AUTHORISED HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE TOURS AROUND EUROPE - SPAIN & THE PYRENEES

This year we head east to spend four days in the Pyrenees on both the Spanish and French sides. We then ride to the relatively unknown coast of northern Spain around San Sebastian, a rugged and impressive area overlooking the Bay of Biscay with the Pyrenees behind. We will also visit the Picos Mountains and the planes of Navara. This motorcycle tour is for lovers of great roads with great views and the accommodation is a mixture of hotel styles including castles and palaces.

Day 1. Wednesday June 17.
Ferry - Portsmouth to Santander Departing from Portsmouth we take an overnight ferry to Santander in Northern Spain. Ferry departs at 11.00am and arrives in Santander at 12.00noon on Thursday.

Day 2. Thursday June 18. Santander to Cervera (approx. 120 miles)
After departing the ferry we head out of Santander and towards St Vicente an old quaint fishing town, then into the mighty mountains of the Picos de Europa and onto Potes via the magnificent Deva Gorge.
From Potes it's over the high pass and on to Cervera our first night's stop. Set in an enviable position overlooking mountain peaks and a beautiful lake. Dinner and wine awaits you.

Day 3. Friday June 19. Cervera to Argomaniz (approx. 150 miles)
Cross country via gorges, mountains and hills where vultures and eagles are a common sight. Stopping at Frias, an ancient hilltop town, and then onward following the gorge of the River Ebro to tonight's Parador. Tonight's hotel was originally a noble stone palace where Napoleon rested before attacking the nearby town of Vitoria. Dinner and wine is once again included tonight.

Day 4. Saturday June 20. Argomaniz to Olite (approx. 70 miles)
Today we head to the region of Navara, second only to Rioja as a wine region. We'll call in at the monastery and wine museum of Irache, then Estella, a town rich in monuments and the headquarters for the Carlists during the Spanish civil war. We arrive in Olite early enough for you to explore the magnificent castle. With a ramble of turrets, keeps and dungeons it looks as if it's straight out of a Disney film. You can also visit the church or amble up through the old quarter. Dinner and wine once again tonight.

Day 5. Sunday June 21. Olite to Vielha (approx. 180 miles)
To the mountains, gorges and valleys of the magnificent Pyrenees Mountains, stopping along the way in the historic centre of Ainsa and onward via the high passes of Foradada, Fades & Espina and the Congosta Gorge. Our two night stop will be in the Parador at Vielha, standing impressively overlooking the Arran Valley. Tonight we once again eat in.

Day 6. Monday June 22. Day off.
Just stay at the Parador pool-side and relax or you may prefer a run along the valley. For the more energetic, perhaps a run out to Andorra. The town of Vielha is also worth a visit for shopping or long lunches. Tonight you are free to eat out.

Day 7. Tuesday June 23. Vielha to Hondarribia (approx. 200 miles)
As we leave our two night stop we cross into France and sample some passes and the low peaks of the Pyrenees on the French side. Our first call at Arreau, is where the rivers Aure and Louron meet and is a popular place for walking, skiing and hang gliding. Then it's over the Aspin Pass, at 4500ft high. Onwards west, towards the Bay of Biscay via Oloron, the gateway to the Bernais Pyrenees. When we reach Bayonne we cross back into Spain and tonight's stop is in the old centre of Hondarribia. The Parador here is a 10th century castle standing on a privileged spot overlooking a pretty inlet into the Bay of Biscay and to France beyond. Tonight you are free to eat out in this old town.

Day 8. Wednesday June 24. Hondarribia to Limpias (approx. 145 miles)
Today, as much as possible we will hug the rugged and scenic coast of the Bay of Biscay via Ondarroa, a busy fishing port and Lekeitio, were we stop beachside. On via Gernika and Bermeo, whose fishing fleets are the largest in these waters. Then turning slightly inland, we make our way to our final night stay and the Parador in Limpias. The Parador was once the summer home of the Council of Alfonso XIII and it stands in huge grounds full of trees and shrubs. Tonight dinner and wine included.

Day 9. Thursday June 25. Limpias to Santander (approx. 30 miles)
A short trip to the ferry port, once again on minor roads, around the coast with views across the bay to the city of Santander. Also, if time allows and they are open, we'll visit the Harley Davison dealer on the outskirts of Santander. Then on to the ferry for your return journey back to Plymouth. Ferry departs at 3.00pm

Day 10. Friday June 26. Arrive in Plymouth at approx. 9.30am.

Back to tours list >