The group on the Camino de Santiago – a great crowd for our final tour of the year – brilliant riding on fantastic roads, super scenery, top hotels, fabulous food and good weather – what a tour!!
Eddie & Julie, Davey & Jan boarding the ferry
We all meet for a briefing on board
Arriving in Santander
The van’s off first
Quick instructions before we set off
John’s leading the tour
We have to ride some motorway
Welcome to Spain!
Fuel & coffee stop
Drinks in a local bar
“Hi John and Jen, we would just like to say how much we enjoyed the Portugal & Spain tour, all the hotels were superb and food excellent. The hotels where we could go into town to eat were also very well situated and interesting to walk around. It’s obvious that your research has been very considerable to accommodate everyone.
The roads were fantastic, with spectacular scenery which took your breath away and some surprises on the way. Both of you as hosts made sure everyone was catered for.
We can’t wait till next year to book more memorable moments!”
Wayne & Carole Williams, 8th tour, BMW R1250 RT, RCT
Ian strikes a pose!!
All meet for drinks
Then stroll to a local restaurant
Dinner is included tonight
With cider poured the traditional way
“We had a great tour. Obviously there had been a lot of time and hard work gone into the planning of the routes, which were awesome. Great photo stops too. Hotels were all top class as was the food. Always more than enough to eat and drink. The lunch which was included was delish and the setting was out of this world. Thank you. The 2 x 2 nights stops were very welcomed, but we would have preferred a 2 night stop in Astorga rather than Covilha [We base ourselves in the mountains as the roads are superb for those who wish to do the ride-out on the day off. It is not far to take a taxi to the town centre if you do not wish to ride or just enjoy the hotel facilities. Staying an extra night in Astorga would reduce the time spent in Portugal and we feel there is not the opportunity there for a good ride-out – J&J]
We enjoyed having time to take the train into Porto and do a little sight-seeing. We also thought the balance of free nights for dinner and the organised dinners were very good. It allowed us to socialise with the rest of the group. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and will be back for more. Thank you both once again for an amazing holiday.”
Ed & Viv Farquhar, 2nd tour, BMW R1200 RS, Banffshire
Whoa Alan !!!
John presents “virtual” 10th visit t-shirts!!
Then starts off the jokes…
Boulevard du Cidre
Ian & Heather, Alan & Julie
Start of the Camino de Santiago
“John & Jen, our thanks for a really memorable tour. You really have cracked it with your blend of superb routes, cultural experiences (pigs ears anyone?) and well-accommodating accommodation! You seem to attract people on the tours who make easy company to share the trip with yet build in time so you can explore on your own. Best wishes, and I do hope the van gets better soon Jen!“
David Roberts, 3rd tour, Honda CBF1000 & son Jack Roberts, 1st tour, BMW F650GS, South Yorkshire
In our first 4* hotel
Breakfast area
Always a morning briefing
Coffee stop
Monument to Immigrants
Alan & Julie – Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak
Ed & Viv – BMW R1200 RS
Karen – Triumph Tiger 660 Sport
Rich & Heidi – KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Watch out for locals!!
We re-group at a viewing area
All on the Camino de Santiago
“We had a great tour. Lovely hotels and great company. The roads were great and it was very scenic for the other half. It was very well organized as always and the time off the bikes gave us a chance to explore. Well enjoyed.“
Steve & Sam Barnes, 6th tour, Triumph Trophy, Dorset
Wild ponies there as well
Lovely little foals
John leads on our Street Triple 765 R
Steve & Sam – Triumph Trophy
Paul & Pauline – KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Jamie – KTM 1290 Superduke R
Alan & Julie again
Mark – Kawasaki Z1000 SX
“Hi John & Jen. Thanks again for another great tour. Our 10th with BN and we have the real T-shirts to prove it ( t-shirts are fab – fit a treat).
Once again everything organised perfectly for us so all we have to do is ride our bike. We do appreciate all the hard work you both put in to ensure that everyone enjoys their holiday and is well looked after. Lovely hotels, good food and great company along with some beautiful scenery and fantastic roads. What’s not to like? Hope to see you again next year. Best wishes.”
Alan & Julie Grieves, 10th tour, Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak, Norfolk
Ed & Viv again
Ian & Heather – BMW R1200 R
Rich & Heidi again
Phil – KTM 1290 Superduke GT
Wendy – Triumph Street Triple 765 RS
Eddie & Julie – BMW K1600 GT
Davey & Jan – BMW K1600 GT
Karen again
““
David – Honda CBF 1000
Jack – BMW F650 GS
Wayne & Carole – BMW R1250 RT
At our next hotel
Ian’s in first
Then Jen (plus John, David & Jack)
Our fab 4* hotel is right in the centre
The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela
A free evening
The plaza by night (thanks Ian)
Amazing – thanks Ian
Stunning breakfast room
““
Morning briefing
Coffee stop
Stop at a viewing area
Lunch stop
Heading into Portugal
We ride through a National Park
Cobble stone hairpins!
En route to our next hotel
Paul & Pauline are first in
John’s next…
Drinks before dinner
We have a surprise in store…
Mateus Rose !!
Dinner is included tonight
Always a morning briefing
Leaving our hotel
Riding through vineyards
We stop at a huge dam
Morning coffee stop
Well spotted Heather!
Evidence of the forest fires
Ride the N304 – top 10 road in Europe??
But we found much better than this!!
More burnt trees
Leaving lunch stop
Drinks in hotel bar
The birthplace of Portugal
A free evening to explore Guimaraes.
Lots of restaurants to choose from
Next day many take the train
Porto train station
Over 20,000 tiles!!
She was a dummy!!
The Cathedral
Cross the bridge
For fab views
John gets a haircut in the park!!
Walk up to the top
For the best views
All the Port houses are here
So picturesque
There’s a cable car
Amazing artwork
Has to be done…
5 glasses for 5 euros !!
Didn’t last long!!
Take a river boat ride
Lots of market stalls
Colourful buildings
David & Jack had a walking tour
Back in Guimaraes…
There’s a live band
The next morning Jen has damaged the van !! (Thanks David !!)
Coffee stop next day
With fab views
We stop at a viewing area
The group in Portugal
Thanks Heather!
Us !!
We stop for a visit
With a guided tour
Lunch is included
Super view of the Douro River
Pinhao in the distance
More cobble stones
Our next 4* hotel
In a Medieval town
We lay on a Port tasting
Sam & Steve, Julie & Alan
Phil & Wendy
Heather & Ian, Ed, David
Viv with Pauline & Paul
Selfie time! Davey & Jan
Dinner is included tonight
Our hotel by night
Morning briefing
Coffee stop
John banged his head!!
Not on this tour!!
More evidence of forest fires
You MUST be happy with twisties
Parking at lunch stop
We approach a huge dam
Jamie marks the junction
The group at Portugal’s highest point
More brilliant roads
Watch out for locals!!!
More bikes at our next hotel…
But we have a luggage van!!!
Some of us enjoy a swim
Drinks on the terrace
Dinner is included again
Top up fuel before ride-out
Jen’s going pillion
Ride some of the best roads
Jamie
These are fabulous roads
Jack
Steve & Sam
Ian
We stop for coffee
Jamie
Phil’s riding Wendy’s Street Triple
Mark
Jack
Villages tucked away
David
Wow !!
David
Ian
David
We’re going there…
Alan & Julie have their real…
“Ten trips” t-shirts !!
Lunch stop
Lots of cats & kittens
Some are really friendly!!
Steve & Sam
So picturesque
Eddie & Julie
Phil
Eddie & Julie
Phil marks the junction
Mark
“Dirty” beers at the hotel
The t-shirt shop is open !!
Jamie’s got a match!! (Sorry Jamie!!)
Drinks before dinner
Dinner’s included again
There’s so much food
A lovely sunrise
Morning briefing
Fuel & coffee stop
Mark’s number plate fell off!!
Lunch stop
Boys will be boys!!!!
Approaching coffee stop
In Wolf country
More great roads
Live music in the square
Jamie, Heidi & Rich have a great view
A free night tonight
Superb murals in the town
The Gaudi Palace
Morning briefing
More locals !!
The youngsters in June have flown
Soldiers at coffee stop
Another band…
Great roads in the Picos
We stop at a viewing area
Amazing views
John’s taking photos
Davey & Jan, Julie & Eddie
Most photographed deer in the world??
Ed & Viv
Steve & Sam
Alan & Julie (thanks Ian)
Rich & Heidi (thanks Ian)
Paul & Pauline (thanks Ian)
Backmarkers Wayne & Carole
Jen’s driving the van
Our sticker’s there
Great bends (thanks Ian)
Lunch stop
Next stop – Fuente De
Who’s going up???
Fabulous views
A few brave ones!!
See the Golden Eagles
Saving the best ’til last
Carole & Wayne
Ian relaxing
Watch out!!!
View from our final hotel
Jen (& John) brave the pool
Drinks before dinner
There’s a bit of rivalry (thanks Heather)
Dinner is included again
Huge thanks to Wayne & Carole
John starts the joke telling
Cecil & Cederick?????
So Wendy’s played before !!!
Ed has a tale to tell…
One & a half foot…!!!
David’s up next
Then Julie
Followed by Wendy
Last day – more twisties
Our final stop
Pavement parking
A heron lands…
Captain Birds Eye perhaps? (clever Heather!)
Jack & his dad David
Not a good look Ian !!
All back to Santander
We’re almost the last on!
You didn’t think I’d forget did you Jamie???
Thanks to everyone for making our final tour of the season so enjoyable and for sending photos; This was a super tour with great riding, timekeeping (the best ever!!) & participation by all. We look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen
Sign up for our Newsletter
