We have now spent the previous few weeks reserving our vacation and I can’t wait to share it with you. We haven’t been overseas for a couple of years so don’t thoughts spending a little bit extra and the additional planning concerned. Plus, if I’m trustworthy I like planning, organising and discount looking!
Why did we resolve to go on a Street Journey?
We have now talked for fairly a while about occurring a highway journey in Europe as we love watching journey vloggers and seeing the pliability they’ve and the place they go. It looks like such a extra distinctive vacation than flying to 1 vacation spot and I’m so excited!
After considering this for some time, I got here dwelling a couple of weeks in the past from the outlets to Stuart asking if I fancied a highway journey to Portugal. I used to be eager after which he advised me why, the blooming soccer! I imply don’t get me incorrect the soccer will solely take up a really small quantity of the vacation however males eh! Each Ben and Stuart are avid Mansfield City followers and this summer season the group are coaching in Portugal and taking part in a pleasant in opposition to the Chelsea below 21’s group whereas they’re there and these two needed to go and make it a vacation!
While I’m not a soccer fan I’m excited in regards to the highway journey and when you observe me on Instagram I will probably be updating you with footage and reels alongside the way in which so hold a watch out. Should you don’t observe me then what’s incorrect with you? Solely joking, however pop over and observe me on @justaveragejen.
Our European highway journey itinerary
Each myself and Stuart drive (although neither of us have pushed in Europe earlier than!) so we plan to share the driving. We have now purchased so many particular issues for the journey which I’m at present writing about for you so I’ll share that subsequent week when I’ve a couple of extra of the gadgets arrive so I can {photograph} them!
Day 1 – Setting off
We’re beginning our vacation late within the night. Ben has his promenade as he’s leaving faculty (perhaps you noticed my Instagram image?) which finishes at 10pm so we are actually leaving simply after that! We’re choosing him up at 10, taking him dwelling to vary out of his swimsuit after which driving right down to Dover. So on day 1 we will probably be doing about an hour’s price of driving earlier than we’re into day 2! The full drive from our home to dover is round 230 miles (370km) and takes about 4 hours quarter-hour, extra if we cease for a espresso and to swap drivers!
Day 2 – To Dover, Calais and Poitiers
Day 2 will begin with us within the automobile from beginning the journey round 11pm and on our method to Dover. We intend on arriving at Dover round 3.30am, having an hour’s sleep within the automobile after which going to the port. We should be on the port 90 minutes earlier than the ferry departs. Our departure time is 6.55am UK time. So we’ve allowed sufficient time for a brief sleep but when we hit numerous roadworks that may not be an possibility!
We arrive in Calais at 9.30am French time and will probably be driving right down to Poitiers immediately, with a couple of rest room stops in fact! Sooner or later alongside the drive we are going to cease and swap drivers and have lunch too. The journey from Calais to Poitiers is round 400 miles (650km) and relying on visitors will take round 6hours half-hour in complete not together with the stops so most likely extra like 8 hours with stops, particularly with my bladder if I’ve drunk espresso!
At Poitiers we’ve a lodge booked for the evening (together with breakfast!) and will probably be discovering someplace native for tea once we arrive. Any options pop them within the feedback beneath! Sadly we wont get a lot time to do anything in Poitiers.
Day 3 – Driving to Valladolid, Spain
Day 3 will probably be a protracted one! We’re having breakfast on the lodge in Poitiers then setting off and driving right down to the France-Spain border and on to Valladolid in Spain. We have now one evening in our lodge there and once more will most likely see little or no of the realm by the point we arrive! The journey from Poitiers to Valladolid is round 510 miles (820km) and can take round 8 hours 40 minutes excluding stops so most likely near 10/11 hours with breaks for lunch, the bathroom and swapping drivers!
In Valladolid we are going to most likely be consuming someplace native once more too however once more, we’ve not deliberate this but so any suggestion let me know!
Day 4 – Valladolid, Spain to Albufeira, Portugal
By day 4 we predict to be a bit sick of driving and shattered however that is the final day of driving for a couple of days fortunately! The present route we’re taking a look at for this journey contains crossing the Spain-Portugal border at Badajoz and will probably be round 480 miles (770km) and take 7 hours half-hour excluding breaks so most likely nearer to 9 hours with breaks!
Once we arrive in Albufeira we will probably be prepared for a drink and evening’s sleep that’s for positive!
Day 5-10 – All inclusive in Albufeira
We have now a 6 day break in Albufeira and we’ve booked all inclusive so I’m positive I’ll make good use of the drinks in spite of everything that driving! Whereas there we are going to benefit from the seashore, the soccer (them not me!) and usually having a loosen up for six nights!
Day 10 – Albufeira to Fuenlabrada, Spain
We will certainly get pleasure from our final all inclusive breakfast on the lodge this morning as one other lengthy drive is on the playing cards. As we speak we will probably be driving from Albufeira to Fuenlabrada, a metropolis round half-hour drive from Madrid. The drive at present will probably be between 6 hours 45 minutes and seven hours quarter-hour (with out stops) or 465-473 miles (750-761km) relying on the route we take. One possibility is happening a few of the roads we’ve pushed on the way in which to Albufeira, the opposite is by way of Seville so we are going to presumably resolve that once we are in Albufeira!
By the point we arrive in Fuenlabrada will probably be night however then we’ve 2 nights there which is good and means we are able to discover a little bit.
Day 11 – Fuenlabrada and Madrid
Day 11 will probably be a full day with no driving (or perhaps a little bit!) within the Madrid space in order that will probably be good and little doubt contain trying on the areas soccer stadiums as Ben is Soccer mad! Any options of locations to eat or go to not too removed from Fuenlabrada?
Day 12 – Fuenlabrada to Bordeaux
So one other day of driving, day 12 is driving from the lodge in Fuenlabrada throughout Spain to the border with France and as much as Bordeaux. This will probably be one other fairly lengthy day of driving with a complete of round 442 miles (710km) and seven hours half-hour of driving earlier than stops so extra like 9 hours on the roads! We will certainly be able to pattern the wine from Bordeaux once we arrive! We have now 2 nights in Bordeaux although so will probably be price it.
Day 13 – In Bordeaux
We haven’t but determined what to do in Bordeaux so we’re open to options that don’t contain an excessive amount of driving! If in case you have options that contain no driving in any respect then that’s even higher! They’ve Ubers in Bordeaux proper?
Day 14 – Bordeaux to Le Havre
That is one other driving day! As we speak we will probably be driving from Bordeaux to Le Havre which is within the Normandy space of France. I’m trying ahead to this space as there are such a lot of historic issues we are able to see and it sounds beautiful. Additionally by then we’re getting nearer to dwelling once more! The driving from Bordeaux to Le Havre will probably be round 6 hours half-hour with out breaks so most likely nearer to eight hours in complete and the gap is about 426 miles (685km). We have now a 2 day break in Le Havre although in order that will probably be good.
Day 15 – Le Havre
A day of trying across the space and plenty of enjoyable to complete of the vacation I feel! Something you suggest within the space?
Day 16 – Le Havre to Calais and perhaps dwelling!
So the final day of the vacation will probably be spent driving from Le Havre to Calais prepared for our teatime ferry again to the UK. This drive will probably be a brief one compared to the others at round 180 miles (290km) and simply in need of 3 hours! I feel by the point we get to Calais we will probably be able to go dwelling, don’t you?
We arrive again within the UK at 6.05pm UK time and doubtless shattered! We’re aiming to drive dwelling that evening 230 miles (370km) however we’re open to the thought if we’re bored with getting a Travelodge or Premier Inn someplace on the way in which and having an evening sleep and getting dwelling on what will probably be day 17 as a substitute! If we do drive straight dwelling we are going to get dwelling round 11.15pm so it’s probably we are going to resolve to cease someplace in a single day if the visitors is unhealthy however time will inform!
What do you suppose?
What do you consider our highway journey plans? Have you ever carried out something like this? Would you wish to? Let me know within the feedback beneath! Do you’ve any e-book suggestions I can get pleasure from in Albufeira, one thing that’s mild studying can be my choice as I will probably be ingesting and shattered!
Observe our highway journey on Instagram and Fb and hold a watch out for my different preparation posts and naturally all of the images and tales afterwards!
