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Driving from Barcelona through Europe in 5 weeks during AUG

Posted by on

Hi!

Looking for advice on best itineraries and sites to see this coming August.

We are a couple who will fly in and out round trip from Barcelona and have 5 weeks in end July and August in between.

Thinking of renting a car and road tripping- know 1 way drop off expensive if in different country.
Would like to do some cycling, but leisure- no mountains. Where is suggested? Safe?

Like to explore some cultural gems. Outdoor activities (biking/hiking/water activities), some quirky/funky ideas, festivals, and side adventures welcomed. Like a more localized culture- Not too touristy ( I am not into sitting in a 2 hour line for sagrada familia or paying $35 for a bottle of cheap wine or eating dry tasteless tapas).

Great experiences are what we are after here! Some Spanish and French but will heavily crutch on English. Nice locals to talk to and share with are a gift!

Know it will be August, expect it to be busy per what I have read, but would like to keep hotels and schedule flexible..... Can it be done-- and still stay on a budget? How far in advance should I book anything?

Also would love suggestions on laundry since I will be there 5 weeks and trying to pack light (ish). Suggestions on what to bring a plus.

So-- help me build a great trip based upon your experience fellow adventurers!

Barcelona and Costa Dorada- Have seen Barcelona and part of Costa Dorada (cambrils and tarragona). Still want to see a few need suggestions coastal few towns and explore Barcelona (city and beaches). I would like suggestions on where to stay, and places to eat (not touristy and not expensive) in Barcelona, and ideas of great things to do there, and in surrounding Catalunya.

  1. Spain- North, South, and/or into Portugal. Suggestions? Not to be missed? What do we need to see and do? How much time should you spend? How long would that route take? Can we book hotels along the way in August or need advanced reservations?
    1. Also looking at going into France & Rivera into Northern Italy?
    2. Maybe up to Northern/Low Countries from France? Bike and barge?
    3. If we stay along south of France/Italy route, is Switzerland fairly easy and accessible? For example- Geneva? Suggestions please! Route?
  2. Suggestions on cities/Sites to visit along the way
  3. Tips on Car Rental, Driving and Suggested Routes, as well as Roads would be great. Toll info and costs?
  4. Cost --- Camper Van vs. car and hotels --- difficulty getting a decent place to park/sleep with camper van helpful!

Want the best experience in as much time as we have. On a budget (trying to keep hotel nightly $40-90). Keeping our sanity a and coming out of this a loving in tact couple huge bonus! :-)

Thank You!

Posted by
3273 posts

Your post is so general that it is almost impossible to give you any guidance. What you should do is some basic research as to what interests you - what are your "must sees", where do you definitely want to visit? You mention Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Low Countries. WOW! If your hotel budget is $40 - 90 per night, your expectations might be too high for your total five week budget. Car rental is a basic expense but the cost of fuel, tolls and parking throughout Europe are quite expensive.

Check on some locations you'd like to visit and see what hotels will cost. Visit Via Michelin and plug in some routes you would take so see the cost of tolls and fuel. Start to do a little more research and the members of this forum will be happy to give you more specific guidance.

Posted by
16895 posts

A car certainly helps you with the flexible accommodations, since you can reach out-of-the way options or move on to the next town if you don't find anything. With a camper van, you can park overnight in any legal parking spot, and that might be the best way to meet your lodging budget (but you have to compare the rental cost) as well as maximum flexibility. See some of Rick's advice and links for Camping in Europe and also Car Rental Costs. If choosing a regular vehicle, then consider a "lease" (technically purchase and re-sale) through Renault or Peugeot; links on the page above. Having paid for a car, I probably would not also pay for a barge trip - redundant transportation and you'd have to return to where you left the car.

Posted by
15777 posts

Note; the OP has a started a new thread with a clear picture of the plan.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.