bridge is a good place to visit, the original bridge has been moved to the museum nearby and the museum is well organised with films (in English) to watch and lots to see.
At the bridge site we visited the Cafe Gondree, reputed to be one of the first French houses to be repatriated, we had an omelette and a beer there last time we visited and met the daughter of the original owner, an enjoyable experience to us, but a friend who went there wasn't impressed, perhaps he visited on a bad day !
Also we always visit the numerous military cemeteries around the area, not because of morbid interest, more out of respect and reading the inscriptions is actually quite moving.
The big US military cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer ( Omaha Beach ) is really quite shocking when you first visit, graves as far as the eye can see,I noted that most of the visitors were extremely quiet and their faces showed much emotion,also if you have time visit the La Cambe German War Cemetery, near Bayeux,more than 20,000 burials and we saw the grave of the famous Michael Wittman the Tiger Tank Ace, there are separate areas designated for SS burials.
Anyway I recommend good planning and allow plenty of time to visit all of the sites.
I've walked the full lengths of the beaches several times and have a small collection of shrapnel /artifacts picked up 'eyes only'.
Regards,
Gordon.

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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Fri Sep 01, 2017 1:50 pm

Some good info. there Gordon and you mention some sites I'd love to visit. I'm now thinking of leaving Spain a day or two earlier and having 2 or 3 days in the Normandy area before setting off back from Caen.

I now think it'll be very very difficult fitting all the things we'd like to do in.

Again, many thanks for that.
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Sep 04, 2017 9:01 am

Morning guys, Had a few days googling the trip now and deciding how to approach it and with your advice and tips have indeed decided on two leisurely days driving in France with 2 stop overs, then one stop in Northern Spain before a 600 mile dash to the casa.

Arriving at St Malo we will book something in or near La Rochelle before we leave, would prefer somewhere maybe just outside the main town with ease of parking and no hassles if poss, still googling this one before I book.
Next day we will amble to the Bordeaux region and take a gamble on finding a place on spec. I am taking the advice that everywhere will not be booked up so aim to get there around 4pm after a few stops and find a nice place.

Now, for the Spanish over nighter. I think I've got something wrong in my memory here, I always thought I'd driven to around about Santander then swung a "left" to head directly toward Burgos.

However with satnav etc, this time it's recommending getting to roughly San Sebastian and then heading diagonally to Burgos.

So taking that route I've earmarked 2 places, one of which I shall book unless you guys have a better suggestion or warn me off them lol.

First is Miranda de Ebro, looks a largish town/city with plenty of hotels to choose from. Second, and our favourite at the moment solely going by google pics and "walking it" on google earth is a very small town called Brinas in La Rioja. Couple of rustic hotels and what look to be 3 very nice restaurants.......anyone visited? Mark Wilding?

From there it's about an 8-9 hour run to Andalucia and our place which is fine.

Any comments or further advice on this welcomed.

As an aside, I've been told to switch "toll roads off" on the satnav for the French trip as with having the time to spare it will then take us through many more villages the main routes would miss.

Many thanks once more.
Property owner in Andalucia since 2002. How time flies.

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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby firsttango » Mon Sep 04, 2017 2:22 pm

Devils Advocate wrote:Morning guys,
Arriving at St Malo we will book something in or near La Rochelle before we leave, would prefer somewhere maybe just outside the main town with ease of parking and no hassles if poss, still googling this one before I book.
.
La Rochelle is absolutely gorgeous........(worth more than a day at some stage!!!) this link may help

http://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/d ... a-rochelle

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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:50 pm

FT, just in the last hour been speaking to a mate who has just said absolutely the exact same thing as you've just said. He too reckons La Rochelle is stunning and that a day is not long enough. It's just that with so many great recommendations you just can't spend the appropriate time in each or you'd never get to Spain lol. And yes thanks, the link does indeed help, appreciated.

As an aside he also says Royan and St Georges are lovely too, both he says near La Rochelle.

Many thanks for that!!
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kerbut
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby kerbut » Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:17 pm

Doing that trip next Monday night, Have booked Ibis at Biarritz for night one and then to Santa Cruz de Mudela south of Madrid for the second night then a relaxed drive to Malaga area on the third day.
kerbut

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firsttango
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby firsttango » Mon Sep 04, 2017 5:21 pm

Devils Advocate wrote:
firsttango wrote:
La Rochelle is absolutely gorgeous........(worth more than a day at some stage!!!) this link may help
As an aside he also says Royan and St Georges are lovely too, both he says near La Rochelle.

Many thanks for that!!
He's quite right Royan is well worth a visit, we spent a few days there before heading inland a bit where we stayed in Cognac.......strangely can't remember a thing about it :lol: In Royan can recommend the food at Cafe Tiki on the beach promenade....fab Moules........very inexpensive and great atmosphere.......enjoy your trip

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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:20 pm

FT, Thanks very much for that, nice one!!
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Re: Andalucia via St Malo ferry.

Postby Devils Advocate » Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:22 pm

Hi kerbut, enjoy your trip too next Monday. Your overnight's are staggered different to ours but it looks good.

I'm really looking forward to the day in Brinas now in the La Rioja region. Touched for hopefully what will be a very nice little place to stay with some very good restaurants if the reviews are to be believed haha.
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