The group in Portugal – we always say we get the best people on our tours and this one certainly proved the point – a great group with brilliant roads to ride, lovely scenery, top hotels, fabulous food and good weather – what a tour!!
Leaving Plymouth
John’s already in Santander
The ferry arriving
Jen’s driving the van
Here’s Bill – Yamaha FJR1300
And Ron – BMW R1250GSA
John S – Honda ST1300
All meet up off the ferry
A briefing before we set off
Drinks in a local bar
“Hi John and Jen, many, many thanks for a splendid trip – this hardly sounds sufficient. We can all look at a map and come up with a route and we’re all familiar with good old booking.com so what’s the big deal? Those of us who are used to club riding can lead a group and run the marker system so again – what’s the big deal? The big deal is in putting everything together so that the result far exceeds the sum of its parts and this only comes from imagination, consideration and experience all of which you two have in abundance and which you have honed and moulded to what you know we want over the years, right from those early days at Bike Normandy. Repeat custom only comes from customer satisfaction and this too you both have in abundance, you know what we want because you listen, you become part of the group rather than sitting aloof like so many tour operators. So my thanks to you are for all of this and I congratulate you both on the continuing success of BN. It was indeed a splendid trip and achieved all I wanted of it…you have found some truly delightful roads that only a motorcyclist can enjoy in the way that only a motorcyclist can, and you have found the right mix of action and inaction, concentration and relaxation, individualism and social mix – and we were all very fortunate in the social side of the trip. It was in all a most memorable experience…and so my very sincere thanks to you both and it was so good to see you both again – probably won’t be too long before the next time????? With kindest regards and warmest wishes”
John Spinks, 4th trip, Honda ST1300, Dorset
Wow, thank you John, we are really pleased you enjoyed the tour so much, look forward to seeing you again soon – J&J
Mike, Rob & Jon
Now everyone’s here…
We have dinner in a local restaurant
With cider poured the traditional way
“Jackie and I had a great time, all the hotels were lovely, Santiago de Compostela a favourite, roads amazing, great mix of sociable people, food was lovely – “don’t eat, eat” will always make us smile. Quinta was a special memory, Porto was great. Weather was kind…the fact it all ran so smoothly is down to the time and effort you guys put in beforehand, credit to you both. Thanks to Simon for backmarking. I hope I’m still touring when I’m in my 70’s or even 80’s so you two can’t retire yet!”
And from Jackie…
“Thanks all for a great tour and lots of amazing memories. I loved the roads especially following the Douro river…amazing views as a pillion! The visit to the Sandeman Quinta was very special…wish we had taken shorts to change into! Lovely picnic lunch and a great setting. Really enjoyed the visit to Porto too. Big thanks to Ron for loaning me his waterproofs… who knew it could be cold/wet in Portugal!! Looking forward to our next tour… not sure where or when yet….”
Jon & Jackie Watson, 6th tour, Yamaha Tracer 900GT, Berkshire
Boulevard du Cidre
Old city walls
Start of the Camino de Santiago
The Cathedral
“Hi John and Jen, another trip with BN European Tours, another great holiday with like minded people on roads that simply don’t exist here in the UK and with so little traffic to boot (filtering on the M5 for miles and miles was a rude reminder of what we left behind!) You both make it look easy but of course we know it isn’t and your attention to detail is remarkable. In truth, I find it difficult to make any constructive comments though we both loved the Quinta and could easily have stayed there for 2 nights. We are looking forward to going with you next year, God willing.
From a Pillion’s perspective – great variety of roads, wonderful views and off-bike things to do and see. Loved the variety of hotels, food and locations you organised. Thank you for a lovely holiday.”
Gordon (7th trip) & Alison (6th trip) Barr, Honda Crossrunner, Essex
In our first 4* hotel
Breakfast area
Always a morning briefing
Lovely scenery
Great roads
Morning coffee stop
We had passed some huge vehicles
Monument to Immigrants
“Hello John and Jen, a great tour, well organised with excellent hotels, meals and roads, we were lucky with the weather and being able to put luggage in the van was a big plus. It was a a pleasure to ride with such skilled riders who made the twisties look easy. Thanks to Simon for his back marker efforts which was reassuring. My particular favourites were the musicians at Santiago de Compostela, the Quinta with it’s large pool, Guimaraes/Porto, the picnic lunch in the Douro Valley, the exhilarating fast roads in Spain later in the tour and cable car ride to mention a few. Best regards”
Kevin Pennell, 1st tour, Triumph Tiger 800XRX, Bristol
“Hi John and Jen, thanks once again for a fantastic holiday. The trip was terrific, with great routes, scenery and roads, excellent hotels and super food. The jokes were up to the usual standard!!“
Simon Brown, 8th tour, BMW R1250 GS, Surrey
We stop on the Camino de Santiago
For a group photo
Tanya & Alan
Jackie & Jon
Kevin
See the wild horses
And a gorgeous little foal
Fabulous roads
John’s leading on his Tiger 900
“Hi John and Jen, thank you for another excellent tour. Great roads, great hotels and excellent food. Lunch in the Vineyards was a highlight for me! Looking forward to the next one”
Rob Palmer, 8th trip, Triumph Tiger 1050 & son Mike Palmer, 6th trip, Suzuki GSXR750, Lincolnshire
Rob – Tiger 1050
Mike – Suzuki GSXR750
Peter R – BMW S1000XR
Bruce – BMW R1200GS
Gordon & Alison – Honda Crossrunner
Jon & Jackie – Yamaha Tracer 900
Alan & Tanya – Ducati Multistrada
Kevin – Tiger 800 XRX
“Superlative tour arranged and run by John & Jen. The system used works for everyone – fast or slower with no pressure put on anyone to ride beyond their comfort zone. We had a great mix of guys & gals and all so friendly. Excellent choice of hotels and with good food too. The routes and scenery perfect. Cheers to you all“
Ron Rugman, 2nd trip, BMW R1250GSA, Kent
Backmarker Simon – BMW R1250GS
Caps from the cancelled 2020 tour!
Ride through Lugo
UNESCO town walls
At our next hotel
Inner courtyard
Our fab 4* hotel is right in the centre
The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela
The plaza
Cute !!
A band set up
What a great evening
“Hi John & Jen, the tour was excellent as were the hotels and routes. The roads were awesome and well planned, the company was great – everyone got on and all were very good riders. I think it was all great value for money – the picnic at Sandeman’s with those views was incredible! Special thanks to my two carers Neil and Russ – its no fun back in the End of Days care home with a very strict Matron!! Looking forward to the next one. Love Pete xx”
Peter Maynard, 3rd tour, Aprilia Tuono, Kent
Amazing breakfast room
Morning briefing
Deviation leaving Santiago de C
Morning coffee stop
Pretty towns
All in the same cafe !!
Ready to leave
Stop to admire the view
John & Simon
Lunch stop
Fuel before heading to Portugal
John’s leading the whole tour
Russell – BMW R1200GS
Neil – KTM Superduke GT
Peter M – Aprilia Tuono
Border guards!!
Ride through a National Park
Hairpins…
Then cobble stone hairpins!!
Approaching our next hotel
A lovely Quinta
Some enjoy a beer – or two…
While others go for a swim
John’s in there
Others had already been for a swim
We’ve ordered Mateus Rose aperitifs
Cheers!
Lactose free? Yes; Are you sure? Yes
Do you want to check? Yes – DON’T EAT!
Ok – EAT!! The lovely Phillipa 🙂
Dinner is included tonight
Admit it – men watch the sewing bee!!!
Morning briefing
We stop on a huge dam
The water is really low
We ride the N304
Supposed to be one of the best roads in Europe…
But we found much better than this!!
At lunch – roads closed
Bar in our next 4* hotel
A procession has closed the roads
Yes really !!
A free evening to explore Guimaraes.
Enjoy aperitifs in the square
Boys will be boys!!
Fabulous fish…
then drinks on the house
Guimaraes by night
A lovely city
A day off – take the train to Porto
Porto train station
Head up to the Cathedral
Views of the old town
Colourful back streets
Stroll up there
For the best views
Lots of market stalls
Take the cable car down
Just for Jackie !!!
Amazing artwork
You can taste Port
All the Port houses are here
Port & sardines
Walk across the bridge
Buskers everywhere
More market stalls
Colourful buildings
Lively cafes
We stop for Sangria & calamares
A brilliant life artist
John thought it was a sculpture!!
Covered in pearl buttons
Back at Guimaraes
Next day morning coffee stop
With a surprising view
Leaving coffee stop
We stop for a photo shoot
Overlooking the Douro River
Rob & Mike
Tanya & Alan
We have a surprise in store
Pinhao in the distance
Gordon & Alison
Kevin
Bill
John S
Mike
Peter M
Bruce
Ron
Neil
Simon
Jen in the van
We stroll down through the vineyards
More stunning views
We’ve arranged a picnic lunch
Jon & Jackie
We then have a guided tour
Kevin
Leaving Sandeman’s
Our next 4* hotel
In a medieval village
We lay on a Port tasting
Cheers!!
Dinner is included tonight
So who put their room key on Alison’s chair???
Our hotel by night
Next day Neil’s KTM has a flat tyre
We say goodbye to John S who’s bike has a problem
Morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
Not on this tour !!
You MUST be happy riding twisties
This is really high concentration
Parking at lunch stop
Simon stops for photos
These are fabulous roads
Stop to view another dam
But the mist is rolling in
Gorillas in the mist??!!
Sweepers to our next stop
Torre – Portugal’s highest spot
Our next 4* hotel for 2 nights
Has an indoor pool
Simon went for another ride
What a difference in 5 minutes
Most go to the bar opposite
Another lovely morning
Simon relinquishes the orange vest!!
Bill rides as back-marker
Jon & Jackie
Rob
Alan & Tanya
Peter R
Simon gets a day off!!
Gordon & Alison
Russ, Neil & Pete sort out Neil’s tyre
Neil
What – a broken down BMW??!!
Bruce can’t get his ear plug out!!
Those who went on the ride-out
Copious dinner for two nights here
Another lovely morning
Fuel & coffee stop
Lunch stop
Afternoon coffee stop
After some of the BEST roads!!
View from our next hotel
Superb murals in the town
The Gaudi Palace
Simon ventured inside
Thanks Simon
The Cathedral
Briefing in the garage
Storks as we head into the Picos
Scruffy youngsters
Four in this nest!
Coffee stop
Stop for a photo opportunity
Beautiful scenery
Fuel stop with the best view!
Stunning
All stop at the viewing area
Jackie & Jon
Peter R
Brilliant roads
Here’s Jen (thanks Rob)
Great bends
After lunch, the Fuente De
The brave ones!
Tanya & Alan
It’s a bit cloudy
He doesn’t mind though!
John S had been there too
Our final hotel
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Crab salad – starter!
Prawns…
Or Sardines
Pork – one of the main choices
John thanks everyone for a great tour
And Simon for a great job as back-marker
Then the jokes start…
John’s up first (no surprise!!)
Bill & Ron are amused…
Other guests are bemused !!
Bill takes a turn…
He has some hot tips!!
John again…
Not there for the hunting!!
Peter R takes a turn
Then another guest joins in!
Gordon’s up next
What a great night!
Our last day
A final briefing
Stuck at roadworks
Still more twisties
Final coffee/lunch stop
All in the same cafe again!!
Bye everyone!!
At the port our bike goes in the van
Thanks Simon
There’s Alan & Tanya!! We’re last on!
Moored in the port
Thanks to everyone for the fabulous feedback and for sending photos; This was a super tour with great riding & participation by all. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen
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