Enforced social life- will we enjoy it ?

In my mind , the words “Caravan and Motorhome Club rally in spain” conjured images of perfectly pitched vans, immaculately presented English people, and… shudder… enforced social interaction.

As a shy introvert (not that many people ever believe that of me) , the thought of holidaying with a group of people I didn’t know filled me with dread.

So, when my dearest darling Michele suggested the hosted holiday at Alannia Costa Blanca through the club, I was hesitant, to say the least.

I envisioned awkward introductions, forced conversations, and a constant pressure to be “on.”

Even tho we knew the site from when we stayed a couple of years ago and at that point we had both remarked that maybe joining the rally would be nice, I still wasn’t 100% probably not even 60% sure.

But if you don’t try something new you will never know and worst case I could pack up and go hide in the middle of nowhere in a random carpark, just like normal.

It’s been a long time since we rallied with a group of people and even then it was much simpler as most of the people we saw week in week out, I had various memories of meeting from my childhood onwards, so not lots of new folks.

Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Alannia Costa Blanca itself was a fantastic campsite. The pitches were spacious and well-maintained, offering plenty of room for our motorhome.

The facilities were spotless, with modern shower blocks and laundry areas.

The campsite boasted several swimming pools, including a large lagoon pool perfect for relaxing, and a smaller, more active pool for those wanting to swim lengths or join in aqua aerobics.  

There was also a well-stocked supermarket on site, making it easy to pick up essentials, and a restaurant and bar serving delicious food and drinks. 

The landscaped grounds were beautifully kept, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere at Alannia was relaxed and welcoming. Yes, there were organised activities, but there was absolutely no pressure to participate.

The beauty of the hosted holiday was that you could dip in and out as you pleased.

Want a quiet day by the pool with a book? Go for it, well maybe not in the pool as that was decidedly chilly.

Feeling a little more adventurous?

Join the water aerobics class. The choice was entirely yours

My biggest fear, the “enforced social life,” simply didn’t exist. Instead, what I found was a community of like-minded people, all there to enjoy their holiday at their own pace, as is the case most winters I am always the youngest in any group as not many people my age get to live this amazing lifestyle, but that didn’t seem to matter..

The organised events, rather than being a source of anxiety, actually became a highlight of our trip.

Take the Wednesday night dinner show, for example. Initially, I was dreading it. A large room, live music, and a room full of strangers?

My introverted heart was panicking. But the food was ok , the entertainment was genuinely entertaining even if some of the acts couldn’t sing to save their lives and the atmosphere was so relaxed that I actually found myself chatting to the people at our table.

It was a far cry from the awkward interactions I had anticipated.

Then there were the quizzes. Now, I’m not usually very good at quizzes, but these were different.

They were light-hearted, fun, but turned out a way to make a name for myself, two weeks on the trot and two wins – oops probably not the way to make friends and influence people.

But even this provided a natural conversation starter, making it easy to connect with other without feeling completely forced.

And the Saturday social night?

Another surprise. I actually looked forward to it! It was a chance to get dressed up, enjoy some live music, and have a laugh with new friends, now even tho Michele is in a Rally Facebook group, apparently she missed the need for dressing up so we had to go in search of Dress for her to wear or that was her excuse anyway ……

The area itself offers lots of opportunities to jump on your bike and see lots of bits of non touristy Spain.

So, if you’re a shy introvert considering a hosted holiday with the Caravan and Motorhome Club, I would encourage you to give it a try. You might just surprise yourself. I know I did.

Paul.