Fantastic roads, scenery and excellent accommodation
Portugal and Spain has become an annual pilgrimage for us, and is a firm favourite with our customers, so we are always happy to return whenever possible. This year we are spending more time in Portugal focusing on the Braga, Viseu and Portalegre regions.
The tour is based on the use of the Brittany Plymouth to Santander (Which we are no longer able to provide for you) ferry return which considerably reduces our travelling time. On arrival we head westwards along the top of Spain before turning south to enter Portugal. Our first stop in Portugal will be a 2-night stop in the medieval city of Guimaraes. Suitable relaxed we pass through the Douro wine region to Viseu a historic city which gives us easy access to Portugal's highest roads in the Serra da Estrela Mountains. This 2-night stop gives us the opportunity to enjoy the views and ride the fantastic roads of the mountains. We venture further south through the Serra de São Mamede natural park to Elvas, a former frontier fortress town that borders Spain. Our 3-night stop here gives us an opportunity to visit this unique world heritage site and the surrounding area. Our final stop is a 2-night stay in the beautiful Spanish city of Salamanca.
See previous tour pictures to Spain and Portugal on our website.
This is an Escorted Tour which means that although the guide will be with you, you are responsible for doing your own navigation. We provide a Tour Pack which will include a full itinerary, GPX waypoints and hotel location. This system suits many people, as it allows them to ride at their own pace and style, either alone or in small groups. However, if you prefer, you may ride with the guide, who will act as your escort throughout the tour.
Tour prices are inclusive of the following:
- 11 Nights' en-suite accommodation at Paradors, Pousadas & Hotels
- 4 Evening meals (see note 1)
- 11 Regional breakfasts
- Full use of the hotels' leisure facilities
- GPX satnav routes
- Services of experienced Tour Guide (Chris)
- Parking Fees
Not included:
- Plymouth - Santander return
- Meals onboard ferry
- Evening meals as indicated
- Parking charges where applicable
Accommodation
Those of you who have travelled in Spain and Portugal before will no doubt be aware that the Paradors and Pousadas offer some of the finest accommodation available. Many of these hotels are converted palaces, castles, convents or monasteries. All hotel bedrooms are en-suite with the usual facilities, such as TV, telephone and hairdryer. Many have Air-Conditioning, fridges, balconies, and Wi-Fi access. It would take too long to itemise the different hotels' facilities, however items such as fitness rooms, spa, sauna and swimming pools where available, are all included, so we suggest you take your swimming gear. All other hotels will be of 4-star quality, maintaining the standards you have come to expect from us.
Note 1. In Spain and Portugal, it is the normal practice to eat quite late - evening meals will be traditional regional menus and mainly meat-based. Although we will do our best to obtain an alternative, vegetarians should be aware that the choice can be very limited. We have purposely not included dinner some nights, as it gives you more time to explore and I know you like to enjoy the ambience of the local restaurants and bars.
The tour itinerary is based on Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Santander crossing.
Wednesday 2nd September: Today we board the Pont Aven, Brittany's flagship ferry from Plymouth to Santander. (Ferry no longer provided)
Thursday 3rd September (120 miles): on arrival we follow the coastline through Cantabria to our first night’s destination in Oviedo, the capital city of Asturias. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool and is located just a 10-minute walk from the historic centre. 4-star Hotel, Dinner, B&B
Friday 4th September (200 miles): continuing southwards we pass through the Montes de Leon. There is the opportunity to visit the 'Templars Castle' at Ponferrada. Built in the 12th century it was named after the Knights of the Templar who protected the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Entering Galicia, we stay the night in a former 17th century Benedictine Monastery which enjoys unrivalled views across the countryside. 4-star Parador, Dinner B&B.
Saturday 5th September (150 miles): we start the day with a visit to the Canyon de Sil. Stretching some 35 kilometres and containing the river Sil, it's vertical walls rise over the water, reaching a height of almost five hundred metres at some points. These slopes guide the river round wide bends and meanders, offering some of Galicia’s most magical spots. Riding the roads of the Serra da Peneda-Geres NP we enter Portugal and end our day in the beautiful city of Guimaraes. We leave you to dine out in one of the many restaurants. 4-star Hotel, B&B.
Sunday 6th September (free day): Guimarães is known for its rich history including a magnificent Gothic monastery, a heavily fortified castle and an elegant 15th-century palace. Between these monuments lies a maze of cobbled streets and charming plazas, lined with traditional houses and family-run shops. Should you wish to visit, both Braga and Porto are a short ride away. Again, we dine in the city. 4-star Hotel, B&B.
Monday 7th September (150 miles): Not a great mileage today, but we enjoy a scenic journey down to the Douro River before climbing towards Portugal’s highest mountain range Serra da Estrela. Unlike previous years we will not be staying up the mountain but this time at the foot of it, in the ancient city of Viseu. We should arrive in plenty of time to explore before dining out in this lovely city. 4-star Pousada, B&B.
Tuesday 8th (free day): We have 2 nights to enjoy the city that is constantly voted as the best city to live in Portugal. Enjoy wandering the medieval streets, see the historic quarter and visit the iconic cathedral. Perhaps more importantly for us the city is ideally placed for riding the Serra da Estrela Mountains. The combination of well surfaced, traffic free, twisting roads make this a biker’s paradise and our customers constantly tell us they are the best they have ever ridden. To the southwest are the mountains of Serra do Caramulo and the Atlantic coastline is just 60 miles away. Tonight, we eat out in the city. 4-star Pousada, B&B.
Wednesday 9th September (205 miles): Some great roads today as we leave Viseu and head south, following the Portuguese/Spanish border through the Serra de São Mamede NP to our next stop in Elvas. 4-star Hotel, Dinner, B&B.
Thursday 10th & Friday 11th September (Free days): The Garrison town of Elvas and its Fortifications are steeped in history with barracks, monasteries, and military buildings dating back to the 10th Century. 2 Free days gives you plenty of time to explore this world heritage site and discover its history or go riding with a planned ride out. 4-Star Hotel, B&B
Saturday 12th September (225 miles): Today we leave Portugal and hop across the border into Spain and begin our journey north through the Sierra de San Pedro, the Tajo nature park then into the Extremadura region of Spain for our final stop in Salamanca. 4-Star Parador, B&B
Sunday 13th September (Free day): Known as the ‘Golden city’ due to the hue of sandstone buildings, and renowned for its historic university and stunning plateresque architecture. A day off the bikes allows you explore this world heritage site. 4-Star Parador, Dinner, B&B
Monday 14th September (245 miles): The return ferry is not till 1800hrs, so there is the opportunity to ride some of the roads of the Picos de Europa before arriving in Santander. Our return is on Brittany ferries flagship 'Pont Aven'. With bike stowed, there is time to relax over a drink or two and reflect on the tour's events, before taking advantage of the on-board dining options. (Ferry no longer provided)
Tuesday 15th September: We arrive back in Plymouth at 1430 hrs, from where we make our way home.
Tour Area
Portugal & Spain
Accommodation
Paradors, Pousadas & 4 star Hotels
Mileage
120 - 245 miles per day (longest 245 miles)
Roads
Combination of Motorway, A, B and Mountain Roads
Skills
Experienced riders/pillions who have toured and ridden on the continent before also are able to navigate independently.
Travel Choice: The tour itinerary is based on an outward ferry overnight from Plymouth to Santander and inward ferry from Santander to Plymouth. These ferries save on overnight stops, fuel costs, and wear and tear on your bike. Ferry reservation is not included with this tour.
Personal Travel and Breakdown Assistance Cover
On all European tours (including Southern Ireland) we require clients to take-out some form of Personal Travel and Accident/Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident, breakdown or medical emergency. If you have an existing policy you should check that your company would repatriate your bike, even if undamaged, should you be unable to ride it (many do not!)
We also strongly urge you to take out insurance prior to paying your balance that includes cancellation cover in the event of circumstances which may cause you to cancel.
| Tour Cost |
|
| 1 bike, 2 persons, sharing a room |
£1585 each |
| 1 bike, 1 person, sharing a room |
£1585 |
| 1 bike, 1 person, own room |
£2300* |
| Deposit £100 per person |
*(based on single hotel room) |
Note: all prices based on current VAT rates and Euro-GBP rates as of July 2025
If booking to share a room without knowing a second person, please refer to our T&C's