20 04 2015
I'm writing to you from SUPERFAST XII to Ancona. This journey started quite wrong so according to so-called, it must have a nice end...
I will explain,"camping on board" tickets were booked in Athens for Sunday at 23:55 to Venice. I pass customs-control and I was chatting with two German camperists I discover that it did not exist "camping on board" before May, instead of it it was given a bed in a quadruple cabin and a discount on meals ...
I went back to "check in"... What to say their simple answer was that they should inform me when issuing the tickets and that they are wrong about not point it out on the internet or elsewhere...
So I changed the tickets for Monday afternoon to Ancona! (-45 €) ... all right!
I was not allowed to stay in the controlled area. But the guys who were in control at the gate the following day - for the first time on the border - they check every space of the chamber, even my identity card they sent for control ... tell me why? maybe I pass in then out and back in? it can be so…
Two labels.
a) At the new harbor of Patras in the evening, a mess! sirens, port polish motorbikes, patrol cars and some poor immigrants to play hide and seek for the 3 hours I stayed there! It catches you with bitterness and anger when you understand that we only belong to Europe in a matrix...
b) The safest place on the beach was right after the lighthouse and just before the swimming pool, a free parking, next to parked vans with large families of gypsies- the Roma- much safer than the immigrant group. in the morning they offer even coffee to me!!!
The program says a very few time in Italy, around and overnight in Pisa, after Genoa, a ghost town "Bussana Vecchia" and then passing to France
France, Spain, Portugal 2015
21/04/15
Ancona,
we managed to get out of the ship- last car. With the arrival, scenes of infinite beauty! with any of the twenty-nine Italian police officers and other customs officers to control every minute, every dark skin man- more the usual- and almost 1 in 2 trucks! Scenes that refer to the borders of a third-world country and not of a member of the EEC! But are We? It reminded me of my return from Morocco to Spain ...
5:20 pm So we started for Pisa, not by the toll road, from Perugia, Siena 378 km at 5:30. Only 10% of the route was downhill- a mountain before Perugia...The rest, a 4-lane motorway (2 + 2) with a high bar. 
I had a "camperstop" in mind, price 12 € in the center (via di Pratale 74) behind an Agip station, which I did not find - it was 300 meters down on the same road - and we overnight park next to a kindergarten and a dog park, the joy of Hara…
22/04/15
A quiet, Secure neighborhood, across a grocery store,
I was around by bike to the historic center.
A Few things to see, except the most photographed monument, the ready to fall tower and the magnificent church with the round Baptistery.
I did not get up to the tower - you never know - there was a huge waiting line ...
By early in the morning groups of every nationality and Italians had flooded the square “campo dei Miracoli”.
We started to go for Genoa 200 km 5:50 hours above the mountains, beautiful but not so fast as by the motorway 170 km or 2 hours...
The worst impression I have on Italy, I acquired it on a beach of 19 km from "Viaregio" to "Marina di Masa" where shops are hanging next to each other - countless - do not allow access to the beach, except for a 2-meter walkway for pedestrians every 400 ~ 500m, with signs expressly indicating that you only allow swimming, without an umbrella or other accessories!!! Free parking? No way! Only customers in the cafe-restaurant!
Downtown Genoa and especially in the area of the old harbor there is no chance to park a "camper" either free or for a fee! They are just in persecution!
An overnight stay was only so after a few rounds there was found space on a street next to the hospital.
23/04/15Check out before 8:00 - charging starts - a traffic mess up, even the GPS has been confused with re-calculations and we got out of town in one and a half hours!
A beautiful seaside trail to San Remo 150 km in 4 hours.
The visit to the ghost village was not able due to technical difficulties. One, yes, one street lane! Wherever we met another car, we had to go back or they to where space could be found! Impossible with the "camper", we could not even turn without maneuver! Halfway down the road and having quarreled with half the Italians, the other half showed understanding, I found room for reversal - with infinite maneuvers ... I did not dare to get out for photos,
At 6 km after the junction with this road, we drove to a huge slop in Sanremo with 10 € a day.
Big mistake, let's take a look ... An explanation,
Parking with ground garbage, maneuvering big trucks with the dust it implies ... No shade and it is ok in April but at Sumer... Easy filling water and emptying gray and mulled casket.
about 15 min away from the marina by bike.
countless, bicycles and mopeds ...
electric bicycle rental 30 € per day !!!
Probably the only solution for overnight stays in the summer.
However, at this time there is free parking until May 300 meters west of the railway station and with 1 € from 08: 00 to 19 ie 11 € and free WF. At the Station, by the marina
25/04/15
Departure for "Avignon" through its hinterland- way - I mean, knowing the coastal route, I was bypassing Monaco, Cannes, Toulon, and Marsala by the mountains. Definitely another experience, more bucolic but I do not think it worth because we are talking about trouble... Greater slopes, infinite turns, and sometimes roads that hardly crossed two cars - one at a standstill... I do not recommend it for a caravan irrespective of horsepower of the car, I do not do it again!
“Monaco”, the “Monte Carlo” 
a stop for "siesta"
were we met the monster RV with it "balconies"!!!
It was Saturday and there was a lot of traffic, I also remembered the good old days that there was not an empty table in "tavernas" back to Greece... You see France do not pass any crisis. The traffic jams are every day at the entrances and exits of cities even at small ones ...
traveling in the valley now, other horizons, grapes at the right, grapes at the left, endlessly. .. "Chateau" at the right, left, big, small, tidy and few ruins...
So we arrived in Avignon and slept in the campsite parking lot outside because the reception - the bar - closed at 8:00 ...
The car park / camperstop mentioned in the book no longer exists (height bars)! There is a real camperstop with automatic machines, electricity, paid water and a bar with automatic payment there - the day at 11 € it was the absolute desert! 500 meters from the campsite. Perhaps the Summer is safer...
However, the campsite for me- one person- with warm water and toilets and my safety cost the same!
The car park / camperstop mentioned in the book no longer exists (height bars)! There is a real camperstop with automatic machines, electricity, paid water and a bar with automatic payment there - the day at 11 € it was the absolute desert! 500 meters from the campsite. Perhaps the Summer is safer...
26/04/15
“camping Bagatelle” 14,50€
we camp and made it by biking to the tourist office and from there with the map in the hands, for exploration! Not that it is a lot to see...
The churches and the Episcopal buildings are the vanities of the church ... and a huge closed (covered) market with all the goodies, animal-dairy and other related... bars
The churches and the Episcopal buildings are the vanities of the church ... and a huge closed (covered) market with all the goodies, animal-dairy and other related... bars
Easily accessible city in general, in one morning, you can see everything...
In the afternoon, the first heavy rain - which stays constant until the next noon, so to do not forget... Forced relaxed, with our showers and rest.
27/04/15
Departure under the rain for "Carcassonne", a city with a bad history, disappeared after the "Pope" crusaders were slaughtered ... Oh, how did you, the Jihadists, say? bah, there are worse, Pope conflicts, infallible and more ...What we see today (a monument of UNESCO) - a tourist trap - medieval walled city, renovated in 1844 nowadays Filled by hotels, tourist shops, and restaurants.
On our way and near Avignon at 30 km visit to a Roman bridge, water pipe for the "Nimes" monument of "UNESCO" named "Pond Du Gard"
An amazing construction of 360 meters in length, 50 height in three levels.
The route is beautiful and relaxing with the same scenery of vineyards everywhere, though with less "Chateau"
The midday we stop for food and "siesta" in a unique parking area with open height bars. In "Meze" a bay/lagoon rather full of mussels crops An incredible size area!!!
At Carcassonne now we arrived late, we found the "camper stop/parking" at the point where the book "camper stop 2011point it!
The only thing that does not mention nowhere is that the "camper" is prohibited from June 15th to September 15th...
the photo from the "living room"
The only thing that does not mention nowhere is that the "camper" is prohibited from June 15th to September 15th...
the photo from the "living room"
Another detail, when I arrived, was only 4 motorhomes,... In the morning and after the walk of Hara 8:30 it was overpacked of cars, impossible for a motorhome to leave! Improvement after 16:00... I would stay all day long anyway for a walk in the Middle Ages.
It was worth the morning walk! The shops are closed and the tourists are no more than 10 in number!
28/04
Astonishingly today, it was cars quite late. To be sure for the departure next day "I moved" next to the entrance...
Tomorrow departure for "Andorra" A detour on the road to Spain.I will "clime up" the "Media Pyrenees", I see some high altitudes on the map and it is still April. We will meet show...
29/04
A Sunny day with 7c…
The snowy mountains in the distance were coming closer and closer - we arrived at 2,200 meters - a fine rain began, fortunately, the roads were good, so we were looking forward to the beautiful scenery.
On the border with Spain a typical check on almost all cars, the question of whether I have cigarettes or alcohol and a brief look at the garage.
So I continued in Spain. Another weather! But completely I tell you, and only a few hours apart!
We celebrated with the family in a nearby lake ...
02/05
beautiful scenery, mountains, rivers, and lakes that were next to the road all the way up to Zaragoza. Driving parallel to the coastal route was a surprise event!
the roads I used, for the most part, are called "Autovia"
all without toll !!!
all without toll !!!
but I noticed the great lack of parking and rest, not even for an emergency...
02/05
At “Zaragoza” by luck, I found- illegal parking- but it was Saturday… at “Basilica d Nuestra Senora de Pitar”.
From the international exhibition "Expo 2008" there were quite beautiful things, "lift" like those of the ski, for example, an aquarium etc. We made our ride with Hara and we drank a beer with tapas and continued on Toledo.
We arrived in the evening, still lucky, we found parking at the main gate!
We arrived in the evening, still lucky, we found parking at the main gate!
Slightly illegal but I was tired of the all-day drive, I stayed in the car until it left room late at night for regular overnight parking and the next day of course without a parking meter due to Sunday!
03/05
Being close, we turned it around on foot. Very upstairs...there are at least two escalators on several consecutive levels, but there is not enough signage, the one it must start from the conference center El Mirabello and the other just above the Gate Alfonso VI Better ask in the tourist office.
I found 2 parking lots one with payment and one free ...
So we saw the "hospital of Tavera", the cathedral 8 € or 11 € with the visit on the bell tower ... "Cathedral" of 1226 of the best in Gothic style
and the monastery "San Juan de Los Reyes" 2.5 €. Fortunately, the museum of Theotokopoulos was without a ticket!
We also wandered with Hara in the Hebrew ghetto so I can not be left unanswered...
Of the most interesting of Hara...
We also wandered with Hara in the Hebrew ghetto so I can not be left unanswered...
Of the most interesting of Hara...
Turning back really tired at the camper, I stopped directly across on the square into an open-air beer garden. He recognized me - the young owner - we caught the talk about the camber and his dreams, he made us taste the wonderful "paella" he made with mussels and shrimps...
What a wonderful day!
at the back lay the tired Hara
What a wonderful day!
I did notice, that from Madrid and to the south many rails on the windows even on the first and second floor...
Are they so afraid? Psychological remnants of another era? who knows...
Again, for me to live in a prison every day and drink your coffee behind the bars.
Are they so afraid? Psychological remnants of another era? who knows...
Again, for me to live in a prison every day and drink your coffee behind the bars.
04/05
Check out early in the morning with rain, thankfully not for long.
At the exit from Toledo, the GPS and Map Point (2011) fail... As a result, an unprecedented mess with at least 40 more kilometers in a wrong direction!
We finally got to the end and we started for the about 500 kilometers to "Seville" The midday after 4 hours and 260 km, we stopped in a really nice place for rest. In the woods with barbecues, wooden tables, and benches, running water and rubbish bins, a chapel...
26.999, 19.667 just before “Sierra Andujar”
At the exit from Toledo, the GPS and Map Point (2011) fail... As a result, an unprecedented mess with at least 40 more kilometers in a wrong direction!
We finally got to the end and we started for the about 500 kilometers to "Seville" The midday after 4 hours and 260 km, we stopped in a really nice place for rest. In the woods with barbecues, wooden tables, and benches, running water and rubbish bins, a chapel...
26.999, 19.667 just before “Sierra Andujar”
We arrived at Cordova in the middle of the weekend, we turned wrong at the old center- a miracle to get out of the labyrinth! However, we went out smiling to those who reasonably hurled us.
and as a wonder, we parked on a road opposite the footbridge leading to the "La Mezquita", the largest and most beautiful Moorish mosque, the "Alcazar" and the "Puerta del Puente" gate.
We found without any ticket our motorhome and we continued the rest of the kilometers to Seville, where we arrived around 8:00 after an incredible traffic jam in the ring of the city! camperstop Puerto Gelves
37.34055, 06.02333
Atencion!
I was bypassing it 2 times! It's in a marina, not seen from the street - not even the marina - and you have to park, find the manager, at the other end, where the office is, to come to open you...
the entrance.
But it has toilets, showers, water, empty gray and chemical even Internet!
All this with 12 € (16 € in season) and 2.50 € extra for 220v.
who does not have satellite? methe view from the living room
05/05
We did not move from the marina due to a lot of heat, cheap and tasty tapas and good cold beer...Although I'm not sure if it's good for a drinker, "tapas" to be cheaper than beer...
We did a general cleanliness and the day passed.
06/05
The second morning in the marina and we have not seen Sevilla...The heat continues, the shadow here is until noon so after the "siesta" we left, we paid (30 €) and we parked in Seville on a big avenue near the "square of Spain", something that worth seeing!
Beautiful and tidy center, I saw and the huge cathedral, I wandered quite a bit - with the bike - and ended up drinking beer accompanied by a "tapas" overlooking the tower "Toro"
Surprisingly, I was the only customer (10:30 pm)!!!
and that's why, maybe, the 3rd beer was tanned... Hara was doing her job protecting the "home"!
We are talking about a lot of emptiness, on the return, I show no more than 10 cars, no one walked and it was not even 12: 00...
07/05
we started for the Passage to Portugal with a little detour to see "Huelva" it left us relatively indifferent.road surface...
the first impression in Portugal was the difference to worst of the provincial roads at least! These until "Faro" where was our first overnight.
By the time we crossed the border, the bridge, which is the natural border with Spain, we followed the coastal N125 and not- the toll- highway.
First exit of a village "Cacela Velcha" with 15 houses, a church with a closed castle and view of the wetland and endless beaches!
In the parking lot, we got an idea of what we would meet from now on...
Just next to a huge golf course!
Just next to a huge golf course!
Second stop at the "Tavira" historic center, a riverside town with its castle - there is not much left... its cathedral on the hill and a sympathetic "local" taverna where we ate overlooking the chapel...
third stop for a siesta in "Parque Natural da Ria Formosa" - we found a shadow - something harder from now on, out of course the camper-stop with enough cambers that boiled under the sun!
third stop for a siesta in "Parque Natural da Ria Formosa" - we found a shadow - something harder from now on, out of course the camper-stop with enough cambers that boiled under the sun!
"Olhao" former fishing village and now a big fish market, with the first blocks of flats on the horizon...
Hara played and swim in the Atlantic!!! She Dry and we continue for ."Faro".
The parking / camper-stop was easily found within walking distance of the old town within the walls, with all the sights you can see.
37,01194 , 07,9325
and finally one - the first one I see - prohibitive for cars due to camper!!!
At (-) but generally for the city the adjacent airport that charter flights had a "metro" frequency even late at night !!!
Around to the old town and the marina
and we return to the cathedral within the walls at 12:00 o'clock, they had a "fancy" concert due to the celebrations for the end of the academic year "“Ketma ntas Fitas”" celebrated in Portugal. So young people on the square until morning...
08/05
Visiting the nearby Estoi village for a visit to the palazzo de Estoni - frustration has turned into a hotel - and the Roman ruins of a villa with mosaics.Another disappointment three small parts of mosaics and nothing!
Fortunately, the entrance was only 2 €.
The only pleasant surprise was in the parking lot
After the afternoon adventure, We continue to an unacceptable in terms of road N 125 above Portugal's most touristic region, "Vilamura" "Albuferia", sold out to the English with countless golf courses, greenery, and incredible opulence everywhere even the yachts was so luxury...
and...
we passed, saw and went, with only one stop on the beach of the "Praia da Marina" and an illegal completely in the 2nd from where the photos.On the beach, you go by Escalators...
N37 ° 05.226 'W8 ° 14.873'
a A careful look at the horizon will convince you of the crime ...
So we continued on a camping- from the book - to "Ferraguto" It did not inspire us but for our good luck we found two kilometers near the harbor of the village the amazing slopes you see !!!N37° 07.539′ W8° 131.442′
08,09, 10/05
ΟIn the background, Portimao, a city of 40,000 inhabitants that we will probably miss. it's so relaxing - and with reliable internet in the square - that we will stay for the third night. The only problem is at the noon that despite the wind - the Atlantic wind - the camper reaches 31c...
at "Ferragudo" we stayed also today, Sunday, because it has an outdoor flea market
11/05
on the morning of Monday, we cross Portimao to visit the truly beautiful Praia da Rocha beach!
Of course, back, the scenery... ugly, not feeling the height and size apartment buildings!!!
Easy parking was found. Because of the morning, off-season, etc. A little further down on the same street was the free camper-stop.
After a coffee break, departure for "Silves" A small town with a well-preserved red stone castle and cathedral of the 13th century. Also known for cruise de Portugal that I expected it to be huge but does not exceed two meters...
Of course, back, the scenery... ugly, not feeling the height and size apartment buildings!!!
Easy parking was found. Because of the morning, off-season, etc. A little further down on the same street was the free camper-stop.
After a coffee break, departure for "Silves" A small town with a well-preserved red stone castle and cathedral of the 13th century. Also known for cruise de Portugal that I expected it to be huge but does not exceed two meters...
Refueling at the Supermarket and departing for the Baths of "Monchique" Beautiful, clean village and church of the 16th with a gate at the "Manuelino" rhythm.
6 km before is the "calda de Monchique" baths in a beautiful place but difficult to access and park in the main spa area. it is a one-way road
So pieces of information for the fanatics of the thermal baths... 16 € entrance (they give you a bathrobe)... A small square 8x8 swimming pool, sauna, and hammam ...
From there to "Aljezor", a beautiful rout on a ridge about 500 m high with endless views and Eucalyptus forests, without stopping and snorkeling, in a hurry, to catch the sunset at the lighthouse in "Campo de Sao Vicente" I did not get down to any of the wonderful beaches as I will have time to return from Lagos from the same route.
I can not describe the beauty of the landscape, the enormous waves and the imposing atmosphere that create the light of the Lighthouse!
But it did not any sunset as the sun had disappeared into a yellow haze...
The cape must be something like the "northern cape", for the campers. Conspicuity in the area in front of the lighthouse that noteworthy is the most powerful of Europe - they say - 95 km range...
The "Lagos" is a city of 20,000 inhabitants with a lively, 17th-century fortress that protected the harbor and a huge marina. It is the first safe harbor in the Atlantic.
After a walk in the tourist slopes, some junk food,
and departure for the unimaginable size beauty beaches to the west, to the Atlantic. Similar to the size I have met only in Morocco!
The area is a protected park - fortunately - "Costa Vicentina" "Praia de Bordeira", "Praia de Amado" with a stop for a siesta with many other chambers, "Arrifana", "praia monte Clerigo" are the ones I visited.
outside the "cavalerio" and "Praia das Furnas" and facing the "Rio Mira" river, its estuary in the Atlantic - the village "Vila Nova de Milfontes", with its beach
The following morning we accidentally discovered a sign for a camper stop, empty gray water, chemical WC and water supply in a tree-lined car park. The place is somewhat deserted, next to the municipal pool. A motorhome and a caravan were parked.
In "Evora" I arrived Sunday afternoon, directly for siesta, at the 1st camper-stop -free parking - 1000 cars reported by the tourist map of the city. here is the half...
38.56667 , 07.90667
There are two more ... This was chosen due to proximity to the central square of the old town and the tourist office ...
Praca do Giraldo
The Roman Temple and next the Cathedral
and a band of drummers turning around in the city...
The historic center is small and it is easy to get around in 3 ~ 4 hours, which we did and we repeated the next day.
We had a quiet sleep despite the celebrations of the fans of Benfica - they were forbidden to enter the historic center - which necessarily passed (tails of cars) with flags, nailing from the parking lot. Fortunately, they ended early...
The beachfront of the rich Estoril resort- with casino - at "Cascais" full of huge villas ...The first stop at "Cascais" for shooting "the mouth of hell", “Boca do Inferno” Beware, it's behind some shops, you do not see it ...
N38.69080° W9.42962°
A visit for a beer and tapas (crochet hake) in "Praia da Adraga" in a nice café-restaurant. Finally next to the beach!
N38.80234 ° W9.48468 °
A Visit to Praia das Macas beach, until there- July and August- is going a small old tram (1910) from "Sintra"
we also photographed the picturesque village "Azenhas do Mar" on the rock, with its natural pool in the tide
We return to enter EN-375 in the "cera de Sintra" mountain range.
An adventure driving up to the city. Mountain road all turns and the worse one line !!!
a lot of difficulties to park, to visit the Moncerrate Mansion.
Here we are when everybody left...
Μετά κόπων και βασάνων έφτασα στην “Sintra”- μια πολυεπίπεδη πόλη, 
and lately, at the parking lot proposed by the book for overnight stays. Caravans are forbidden.Deserted at night, us and another van.
N38.79695 ° W9.38846 °
The next day a visit to the castle "Castelo dos Mouros" and the palace "Palacio da Pena" - the road forget it... it is not a road...
My advice is whether you drive or not a motorhome, where ever you park visit it by "hip-hop" or even better the bus, is cheap and you save the stress and discomfort. I can not imagine what will happen in the hight season...
The other beach on the northern side of the city very close straight from the parking lot.
and next to you, to make you happy again ...
The morning of the next day we visit the tourist office where I learned about the existence of municipal camping 200 meters from the historical center!
a person 3,20 € + camper 5,60 € with electricity and Internet !!!
It's wonderful! We will organize for the rest of the trip...
beautiful town with a small historic center beside the Tagus River.
On the main square
The main attraction is the "Convento de Cristo" in the castle that dominates the city.
where we arrived in the afternoon, fantastic village, we stayed there along with a group of scouts in the field next to the parking lot.
39.99752, -07.14354
and the prettiest "Statue" on a pedestal...
in the entrance, there is a very small parking lot (for 10 cars)
a mechanic problem with the transmitter by overpowering a few days ago at Sidra-, a lot of smocks - from then on it began to skate and get worse day by day...
I am in "Castelo Branco" - ADAC is fine - 5 days now, I and Hara enjoy "Hotel Europa" we share the room and the Portuguese hospitality ...
Their garages - the authorized ones - were sucking, spare parts from Spain ... And I do not like to hear again word bad for the Greek crews! It is just fine!
Although ADAC does not have offices in Portugal, the conciliation was done with broken English with Barcelona's people, the service was flawless! Big platform arrived in one hour as they had informed me with several phone calls!
The hotel also will be paid by ADAC ..
Beautiful, we stayed in the parking lot - camper stop - with chemical wc and gray water emptying. The toilet in use as long as the adjacent naval club was open. In the park "Parque do Choupalinho" by the river, face on the hill where both the historic center and the university are.
Right next to it a pedestrian-bicycle bridge
1,200 meters from the "central" square of the lower town with many "cafes" and the commercial pedestrian street.
Next to the same side of the river - the old monastery of "Santa Clara" ruins now, the Saturday Bazaar-flea market...
Definitely it worth more days of stay, beautiful, relaxed city and convenient quiet parking.
But you see we have a lost week already...
06/06
“Aveiro”
In just sixty kilometers - their own Venice - with its canals next to a huge lagoon.
Parking under a motorway bridge, but without excessive noise.
40.643583, -8.659396
with the boats turning you into the canals - a tourist trap - nothing interesting except some old houses to see ...
cathedral
around
dinner and the view over one of the canals
after lunch on the way to Porto, there is a Greek, good friend of my daughter who was waiting for me days before now...
Parking outside his home,
yes, they are plane trees ...
10 km from Porto in "Arcozelo", a road behind the amazing beach "Miramar"!!!
you are not bored in Porto!!!
“Torre dos Clérigos” 
Opposite to Gaia with the old warehouses of Porto which are now a tourist visiting with wine-cognition...
porto transfer boats with barrels.
monastery “Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar” you can visit by a lift.
there is a free camper-stop at "Gaia" 2 km from the bridge "Ponte Luís I" not so safe by my opinion...
41.143275, -8.632354
Tomorrow I start for north of Portugal, and then Northern Spain and return from San Sebastian through Bayonne, Lourdes, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Coastal Italy and boarded in Agona on 02/07...
walk to the historic city center
Continue to the city of "Braga".
The main attraction is the staircase on a hill leading to the Bom Jesus de Braga church.
We climb by the funicular (1,20 €), down by feet.
Below is the camper-stop / parking with canteen, water, and public toilets.
41.55278, 08.38137
6 km before is the "calda de Monchique" baths in a beautiful place but difficult to access and park in the main spa area. it is a one-way road
From there to "Aljezor", a beautiful rout on a ridge about 500 m high with endless views and Eucalyptus forests, without stopping and snorkeling, in a hurry, to catch the sunset at the lighthouse in "Campo de Sao Vicente" I did not get down to any of the wonderful beaches as I will have time to return from Lagos from the same route.
I can not describe the beauty of the landscape, the enormous waves and the imposing atmosphere that create the light of the Lighthouse!
But it did not any sunset as the sun had disappeared into a yellow haze...
The cape must be something like the "northern cape", for the campers. Conspicuity in the area in front of the lighthouse that noteworthy is the most powerful of Europe - they say - 95 km range...
12/05
Departure in the morning for Lagos with a stop to visit the parallel cape and its castle, "Fortaleza de Sagres" in "Sagres"The "Lagos" is a city of 20,000 inhabitants with a lively, 17th-century fortress that protected the harbor and a huge marina. It is the first safe harbor in the Atlantic.After a walk in the tourist slopes, some junk food,
and departure for the unimaginable size beauty beaches to the west, to the Atlantic. Similar to the size I have met only in Morocco!The area is a protected park - fortunately - "Costa Vicentina" "Praia de Bordeira", "Praia de Amado" with a stop for a siesta with many other chambers, "Arrifana", "praia monte Clerigo" are the ones I visited.
Note that no one swims, only some wretched surfers struggle to stand on their planks ...
Overnight in the little "Aljezor" - I had checked a free camper-stop in the book.
Great mistake! Small space, next to recycling bins and litter, opposite the market. Next to a river and a bridge, picturesque with his castle, but they came to empty bins at 5:45am...
Overnight in the little "Aljezor" - I had checked a free camper-stop in the book.
Great mistake! Small space, next to recycling bins and litter, opposite the market. Next to a river and a bridge, picturesque with his castle, but they came to empty bins at 5:45am...
13/05
on the beaches of "Zambujeira do Mar", "Entrada da Barca", a lighthouse on Cabo Sarbao,
Then in the village "Porto Covo" with the beach "Praia Grande" a small camper-stop next to a huge parking with a height bar...
There we stayed for our siesta. But there is a real camper-stop in the center of the village, free with water, empty gray and chemical with a lot of motorhomes.
Upon leaving, we also took a look at the nearby beach and a fortress, the "capitania Porto Sines" opposite the isle of "Ilha de Pessequeiro".
We did not even reach the industrial and huge port of Sines, but we headed through a cork tree forest into the "Santiagu Do Cacem" with a Mauritanian castle and a beautiful church next to the entrance.
The free camper-stop (according to the book) has been abolished with a banner, so after a good ride, we literally slept on a street.
14/05
We took the road to the hinterland for a visit to Beja.
A city with a lot of history from Roman times. But it was a local holiday - all closed - Museums, shops, almost everything. We walk at the old town,
the remains of the castle and only externally-pity - the old monastery "Real Mosteiro N. Sra da Conceigao"...
We have parked out of the park and across from the town hall (as a holiday, without parking meters) a relative shade and a large park next to us. However, the municipal camper stop was1 km farther is a good place and shady with all the goodies and the internet with only 8 € per person and camper.
A city with a lot of history from Roman times. But it was a local holiday - all closed - Museums, shops, almost everything. We walk at the old town,
the remains of the castle and only externally-pity - the old monastery "Real Mosteiro N. Sra da Conceigao"...
We have parked out of the park and across from the town hall (as a holiday, without parking meters) a relative shade and a large park next to us. However, the municipal camper stop was1 km farther is a good place and shady with all the goodies and the internet with only 8 € per person and camper.
15/05
Departure for "Serpa" near the Spanish border through a plain with endless straight roads with an infinite "cork trees" right and left.
We passed a beautiful river "Rio Guadiana" Endless olive groves and we arrived in a beautiful white small town of 4,500 inhabitants with a historic center in a castle with a huge gate and the aqueduct arches attached...
We passed a beautiful river "Rio Guadiana" Endless olive groves and we arrived in a beautiful white small town of 4,500 inhabitants with a historic center in a castle with a huge gate and the aqueduct arches attached...
directly to the municipal camping (8 €) and a walk around.
It is so quiet in and out of the camp that we set off for another day our departure for the famous "Evora".
Anyway, it was the week of passions - let's not criticize it - only for information.
Monday and 11, the microwave does not work. It burns fuses.
Wednesday and 13, at a truck intersection, and by wrong handling, I broke the rear bumper.
Friday and 15, the laptop was off.
Saturday and 16th in the afternoon, my little "Nikon" fell off the bike...
the last photo...
It is so quiet in and out of the camp that we set off for another day our departure for the famous "Evora".
Anyway, it was the week of passions - let's not criticize it - only for information.
Monday and 11, the microwave does not work. It burns fuses.
Wednesday and 13, at a truck intersection, and by wrong handling, I broke the rear bumper.
Friday and 15, the laptop was off.
Saturday and 16th in the afternoon, my little "Nikon" fell off the bike...
the last photo...
* the few pictures are from the memory card on the 2nd machine ...
17/05
"Evora" By (N-260), (E802), (IP2).
Beautiful and interesting the route to the Portuguese Indoors, with endless straight line roads.
There is still a lot of cork-tree forests
Beautiful and interesting the route to the Portuguese Indoors, with endless straight line roads.
There is still a lot of cork-tree forests
as well as crops of large areas of grain and vineyards. I am impressed by the creation of new olive groves on a large scale and I am talking about trees not higher than a meter!
Almost every village and castle.
Almost every village and castle.
Portel
38.56667 , 07.90667
There are two more ... This was chosen due to proximity to the central square of the old town and the tourist office ...
Praca do Giraldo
The Roman Temple and next the Cathedral
and a band of drummers turning around in the city...
The historic center is small and it is easy to get around in 3 ~ 4 hours, which we did and we repeated the next day.
We had a quiet sleep despite the celebrations of the fans of Benfica - they were forbidden to enter the historic center - which necessarily passed (tails of cars) with flags, nailing from the parking lot. Fortunately, they ended early...
18/05
On the outskirts of Evora there are several megalithic monuments. We visited two for the story - a lot of walking and the sun hot - and noon...
Dolmen (burial site)
Dolmen (burial site)
“Cromeleque dos Almendres” something like the famous "Stones of Stonehenge," in the Salisbury Plain, England, but on a smaller scale and much older.
We passed the afternoon "Setubal", the third population city of Portugal, to look at "Sesimbra"
Beautiful route (N-379-1) crossing Parque Natural da Arrábida. A Friend suggested the coastal route that I tried to follow, an unprecedented inconvenience due to parked cars on a narrow road on both sides. Besides, there is no visual contact with the beach, no place to stop, not even for photography...
At Portinho da Arrábida, the only place that could be someone reach the beach is completely banned for camper/caravans!
I therefore strongly recommend avoiding the coastal route.
Eventually, "Sesimbra" did not interest us. A beach, a marina, and huge flats...
Beautiful route (N-379-1) crossing Parque Natural da Arrábida. A Friend suggested the coastal route that I tried to follow, an unprecedented inconvenience due to parked cars on a narrow road on both sides. Besides, there is no visual contact with the beach, no place to stop, not even for photography...
At Portinho da Arrábida, the only place that could be someone reach the beach is completely banned for camper/caravans!
I therefore strongly recommend avoiding the coastal route.
Eventually, "Sesimbra" did not interest us. A beach, a marina, and huge flats...
next visit at “Cabo Espichel.” with its lighthouse and its church “Nossa Senhora do Cabo Church”
The wind in the place should be 10 Beaufort! You could not stand at one point ... The camber was like a boat and so it was decided not to stay for the evening but to continue through a beautiful route for “Costa da Caparica” at “Almada”.
We arrived almost at night and we decide to stay in the camping. Bad decision! The only good thing was the internet and this was in a "cozy" room and so, departure at 5:00 pm the following day...
5.70 + 10 + 2.10 17.80 € person 1, camper and Hara, without electricity and toilet paper! Municipal campings were ultimately better...
The beach is huge, kilometers ... Atlantic, however. The extremely annoying wind did not stop for a minute ...
5.70 + 10 + 2.10 17.80 € person 1, camper and Hara, without electricity and toilet paper! Municipal campings were ultimately better...
The beach is huge, kilometers ... Atlantic, however. The extremely annoying wind did not stop for a minute ...
Another day in "Almada" (free overnight parking tonight, I've been spoiled the place), by the beach opposed to a pizzeria with free internet and from tomorrow rather Lisbon...
N38.63954° W9.23512°
N38.63954° W9.23512°
19/05
A Visit at Christ statue- the one who looks like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil- the wind has been blown us up ...
We climbed up to the monastery “Convento dos Capuchos”, with magnificent views of the beach and the human's crap...
20/05
Lisbon!
What to say about Lisbon... Beautiful!
What to say about Lisbon... Beautiful!
"Lisbon, city of tolerent"...
To go across you need to cross the bridge "Ponte 25 de Abril" - the small, older one and cheaper 3.5 € ...
The point is when ... I made an attempt at 6:30, No way! I went to wonder in the "Calhica" quarter to spend some time. Around 10:00 I tried again, the same and worse, a queue of miles of cars and stillness! We made a second visit to Christ statue to pass the time and finally at 12:10 we were comfortable passing!
In Lisbon, I had checked from google two points on the beach of "Belem". Finally, we choose the ferry station
N38.69518 ° W9.19886 °.
In Lisbon, I had checked from google two points on the beach of "Belem". Finally, we choose the ferry station
N38.69518 ° W9.19886 °.
An amazing car park with a relative shade, a cantina next to it 0.60 € an espresso and the use of the toilet. The bad thing is that yesterday - last day - they inaugurated just opposite a new museum and they put on banners for motorhomes...
.I fell in the Maritime Week, a lot of events and people on the waterfront...
.I fell in the Maritime Week, a lot of events and people on the waterfront...
As a classic tourist, I used the "hip-hop" bus - 48 hours, two lines, 20 € - and I saw it all. I say this because the traffic jam and the lack of parking in the center - 3.5 million people - is something else.
Beware the simple ticket of a bus purchased on the bus, trams costs 2.80 € instead of 1.50 in a gazebo.
I visited the facilities of the International Exhibition in 1998 impeccable and functional today!
Beware the simple ticket of a bus purchased on the bus, trams costs 2.80 € instead of 1.50 in a gazebo.
I visited the facilities of the International Exhibition in 1998 impeccable and functional today!
25/05
End with Lisbon - with a heavy heart - depart from this friendly and pleasant parking for "Sintra".The beachfront of the rich Estoril resort- with casino - at "Cascais" full of huge villas ...The first stop at "Cascais" for shooting "the mouth of hell", “Boca do Inferno” Beware, it's behind some shops, you do not see it ...
N38.69080° W9.42962°
“Farol da Guia”
“Casa da Guia”.
“Cabo da Roca” 
It is the westernmost point of continental Europe! The sun was merciless, so did the wind, so we did it for "Sintra".A visit for a beer and tapas (crochet hake) in "Praia da Adraga" in a nice café-restaurant. Finally next to the beach!
N38.80234 ° W9.48468 °
A Visit to Praia das Macas beach, until there- July and August- is going a small old tram (1910) from "Sintra"
we also photographed the picturesque village "Azenhas do Mar" on the rock, with its natural pool in the tide
We return to enter EN-375 in the "cera de Sintra" mountain range.
An adventure driving up to the city. Mountain road all turns and the worse one line !!!
a lot of difficulties to park, to visit the Moncerrate Mansion.
Μετά κόπων και βασάνων έφτασα στην “Sintra”- μια πολυεπίπεδη πόλη,
“Palacio Nacionale de Sintra”
N38.79695 ° W9.38846 °
My advice is whether you drive or not a motorhome, where ever you park visit it by "hip-hop" or even better the bus, is cheap and you save the stress and discomfort. I can not imagine what will happen in the hight season...
26/05
Check out for "Peniche"
First stop, at "Marfa" with the palace and a "Vassilika" built in the middle with its two towers.
First stop, at "Marfa" with the palace and a "Vassilika" built in the middle with its two towers.
Second stop, at "Ericeira" for a bit ... Very beautiful the route to "Peniche",
around 2:00 on our left there was a forest with visible dirt roads, we found the way in by a sign on "praia sexit"
N39.15768 ° W9.36146 °
around 2:00 on our left there was a forest with visible dirt roads, we found the way in by a sign on "praia sexit"
N39.15768 ° W9.36146 °
So we park in peace and under shade! we ate and ... "siesta".
In the afternoon we continue for "Peniche". Just before the harbor, there is the municipal camping and before the bridge - towards the embalmed part of the old town - right after parking with bars, parking for cambers.
In the afternoon we continue for "Peniche". Just before the harbor, there is the municipal camping and before the bridge - towards the embalmed part of the old town - right after parking with bars, parking for cambers.
We passed it and we drive directly to Cabo Carvocito with its lighthouse - 2 kilometers west - to catch the sunset! I always get the last moment...
27/05
A Visit to the Fortaleza and the neighborhood beside it.
A tour of the city and its beaches.First time on a bike in Portugal! Flat city !!!
The beach “Balal”
and opposite - 500 m - the campsite that it was about 5 €. 1 person, camper and 220v. I do not know about the Internet because the reception was closed due to siesta time.
The beach “Balal”
and opposite - 500 m - the campsite that it was about 5 €. 1 person, camper and 220v. I do not know about the Internet because the reception was closed due to siesta time.
After lunch departure for "Nazare" through "Obidos" amazing village with whitewashed houses surrounded by the walls of its 14th-century castle.
And a Roman water pipeline, for kilometers.
It also has a camper-stop (small about 10 cars) enclosed, with water, you can empty chemical wc and gray water.
N39.35622° W9.15661°
Στον δρόμο λίγο έξω προς “Caldas do Roinha” συνάντησα την θεόρατη αυτή εκκλησία “canituario do Senhor Jesus da Pedra” νομίζω, με συμμετρικές αψίδες και ασυνήθιστα γλυπτά- ο Παύλος με όπλο…
13 km before "Nazare" in "Sao Martinho Do Porto"
(beach in a closed bay without the waves of the Atlantic)
there is a municipal camping (camper 7 € - caravan 6 € + car 4 € - person 3,20 €, stream 2,50 € ) and free internet.
In Nazare now I did not go down to the amazing beach but I headed to "Sitio" - it will take you the GPS if you point the lighthouse - it's a bit before it.
The spectacular view.
(beach in a closed bay without the waves of the Atlantic)
there is a municipal camping (camper 7 € - caravan 6 € + car 4 € - person 3,20 €, stream 2,50 € ) and free internet.
In Nazare now I did not go down to the amazing beach but I headed to "Sitio" - it will take you the GPS if you point the lighthouse - it's a bit before it.
The spectacular view.
Do not be afraid of crowds after sunset is completely empty!
και το ηλιοβασίλεμα…
Διανυκτέρευση εδώ στον βράχο παρέα με Βέλγους. N39.60468° W9.07871°
-100 μέτρα από την πλατεία
28/05
Check out for Tomar. From the beach of "Nazare" we just passed ...
First stop, "Alcobaca" a visit at the monastery (8 €) the largest church of Portugal! "Mosteiro Santa Maria de Alcobaca"
First stop, "Alcobaca" a visit at the monastery (8 €) the largest church of Portugal! "Mosteiro Santa Maria de Alcobaca"
“Porto de Mos” a stopover passing the fancy castle...
In "Batalha" a visit to the huge Gothic Abbey of Santa Maria da Vitoria, with unfinished chapels
there is also a camper-stop or rather parking with "Free" water supply and chemical wc emptying.
we drive from "Leiria" to visit the castle, but you're not approaching it by motorhome- pity!
It was too late and we continued for "Fatima" the Holy Place of Portugal! Something like the Virgin of Tinos, Greece - they also go here on the knees - or Santiago de Compostela of Spain - or Lourdes in France ...
with a square twice like St. Peter's in the Vatican !!!
Huge parking spaces I was in the 11th ... 200 meters from the "point"...
touring the venues and departing for "Tomar". We arrive a little late and we park on the huge empty square according to the book.
N39.59972° W8.41306°
but at the morning...
Walk in the city that happens to be a 4-day medieval gastronomy festival!
a person 3,20 € + camper 5,60 € with electricity and Internet !!!
It's wonderful! We will organize for the rest of the trip...
beautiful town with a small historic center beside the Tagus River.
On the main square
“capela de Sao Joao Baptista”
.
“santa Maria do Olival”
“Porte Velha” bridge 
30/05
A short pass from Castelo Branco to the village of Idanha-a-Velha, where we arrived in the afternoon, fantastic village, we stayed there along with a group of scouts in the field next to the parking lot.
39.99752, -07.14354
in the cafeteria of the village- the only tourist was me...
Early in the morning and a few miles we arrived at "Moncanto" a village built literally inside and under almost round rocks, imagine something like gigantic pebbles !!!
the local Bar
with good company which grew as time went by ...
40.04019, -0711016
and a significantly larger square in the immediately preceding village that usually park the motorhomes (I found at 10 in the morning 10 French motorhomes).
40.04594, -07.1574
01/06
The trip was stopped, not entirely unexpected - I pay the sins of "Sintra" roads...a mechanic problem with the transmitter by overpowering a few days ago at Sidra-, a lot of smocks - from then on it began to skate and get worse day by day...
I am in "Castelo Branco" - ADAC is fine - 5 days now, I and Hara enjoy "Hotel Europa" we share the room and the Portuguese hospitality ...
Their garages - the authorized ones - were sucking, spare parts from Spain ... And I do not like to hear again word bad for the Greek crews! It is just fine!
Although ADAC does not have offices in Portugal, the conciliation was done with broken English with Barcelona's people, the service was flawless! Big platform arrived in one hour as they had informed me with several phone calls!
The hotel also will be paid by ADAC ..
05/06
“Coibra” in the heart of Portugal with the oldest university in Europe!Beautiful, we stayed in the parking lot - camper stop - with chemical wc and gray water emptying. The toilet in use as long as the adjacent naval club was open. In the park "Parque do Choupalinho" by the river, face on the hill where both the historic center and the university are.
40.199584, -8.428786
But you see we have a lost week already...
06/06
“Aveiro”
In just sixty kilometers - their own Venice - with its canals next to a huge lagoon.
Parking under a motorway bridge, but without excessive noise.
40.643583, -8.659396
with the boats turning you into the canals - a tourist trap - nothing interesting except some old houses to see ...
cathedralaroundParking outside his home,
yes, they are plane trees ...
10 km from Porto in "Arcozelo", a road behind the amazing beach "Miramar"!!!
07/06 to10/06
tour of the literally beautiful Porto!!!
here in “Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo das Carmelitas”
tawn hall square
the wonderful train station“Torre dos Clérigos” Opposite to Gaia with the old warehouses of Porto which are now a tourist visiting with wine-cognition...
porto transfer boats with barrels.
monastery “Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar” you can visit by a lift.there is a free camper-stop at "Gaia" 2 km from the bridge "Ponte Luís I" not so safe by my opinion...41.143275, -8.632354
Tomorrow I start for north of Portugal, and then Northern Spain and return from San Sebastian through Bayonne, Lourdes, Toulouse, Carcassonne, Coastal Italy and boarded in Agona on 02/07...
12/06
“Guimares”
The heart of Portugal, one of the most historic cities in Portugal!
Castelo de Guimaraes
right back of the courtyard of the church“Sao Damaso”
the camperstop
41.44881° 08.28926°
41.44881° 08.28926°
“Ducal Palace”
“Sao Gualdar”
The main attraction is the staircase on a hill leading to the Bom Jesus de Braga church.
We climb by the funicular (1,20 €), down by feet.
Below is the camper-stop / parking with canteen, water, and public toilets.
41.55278, 08.38137
next at the town, “Torre de Menagem”
the gateway to the historic center.
“Palacio do Raio”
and food, together with various events, in the central square!
After that and since the parking nearby was quiet we did not return to the camper-stop / parking (8km) away.
13/06
The first rain day in Portugal!
A visit to the village of "Ponde de Lima" with a -few arches - Roman bridge, beautiful riverside lagoon and with a local wine festival !!!
A visit to the village of "Ponde de Lima" with a -few arches - Roman bridge, beautiful riverside lagoon and with a local wine festival !!!
wine festival under rain...
Here I ate from two grandmothers- a 5 tables restaurant- the cheapest and most delicious food so far. Soup and pork with baked potatoes, 1 liter of wine - 8 € !!!
Just by the river and the camper-stop / parking
41.77052, 08.58470
14/06
The second day of rain - the morning only- walking in the city
“Viana do Castelo”
The central square
The enormous Basilica of "Saint Lucia" dominates the hill above the city.
3€ the cable car with the return. I did not remember it was Sunday, so I was waiting for an hour in the queue to get down ...
The Holy Fathers do not need an umbrella ...
and the metal bridge in "Rio Lima" by the Eiffel House - Paris - since 1878.
rest at noon at the camper-stop / parking at the port next to the bridge.
41.69533° 08.81929°
adjacent beach “Santana”
adjacent right beach
we reached the "Caminha" riverside city at the estuary of "Rio Minho" just a stone's throw from Spain.
Ride in the central square with the clock tower,
Ride in the central square with the clock tower,
the church and the Renaissance fountain.
The last night in Portugal.
in a parking lot, several huts, next to the fire department,
41.87498° 8.84053°
in a parking lot, several huts, next to the fire department,
41.87498° 8.84053°
15/06
“Vila Nova de Serveira”the last visit to a Portuguese village.
Small and groomed on its banks “Rio Minho”
Small and groomed on its banks “Rio Minho”
with a bridge to Spain and comfortable camper-stop / parking next to the station
I did not pass to Spain - wrong- from there...
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