Driving to Lanzarote...

[Bailes1992]

Am I insane to even be considering this?

My parents are going out there next year.
I'm considering driving over there and staying with them a for a few days. Stopping in some places I would like to see on the way there and on the way back.

If I was to limit my driving hours to 8 - 10 hours a day it would take about 4 days to get there including a 32 hour ferry ride from Cadiz to Arrecife.

Plan...

Day 1: Drive from my house to Le Mans. - Approx 8 hours travel including ferry.
Day 2: Drive from Le Mans to Pamplona (where they do the Bull runs in July) - Approx 8.5 hours.
Day 3: Drive from Pamplona to Cadiz - Approx 10 hours.
Then a 32 hour ferry from Cadiz to Arrecife.

Then on the way back I was thinking of stopping at Barcelona and Paris.

My parents think I'm insane and I haven't yet suggested it to the other half

[lozz]

Not insane idont think, if you like driving go for it,

itd cost you a small fortune in fuel mind,

[Doggy]

The only bit that would put me off would be the long ferry trip, (which is probably megabucks).

There's not an awful lot to recommend Le Mans as a stopover, unless you plan on taking in the 24h, (which I thoroughly recommend doing at least once).

[Welly]

I think that's a bit over-ambitious for a first time at continental driving; I think you'd be best to try a smaller run first?

Lanzagrotty is a hell of a way (4.5hr? flight) I'd get there and then be bothered that I'm still faced with the return journey back.

[DaiRees]

I'd love to do a trip like that but it's a non-starter for me with the kids. It'd probably cost you considerably less to fly...

[STALLED]

I've looked in to getting the ferry from Spain to Morocco - it isn't exactly cheap! Have you spent 5+ hours driving over consecutive days before? Whilst the scenery may be interesting, by the second day it gets a bit tiresome!

Holidays are there to be enjoyed - not behind the wheel of a car.

[swampyv6]

i am doing similair in the summer

peterborough to salou in spain

day one will be started in dover (staying at wifes dads place night before) and conist of driving dwon to the millau bridge, staying in the town of millau over night

day two drive down past barcelona to salou

certainly not as far as you are looking at going but its still a fair old trek.
once there we will be staying for 7 days and then coming home.

have found a nice straight forward route down, with plenty of places for the kids to look out for on the way down and places to visit

ill be taking the alfa which does 55mpg all day long so wont be so bad

[hammerman]

I think that's a bit over-ambitious for a first time at continental driving; I think you'd be best to try a smaller run first?

My first drive abroad was to North spain,around 1000 miles from bristol.2nd time was around 2500miles for our honeymoon towing our caravan to Rome,Italy,then Tuscany,then onto Lake Garda then home.3rd trip was to Venice & onto Lake Garda with the caravan.The 1st 2 trips both cars broke down.A brand new Rover 200 Vi in 1999(aux belt snapped)honey moon we had a blow out in Italy but the locking wheel nut key broke.Thats why i dont have locking wheel nuts on my cars lol

[scotty73]

I think that's a bit over-ambitious for a first time at continental driving; I think you'd be best to try a smaller run first?

My first drive abroad was to North spain,around 1000 miles from bristol

Lets be honest anywhere that far from Bristol has to be a good thing.

Sam that seems like a lot of hard work bud I'd be knackered after day one.

[plod]

Sod it, do it Sam, it'll be an experience
Farthest i've done was 8 hours non stop, 2 hours off, drive 13 hours with 1.5hr off for the ferry, sleep 3 hours, drive 23hours, sleep 3 hours, drive another hour nearly crash, sleep another hour, then another 6hours with 1.5hr off for the ferry again - just about 2000 miles
Just don't overdo the driving schedule, so you'll enjoy the scenery and the driving as opposed to becoming a chore

[jasper5]

I agree with plod, go for it....my brother died last week after being in a care home for 8 years flat on his back most of the time (he was 52 years old) I wish he could have done something like this or anything for that matter....yeah, go for it, don't have any regrets when you get older.

I was supposed to be going to Lanzarote in february (flying) but have cancelled it now.

I've been to Lanzarote 10 times and have driven all round the island several times, it's very easy to get round.

[Busman]

I agree with plod, go for it....my brother died last week after being in a care home for 8 years flat on his back most of the time (he was 52 years old) I wish he could have done something like this or anything for that matter....yeah, go for it, don't have any regrets when you get older.

I was supposed to be going to Lanzarote in february (flying) but have cancelled it now.

I've been to Lanzarote 10 times and have driven all round the island several times, it's very easy to get round.

I'm with Jasper on this, life is to short to regret not doing things. Which ever way it pans out it'll be an experience and will be better than sitting at home watching rubbish telly.
My one tip for things like this would be to approach it with an open mind and go with the flow.

[plod]

I know this is a bit different but
Saturday there was a fitness relaunch at the gym
I ended up doing 6 classes - 3x60mins; 2x30mins and 1x50mins
I'm in agony at mo with Tendonitis, but you know what I wouldn't of changed it as it was an experience and a great day
I've already got too many regrets for not doing stuff, so I say go for it
What doesn't kill you makes u stronger
Something to tell the grand kids when you're older lol

[swampyv6]

have you seen all the crap you need to carry with you in the car in france??

half my boot will be ful if legal items beofre i even get to put clothes in

warning triangle
first aid kit
bulb kit
hi viz vest for each person in the car
personal disposable breathlizer

but hey ho, have told the wife she only has room for two pairs of shoes now!

[Bailes1992]

I already carry all that in my boot except the brethalyser.
I have 2 hi vis jackets,
First aid kid,
Tow rope,
Jump leads,
Warning triangle,
1ltr of oil,
2.5ltrs screenwash,
Spare phone with credit,
Big hi vis coat,
Diesel priming pump,
And a bulb kit.