Campervan travel northern Spain has a way of surprising you — sometimes with jaw-dropping scenery, sometimes with odd gourmet clubs, and occasionally with village names that sound like something out of a naughty geography lesson.

Today marks 82 days on the road in the campervan with my two greyhounds, and we’re still rolling. The drive along the Cantabria–Asturias border has offered up dramatic cliffs, green valleys, moody skies, and plenty of rain. It's been warm, though, and it's called Green Spain for a reason. But when you’re travelling at your own pace, and there’s a cold beer waiting once you’re parked up, who’s complaining?

Funny Moments from Campervan Travel Northern Spain

Some of the village names en route raised more than a few eyebrows — and smiles. I passed through Poo, As, Bones, Potes, and Panes. All genuine places. All are absolutely real.

I’d planned to overnight at a farm stopover offering basic services — €10 to park, €4 for a shower, and the promise of a local Asturian tasting. My interest was piqued… until I read the small print: the tasting was only free if you became a member of some kind of gourmet club. €20 for membership, and no badge. I passed.

Instead, I picked up a Cachopo — tender veal, slices of ham, gooey cheese, breadcrumbed and fried. Think French Cordon Bleu, Italian Cotoletta alla Milanese, or Austrian Wiener Schnitzel, ample in size and unapologetically Asturian.

So yes, campervan travel in northern Spain may come with extra charges for showers and surprise memberships, but it also gives you misty mountain views, sleepy villages with cheeky names, and the satisfaction of an ice-cold beer at the end of another day on the road.

After 82 days roaming Spain (with a brief Portuguese detour), this campervan journey has felt like pure freedom. Being a UK passport holder with Spanish residency means I’ve sidestepped the post-Brexit 90/180-day limit. Within Spain anyway.

Here is another veal recipe you may like to try.

Campervan Travel Northern Spain.

Footnote: Wonky park-ups, proper adventures, genuine freedom. For more one-pan recipes, travel tips, and dog-friendly routes, explore my comprehensive guide, Vanlife in Spain: A Guide to Cooking and Travelling with Dogs. — The Flexible Chef

AI images, my stories — The Flexible Chef