From Düsseldorf to Madrid:
Our first weeks in the Ford Nugget adventure
The first few weeks of our European road trip in the Ford Nugget are behind us, and what a journey it's been! From the rolling hills of France to the rugged landscapes of northern Spain and the vibrant heart of Madrid, every day has been a new adventure, captured in countless photos and unforgettable moments. Join us on the first leg of our epic road trip!
Our adventure began on April 6, 2026** in Düsseldorf. The first few days took us swiftly through Belgium and France, where we enjoyed the scenery and got in the mood for what was to come. On April 9 we finally reached Spanish soil and dived straight into the lively hustle and bustle of San Sebastián. The elegant bay and the delicious pintxos were a perfect start!
We continued on to Bilbao, where the impressive Guggenheim Museum and the charming old town delighted us. But the real highlight of this stage was the journey on April 13: We went via Pamplona to Arguedas, where we spent the night near the surreal Bardenas Reales. Exploring this unique semi-desert on April 14** was absolutely magical - a landscape like something from another planet!
After so much desert, we were drawn to the wine region of La Rioja on April 14, with a stop in Haro, where we sampled the local wines. On April 15, we visited the iconic San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and found an idyllic pitch in Gautegiz Arteaga. The coastal drive on April 16 took us via the historic town of Gernika to Santander.
Another unforgettable experience was the visit to the Cueva de Cobijeru on April 17, a cave that is directly connected to the sea - a real natural wonder! We then went straight to the majestic Picos de Europa, where we spent the night at Camping La Paz in Llanes. The days from April 18 to 20** were dedicated entirely to exploring this impressive mountain world, including the challenging but incredibly rewarding hike on the Ruta del Cares. The wildness and beauty of the Picos left a deep impression on us!
On April 21 we left the Picos and drove to Camping Ribera del Duero, where we explored the famous wine region on April 22. And then the time had come: on April 23 we reached Madrid and checked in at Camping Osuna. The days of April 24 and 25** were dedicated to immersing ourselves in Madrid's culture for the first time, with visits to the Prado Museum, the Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park. Each day was filled with new impressions, which we captured in our daily photo blogs!
The Insider Tip:
The days in northern Spain, especially April 13, 14, 15 and 17, are very ambitious. Allow enough time for this and be prepared for long driving times and intensive sightseeing. For the Cueva de Cobijeru, it is advisable to find out about the tides. The Ruta del Cares requires sturdy footwear and plenty of water! And for Madrid: two days is very short, choose your priorities wisely to get the most out of your visit!
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Itinerary: Stage 1 - From Düsseldorf to Madrid (06.04.2026 - 25.04.2026)
| Day | Date | Place | Activity | Crowd factor | Distance (approx.) | Temp. (°C) (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 06.04.2026 | Düsseldorf -> Belgium area (e.g. Ghent/Bruges) | Start of the journey, relaxed drive. | Low | 250 km | 5-13 |
| 2 | 07.04.2026 | Belgium area -> Normandy/Brittany area (France) | Onward journey through France. | Low | 400 km | 6-14 |
| 3 | 08.04.2026 | Normandy/Brittany area -> Bordeaux area (France) | Travel towards the southwest of France. | Low | 400 km | 7-16 |
| 4 | 09.04.2026 | Bordeaux area -> San Sebastián (Spain) | Arrival in Spain, first impression of San Sebastián. | Moderate | 250 km | 8-17 |
| 5 | 10.04.2026 | San Sebastián | Exploring the city, La Concha Bay, old town, pintxos. | Moderate to high | 0 km | 8-17 |
| 6 | 11.04.2026 | San Sebastián -> Bilbao | Drive to Bilbao, Guggenheim Museum. | Moderate | 100 km | 8-17 |
| 7 | 12.04.2026 | Bilbao | Exploration of Bilbao, Casco Viejo, Azkuna Zentroa. | Moderate | 0 km | 8-17 |
| 8 | 13.04.2026 | Bilbao -> Pamplona -> Arguedas (Bardenas Reales) | Drive to Pamplona, short stop, continue to Arguedas for overnight stay. (Long day) | Moderate | 280 km | 8-18 |
| 9 | 14.04.2026 | Arguedas (Bardenas Reales) -> Haro (La Rioja) | Explore the Bardenas Reales, drive to the La Rioja wine region, stop in Haro. | Moderate | 150 km | 10-20 |
| 10 | 15.04.2026 | Haro -> San Juan de Gaztelugatxe -> Gautegiz Arteaga | Visit San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, continue to Gautegiz Arteaga (beautiful campsite). (Long day) | Moderate | 180 km | 8-17 |
| 11 | 16.04.2026 | Gautegiz Arteaga -> Gernika -> Santander | Visit Gernika, drive to Santander. | Moderate | 150 km | 8-17 |
| 12 | 17.04.2026 | Santander -> Cueva de Cobijeru -> Camping La Paz (Llanes) | Drive to Cueva de Cobijeru (visit, watch the tides!), arrival at Camping La Paz in Llanes. (Long day) | Moderate | 100 km | 5-15 |
| 13 | 18.04.2026 | Camping La Paz (Llanes) -> Puertas de Vidiago -> Poncebos -> Camping El Cares (Poncebos) | In the morning: Short stop at Puertas de Vidiago. Then drive from Llanes to Poncebos (approx. 1.5-2h), check-in at Camping El Cares. Relaxation, preparation for Ruta del Cares. | Moderate | 80-100 km (ride) | 5-15 |
| 14 | 19.04.2026 | Camping El Cares Picos de Europa | Relaxation, further exploration of the Picos de Europa or local activities. | Moderate | 0-50 km | 5-15 |
| 15 | 20.04.2026 | Camping El Cares Picos de Europa: Ruta del Cares | **A full-day hike on the Ruta del Cares (Attention: demanding, sturdy shoes, lots of water, start early!). | High | 0 km (hike) | 5-15 |
| 16 | 21.04.2026 | Picos de Europa -> Camping Ribera del Duero | Drive from the Picos de Europa to Camping Ribera del Duero near Aranda de Duero. | Moderate | 250-300 km | 5-16 |
| 17 | 22.04.2026 | Camping Ribera del Duero | Relax at the campsite, explore the Ribera del Duero wine region (e.g. wine tasting, visit to a bodega). | Low | 0-50 km | 8-18 |
| 18 | 23.04.2026 | Camping Ribera del Duero -> Madrid (Camping Osuna) | Onward journey to Madrid, check-in at Camping Osuna. | Moderate | 150-200 km | 8-19 |
| 19 | 24.04.2026 | Madrid | Explore the city: Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park. | High | 0 km | 9-20 |
| 20 | 25.04.2026 | Madrid | Further stay in Madrid. | High | 0 km | 9-20 |