Our Summer Adventure: Family Road Trip Through Spain, Andorra, and France
- Life Between The Trails
- Sep 13
- 6 min read
Well, it's taken me some time to finally sit and write this. There were so many details to remember... so here it is!...
When we set off this summer, we had nothing booked except our ferry crossings. It felt a bit nerve-racking—no set plan, no detailed itinerary—but also freeing. We decided to embrace the adventure, take it one stop at a time, and see where the road led us. What followed was 18 days of beautiful views, fantastic experiences, lovely people, and memories we’ll cherish.
Here's just a snapshot video of our journey:
Here’s a breakdown of our journey, with tips and recommendations for families thinking of doing something similar.
🚐 Travelling with Kids
One of the best things this year was having the pop-top roof—it gave us extra space for the kids, making nights much more comfortable. The kids travelled brilliantly too: armed with drawing boards, spotting games, lots of chats, and endless curiosity. They loved learning about different cultures and languages along the way and genuinely appreciated the views as much as we did.
We’d brought a drive-away awning, but in the end we didn’t need it at all. Between the space in the van and the constant moving on, it stayed packed away. Another reminder that sometimes less is more when you’re on the road.
🚢 The Ferry: UK to Bilbao
We started with a two-night ferry crossing to Bilbao. Having a cabin made a huge difference with kids—somewhere to relax, nap, and have our own space. The onboard entertainment kept everyone busy, and we had a lot of laughs playing family games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and 5up. - Check them out here!
Family Tip: Bring a pack of games or cards for the evenings—great for filling downtime.
🏊 Bilbao – & Guggenheim
Our first stop in Spain was the famous Guggenheim Museum—its architecture alone is worth the trip, and the kids were surprisingly engaged with the modern art.
For our first night camping we found a lovely site just outside Camping & Bungalows Leagi - Alojamientos en Lekeitio A lovely site for a nice rest and swim in their onsite pool.
🍴 Pamplona, Camping Ezcaba – Food & Culture
For our next stop in Pamplona we stayed at Camping Ezcaba, complete with a swimming pool to cool down after long travel days. We timed our visit just a week after the Running of the Bulls, so we missed the action but still soaked in the city’s culture. The food was incredible and wandering through the old streets was a real treat.
🌲 Pyrenees – Selva de Oza Camping
Next, we headed into the Pyrenees and stayed at Camping Selva de Oza. This site was all about raw nature—no service, no frills—just wild experiences and stunning walks. It felt grounding to disconnect and just be present.
🇫🇷 Crossing Into France – Col du Pourtalet
The drive over the Col du Pourtalet into France was jaw-dropping, with mountain views around every corner.
🏔 Ossau Valley – Camping des Gaves
Just outside Laruns, we stayed at Camping des Gaves, a peaceful site with easy access to the valley. The nearby Hotel d’Ossau served some of the best food of the trip, and the town itself was full of charm and kind locals.
🇦🇩 Andorra – Xixerella Parc
Driving through the Pyrenees, we reached Andorra, a country of its own (not part of Spain or France). Everything was spotless and well looked after. Be aware: UK roaming doesn’t work here. Download maps in advance and rely on WiFi where you can. Fuel is very cheap, so fill up before leaving!
We stayed at Xixerella Parc, with stunning mountain views. On our way out, we made a must-do stop at Naturland, which we all loved.
🌲 Fontpédrouse – Back to Basics
In France again, we camped at Camping Fontpédrouse. It was quiet, basic, and set among trees—just our cup of tea. The owners were lovely, and it felt like a hidden gem.
🏖 La Tamarissière – Beachside Camping
We fancied a bit of beach time, so we stopped at Camping La Tamarissière. There's also plenty of lodges available onsite, which looked nice.... some of them had their own private pools! The beach, pool, and evening entertainment gave us a couple of lively days.
A highlight was taking the little batteau-bus across the Hérault River from Rue Commandant Malet to Quai Commandant Méric. We enjoyed moules et frites at La Belle Vue while watching the sun set—absolutely magical.
Family Tip: Evenings here are perfect for a game before bed—we loved playing Corks.
💙 Gorges du Verdon – Camping Le Galetas
This was a true highlight of our trip. At Camping Le Galetas, we had breathtaking views, incredible starry skies, and the bluest waters imaginable.
We spent time at Plage du Galetas, dipped in the lake, and hired a pedalo for three hours (our legs felt it after!).
An evening swim at sunset was the perfect end to our stay.
🚗 Annecy (Almost!)
We had hoped to stop at Lake Annecy, but after hours of driving around we found no availability anywhere. A frustrating evening after such a long drive—but a valuable lesson.
Tip: Book ahead for Annecy! Don’t assume you’ll “drop on” like we did everywhere else.
🏨 Morzine – A Little Luxury
Needing a break, we opted for some comfort at Hotel Bel Alpe in Morzine. A lovely couple runs it, with spotless rooms and a warm welcome.
We picked up a Multipass- this was around €3 per per day for holidaymakers staying with a MultiPass affiliated accommodation provider from a minimum of 2 days (which our hotel offered) and for the entire duration of the stay. It is €15 per day for day vacationers. It was amazing value because it included:
Cable cars and chairlifts
Entry to swimming pools
Local buses
Access to cultural sites
Discounts on activities
Highlights of Morzine included:
Hiking up to Avoriaz with spectacular views
Hubby hitting the bike trails early mornings
Family strolls around Morzine centre
Low-level cycling together after lunch
🌊 Ambleteuse – A Farm by the Sea
Before heading home, we returned to a spot we’d found via park4night years ago—Chemin de l’Estuaire, a farm with sea views. There are no facilities, so you need to be self-sufficient, but it’s just a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Our last night was magical:
Watching the sunset on the beach
Toasting marshmallows (thanks @toastdkits!)
A glass of vino (thanks @goodpairdays!)
The kids playing in the sand one last time before our journey home
The next morning it was a quick 15-minute drive to LeShuttle for our return to the UK.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Eighteen days, countless memories. From ferry cabins to wild camping in the Pyrenees, from beach sunsets to mountain hikes, this trip gave us it all—nature, culture, food, and family time.
The pop-top made life easier, the kids thrived on adventure, and we discovered that half the things we thought we’d need (like the awning) stayed packed away.
It was sad to see it end, but we’re already dreaming up next year’s travels. Maybe with slightly more planning… maybe not!
🗺 Additional Practical Tips
There are lots of Aires (motorhome / van stopovers) along the way, which are great for quick stops—rest, scenic views, stretch legs, short walks. Very handy when travelling with kids.
Always check if activities need booking in advance, particularly during high season (Annecy, Verdon, Naturland etc.).
🎟 Activity Costs & Where to Book
✅ Family Travel Tips Checklist
Keep it light – don’t overpack.
Entertainment for journeys – pack drawing boards, travel games, spotting activities, and card games.
Cabins on ferries – worth the cost for two nights, especially with kids.
Aires in France – perfect for quick stops, rest breaks, and cheap overnight stays.
Culture for kids – museums like the Guggenheim (kids go free) are more child-friendly than you might think.
Disconnect sometimes – sites like Selva de Oza (no service) gave us priceless wild experiences.
Annecy lesson – book accommodation in advance, especially in popular spots.
Andorra essentials – roaming doesn’t work (download maps before you go), fuel is cheap so fill up.
Morzine Multipass —brilliant value for families.
Gorges du Verdon pedalos – A must! Book early if visiting peak season.
Evening rituals – simple family games or toasting marshmallows by the beach = the best memories.
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