In the summer holidays last year we decided to drive down through France to a holiday parc just south of Barcelona using a BYD Seal U DM-i hybrid car. I find that driving, instead of flying, can really add more memories. This trip south had some highlights, from the 40 degree heat in our hotel’s restaurant garden to the jaw-dropping scenery of the Massif Central on the way south and heading through Andorro and across the Pyrenees on the way back.
We travelled over on a P&O ferry from Dover to Calais, getting through the port simply and quickly despite it being August.
The temperature was already in the 20s up in Northern France and we knew it was already very warm in the centre of the country.
As we headed on to those big open roads of France we felt the benefits of our luxury hybrid car. Each individual seat could be warmer or cooler depending on your choice and the voice activated system could open or close the huge sun roof or sunshade.
Our target destination was Clermont Ferrand, a solid eight hours drive from the coast, at more than 700 kilometres. As we had already driven to Dover we did need to stop to recharge and refuel and then put the car back into hybrid mode, meaning it would be efficient in accelerating, while putting plenty of miles in.
The mercury seemed to rise outside with every mile south. France has those beautiful ‘aires’ so you can enjoy a break and enjoy the weather without having to go to a service station.
When we arrived at our hotel the sun was going down but the temperature was in the 40s. The meal we had in the hotel restaurant garden is one I’ll never forget, so relaxing in the warm night air after the drive down. I did feel a little sorry for the staff sweating it out in that heat with a lot of hungry customers. A praying mantis joined us on the back of my seat.
On day two we headed through the Massif Central, which was astonishing, like being on another planet at times amid the rocky mountain tops and then the views towards southern France were jaw-dropping as we dropped between the peaks. If you like driving, this is absolutely a massive recommendation.
We headed across the border and into Spain, past Barcelona and arrived at the Playa Montroig resort on Spain’s Costa Dorada in the early evening.
This parc certainly has the wow factor. it is an epic, immaculate holiday village with seemingly endless sandy beaches on your doorstep and five swimming pools. There is a spa, tennis courts and sports pitches. There were different restaurants and even a little pizza bar right near our holiday home. Our accommodation had three bedrooms and a wonderful canopy over the decking area, where we would enjoy drinks and meals in the shade out of the heat. We mixed having dinners or lunches at the holiday home with meals at the parc restaurants. I enjoyed cooking at the holiday home as it came equipped with a barbecue, cooking fish from the parc’s fishmonger, or meat and other items from the on-site supermarket, which had a great range of fresh produce.
We hired bikes at the parc’s bicycle hire, which were excellent and really cheap. So we would head to the beach every morning for a dip to start the day in the cooler air before heading to the Terrassa Restaurant just a few metres away for a coffee and sometimes breakfast. We also had a wonderful lunch there one day, with great choices from patatas bravas and other tapas or mains. They had loads of pizzas and some really nice dishes including beef carpaccio.
You could eat at the beach bars too, which were also excellent. Our favourite meal was probably at the Espai Grill in the centre of the parc, with beautiful palm trees in a central area and a classy ambiance. There were great beef and fish options here too. I also loved the cute little crepe van that stayed open late.
There are evening bars and venues with time set aside for youngsters, everyone was catered for.
Our days were often spent on the waterslides and in the lagoon-style pool, finding a spot under the trees to read. There was a children’s pool too. The beach was so close we would often stroll back over, enjoying snorkelling to spot the fish and jumping off the pontoon was great fun.
There were pool parties and beach parties, quizzes and live music in a summer haze of fun.
We drove to the nearby town of Cambrils to catch the train, just over an hour to Barcelona. What a cool city it is, the gothic quarter and the shops like the department store El Corte Ingles providing the backdrop to a real contrast to our other days in Spain.
My highlight from the day was definitely visiting Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia basilica, under construction since 1882. We looked up in wonder at its magnificent towers.
One of my other favourite days was cycling south along the coast to Miami Playa, just 20 minutes away, stopping off at beautiful little cove beaches as we arrived. Then the main beach is huge with lots of good restaurants and more facilities, including a banana boat ride that we loved.
The PortAventure theme park is a short drive away at Salou too but we never quite made time for it, enjoying this wonderful serene holiday parc so much, whiling away the days on a tremendous holiday we wished could have gone on and on.
Factbox – Playa Montroig
Arron Hendy was a guest of Eurocamp
Parc details:
Playa Montroig, Miami Platja, Costa Dorada, Spain – five star Village Plus.
Fine out more about the parc here.
Price example (as of 4th February 2026):
Seven nights from Saturday 23rd May 2026 (May half term) staying in a Comfort three bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to six guests, from £784.42 per party.
Seven nights from Saturday 25th July 2026 (summer holidays) staying in a Comfort two bedroom holiday home that sleeps up to four guests, from £2347.24 per party.
Key features:
● Five pools across two brilliant pool complexes including a lagoon-style pool, six waterslides, and a children’s splash playground.
● Direct access to a sandy beach where canoeing and paddleboarding is available during July and August.
● A spa with a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
● Free kids clubs for toddlers right up to teenagers.
● Sports and activities including tennis, bike hire and mini golf.
● Dine on site at one of two restaurants or relax at the beach bar.
● Just twenty-minutes drive away from Port Aventura and Ferrari Land theme parks.
● Nearest airport: Reus Airport – 25km.
About Eurocamp:
● Eurocamp is the UK’s leading European outdoor holiday specialist with over four hundred parcs across eleven countries, providing family holidays with endless possibilities and creating memories that last a lifetime.
● Eurocamp has a wide range of spacious holiday homes to choose from, with parcs set in a variety of beautiful locations from beachside to mountainside, there’s something for everyone.
● A Eurocamp holiday gives you complete freedom and flexibility – there are no restrictions on arrival and departure days, and you can stay for as many nights as you choose – from a three night family getaway to a sixteen night super-stay with extended family or friends.
● Eurocamp holidays are a great value, affordable option for families. With one price per accommodation and the ability to travel via sea or air, you’ll find the perfect holiday to suit your budget.
BYD Seal U Comfort Hybrid DM-i
Arron was invited to try the BYD Seal U Comfort Hybrid DM-i for the journey to Spain. Find out more HERE
The BYD Seal U Comfort Hybrid DM-i is a beautiful plug-in hybrid SUV, pairing a petrol engine with a substantial battery and offering long-range efficiency with a useful electric-only range that can cover daily commutes on battery power alone. Inside, it has a roomy, well-equipped cabin with a premium feel, plenty of rear legroom and family-friendly touches such as a large rotating touchscreen and generous boot space. On the road it is big on comfort and efficiency, with soft suspension and light steering making it relaxing and extremely good fun. We absolutely loved using it to get to Spain, as it was the perfect way to enjoy the scenery. You can do lots of driving in EV mode but then when you need some petrol for longer journeys you can top up and go hybrid, like when we needed some extra fuel getting across the Pyrenees.
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