Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION

In order to fit with the ferry schedule the tour itinerary below is based on departing Plymouth on a Wednesday and arriving back in the UK on a Tuesday 14 days later. Other crossings are available but may mean spending two night onboard the ferry on the outbound crossing. If the Wednesday crossing is not an option for you then please contact us for more details.

This tour gets underway as soon as you leave the ferry port at Santander. Soon you will be enjoying the almost traffic free roads of the Iberian Mountains. This theme continues as we follow the mountains and plains across the Castilla y León, Extremadura and the Cantabrian regions of Spain.

The accommodation is no less outstanding with four Parador hotels included in the tour. The Parador hotels are a chain of luxury hotels which were founded by Alfonso XIII as a means to promote tourism in Spain. Owned by the state the hotels are mostly located in adapted castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings.

This tour does contain some challenging rural and mountain roads therefore would be best suited to experienced riders or competent first timers who are used to covering this type of terrain and understand and accept the above. Filled with amazing biking roads, incredible scenery and superb accommodation this tour offers a unique touring experience.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Plymouth - Santander

The tour begins as you board the flagship of the Brittany ferries fleet, the Pont Aven. With an la carte restaurant, cocktail and lounge bars and cinema this is the perfect place to relax before the tour. Unless otherwise requested and for your added comfort we we would reserve a four berth cabin for 2 people and a 2 berth cabin for a single rider. Cabin updates are available on request ie. outside, deluxe, club etc.

Day 2: 130 miles

Your lunch time arrival in Santander allows you plenty of time to enjoy today’s route. With the Picos visible in the distance you are soon passing the jagged peaks and deep valleys of the Cantabrian Mountains. Clear of the mountains the route now continues through the open plains of the Castilla Y Leon region. Travelling through numerous small Spanish towns you eventually arrive at our hotel which is a former monastery located on the Santiago pilgrimage trail.

Day 3: 253 miles

Today the riding is more relaxed as you weave your way across the arid landscapes which so characterises this region of Spain. Crossing La Yecla and the more forested Hoces del Río Riaza national parks you take your afternoon break in the Romanesque town of Segovia. The Roman aqueduct which dominates the centre of the town has stood for over 2000 years. With photographs taken you cover the short distance to the medieval walled city of Ávila. With its imposing walls the city is one of the best-preserved medieval bastions in Spain. Your luxury hotel set in a 16th century palace is the first of four Parador hotels on this tour.

Day 4: (Supplied Ride-out 130 miles)

Today you can take the supplied ride-out which ventures into the many national parks in the area or just relax and enjoy the historical city of Ávila. The city is one of the best-preserved medieval bastions in Spain with the imposing walls comprising of eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2500 turrets.

Day 5: 160 miles

Today you take to the stunning Mountain roads of the Valle de Iruelas National Park before making your way to the ancient city of Toledo. Known as the “city of the three cultures”, Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy in the form of churches, palaces, mosques and synagogues. Enjoying a stunning location our Parador hotel boasts magnificent views of the city and its famous cathedral.

Day 6: 156 miles 

This morning’s route is once again dominated by open landscapes but steadily becomes more twisty and involved as you ride through the Del Sureste national park and into the more scenic region of Castilla-La-Mancha. Set in the mountains of east-central Spain your destination today is the walled town of Cuenca. Perched on a limestone spur high above the Huécar river, Cuenca is famous for its hanging houses which are cantilevered over the gorge. Also set at the edge of the Gorge your Parador hotel is located in a 16th-century monastery just five minutes walk from the hanging houses and picturesque town centre.

Day 7: (Supplied Ride-out 140 miles)

Although you may wish to relax and explore the fascinating town of Cuenca a ride-out is supplied which incorporates the Ciudad Encantada or Enchanted City. Located just 17 miles from the hotel and dating back 90 million years this unique place is home to curious rock formations which over the years have sculpted themselves into numerous shapes.

Day 8: 235 miles

The adventure continues and the scenery becomes increasingly more dramatic and mountainous as you enter the El Hosquillo national park. The route becomes increasingly twisty as you head into the Iberian Peninsula and the Gudar Mountains of Aragon. Located only five miles from the Motorland Aragon race circuit and set on a hilltop your next Parador hotel is a 12th century castle which affords magnificent views of the surrounding countryside

Day 9: 220 miles

Your route today continues north as you now arrive in the Catalan Pyrenees. This spectacular National Park is a wild and untouched region and contains some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in all of Europe. The Pyrenees are over 300 miles long and form one of the world’s great mountain chains, stretching from the Mediterranean in the south to the Atlantic in the north. Your hotel is located in the small town of Vielha which is surrounded by the magnificent landscape of the Pyrenees Mountains.

Day 10: Supplied Ride-Out 110 miles

Ride or Rest Day: Today’s supplied ride-out heads south into the Catalan Pyrenees to explore no less than three national parks. Although not as mountainous as the Pyrenees these national parks hosts a variety of stunning landscapes, including coniferous forests, alpine meadows and numerous mountain lakes.

Day 11: 145 miles

Today you get to experience the very best of not only the Spanish but also the French Pyrenees. Enroute you will climb the incredible Col de Aspin, Peyresourde and Tourmalet which are reputed to be amongst the most demanding stages of the ‘Tour de France’. The final challenge of the day is the spectacular Col d'Aubisque which rises to an altitude of over 1,700 meters. Your hotel for the evening is located at the edge of the Aspe and Ossau valleys in the heart of the Béarn region of France. With sauna, hot tub and swimming pool this is an ideal place to sit back and relax or take a walk into town and visit the Cathedral of St Mary.

Day 12: 100 miles
Although the shortest riding day on the tour the route is no less spectacular as you climb the Puerto de Larrau Pass on your way back to Spain and your last overnight stay in the historic city of Pamplona. Famous for the yearly ‘Running of the Bulls’ the city has the Plaza del Castillo at its centre which is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. Set in the Taconera Park gardens your modern 4 star hotel is conveniently located next the historic centre of Pamplona.

Day 13: 199 Miles

Although this is your last riding day before reaching the ferry the scenery and great roads just keep coming as you cross the province of León and head north towards the Cantabrian Mountains and your overnight ferry back to Plymouth.

Day 14:

Arrive Plymouth

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

"Just wanted to thank you for yet another great tour my sixth and counting !! As I have come to expect from Global Tours the roads, scenery, hotels and  food  were of the highest standard which was further complemented by a great bunch of riders which made the social aspect very memorable"
Thanks once again Pete  ~ Spain & Portugal

"Ever so many thanks again for a superb tour - lovely roads, lovely places to stay and perhaps most importantly, lovely company!! I’ve just made deposit payment for the Italian Lakes trip next year and am so looking forward to that"

All the best, Dave ~ Spain & Pyrenees