Climbing the Clouds: A Motorhome Journey Through Teruel and Beyond

There is a specific kind of peace you find when you leave the busy Spanish coast and head inland. After a much-needed rest at Camping Valencia, we pointed Holly toward the mountains, eventually reaching an altitude of over 1,000 meters.

Teruel: More Than Just a Mountain Town

Teruel greeted us with beautiful weather and a fantastic municipal parking area—fenced, gated, and free. We spent three nights here, taking a 2.5km hike into the old town. Along the way, we stumbled upon a “happy detour”: an open bullfighting ring hosted a traditional singing and dancing recital. Seeing the women in traditional outfits against the backdrop of the massive arena was a highlight we never could have planned.

When “AI” Gets It Wrong: The Moors and Christians Festival

Not every stop is quiet. In the town of Onil, we thought the city was under siege! Our initial AI search suggested “quarry blasting,” but Rodney’s ears didn’t buy it. It turns out we had arrived for the Moors and Christians Festival. With muskets firing black powder until midnight and church bells set to ring until 4:00 AM, we made the executive decision to move 20 minutes down the road to Sax.

A Room with a View (and a Castle)

Moving was the right call. In Sax, we found a spot with a bedroom window view of a castle lit up on the hill. It looked like a giant candle glowing against the night sky—one of those moments that makes the “Schengen Shuffle” entirely worth the effort.

The Logistics of Long-Term Travel

Between the scenic drives, we tackled the “real life” side of vanlife:

• Groceries: We’ve learned that if you find a good grocery store, stock up!.
• Cleanliness: We’ve been incredibly impressed with Spain’s waste management; the roads and waterways are pristine compared to other regions we’ve visited.
• Laundry: A rare find—a campground with an actual dryer! After our struggles in Albania, being able to dry clothes during a rainy Spanish afternoon was a luxury.

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Rodney’s Tech Tip: We’re finally putting that Insta 360 to good use! Keep an eye on the video for some immersive footage of those winding mountain roads.

We’re headed to Gibraltar next! Do you think you know the “secret” we discovered about the Rock? Leave a comment and let us know!