Trip reports needed!

Portofan · #1 31-07-2022, 18:48

Here we are at the end of July and very few folks telling us about their wonderful holiday in PP.
Going back a few years, well more than a few there used to be some great reports, days on the beach, days away,great meals out and more!
Sadly I think Porto may not see the Port again, insurance costs might be a lot more than the holiday would cost!

Don't worry peeps Porto and Mrs P still alive and kicking butholidaying in the UK now!

JH02JLH · #2 06-08-2022, 14:43

How lovely to see you posting on here again, Portofan. The old days were the best and the forum doesn't seem as busy as it used to

We had planned on going to PP in September, but the flight chaos put us off, as well as the cost of car hire. Is it me or has it sky-rocketed this year?

We have taken the decision to drive to the Costa Brava instead, and take our own car but really hope we will back in Mallorca next year, sitting in the square in Pollenca!

Rosie34 · #3 07-08-2022, 07:36

We loved the Costa Brava - it's beautiful. Our favourite place was Blanes which was our first abroad holiday with our young son many many years ago. 24 hours on a coach! We visited Blanes a few years ago and it hadnt changed at all.

debz1 · #4 07-08-2022, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH02JLH

How lovely to see you posting on here again, Portofan. The old days were the best and the forum doesn't seem as busy as it used to

We had planned on going to PP in September, but the flight chaos put us off, as well as the cost of car hire. Is it me or has it sky-rocketed this year?

We have taken the decision to drive to the Costa Brava instead, and take our own car but really hope we will back in Mallorca next year, sitting in the square in Pollenca!

And you too Jane..stranger!

We’ve driven down to PP the last 7 years so have visited quite a few places in Spain. We used to go the Portsmouth /Santander route and then catch the ferry over to PP from Barcelona. We stayed in a couple of lovely places on the Costa Brava …one that particular stays in my mind is the beautiful medieval walled city of Pals. I’m not sure where you are staying but if it’s not too far away I would definitely recommend a visit. Llafranc, Blanes and Tossa de Mar are also lovely places to visit. We’ve change to Corsica ferries the last few years as we prefer the on board amenities, so we’re now exploring France!

Have fun on your journey!

debz1 · #5 07-08-2022, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosie34

We loved the Costa Brava - it's beautiful. Our favourite place was Blanes which was our first abroad holiday with our young son many many years ago. 24 hours on a coach! We visited Blanes a few years ago and it hadnt changed at all.

I went to Blanes when I was 10….which was a long time ago!

When we visited about 5 years ago it was exactly how I remembered it

Lovely place.

Meerkat · #6 07-08-2022, 16:25

So glad to read this. We are travelling next June from Plymouth to Santander then driving to Toulon (with a couple of stops), ferry to Majorca. Staying a month in PP then back via Barcelona with a stop or two to Santander. So glad to see so many of you have done something similar and we’re not totally bonkers!! We’re fed up with flying and as we are now retired we have plenty of time to get there.

JH02JLH · #7 07-08-2022, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by debz1

And you too Jane..stranger!

We’ve driven down to PP the last 7 years so have visited quite a few places in Spain. We used to go the Portsmouth /Santander route and then catch the ferry over to PP from Barcelona. We stayed in a couple of lovely places on the Costa Brava …one that particular stays in my mind is the beautiful medieval walled city of Pals. I’m not sure where you are staying but if it’s not too far away I would definitely recommend a visit. Llafranc, Blanes and Tossa de Mar are also lovely places to visit. We’ve change to Corsica ferries the last few years as we prefer the on board amenities, so we’re now exploring France!

Have fun on your journey!

We're going to an Airbnb villa in L'Escala, but hope to visit Tossa where we've been before (and loved it). I will definitely look to go to Pals when we're there, and we're planning day trips to Barcelona and Girona.

I'm excited about the journey!

debz1 · #8 07-08-2022, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH02JLH

We're going to an Airbnb villa in L'Escala, but hope to visit Tossa where we've been before (and loved it). I will definitely look to go to Pals when we're there, and we're planning day trips to Barcelona and Girona.

I'm excited about the journey!

I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time. I get really excited planning our road trip and deciding where to stay on our journey. l’Escala is lovely …we visited there on one of our trips. I’ve just googled and it’s only 30 mins from Pals!

debz1 · #9 07-08-2022, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meerkat

So glad to read this. We are travelling next June from Plymouth to Santander then driving to Toulon (with a couple of stops), ferry to Majorca. Staying a month in PP then back via Barcelona with a stop or two to Santander. So glad to see so many of you have done something similar and we’re not totally bonkers!! We’re fed up with flying and as we are now retired we have plenty of time to get there.

You’re definitely not totally bonkers!

It’s a lovely way to get to Mallorca, and if you’re staying for a month it works out cheaper as you don’t have to pay for the extortionate car hire once you get there. Mind you petrol’s going to be pricey this year

The journey with stopovers is all part of the holiday, plus you get to visit some beautiful places. Hate airports now!

Rockape · #10 08-08-2022, 11:41

I'd like to drive thru france to the Ferry at Toulon one day. Probably when I've retired and have a couple of months to wend my way there and back and spend about 8 days in France. It doesn't make a lot of sense currently with limited time, as I can go door to door to our place in 6-7 hours.

debz1 · #11 08-08-2022, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockape

I'd like to drive thru france to the Ferry at Toulon one day. Probably when I've retired and have a couple of months to wend my way there and back and spend about 8 days in France. It doesn't make a lot of sense currently with limited time, as I can go door to door to our place in 6-7 hours.

We always do a leisurely journey down through France since we’ve retired. I agree it wouldn’t be the same if you just hacked it in a day ..although I know some people do. For us it’s all part of the holiday. We didn’t really know France that well when we first did the trip but after doing it quite a few times now we have found some absolute gorgeous places to stop over. If you ever need a steer when you do it just ask away!

JH02JLH · #12 10-08-2022, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by debz1

I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time. I get really excited planning our road trip and deciding where to stay on our journey. l’Escala is lovely …we visited there on one of our trips. I’ve just googled and it’s only 30 mins from Pals!

Sophie has already looked up Pals and is determined to go! Thank you for the recommendation!

debz1 · #13 10-08-2022, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JH02JLH

Sophie has already looked up Pals and is determined to go! Thank you for the recommendation!

Well done Sophie! I’m sure you’ll all like it there. I’ve also remembered another lovely place near L’Escala where we went for dinner. We were staying in a small B&B in the middle of nowhere and the owner directed us to Sant Marti D’Empuries which is near some Roman ruins. It’s quite a small place that you reach by a set of stairs from the car park. We didn’t know what to expect at the top but it was a lovely cobbled street that led into a little square with a few restaurants. Beyond the square you could look down onto a lovely beach. That all sounds a bit like a strange dream but it’s all true!

It was a very pretty place and buzzing in the evening although I did get bitten almost to death so take some nozzle spray if you go!!

copper · #14 11-08-2022, 20:03

We had many holidays there years ago but stopped going really because of the inconsistant weather We would either drive down or fly to Girona and hire a car

We really liked San Marti and the beach at Empuries is small and they used to consider May and September winter and would remove all the toilets there There is a Hostal there which though it was called Hostal it was quite expensive

Have stayed in Lescala quite often was awful to park unless your accomodation had some parking and Restaurants were thin on the ground but quite a few years since we have visited

I think Llafranc not far away was where I was bitten the worst Too many pines everywhere !

Portofan · #15 12-08-2022, 18:34

Well now, little did I foresee the responses to my post!

So Jane you are off to the Costa Brava !

Many years ago , living in Belfast we fancied a sun holiday to Spain.Was hard to find in those days but we got a package full board to Calella in the Costa Brava.

Coach to Dublin, night flight and coach to hotel. First try at Spanish food, steaming hot weather, but enjoyed even went to Barcelona.

Night flight back to Dublin then coach to Belfast ugh!

Stepping off the coach at 7 or 8am, the bottom fell out of the duty free bag and all was lost with a great crash!

Must have lost about £10!