Ferries....arrrggggghhhhh!

We researched several different ferry options in our planning stage. They're so expensive!

Having visited a few different sites and trying to out smart the system, we succeeded. Although it's not easy.

We figured we should find a decent ferry from Spain to Ibiza first, just incase it was ridiculously expensive and may change our minds! There are quite a few options when booking a ferry from Spain to Ibiza. We could have gone from Denia, Valencia or Barcelona. Checking out each option, Valencia came out cheapest - and it's also the fastest, landing us in San Antonio in just uner 3 hours. 

We used travelsupermarket for part of the search, along with directferries, balearia and acciona. However, directferries came out on top at a cool 284euros for a 2 week return sail.

Anyways, so, we have our way off one island and on to the next...so, we just needed to get from UK to France or Spain.

Firstly, we looked at Brittany Ferries, which go from Portsmouth to Santander on a 24 hour ferry. The cheapest we could find was £849 return - yikes! So, that was scrapped from pretty much point go.

Having previously travelled with DFDS, the Dover to Dunkirk route for £49 return we figured this may be an option. Sadly, we have fallen out with DFDS lol. The price has doubled, even when trying for different dates. The cheapest we found this was £85. Ok, so not too expensive, but having paid half that the past two years, we were admamant we could find it cheaper.

On to P&O, which came out at £64 return from Dover to Calais, which we were pretty happy with.

After tweeting DFDS and P&O for promo codes and discounts, who both came back to me quickly, but weren't much help, we decided to book. At this point, we also discovered that it was slighlty cheaper again if booking in Euros (cheeky tip!).


Our travel is now booked - yippeeee!

Planning...

With my Birthday happening in August, we set aside 3 weeks holiday from work. Lucky us eh! So, that's 2 weeks on Ibiza island and 1 week for the there and back drive.
 
Exploring all of the route options, driving through France became the best for us. Not only is it cheaper to get the ferry (although don't get me started on ferries!) from Dover to France, as opposed to getting the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander (£800 return - ouch!), but we figured it would be a more scenic experience.

To google maps...

Knowing from previous trips that French toll roads can be majorly expensive, we have opted to take the route that doesn't use toll roads. 1400 miles and 28 hours later, we will have completed the journey.

With a few stops on the way down at some Aires, we should save ourselves some beer tokens for when we get to the island.
 
We are not the typical "24 hour party people" and won't be headed for the super-clubs...more like a relaxed beach bar in Ibiza town. Doing a spot of "googling" we realised that there isn't much information out there about campervanning on the island, although there seems to be plenty of sites. So, our plan is to book on as and when and mooch around the island :)


Initial research done, now to part with some money!

A bit about us..

So, this is us. 

Working hard and playing harder. Itchy feet always have got the better of us...

This snap was actually taken at Oktoberfest in 2011...the year we embarked on our first campervan adventure. Having purchased the previously introduced Vera, Christian decided he wanted a mammoth roadtrip for his 30th Birthday. So, off we headed across Europe, through to Croatia and then back via Oktoberfest.

It didn't stop there mind. Having caught the travel bug (not sure Christian ever lost it!), we decided to take another roadtrip in 2012...heading along the Southern French coast. What was supposed to be a relaxing couple of weeks, turned into another crazy adventure (my fault this time!).

Taken from the scary heights in the Swiss mountains. And to quote my mum a week after we were supposed to be sunning ourselves in Cannes "what are you doing up there?!" - hehe.

Now then, I turn 30 this year - eek! So, when asked by Christian, "What would you like to do for your Birthday?" hmm..."You can do anything" he said. Having weighed up the prospect of yet another all inclusive holiday, my reply was "we could take a roadtrip to Ibiza?" Never one to shy away from a challenge, Christian dutifully accepted my proposal.

And, this is where we are now. Research, planning and more research!

Meet Vera

Meet our Vera, our home from home...aint she a beaut! As the saying goes "home is where you park it" and she sure gets parked all over!

Having become part of the family in 2011 Vera was purchased in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Christian just couldn't resist the pull of an old German lady ;) Since, come rain or shine, Vera has taken us up and down the country - we actually love her!

This trusty VW T4 Campervan has also traveled most of Europe - as far as Croatia (but that's another story) and will, yet again, be taking us on this year's adventure.

Shexy eh!

Christian: Just to add she is 1998 Volkswagen Transporter LWB design with a 2.4 diesel engine which loves to run on vegetable oil and help keep those emissions down! She has a rock n roll bed, cupboards, wardrobe, sink and cooker along with the luxurious portable flushing cassette toilet! Shes no major speed demon but is surprisingly easy to drive and maneuver at sensible sight seeing speeds.
She's under gone/going some cosmetic upgrades for this years trip!

• Big Crew cab / Razor back mirrors - essential for RHD driving!
• Smev 9222L - Sink, Tap,Water Tank+ Pump, 2 ring gas stove
• O/S Drivers Side Rear Sliding Window - Get some air in for the hot hot nights,, currently its a panel.
• Big BFG AT tyres, I want to get on them beaches!
• Ditched them RS8 Audi style lights, I want to see at night, for the mad night time driving-dash on the way down
• Added ProjecktZwo Euro twin headlights - sexy
• Black Bumpers - Colour coding is sooo last season?! - In progress,, I don't plan on bumping them, but they will match the bull bars that are to be fitted
• 2.5TDI Turbo upgrade - Better cruising speed and hopefully MPG - check the fuels logs.
• Pre-Trip Service - She needs Oil+Filter, Drive Belt+Tensioner, Fuel Filter, check other fluids