We’ve spent the previous couple of weeks reserving our vacation and I can’t wait to share it with you. We haven’t been overseas for just a few years so don’t thoughts spending somewhat extra and the additional planning concerned. Plus, if I’m sincere I like planning, organising and discount looking!
Why did we resolve to go on a Street Journey?
We’ve talked for fairly a while about occurring a highway journey in Europe as we love watching journey vloggers and seeing the flexibleness they’ve and the place they go. It looks like such a extra distinctive vacation than flying to at least one vacation spot and I’m so excited!
After considering this for some time, I got here residence just a few 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 time the group are coaching in Portugal and enjoying a pleasant in opposition to the Chelsea underneath 21’s group whereas they’re there and these two wished to go and make it a vacation!
While I’m not a soccer fan I’m excited in regards to the highway journey and in the event you observe me on Instagram I will likely be updating you with photos and reels alongside the best way so hold an eye fixed out. In case 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’ve purchased so many particular issues for the journey which I’m at the moment writing about for you so I’ll share that subsequent week when I’ve just a few 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 selecting him up at 10, taking him residence to alter out of his swimsuit after which driving right down to Dover. So on day 1 we will likely be doing about an hour’s value 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 must 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 plenty of roadworks which may not be an possibility!
We arrive in Calais at 9.30am French time and will likely be driving right down to Poitiers immediately, with just a few rest room stops after all! Sooner or later alongside the drive we’ll cease and swap drivers and have lunch too. The journey from Calais to Poitiers is round 400 miles (650km) and relying on site 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 night time (together with breakfast!) and will likely be discovering someplace native for tea once we arrive. Any solutions pop them within the feedback beneath! Sadly we wont get a lot time to do the rest in Poitiers.
Day 3 – Driving to Valladolid, Spain
Day 3 will likely be an extended 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’ve one night time in our lodge there and once more will most likely see little or no of the world 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’ll 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 expect to be a bit sick of driving and shattered however that is the final day of driving for just a few days fortunately! The present route we’re taking a look at for this journey consists of crossing the Spain-Portugal border at Badajoz and will likely 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 likely be prepared for a drink and a superb night time’s sleep that’s for certain!
Day 5-10 – All inclusive in Albufeira
We’ve a 6 day break in Albufeira and we’ve booked all inclusive so I’m certain I’ll make good use of the drinks in spite of everything that driving! Whereas there we’ll 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 take pleasure in our final all inclusive breakfast on the lodge this morning as one other lengthy drive is on the playing cards. In the present day we will likely be driving from Albufeira to Fuenlabrada, a metropolis round half-hour drive from Madrid. The drive as we speak will likely 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 best way to Albufeira, the opposite is through Seville so we’ll 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 will discover somewhat.
Day 11 – Fuenlabrada and Madrid
Day 11 will likely be a full day with no driving (or perhaps somewhat!) within the Madrid space in order that will likely be good and little doubt contain wanting on the areas soccer stadiums as Ben is Soccer mad! Any solutions 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 likely 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’ve 2 nights in Bordeaux although so will probably be value it.
Day 13 – In Bordeaux
We haven’t but determined what to do in Bordeaux so we’re open to solutions that don’t contain an excessive amount of driving! If in case you have solutions 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! In the present day we will likely be driving from Bordeaux to Le Havre which is within the Normandy space of France. I’m wanting ahead to this space as there are such a lot of historic issues we will see and it sounds beautiful. Additionally by then we’re getting nearer to residence once more! The driving from Bordeaux to Le Havre will likely 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’ve a 2 day break in Le Havre although in order that will likely be good.
Day 15 – Le Havre
A day of wanting across the space and plenty of enjoyable to complete of the vacation I feel! Something you advocate within the space?
Day 16 – Le Havre to Calais and perhaps residence!
So the final day of the vacation will likely be spent driving from Le Havre to Calais prepared for our teatime ferry again to the UK. This drive will likely 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 likely be able to go residence, don’t you?
We arrive again within the UK at 6.05pm UK time and doubtless shattered! We’re aiming to drive residence that night time 230 miles (370km) however we’re open to the concept if we’re bored with getting a Travelodge or Premier Inn someplace on the best way and having an evening sleep and getting residence on what will likely be day 17 as an alternative! If we do drive straight residence we’ll get residence round 11.15pm so it’s possible we’ll resolve to cease someplace in a single day if the site visitors is unhealthy however time will inform!
What do you assume?
What do you consider our highway journey plans? Have you ever performed something like this? Would you wish to? Let me know within the feedback beneath! Do you might have any guide suggestions I can take pleasure in in Albufeira, one thing that’s mild studying could be my choice as I will likely be consuming and shattered!
Comply with our highway journey on Instagram and Fb and hold an eye fixed out for my different preparation posts and naturally all of the photographs and tales afterwards!
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