A BRITISH couple has revealed how they spend the winter in Spain every year – by staying at caravan parks.
Parts of Spain are much hotter than the UK throughout the winter, with some areas reaching as high as 20C.
Mike Townsend, 67, and his wife Jane, 66, have been spending their winters in Spain for the last two years.
In April 2021, Mike and Jane purchased a four-birth Elddis motorhome, with a fixed bed at the back for extra comfort.
Mike told Sun Online Travel: "Our plan was to explore the UK for two or three years because there are so many great places here that we haven't been to.
"But two of our friends, who already owned a motorhome, asked if we wanted to go on holiday to Spain."
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In February 2022, the two families drove their motorhomes to La Manga, Murcia, in the south of Spain.
While the weather wasn't boiling, Mike described it as "warmish" – with Mike and his wife wearing shorts when they visited Cartagena for the day.
He added: "The four of us were in shorts in the city, while the other people were dressed in scarves, hats, and coats."
On their first motorhome holiday in Spain, they spent five weeks exploring the country.
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And when the couple returned to the UK, they started planning their next campervan adventure.
Mike said: "Earlier this year, we spent five weeks driving through Spain and Portugal before we got the ferry back from Santander."
"On our winter breaks, we try and stay at campsites that are associated with the Caravan and Motorhome Club."
This is because the Caravan and Motorhome Club has some campsites that cost as little as £12 per night.
The breaks, which include a return ferry crossing with P&O from Dover to Calais, mean Brits spend six to 10 weeks in sunny Spain.
Mr Townsend explained: "We go in February and March to avoid the winter weather here in the UK, and we don't have to pay for heating."
While the couple make sure to keep their heating on low to stop the pipes from freezing over, they've managed to avoid forking out for mounting energy costs.
Their winter breaks in Spain often work out cheaper than staying in the UK because the cost of electricity is often included in the price of their pitch – but this isn't always the case.
Before booking a campsite in the shoulder season, Mike recommended checking out the facilities that are open on each site.
Mike and Jane like to make sure they've booked sites with access to a swimming pool and a restaurant.
The couple have also experienced a handful of rallies through the Caravan and Motorhome Club where they've met with other families who are also exploring Spain.
There they're able to spend time with other Brit expats and take part in activities like pub quizzes and tapas walking tours around nearby Spanish towns.
The couple have also enjoyed the flexibility of their winter breaks with the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
All of the activities are completely optional, and there's no fixed schedule, which means they can change and adapt their plans as they please.
Mike added: "You can stay in your caravan or motorhome in the evening if you want to, but having said that there are some people who make friends and meet at the same campsite every year.
"We haven't done that year because we want to go to different places in Spain."
The couple are already planning their next winter break in their motorhome.
You can read all about the £12 per night caravan sites in Spain, here.
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We've also rounded up some of the best winter sun holidays that won't break the bank.
And TUI has launched a brand new winter sun destination – with cheap all-inclusive hotels.
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