Dont talk about Spain just do it
- Thread starter 3crispies
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I've been driving in europe for around 40 years, done the length and breadth from Croatia to Portugal, usually towing a hoofing great boat. Never had a major problem, driving on the "wrong" side. Where I do have to really concentrate is when I'm driving a LHD car on the right. Everything is wrong, I'm in the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road, changing gear with the wrong hand.
Back to the OP, we've driven down to Portugal 4 times now and we love the country, Portugal is MUCH more than the Algarve, in fact the Algarve is just an extension of the Spanish Costas imho, and to be avoided. We've passed through Spain on our way to PT and marvelled at the Spanish interior, the drive from the Pyrenees to PT has to be one of the great drives of Europe, it's absolutely glorious. Every time we do it, we say that we need to dedicate a couple of months to exploring the Spanish paths less trod. We've visited a few Spanish cities, Tarragona/Burgos/Valladolid/Salamanca/Cacares to name a few and they are stunning. We think that towns like York/Chester etc. are the be all and end all of medieval examples here in the UK. Spain has them ten a penny and they are all working towns, not tourist traps. Spanish food and wine are second to none, and still represent great value. We're already planning our spring trip for next year, rough itinerary is ferry to Dieppe, north coast of Spain, Picos, down the spanish/portuguese border to southern spain, meet our daughter & family for a couple of weeks in a rented villa near Xabia, then back up into France and home. Planning on around 8 weeks.
Back to the OP, we've driven down to Portugal 4 times now and we love the country, Portugal is MUCH more than the Algarve, in fact the Algarve is just an extension of the Spanish Costas imho, and to be avoided. We've passed through Spain on our way to PT and marvelled at the Spanish interior, the drive from the Pyrenees to PT has to be one of the great drives of Europe, it's absolutely glorious. Every time we do it, we say that we need to dedicate a couple of months to exploring the Spanish paths less trod. We've visited a few Spanish cities, Tarragona/Burgos/Valladolid/Salamanca/Cacares to name a few and they are stunning. We think that towns like York/Chester etc. are the be all and end all of medieval examples here in the UK. Spain has them ten a penny and they are all working towns, not tourist traps. Spanish food and wine are second to none, and still represent great value. We're already planning our spring trip for next year, rough itinerary is ferry to Dieppe, north coast of Spain, Picos, down the spanish/portuguese border to southern spain, meet our daughter & family for a couple of weeks in a rented villa near Xabia, then back up into France and home. Planning on around 8 weeks.
Not sure who you mean by "we", but I don’t think that's true and I don't undertand the need to sneer at the UK/ Brits in order to.justify your holiday preferences.
Actually living in a place will always reveal downsides that aren't obvious to a passing tourist.
Yeah, you might be right... or not?
I mean, I am almost ambidextrous with my tools, and I had no problems with the manual gear of the rental Peugeot 205 I got (a car that I was familior with). Also the pedals are the same. But... intersections and the few roundabouts I got into... OMG, absolute nightmare. Taking over? No way! I passed the million Km mark from a while (mostly into vans), I am still driving 10-12 hours on occasion (i.e. next week), but that thing I cannot do. A pity really, I would love to drive up Noth into GB, and take a proper vacation on the road with my T6! OK, better in summer...
Wow!! not quite sure where you got the impression that I was "sneering" at anyone (I wasn't), and TBF I can't see anything in my post that would give that impression. I was simply pointing out that "We" think the likes of York and Chester are exceptional, and maybe in the UK they are. But in Europe, examples of well preserved medieval architecture are everywhere and are more the norm than the exception.
PS I worked for a very old York firm for 20odd years, Adams Hydraulics, so am very familiar with York and it's people. So definitely no sneering from this quarter.
I didn't think for a moment you were sneering at York, but at those you referred to as "we" - presumably the British.
Wasn't your point that the daft/ignorant/parochial [delete as appropriate] Brits are foolish enough to believe York and Chester are the "be and end all of medieval examples"? That's what I read and that's what I was reacting to.
Perhaps I misunderstood, perhaps not, but I will push back against comments that play into the BS narrative that says the British are lesser than other cultures, that our history is uniquely shameful and that we need to be apologetic and atone.
Nope
I think we should put this to bed before there’s anymore misunderstanding and we end up falling out over nothing.
Nope, you’re way off the mark. You’ve managed to find offence and slight where there was absolutely none intended. Without getting into chest beating and flag waving, I’m as proud of my country as the next man.
I think we should put this to bed before there’s anymore misunderstanding and we end up falling out over nothing.
Okay - I accept what I inferred was not what you were implying. No wish to fall out with you.Nope
Nope, you’re way off the mark. You’ve managed to find offence and slight where there was absolutely none intended. Without getting into chest beating and flag waving, I’m as proud of my country as the next man.
I think we should put this to bed before there’s anymore misunderstanding and we end up falling out over nothing.
I do all the driving on our trips and it’s a pleasure over in Spain/France/Portugal/Croatia/Norway. Italy is shocking though as I found out this year.
If you’ve got the time them do it. Once you get to venue you are only driving a few miles every couple of days moving to different towns.
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Or as it’s more commonly known ‘how many times can you smash your fingers into the door pocket’ expecting to find a gear lever.Its when you first put me in a lhd car and I try to hunt for the gearstick repeatedly on the wrong side.
Or in spain if I look to overtake and the wife squeals "Noooo!!" then i know the road ahead isnt clear
Driving left hand drive is not a problem if you hire a car. It can though get embarrassing when you come out a shop or after paying for fuel and go to get in the wrong side. 
I got the time, but itd be further North for me if I went to the continent.
Doesnt mean I don't love seeing the pics of other folks adventures though.
A few of us went to Brugges and Ypres in May. Half an hour on the tunnel and about an hour the other side. Makes a great long weekend.
Agreed, we normally take around 4-5 day from leaving home in God's own, to arriving in PT. We split the days into the aforementioned 4-6hr driving lumps and aim to overnight near a town for a walk and an explore. This year it went along the lines of;- Home-Newhaven-overnight near Dieppe-2nights in Tours-Royan-Zaragoza-Cuenca-Portugal. The secret is to make the journey part of the trip and not think of it as a slog that has to be endured. When we came back, we did PT to Oleron in a day & a half as we wanted some time on Oleron before the French holidays started. Long distance driving in Spain & France is a pleasure and not the ordeal that is the UK with miles of roads works and traffic. France and Spain are around 4 times the land mass of the UK with only about twice the population. The major conurbations are relatively far apart with not a lot between, so getting around is pretty easy. France is probably the most camper friendly country in europe, with aires/stop offs/campsites aplenty.
it's our crossing of choice. You get a 20% old farts discount if you're over 60. You can also stay overnight in the terminal at either side if you have an early crossing. We usually drive down the afternoon before, camp in the terminal, and you're up and at 'em early doors for a good run the next day. They also serve a mean full English in the restaurant on-board. If you speak nicely to the reception, and the crossing is quiet, they'll give you a key to a spare cabin so you can have a shower.
