Alongside the Duoro in Portugal – a really great group made for a fabulous tour!!
Pre-tour briefing
We won the quiz (with some previous guests)!
Arriving in Santander
Briefing before we set off
John’s leading, Ken & Sue back-markers
We have to take main road
No doubt we’re in Spain!
Time for drinks before dinner
“Hi John and Jen, what an adventure that was! Down to your meticulous planning and preparation we have enjoyed the very best that Northern Spain and Portugal have to offer. Superb roads to enjoy each day and fabulous locations chosen with relaxing hotels to recoup in on the evenings. Add the newly met friends to share a great meal and a beer or two with…what could be better! All the best”
Darren “Daz” Barker, 1st tour, BMW F900R, Nottinghamshire
Dinner’s in a local restaurant
With cider poured the traditional way
Sue’s done 20 trips…
Ken’s done 25 trips – WOW!
John has to tell a joke
“Hi Both, where to start…from start to finish the tour was absolutely incredible. As newbies to the touring fraternity the quality, organisation and attention to customer satisfaction was the first priority. We found the hotels, routes and locations stunning. Obviously the time and effort you both put into researching the areas was staggering. For us the tour far exceeded our expectations and we’re so glad we met you both at the bike show last year. The returning customers and information we gained was that of a big family and this reason was the deciding factor in joining the tour.
The food at the chosen hotels was always of a high standard and the service received at the hotels was always very good. Scheduled stops were well timed and the information given at each stop and next location was “bang on” – can’t think of any negative aspects of this tour and putting it in one word that you may like “ LUSH “
Currently reviewing the tours for next year and will let you know what we’d decided as soon as we can. Many, many thanks for such an incredible experience.”
Andy & Kath Collings, 1st tour, BMW R1250 GS, Gwent
[Wow, thanks both, we’re so pleased you enjoyed the tour so much, look forward to seeing you next year – J&J]
Boulevard du Cidre
Old city walls
Start of the Camino de Santiago
The Cathedral
“Hi John and Jen, thanks for another great tour. Having done the ‘Masked Guinea Pig Tour’ to Spain in 2020, when Portugal was closed through Covid, I have to say that I loved the roads in Portugal. In my opinion this is your best tour for fabulous riding roads which seemed to come continually day after day throughout the tour.
It was good to return to some places and hotels we’ve stopped and stayed at before and even some of the lunch and coffee stops are well worth a second visit, maybe when touring in our motorhome. A great selection of Hotels, all different and interesting in their own way, we were totally comfortable for the whole trip. A really nice group of fellow guests also added to the enjoyment, hope to see them on another tour another time.
Keep doing what you’re doing and of course, allowing me to join you yet again next year.
P.S. If you won’t let me come then Sue will come alone and ride pillion with John, he’s SO SMOOTH!
Best regards,”
Ken (25th trip) & Sue (20th trip) Wright, Triumph Tiger 850 Sport, Kent
In our first 4* hotel
Breakfast area
Always a morning briefing
Great roads
Parking at coffee stop
Monument to Immigrants
Watch out for the locals
Fabulous roads
We pull in at a viewing area
“Hi John n Jen, once again we have had a great trip, thank you Jen for helping to sort out a new back tyre for us on the second to last day. In particular we loved the Nxxx road (sorry Ros – top secret!) the scenery was amazing, the road contained lots of sweepers, twisties and hairpins. We travelled a great range of roads, mountain roads to climb and descend, sweeping rivers to follow, forests to navigate and open plains to ride through, fabulous!
Hotels varied, in the middle of nowhere and in the middle of cities, all of a great standard, clean and comfortable and some with swimming pools to relax in following a day in the saddle. Food and drink was included at a number of hotels including tapas, (too much to eat) pigs cheeks on a couple of occasions, wine and beer to wash it down with, delicious and it was good to have the occasional time on our own too.
Having time off the bike was important and it gave us the opportunity to discover the cities we were in. Took a ride on the big wheel in Santiago and the cable car in Guimarães. Loved the visit to the port vineyard and the lunch was delicious, gave us chance to try some local cuisine. We made new friends and got reacquainted with some previous travellers, all in all a great experience. Thank you once again for a great trip.”
Andy (11 trips) & Ros (8 trips) Moseley, Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peake V4, Warwickshire
Stop for a group photo
Sue & Ken
Newbies Andy & Kath
With Donna & Gary
Jen’s leading today
Craig – BMW F900XR
Andy & Kath – BMW R1250GS
Nigel – BMW R1200 GS
“Hi John and Jen, overall I thought the trip was very good. Well organised and very enjoyable. So thank you very much. I understand how much effort goes into it…I thought the day out in Porto was fantastic and the lunch at Quinta do Tedo was outstanding and a wonderful memory. There’s nothing extra I would anticipate from an organised tour so hope to book a couple with you next year, probably those leaning towards sight seeing as I’ve visited so many places with work, but seen so little of them. Take care both.”
Nigel Bright, 2nd tour, BMW R1200GS, Shropshire
Darrin – Yamaha Super Tenere
Ian – BMW S1000XR
Daz – BMW F900R
Steve – Street Triple R
Danny – Honda NT1100
Andy & Ros – Ducati Multistrada V4
Garry – BMW S1000XR
Steve & Lisa – BMW R1250 RT
“Hi John & Jen, well, what can I say, what a fantastic time we had, rode some fabulous roads and stayed in unique hotels, our particular favourite was in Santiago de Compostela, it’s just so unusual (in a good way). Everything is planned meticulously to the last detail and takes the worry out of organising yourself, leaving you free to enjoy the fantastic roads and scenery. Loved all the thoughtful extra touches especially the Tapas on our first evening, drinks and canapes on the terrace at a very special hotel in Portugal and a fabulous lunch at Quinta do Tedo. Food provided at the hotels was of a good standard and we liked that there were several nights where we could explore the local eateries ourselves. Thanks for helping us make some fantastic memories, our first tour with you but certainly not our last. Take care “
Steve & Lisa Hannaby, 1st tour, BMW R1250 RT, Staffordshire
Martin & Denise – BMW R1250RT
Gary & Donna – Harley Street Glide
Ken & Sue – Tiger 850 Sport
Ride through Lugo
At our next hotel
Andy & Ros are first in the pool
Ian & Daz are chillin’
Many of us enjoy the pool
“Hi John and Jen, my 2nd Tour with BN. Great hotels, great roads with very little motorways. Having the van to transport luggage was a great benefit. Had a great time, met some lovely people in the tour group, with lots of laughs along the way. I’ll be back for a 3rd tour next year.”
Garry Matthews, 2nd tour, BMW S1000XR, Nottinghamshire
Our fab 4* hotel is right in the centre
The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela
The plaza
It’s a free night
Some dine together
There’s loads of restaurants
Ros & Andy went on the Ferris wheel (thanks Ros)
Later on the band in the plaza
Hi John & Jen, we’d like to thank you both for arranging the holiday. As newbies it was a bit daunting setting off (especially on a Harley) but other than the slower pace we had to take around the bends, the trip was thoroughly enjoyable and a very unique experience. Meeting all our new friends was a lovely bonus and I’m sure we will meet some of them again. We are looking at another trip next year, hopefully the Rhine trip (family plans allowing)”
Gary & Donna Symonds, 1st tour, Harley Street Glide, Gwent
Amazing breakfast room
Morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
“BN European Tours – I don’t know how you do it! From the moment we met Jen and John at Brittany Ferries you knew that you were in safe hands. We met on the ferry and we all got to meet everyone. Some had met before on previous trips but as the days went on we all got to know each other and became great friends over the tour.
As it was my first European tour, I was the least experienced rider but I was given plenty of encouragement from Jen, John and my back marker friend Ken! I definitely returned a better rider and I am going on to take my IAM training.
The tour was fantastic with some lovely roads and some challenging ones. My favourite was the Picos but everyday was an adventure. The hotels were amazing, my favourite was in Santiago de Compostela. All hotels were of a high standard, some had swimming pools and all breakfasts had plenty to offer. We had lovely meals with wine or beer at some of the hotels and the evenings we went out to local bars and restaurants which had plenty to offer.
On one of the days off we went into Porto and although there was a train strike on that morning it didn’t deter Jen and John who sorted out the local bus service and taxis to get us into Porto. Porto didn’t disappoint with some port sampling and some lovely food. And our little group decided to take the steps and not the cable car lift – not the smartest move!
I would like to say a big thank you to Jen and John and everyone on the group for making this a fantastic tour. If you want to sample fantastic roads, lovely hotels and get to meet new friends BN European tours is for you.”
Danny Tighe, 1st tour, Honda NT1100, West Midlands
[Thanks Danny for the great feedback – good luck with the IAM – J&J]
Andy & Ros
Stop at a viewing area
Lovely scenery
“Hi John & Jen, thanks for a great trip. Everything went very well as far as I’m concerned. Trust that you get your bike sorted. (When you announce next years tours, please can you pencil me in for Monte Carlo as it’s the only long tour that I’ve not done) Good luck with the rest of the tours this year. Regards“
Steve Moss, 6th trip, Triumph Street Triple R, Dorset
Lunch stop
The Church is open
Fab sweepers
“Hi John and Jen, a great tour, really enjoyable and well run. Would recommend to any decent rider.”
Ian Gifford, 6th tour, BMW S1000XR, West Sussex
A welcome at the border
Ride through a National Park
Stunning scenery
Our rural Quinta
Many brave the pool…
You can do it Ros!!
Canapes & an aperitif
It has to be Mateus Rose!
Cheers!
Darrin, Danny & Donna
Dinner is included tonight
Another lovely day
Always a morning briefing
Happy Birthday! It’s Andy’s 60th
We stop on a huge dam
Coffee stop
More fab roads
We ride the N304
More local traffic!
But we found better than this!
Evidence of 2022 forest fires
Lunch stop
John’s leading – Street Triple 765R
Darrin – Super Tenere
Sue finds a comfy seat!!
Drinks in the hotel bar
A free night in Guimaraes
There are lots of restaurants
Many dine together
Andy treats everyone to champagne – Cheers!
Team Wales! (thanks Donna)
A day off – there’s a train strike!!
So some take the bus to Porto…
Then a convoy of taxis!
Walk up to the Cathedral
There are buskers everywhere
Fabulous views
Lots of market stalls
Us with Sue – thanks Ken
A hen party relaxing
Wander up there…
For even better views!
Visit the World of Portuguese Cans!
And the House of Port
Sue’s recording!
Don’t miss the brilliant bunny!
The lads have nearly finished…
We order a port tasting
Enjoy!
Denise, Martin & Craig arrive…
Wonder why we’re all in the same cafe!!
You can take the cable car
All the Port houses are here
The indoor market
We did tip him!
Walk across the bridge
More market stalls
Lively cafes
Colourful buildings
A brilliant life artist
We didn’t go in here!!
Porto train station
Daz & Gaz climbed too many steps! (Sorry guys!)
Proof – thanks Danny!
Danny with Sue – thanks Ken
Back at Guimaraes
Some stayed in Guimaraes (thanks Ros)
We bring the van round
Next morning briefing
Coffee stop
With a surprising view
John’s riding today
Kath & Sue (thanks Ken)
We stop for a photo shoot
Overlooking the Douro River
Thanks Ken !
A Titanic moment for Kath & Andy!
It’s Danny
Thanks Donna
We’re held up by a cycle race
A surprise for lunch
We have a guided visit
View from lunch
Lunch on the terrace
John’s leading again
Steve & Lisa – BMW R1250RT
Pinhao in the distance
Ride through the vineyards
Our next 4* hotel
Is in a medieval village
But we’re down the road!!
We lay on a port tasting
Steve & Lisa
Our biker babes!
Dinner is included as well!!
Morning briefing
At coffee stop…
We have an announcement…
Our bike has a problem!
It goes in the van…
Ken relinquishes the high-viz to Nigel!
John rides Ken’s Tiger with Sue
You MUST be happy with twisties!
There are LOTS on this tour!
Lunch stop
More fab roads
And more locals!
We stop at another huge dam
We stop at Portugal’s highest point
Martin & Denise
Our next 4* hotel for 2 nights
Has a pool
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
Lunch stop on the ride-out (thanks Ken)
Our bike is fixed at Guarda…
So we go to meet the others…
Daz is leading the ride-out
Gaz – BMW S1000XR
Nigel – BMW R1200GS
Ken & Sue – Tiger 850 Sport
Martin & Denise ride as back-markers
Nigel then Ken & Sue
Just where is Daz going??
It’s a dead end
Daz followed by Steve
We all turn around (we laughed so much!!)
We catch up to Daz
Who’s stuck behind the police
Ken & Sue
We pass Daz
Daz – BMW F900R
A round of applause…
For deputy tour leader Daz!!
Martin & Denise
We go for another ride…
With Paul – KTM 1290 Superduke
Such great roads
There goes Paul
A few of us play pool – Ian
Darrin
John had a mis-spent youth!!
Jen
Paul
Drinks before dinner
Copious dinner for two nights here
Another lovely morning
Fuel & coffee stop
Instructions for main roads
Lunch stop
Then more twisties!
Andy’s tyre’s had it!!
!!!!!!!!!!
Coffee stop – after some of the BEST roads!!
Approaching our next stop
Thanks Sue!
Our hotel’s in the square
Superb murals in the town
The Gaudi Palace
The Cathedral
Briefing in the garage
Storks as we head to the Picos
Four in this nest!
Gary & Donna
Craig
Andy & Kath
After coffee break…
Stop for a photo opportunity
Beautiful scenery
Fuel stop with the best view!
Jen’s leading again
Followed by Daz (again!)
Steve
Darrin
Gaz
Ian
Steve & Lisa
And more twisties!
Ken with Danny
Gary & Donna (thanks Ken)
The deer’s expression says it all!!
Brilliant roads
Our sticker’s there!
Thanks Donna
Thanks Donna
Great bends
Not us!!
(Thanks Kath & Andy)
At the Fuente De…
Closed – technical problems
Lots of Golden Eagles around
Our final hotel
Kath’s up there!
Andy’s got a new tyre!
The t-shirt shop’s open!
Whoa Andy!!
Muscle man Daz!
And Gaz – thanks everyone!
Drinks before dinner
Dinner is included again
Thanks to Ken & Sue our back-markers
John wafts a towel for Sue!!!
Ian takes a turn
Ken’s penned an “Ode to Danny”!
Read the whole “Ode” below…
ODE TO DANNY (Tighe)
I met this young(???) man from West Midlands
Rides a Honda NT I would mention,
On a B&N Tour (I’ve done MILLIONS),
Who’s riding skills needed slight attention.
At the sight of a bend, his speed would descend,
As back marker I’d almost kiss his rear end!
It seemed right to offer some help and advice,
Whilst the tour was a good place to learn.
Nothing rude but constructive and concise,
With suggestion of gear, lean and turn.
Well this young lad took heed and increased his speed,
Leaving space, which as back marker I do need.
Over the days that the tour had progressed,
From following his white Honda all day,
I missed the view of which I’d become quite obsessed,
Cos that Honda spent much time far away.
In the distance with fast riders round the bend,
Now his riding had improved no end.
So I wrote this short whim,
For the most improved rider by far,
To say well done to him,
Now I’m hoping he’ll invite me to the bar??
Gary’s up next
Then Andy C
Kath can’t bear it!
Ian’s up again
John needs new material!!
We have a game of Mr & Mrs
Kath & Andy are first
Need a decision Andy!
No Kath – only one choice!!
Steve & Lisa go next
It’s a match!
Come on Steve!
Another match!
Gary & Donna are next
Decide Gary!!
No Match
It’s a match
We pick on mates Daz & Gaz…
It’s a match
Come on guys!!
Another match!
We need a tie-break!
It’s between Daz & Gaz!
And Steve & Lisa…
Gaz blows it!!
The winners are – Lisa & Steve!
John has to finish off…
With the Penguin joke!!
Our final briefing
Our bike’s playing up again…
Andy & Ros
Leaving the Picos
There were lots of roadworks
So it’s straight to the ferry
Thanks to everyone for the fabulous feedback and for sending photos; Special thanks to Ken & Sue for the use of their bike to get us out of a fix (again!) Thanks to Daz for leading the ride out in the Estrela Mountains while we got our bike fixed. 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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