A really great group on our second Spanish Cities Tour – fantastic hotels, amazing cities to explore, brilliant roads and glorious sunshine throughout made for a fabulous tour!
We start with a pre-tour briefing on board
There’s a dog show the next day
Arriving at Santander
Then a briefing before we set off
John’s in the lead today
“Dear Jen and John, another fantastic tour, loved every minute, wonderful twisty and sweeping roads, great bunch of people, lots of laughs, especially the last night! Every tour we have done with you both has been different and very enjoyable. You put so much into the planning, so we don’t have to, thank you. See you next year “
Mike (12 trips) & Tracey (10 trips) Sanders, BMW S1000R, Somerset
After just 40km of motorway we’re on lovely roads
Through quaint villages
With an afternoon coffee stop
In a really pretty town
That’s Jamie!
Rich…
And Eddie!
Drinks in the shade
“Good morning John & Jen, another great tour with you – we missed out on this tour last year – it was well worth the wait, sunshine all the way. Hotels all great, stay at the Toledo hotel memorable for the breakfast (remember Faulty Towers!) Salamanca was beautiful, hang on a minute, haven’t we seen this before – if only l had my glasses!! The evening meals with the group were fantastic, full of fun and laugher. Hats off to the both of you“
John & Sandra Shepherd, 15 trips, Triumph Tiger 800, Hertfordshire
This cat was taking a risk…
Our first 4* hotel
We meet in reception
The Cathedral
Then stroll into town
The group in Vitoria Gasteiz
Time for drinks before dinner
It’s a vibrant city
“Hi John & Jen, it’s been a pleasure, thank you both for a lovely time, I loved every day of it“
Josh Latham, 1st tour, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Staffordshire
Dinner is included tonight
John kicks off the jokes
Martin K’s done 10 trips…
And so has Tracey
The city by night
A briefing in the hotel garage
“Hi John & Jen, just to say thanks for another great tour, really enjoyed it, great roads & a fantastic group. Cheers!“
Mark Yates-Dutton, 7th trip, Kawasaki Z1000SX, Middlesex
A misty start today
Funny pigs!
Ian enjoys a strawberry milkshake
Twisty roads next
Pass by a huge dam
Ride round the lake
Watch out for locals!
Lunch stop
“Good morning Jen & John, thank you for the best motorcycle holiday, I loved every moment…Josh said you made his year and he’s going to start saving for two tours next year!! All the best”
Darren Brophy, 3rd tour, BMW R1200GS, Staffordshire
Fab murals
Lots of castles
Approaching Segovia
There’s a market in the plaza
Drinks outside our hotel
Then head into town
“Hi Jen & John, another brilliant tour completed, we loved every minute of it, and it’s all down to your meticulous planning / organising. Roads, scenery, hotels were fab, and all with a great group of lovely people, so many giggles each day. Roll on the next trip!”
Ian & Heather Phillips, 12th tour, KTM Superduke 1290GT, Devon
To see the amazing Roman Aqueduct
Built around the 1st century AD it’s 17kms long!
There are lots of restaurants
“Back from the Spanish Cities tour and just wanted to say a big thank you. The riding was great with stops during the day in stunning villages with fabulous views. The hotels were really comfortable and convenient for vibrant bars and sight seeing. I can only guess how much planning goes into making a trip like this run so smoothly, amazing. As a solo female rider, the group made me feel really welcome, what a great bunch. I couldn’t have asked for more. I’ll be back. Thanks again,”
Fiona Young, 3rd tour, Triumph Speed Triple,
We enjoy raciones
The Cathedral by night
Our hotel by night
The next day – hot air balloons
Adios!
“Hi John & Jen, thanks for another great bike tour, brilliantly organised as usual. I know we say this every year but it’s great to come on tour and not have to worry about anything else except riding our bike. Drop off system works perfectly allowing everyone to ride at the pace they want. Having the luggage van is a great bonus too. We stayed at some lovely hotels in some fantastic cities with a great group of sociable people. Lots of laughs. Thank you everyone for your company. Stunning scenery, great roads and lots of sunshine – what more could we ask for. Until the next time. Best Wishes”
Alan & Julie Grieves, 13th tour, Ducati Multistrada V4, Norfolk
Always a morning briefing
Josh’s bike has a puncture!
Lots of twisties
John spotted en-route
“I had another fantastic motorbike holiday! The riding was excellent as always, with perfect routes and scenery. The hotels and coffee stops were spot on, and every city we visited was absolutely outstanding. As always, John and Jen were excellent hosts who made the trip even more enjoyable. Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you next year!”
Jamie Plaister, 5th tour, KTM Superduke 1390R
After a town was completely closed…
Jen eventually found a coffee stop!!
Nice t-shirts!!
Pavement parking at lunch stop
“Hi John, Jen, fab Spanish Cities photos. Thank you for a great tour, scenery, roads & hotels. Smashing group, what fun, lovely meeting old friends and making new.”
Martyn & Claire Wyatt, 6th trip, BMW R1200 GS, Somerset
Our next hotel – for two nights
Has a great swimming pool
Many of us enjoy a swim
Walk into town – it’s a free night
Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes
Take a peek inside
The original manacles from Christian slaves in Granada freed in 1492 by King Ferdinand 11 of Aragon & Queen Isabella 1 of Castille
“Hi John/Jen and all, we had a great trip, thanks to everyone. Excellent pics from Jen on the website. Thanks”
Martin (10 trips) & Alison (7 trips) Keswick, BMW R1250GS,
Stroll round to the Cathedral
There’s a band in the square
And a disco
The monastery’s lit up
There’s another DJ
It’s stunning by night
The next day is a day off
Head back into town to explore
Lovely buildings
We’re having sangria…
But it’s too early for Ian & Heather!
Us with Ian & Heather
There are lots of buskers
And lots of knives!!
Busy shopping streets
Miguel de Cervantes
There’s a mad egg-box woman!!
A section of original Roman road
Open – exhibition of instruments of torture!!
There’s a religious procession
Rich & Jamie do the zip wire
Rich goes first
Followed by Jamie
Back at the hotel, drinks before dinner
Dinner is included tonight
It’s paella
John starts Chinese Whispers with Claire
Who passes it on to Tracey
Mike won’t pass it on to Gerald!
So John passes it on to Heidi
Who accosts Jamie!!
Another lovely morning – our briefing
Jen’s leading on our Suzuki GSXS1000
Mark – Kawasaki Z1000 SX
Martin & Alison – BMW R1250 GS
Mike & Tracey – BMW S1000R
Darren – BMW R1200 GS
Ian & Heather – KTM Superduke 1290 GT
Alan & Julie – Ducati Multistrada V4
Fiona – Triumph Speed Triple
Jamie – KTM Superduke 1390 R
Martyn & Claire – BMR R1200 GS
Josh – Kawasaki Ninja 650
John & Sandra – Triumph Tiger 800
Gerald – BMW R1250 GS
Eddie & Julie – BMW K1600 GT
Rich & Heidi – KTM 1290 Adventure
Karen is “back-marker” – Tiger 800 Sport
Parking at coffee stop
Lunch stop
You MUST visit the Basilica
It’s amazing inside
It’s too hot for Ian though!
Our next 4* hotel
John thought he’d lost his glasses!!
Drinks at the hotel
Before we head into town
You can walk round the city walls
Josh & Darren
It’s a free night tonight
It’s a pretty city
Briefing in the hotel garage
Morning coffee stop
Cross a Roman bridge
Fab roads again
We have to regroup
There are some real twisties
With a great view
You MUST be happy with hairpins!
Pretty lunch stop
So many hams!
Explore – don’t just stop in the first cafe!
Our next 4* hotel for two nights
Is an old Palace
Drinks on the terrace
Lovely architecture
The Bell Tower
The Cathedral
Several buskers around
Karen & Jen
You must go to the Plaza Mayor
Especially at night
Next day it’s Heidi’s birthday!
It’s another day off
Some visit the car museum
Ferrari SF 21 Show Car V6 Turbo
Delahaye 87 from 1922
De Soto Six SC from 1932
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1922
Buick 30-69 Serie 60 from 1930
Cadillac 62 from 1950 (Black), Muntz Jet 1952 (Red)
Vespa 125cc with Faysan Sidecar 1964
Soriano Lince 1955 – 108cc will do 65km/h
Cadillac 75/1970 – 7729cc will do 204km/h
Chevrolet Corvette 1979 – 5733cc/200 km/h
Hispano Suiza HS-21 / 2000 / 5000cc
Just a small selection of the cars on show
Visit the Bell Tower (pics from 2024!)
Only 200 steps!!
You can also see inside the Cathedral
Up in the Bell Tower
Many of the University buildings are open
With expositions
The public library building
The indoor market
Drinks back at the hotel
How to spoil a picture!!!
The next day – Heather
Mark riding up from the garage
Martyn
Jamie
Karen
John’s leading today
Our morning briefing
We cross a huge dam
We stop for photos
All the group
Josh – who’s never heard of The Stig!
Coffee stop
Fiona has a fan!!
We cross the River Douro
And dip into Portugal
Lunch stop
Several cafes
More great roads
Afternoon coffee stop
Evidence of the forest fires
Martyn & Claire like our GSXS1000
Twisty mountain roads next
Jen supplies two hikers with water!
Ride through tiny, cobbled villages
Drinks in our next 4* hotel
We stroll into town
Down to the Castle
All the group
Dinner is included tonight
The food is fab!
Outside our hotel
On the road the next day
Parking at coffee stop
Heading into the Picos Mountains
Stop for photos
Our sticker’s there!
A stunning view
Lunch stop
Jen’s happy – Springsteen’s playing!
Look in the window!!
Eagles fly overhead
It gets very twisty
Parking at afternoon coffee stop
It’s too hot for Darren!
Afternoon coffee stop
Our final 4* hotel
Waiting to check in
Time to explore the town
Time for drinks before dinner
Final group photo (minus Karen)
Dinner’s included tonight
A presentation to Josh – at age 20 our youngest rider ever & didn’t he do well!!
John kicks off the jokes…
Fiona’s up next
Then Martyn
John’s up again…
So who knows the vegetable???
Tracey can’t believe it…
Mike’s fallen for it – AGAIN!!!!
Hilarious!!!
Fiona thanks us for a great tour – thanks!
Final morning briefing
Then back to the ferry at Bilbao
Bye everyone – see you next time!
But two cars have broken down…
After an hour we have to reverse to get off!!
And that’s all folks! Thanks to everyone for making this such a superb tour – we were really pleased you all enjoyed it so much. Thanks to Karen for riding as “back-marker” and to all those who sent in photos. We look forward to seeing many of you again next year. Ride safe & keep well, John & Jen.
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