A New Year, a New Adventure: Vanlife Winter in Spain

Here we are, 10th January 2025, kicking off a brand-new year in sunny Spain! Unlike our usual 90-day winter sun escapes of past years, this trip is a little different. It’s not our usual whirlwind adventure filled with constant movement, new destinations, or free park-ups to share with you, our followers. Instead, it’s a carefully planned pause – a time to prepare for an incredible challenge ahead.

On 1st March 2025, we’ll fly to the USA to begin an epic 3,000-mile cycling journey along the East Coast of America. This four-month adventure requires us to be at our fittest and healthiest, both physically and financially, a cold dark British Winter wouldn't do any of that!

Over the years, we’ve navigated the 90-day Brexit rule with our van travels in various ways (see our blog post about Brexit Travel rules), spending the last two Christmases in the UK with family and grandchildren so that we could be abroad for spring or summer. But this winter, we couldn’t face the cold, dark, and damp. So, we made the decision to head to sunny Spain.

The Journey to Spain

Initially, we imagined our usual leisurely trip from our base in the UK through France, stopping here and there at one of the many, free of charge, pretty places to park and sleep before reaching Spain. However, we soon had the dawning realisation that when we travel like that, David is not usually trying to work remotely. His work demands reliable internet and a quiet, stable environment for meetings from 9 to 5 – something only a proper campsite could provide. Sadly, and not everyone realises this, but many campsites in France are closed during the winter months and if they are open, they sometimes close their facilities, like showers, laundry and washing up areas due to freezing pipes. 

As we feared, our winter drive across France was full hazards like snow and ice, and freezing temperatures, and so our decision to race across France, at Heidi’s top speed of 55mph in 3.5 days to reach Spain, was tough, tiring but absolutely the right decision.

A couple of weeks before our wintery drive, we had started researching campsites in Spain. Though feeling a bit sulky and flat about the lack of traditional vanlife, we booked Bonterra Resort in Benicàssim, Spain for a month-long stay based on glowing recommendations from family.

The moment we arrived on this happy, sunny site, set up, and explored, we knew we’d made the right choice. Leaving the UK winter behind was the best decision for our mental and physical well-being, even if it meant staying put for most of the trip.

The Perks of Wintering in Spain

What’s made winter in Spain so much better than toughing it out in the UK, even though we have sat still?

1. More Daylight Hours: David enjoys better quality of life during workdays, with sunny breaks and outdoor lunches. In the UK, remote working from a van in winter can mean starting and finishing work in the dark, with no quality daylight hours all week. This can be particularly brutal during spells of cold, miserable weather.

2. Better Weather: Whilst winter in Spain still brings chilly days, the sun shines most of the time, and temperatures can be mild. This has been uplifting and fuels our motivation to stay active.

3. Lower Cost of Living: The cost of vanlife in Spain is about 50% cheaper than in the UK, helping us save for our USA trip. We’ve calculated that we’re spending around half of our usual food budget each week here, which is huge when trying to save. We’re not sure if food is genuinely cheaper or if we’re simply not comfort eating to ward off the gloomy winter weather in Kent.

4. Proximity to Nature: The beach is just five minutes away, with miles of walkways perfect for morning hikes. Watching the sunrise daily has been grounding and healing after a challenging 2024.

5. Incredible Cycling Opportunities: Spain’s Via Verde (Greenway) runs right past the campsite, providing traffic-free training routes. Being able to get out on our bikes in the weeks leading up to our cycling adventure has been essential.

6. Benicàssim’s Charm: This vibrant town offers cafés, bars, shops, a weekly market, and fun events. We’ve yet to feel bored!

7. Affordable Travel: Spanish trains are a bargain. A 1-hour 40-minute trip to Valencia costs just 7 euros each.

8. Fantastic Campsite Facilities: Bonterra Resort boasts not only top-notch amenities but also a packed events calendar, including Tai Chi, crafting, cookery classes, Spanish lessons, and more – all included in the pitch price.

   
   

A New Perspective on Vanlife

Contrary to our initial doubts, this trip has been a revelation. Staying in one place has allowed us to explore more locally, eliminate the stress of finding park-ups, and create a comfortable work-life balance for David. Meanwhile, I’ve stayed busy with campsite life, solo sunny bike rides, and never once felt bored or lonely.

Looking Ahead

We’ll return to the UK on 28th January, with just a month to go before flying to sunny Florida. We’ll leave Spain feeling rested, healthier, ahead of our budget plan, and with a refreshed mindset.

Does vanlife always mean constant movement? We don’t think so. Moving forward, we’ll likely reserve our 90-day allowance for escaping the darkest months in the UK.

If you’d like more details about this trip or our upcoming adventures, don’t hesitate to get in touch!