Site No 174 - Campsite De Trologot ***.
Right on the seafront this campsite, although not enjoying sea views, is in the perfect place for beach lovers. However as it says in the ACSI book don’t follow your sat-nav follow the signs. We did not and pulled our caravan straight through the town - an experience not to be recommended, however during the four days we spent at this site ther seem to be no signs if arriving from the south or north
Like many campsites in France when we arrived (May 2016) it had just opened after the winter closure and was still in the throes of getting everything up and running for the comming season so the bar, swimming pool, childrens play area were closed but all looked as if they would be pleasant places to spend an hour or two.
The facilities were modern and clean but without the necessities like toilet paper, soap and hand towels. The gents showers were also closed and all campers were using the ladies showers. There is a washing machine and dryer on site but we went to the nearest Intermarche where they had a large machine that did all our washing in one go for just €9.00
The pitches were of a good size, well kept and level and the staff spoke English and were friendly and helpful.
The ACSI book lists this site as accepting twin axle vans but a sign outside prohibits them, one assumes they look at the owners not the vans before deciding.
Site No 173 - L'Orangerie de Lanniron
This campsite was in part of the grounds of a stately home complex that included a golf course and weding venue. The pitches were large and reasonably flat and the whole camping area arranged and planted in a way that you felt you were camping in a well tended garden.
The facilities were new and clean with everything needed provided although it appeared that when the adjacent ballroom was in use the facilities were shared.
The site boasted everything you could desire from childrens playground to swimming pool from golf course to restaurant.
There is a lot to see in the area but sadly a foot problem prevented proper exploring but we would have no hesitation in returning to, or recommending this site.
Site No 172 - Flower Camping La Venise Verte
The last few kilometres to this site while a little narrow, were very pretty with rivers/canals running alongside the road. After reaching the site and booking in we were staggered at how big some of the pitches were. We chose a pitch near(ish) to the facilities block as we were told that was where the best reception for the WiFi was. The pitch we chose is HUGE it appears to to be as large as any on site (listed as 187m2) and is certainly the biggest we have ever experienced.
The good news continued with the facilities. Not only were the ladies and gents seperate the block modern it was spotlessly with paper, soap and drying facilities all provided. There is a small laundry on site but we went to the Super U supermarket less than 5 km away which has an 8 kg and an 18 kg washing machine and dryer so did all our laundry in one hit in the bigger machine
The even better news was that the WiFi, listed as “a WiFi point” in the ACSI book actually covered most of the site. It was free and extremely fast, we downloaded a lot of films and several TV series while we were there. For the few pitches outside the WiFi range there was a very pleasant undercover seating area, with power outlets, where your computer work could carried out in comfort.
All the usual swimming pool, childrens play area, boule courts etc were provided and appeared to be of a good standard. There was also a restaurant, at this stage of the season not yet open every day, that we did not try but reports from those that did were very positive. On the days the restaurant was open you could also get breakfast.
This family run site is certainly one we could recommend and would like one day to return to.
Site No 171 - Flower Camping Le Galan **
This was our first visit to a French municiple site. Despite the receptionists excellent English and obvious desire to help in anyway possible, I was not impressed. The grounds looked, well, neglected, despite the grass having been cut and the flower beds tended the whole place had a run down somewhat depressed feel about it.
When we got to the facilities well!! We had been told that both men and weomen were using the mens block which is not uncommon in low season in France as it cuts the cleaning bill. How can you cut a cleaning bill when it seems there is no cleaning. The facilities were old, decorated by the local playgroup and filthy. Fortunately (or not) on arrival we were tired and just went and had showers in the dismal shower room (at least the water was hot) but the following day I went from shower to shower trying to find one that was fit to use. I eventually decided to go without.
We will not return but at €13.00 per night, a smidge over £10.00, it was not expensive.
Site No 170 - Camping Errota - El Molino
This site is mainly given over to static units but unlike many Spanish sites the seasonal pitches and mobile homes are kept completely separate from the touring pitches thus avoiding the slum shanty town look and feel of many sites.
The pitches are large and well maintained as is the whole of the site areas to which we had access.
The electronically controlled gates to the camping area are kept closed at all times but for a returnable €5.00 deposit you can loan a fob that will open the gates or you can get the receptionist (or bar staff) to open it for you.
The facilities are large modern and kept spotlessly clean although, strangely for Spain, unisex. Men using the left hand showers toilets etc and the ladies the right hand. This seems more of a problem in writing than in practice so don’t let it put you off. Paper, soap and hand drying are provided as are hair dryers in the shower areas.
Being more of a holiday village than a camp site there was of course swimming pool, kiddies play area and lots more none of which we tried but all of which looked well cared for. The shop was well stocked but pricy. The restaurant/bar was large and comfortable (even if the coffee was awful) although on the chilly side, we don’t know what the food was like.
Most of the other campers were using this site as an overnight stop-over although where they were coming from and going to we could not guess.http://www.campingcard.co.uk/spain/navarre/navarre/mendigorria/campsite-errota-el-molino-109743/
Site No 169 - Camping Ciudad de Albarracín
This campsite is close to the town of Albarracín and although the roads are not overly broad they proved perfectly adequate for our 12.5m (41ft) length. The actual site was a different matter, without a motor mover the only available pitches would have been impossible. The campsite is laid out in the shape of a “Y” the entrance is down the righthand arm and our pitch was up the left hand arm, there was no room to swing so I had to go down the leg of the Y then back the rig up the left hand arm to the pitch where there was not enough room to swing a cat let alone an 8m caravan. Once in the pitch you realised how narrow the pitches were, the caravan to our fight was no more than three feet away, and our car had to go on another pitch as there was no room on ours.
I seem to have spent an entire paragraph being negative about the site which is in fact a good site to which we plan to return. The staff were friendly and although they spoke little English went out of their way to be helpful. The facilities, the measure of any site, were amongst the best we have encountered, it was a new(ish) block and kept spotlessly clean. Loo paper and hand dryers were supplied but not soap.
There was a restaurant/bar on site that was open most of the day although during the week it closes for lunch - I kid you not, of course it is probably just this time of the year and open all day in high season - and incorporates a small shop a necessity when you consider the nearest supermarket of any size is some 40 km away. We did not use the restaurant but we spoke to several couples who did and all were pleased with the meals they received, although one couple complained of the time orders took to arrive.
All in all a pleasant site which we recommend..
Site No 166 - Camping Parque Nacional de Monfragüe
This is a site we have visited before (see report on site no 160) and lies within the Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, an absolute must for all those with even a passing interest in birds, indeed the site runs twice daily “bird safaries” but for those without even a passing interest in birds the scenery in the park is stunning.
The site is well used and appears a little tired both in the pitch areas and the facilities block, although it must be said that the facilities block was kept very clean and was equipt with loo paper and soap but no hand towels.
The pitches are of a good size and most are easy to access and if you get close enough to the restaurant/bar there is free internet.
We visited the restaurant the first time we visited this site as it had very good reviews on ACSI CAMPINGCARD site. This is what I wrote about the bar and that meal
“ . . . The camp also boasted a large bar/restaurant that whenever we passed was very busy (and the reviews on the ACSI web site were very favourable) so the four of us went for dinner, the menu looked good and the prices were very reasonable. What a pity the food was almost inedible. We can say, without fear of contradiction, it was, by a long way, the worst restaurant meal we had ever had in Spain and in Sue and my case (can’t speak for Rosemary and Frank) the worst restaurant meal we have ever been served - anywhere . . . “
We would not eat another meal in the bar/restaurant but we would have no hesitation in returning to this site
Site No 165 - Camping Alentejo (again)
We have visited this site on a number of occations and it is one of our favourite sites in Portugal. This may be because it is run by a Dutchman who has higher standards than the average Portuguese offers or requires. To read my report on this site click THIS LINK.