The Van City in Northern Spain
Two boys, a Van City and the vastness of northern Spain
After months of lockdown, we wanted a change of scenery, a change of scenery and, above all, the sea. After a brief brainstorming session, Michael and I decided that a vacation in times of coronavirus was only possible in a motorhome. Then came the agony of choice, the question of all vacation questions: Where to go? After checking off France and the Netherlands due to cold temperatures and rising corona numbers, I suggested northern Spain. I had already been to the region around Bilbao a few years ago and it had stayed with me ever since. After I was able to dispel Michi's doubts by reassuring him that northern Spain is not sangria and Ballermann, nothing stood in the way of our trip. And it was worth it! Two boys, a van and the endless expanses of Galicia. What follows: With the Van City in Northern Spain.
San Sebastián and the Basque Country
A few corona tests and border controls later, we reached our first Spanish stop: Playa de Zurriola in San Sebastián. After just two hours on this wonderful long sandy beach, we were already in vacation mode. With the warm sand under our feet and a view of the sea, we sit there and all the worries of the last few months seem to have vanished. There is not a soul to be seen for miles around and we decide to get the surfboards out of the Van City and try out the Spanish waves for the first time. In addition to the surfboards, we have also stocked up on various basic foodstuffs and warm clothes for the evening. This means we can spend the next few weeks self-sufficiently with the Van City and are not dependent on restaurants and supermarkets being open. But before that, we will definitely go out to eat in San Sebastián, as the town is known for its many Michelin-starred chefs.
San Vicente de la Barquera
Following the breathtaking coastal road, we arrive at a perfect spot for campers. Our pitch for the next few weeks makes campers' hearts beat faster. A local farmer offers his fields as overnight accommodation for motorhomes of all kinds out of season. For €10 a night, we are not only safe, but also have the opportunity to talk to other local campers about the best surf locations, get to know the locals better and enjoy the carefree freedom of self-sufficient camping to the full. The Van City's outdoor shower is ideal for rinsing off the salt water after surfing and getting back into the warm van freshly showered. Thanks to the compact dimensions of the Van City and the flexibility it gave us, we were able to explore a different beach in the area every day and chase after the best wind and weather forecasts, before folding up the roof tent at the pitch in the evening and falling asleep exhausted but happy from the day.
A Coruña
Located between the Basque Country and Galicia, the port city is close to the most famous pilgrimage site in Spain: Santiago de Compostela. A Coruña combines life in the big city with cultural flair and natural lightness. Lush green meadows line the city limits and surround the imposing Tower of Hercules, A Coruña's landmark. In addition to impressive stone gates and the castle of San Anton, which are reminiscent of earlier times, the city scores above all with its crystal-clear water and sandy beaches close to the city. In A Coruña, we fill up our large fridge so that we can get by without a campsite for the next few days. Secluded in the untouched Spanish countryside, we like it better than in the crowded city.
Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa National Park is an absolute highlight of our trip. The mountains and forests of brown bears, which are still native to the area, invite you to go mountain biking and hiking and leave you speechless in front of the diverse and unique nature. Impressive rock formations that remind us of the Utah desert do not fit in at all with the image we had of Spain. In addition to brown bears, the Iberian wolf is also at home in this untouched landscape. This legendary backdrop and the indomitable will with which the locals guard this treasure gives hope for Europe's national parks. Under certain conditions, we were also allowed to drive into the park with our Ahorn Camp Van City, which gave us the opportunity to explore many parts of the park in a short space of time. Our camper van was absolutely perfect for this.
Why the Van City was our perfect means of transport
At first, we were unsure whether traveling to Spain by van was the right decision. But it has to be said, the Van City was the absolutely perfect companion for us. The combination of a maneuverable panel van that gets through the small Spanish streets well, but is still robust enough to enable us to get to our destination even on uneven and difficult roads, was absolutely crucial to the success of the trip. The roof tent gave us an extra place to sleep that didn't take up any space inside the vehicle and was still super comfortable. With a few tweaks by adding extra baskets and boxes, we had no space issues at all. The Van City is a real space miracle. There are drawers and storage options in every nook and cranny, and we even managed to fit our two surfboards in with a few simple hand movements. Another absolute advantage is the camper van's large water tank. With 55 liters of fresh water, we could really live completely self-sufficiently for a few days and even shower off regularly with the outdoor shower. The gas bottle was also easily enough for 4 weeks and we were able to make extensive use of the super-equipped kitchen. The heating was also very quiet and we were able to sleep peacefully while it was running. Overall, the Van City also scored points with us thanks to the pop-up roof. As both Michi and I are not short, the open roof tent provided good standing height when cooking.
A few tips that we don't want to withhold: Buy a water hose so that you can easily fill up the water tank at the gas station. Wraps are an absolute must in the van because they are super quick to prepare and you can eat them out of hand and don't have to wash up much. Definitely go out for tapas in Galicia, as this is the absolute best tapas region in Spain. Last but not least: make sure you buy a bucket with holes when you go surfing so that you can dry your wet wetsuit properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all we can really say is: we couldn't have imagined it any better. Northern Spain, especially the Basque Country and Galicia, are definitely worth a visit. The mentality is so unexpectedly refreshingly different to what we are used to in Spain and the diverse nature really blew us away. Whether for surfing, mountain biking or just to relax and unwind, I can only recommend this trip. After all, with a little preparation, traveling in Corona times with a campervan is possible. The Van City was the perfect companion for our trip and was able to provide us with the flexibility and comfort we needed for this trip. We can only recommend the Van City in northern Spain to anyone who likes to be carried by the wind and weather, is open to new spots and doesn't mind setting up and taking down the bed in a few simple steps.
