A brilliant group, fabulous weather, amazing roads, great hotels and sights made for a memorable final tour for John & Jen! And no apologies for the number of photos that run to two pages!
Rich starts with a pre-tour briefing
Arriving in Santander
We re-group when off the ferry
A quick briefing before we set off
Drinks in Oviedo
Stroll down the Boulevard de Cidre
We wait for the restaurant to open
“Hi Jen & John, another fantastic trip to Spain & Portugal with BN European Tours (our 3rd S&P tour!).
Amazing roads, fabulous food, drinks, hotels, stunning scenery, plenty of laughs and, most importantly, fantastic people and memories that will last a lifetime.
A massive thank you to John and Jen for everything you’ve both done to make these tours so special over the years, and a huge thank you and welcome to the new owners, Heidi and Rich for continuing the BN adventure. I’m sure there are plenty more amazing trips to come.
Here’s to many more miles, adventures and good times together. We are already missing it.”
Ian & Heather Phillips, 13th tour, KTM 1290 Superduke GT, Devon
Dinner is included tonight
It’s Heidi’s 10th tour
John just can’t help himself…
We’re “treated” to the Penguin joke…
AGAIN!!
A demonstration of cidre…
Being poured the traditional way
John has a go too!
“Hi both, we really enjoyed the Spain and Portugal trip. The hotels were all comfortable and some, such as the monastery in Santiago, were exceptional. The parking felt secure at all the hotels. The two main things: the company and the the routes were fantastic. Such a good group and it’s quite a long time to spend with a group of people you haven’t previously met. Regarding the routes, we especially loved the twisties, the sort of roads you remember forever. It’s been a privilege on both counts. The marker system works really well – Rich is good at telling you where to wait – and as the note in the pack says, it soon becomes second nature. Having the back-marker makes you feel looked after.
The ride out, the day in Porto and the vineyard visit and lunch were other highlights and all laid on stress free!
The luggage van is really great too…it gives you great confidence that if you did have a problem, there’ll be someone along shortly with water and a toolkit and they’ll be able to help sort things out.
All in all a fantastic holiday, and a great reflection on the effort Jen and John put in to find the routes, the accommodation and to make it all work. Thank you”
Tim & Maggie Henderson, 2nd tour, Honda NC750X, Devon
Stroll round the old town
Start of the Camino de Santiago
It’s the Festival of San Mateo
The party went on ’til late!
In our 4* hotel
Ducky’s on board again!
Always a morning briefing
“Hi John and Jen, thanks again for another great BN European Tours trip, there is a reason we keep coming back for more – we get delivered great roads, lovely hotels, great weather all week and wonderful hosts.
It was particularly special to be there on John and Jen’s last tour to say Au Revoir, see you soon! not good bye. To wish them a happy retirement and thank them for all the wonderful times, trips and jokes [really!! – Jen!] they have given us all over the years.
Thanks to Rich and Heidi for taking us all on. Thanks very much, see you on the next trip! “
Russ Mac, 16th trip – & 4th time doing this one! Honda Africa Twin, Leicestershire
Morning coffee stop
Monument to Immigrants
We stop at a viewing area
The group on the Camino de Santiago
Gordon
Has a new friend !
The final tour for us – Jen & John
Daryl
Brilliant roads
Rich leading on his KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Russ – Honda Africa Twin
Daryl – KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Vince – Honda Forza 750
Gordon – BMW R1300 GS
Luke – BMW 1300 GS
John – BMW S1000 XR
David – BMW R1200 GS
Fred – Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Ian & Heather – KTM 1290 Superduke GT
Dan – BMW R1200 RS
“Hi all, I found that my second tour with BN was by far as enjoyable as my first one in the end. The hotels were great as always, and the Sandeman meal was fantastic even if unexpected.”
Dan Ayling, 2nd tour, BMW R1200 RS, Devon
Jen – Suzuki GSXS 1000
Tim & Maggie – Honda NC750X
“Back-marker” Chris – BMW S1000 XR
Sue – KTM Duke 890 & Rob – Speed Triple 1200 were too quick!!
Great views
Afternoon fuel & drink stop
At our next 4* hotel
Which is right in the city centre
With a lovely indoor pool
Rob, Ian & Heather are first in
Jen & John join them
The location is amazing
It’s a great city
The Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela
Six go out for tapas
There are lots of restaurants
“In 2025 I did the Lakes & Alps tour and I signed off my review by saying that the only thing that could make the 2026 tour to Spain & Portugal even better is if the same group of riders come too…and you did! Then add in the combination of wall-to-wall sunshine, day after day of endless twisty (very grippy) tarmac, beautiful scenery and some really lovely hotels, it’s pretty close to perfection.
There was a point on the tour when my bike ignition lock seized and it looked terminal, however our back marker Chris, a mechanic by trade, freed up the lock to a point where the key would turn as long as it remained in the bike (even at night) and the entire group rallied to ensure that my little KTM made it home from Spain. BN Tours really do look after you and I’ve already booked for next year”.
Sue Worthy, 6th tour, KTM Duke 890, Dorset
Fred’s dining with Dan & Luke
Who all have steak
The architecture is stunning
There’s a traditional band playing
“Hi John Jen, I had a wonderful time on the tour, though was a bit anxious with Alison not being able to come [we missed you Alison – J&J]. As usual the people were lovely, I think especially so this time and everyone seemed to get along fine. I really can’t think of a better way for you to sign off your careers and it just shows what you both have created…Wishing you both all the best.”
Gordon Barr, 12th trip, BMW R1300 GS, Essex
The amazing breakfast room
Always a morning briefing
Rich is in the lead
Ian & Heather
Jen
Daryl
Gordon
Sue – KTM Duke 890
Vince
David & Ducky!
Russ
Rob – Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Dan
Fred
John
Tim & Maggie
Back-marker Chris
Morning coffee stop
There are loads of cars in the square
We stop for photos…
It’s a lovely view
Lunch stop
Very tropical!
Fab roads next
We cross into Portugal
Ride through a National Park
Lovely views in Portugal
Jen stops for photos
It’s stunning
Our next hotel
Some enjoy “dirty” beers!
Others take a dip in the pool
We have aperitifs & Mateus Rose!
John with the lovely Filipa
Heidi & Rich with Filipa & us
Us
Fred with Jen
Tim & Maggie
David & Russ
“Nasher” & Vince
Fred & Daryl
John & Fred
Dinner is included tonight
Filipa & Gordon – lactose free??? See 2022 review!
Always a morning briefing
Heidi with Heather & Nasher
We stop on a huge dam
To see a massive reservoir
Rich adds our sticker
Coffee stop
We ride the N304
Watch out for the locals!
Lunch stop
Beers at our next hotel
Fred knows how to dress to impress!
Ian with Jen
John with his “favourite!” Heather!
Russ & David torture John !
Changed & ready to go out
Our hotel is in the town centre
It’s the birthplace of Portugal
A short stroll to the old town
Lots of restaurants to choose from
Daryl & Ian enjoy ice creams
As does Luke (so did 3 scoops John E!!)
Another lovely morning
Most of us take the train to Porto
The station is amazing
Walk up to the Cathedral
People were hanged here…
Lots of buskers
Great views
Ian & Heather have been here before
Walk up to the Monastery
For a fab view
There’s filming taking place
Take the cable car down – Ian & Heather
All the Port houses are here
The House of Sardines
Portuguese House of Pastel de Bacalhau
Don’t miss the super bunny!
The indoor market
Stop for a port tasting
Cheers!
It’s a fab city
Fred’s going for a river cruise
He manages to get us on board!
The lads are jumping off the bridge!
They’re building another bridge!
Us (John & Jen!)
So where’s Fred going next?
So many market stalls
We stop for Sangria
It’s so colourful
Another free night in Guimaraes
Many dine together
Always a morning briefing
Morning coffee stop
So pretty
Jen with Luke & Dan
Nasher, John & David
Ian with Tim, Maggie & Heather
We stop at a viewing area
The group by the Douro river
Ian & Heather
Tim & Maggie
Sue
We have a surprise for lunch
We have a guided visit
Fab views
Rob goes to pick some grapes
Tim gives him a hand back up
Fred
John
Ian & Heather
Three ??? monkeys!
We enjoy a Michelin * lunch
Chris
Parking at our next hotel
In a medieval town
We lay on a Port tasting
John with Heather
Phillips has been banished!
Dinner is included tonight
There’s another group of bikers
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