Iberian Treasures - Spain & Portugal

How did it get its name? The Iberian Peninsula –

Its name comes from its ancient inhabitants, whom the Greeks referred to as the Iberians. “Iberia” is the Ancient Greek term for the region, which the Romans called “Hispania.” Today, “Hispania” is associated with Spain, while “Iberia” refers to the broader area. Interestingly, the term “Iberia” was also used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans to describe a different region in Eastern Europe, known as Caucasian Iberia, near the Black Sea.

This region’s history and culture have often developed with a distinct non-European character. Immerse yourself in the vibrant food, wine, art, and inviting climate of Spain, along with the lively urban centers and monuments of its World Heritage cities. From Flanders to Britain, you can experience the diverse influences that shape Portugal’s rich cultural identity spanning over 500 years.

Discover the enchanting areas of Spain and Portugal that are often overlooked by travelers on this remarkable journey through the Basque Country, the Picos de Europa in Asturias, the Douro Valley, Extremadura, Alentejo, and Andalucia! As you zigzag along the border between Spain and Portugal, you’ll explore breathtaking regions that share a deep, intertwined heritage marked by centuries of both conflict and cooperation. Discover atmospheric walled towns, a stunning Spanish monastery, Portugal’s marble-adorned gems, and impressive Roman ruins.

Culture, cuisine, scenery & great motorcycling along empty roads – The Iberian Peninsula has it all..

This tour of Spain and Portugal showcases some of the finest offerings of the Iberian Peninsula, beginning in the Basque region of northern Spain—an autonomous community rich in cultural traditions, renowned cuisine, and a unique language that predates the Romance languages. As we travel south, we’ll explore the majestic mountains of Asturias’s Picos de Europa and navigate the winding course of the Douro River along the Spain-Portugal border, surrounded by picturesque vineyards. Our journey will also take us to Parque Natural da Serra de Estrela, Portugal’s first natural park.

In Covilhã, a city characterized by its freshness and spaciousness, we’ll admire the original town walls dating back to the 12th century. Continuing our route back into Spain and southeast through the Extremadura region, we’ll pass expansive wetlands and reservoirs. Extremadura boasts the longest stretch of interior coastline on the Iberian Peninsula, measuring nearly 2,000 kilometers. Our destination, the village of Guadalupe, has developed around the stunning Monastery of Guadalupe, one of Spain’s top tourist attractions. The monastery’s history dates back to 1325 when a farmer discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary buried in his field, believed to have been carved by St. Luke. This led to a surge of visitors and the construction of a shrine, which evolved into the magnificent monastery known for its towers and turrets. The Monastery of Guadalupe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights Include:

Picos Mountains of Northern Spain
Sierra de la Demanda, Sierra de la Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos
Parque Natural da Serra de Estrela
Guadalupe Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Seville and explore the legendary capital of flamenco.
Andalucia

Key Information

Start

Bilbao

Finish

Malaga

Duration

10 Days & 11 Nights

Distance

2,200km

Riding Difficulty

Easy

Pillion Supplement

€1375

Single Room Supplment

€550

More Information

Itinerary

Suggested Flights 2025:

Arrive Bilbao Thursday 22^nd May
- Ryanair – no flights
- Aer Lingus depart Dublin 14:40
Depart Malaga Monday 2^nd June
- Plenty of options with Ryanair & Aer Lingus, feel free to choose any flight that suits for you

Itinerary *Subject to change.

1	Ireland	Bilbao
2	Bilbao	Potes
3	Potes	Potes
4	Potes	Puebla de Sanabria
5	Puebla de Sanabria	Duoro Valley
6	Duoro Valley	Covilha
7	Covilha	Covilha
8	Covilha	Elvas
9	Elvas	Carmona
10	Carmona	Ronda
11	Ronda	Malaga
12	Malaga	Ireland

All new itinerary for 2025! Details to follow…

Leaving Bilbao behind, we head west toward the Picos de Europa, with several route options to explore this stunning region. The jagged, deeply fissured mountains straddle southeast Asturias, southwest Cantabria, and northern Castilla y León, offering some of Spain’s most spectacular landscapes. The Picos consist of three limestone massifs, with the highest being Macizo Central, reaching 2,648 meters. The 671-square-kilometer Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa encompasses all three massifs and is renowned for its natural richness and breathtaking scenery, making it a truly unique destination.

Along the way, we’ll stop in Potes, a charming town nestled in the heart of the Picos de Europa, known for its picturesque stone bridge and surrounding hills. The Valley of Liébana, where Potes is located, is rich in grape, cherry, and walnut cultivation, and the town produces a local spirit called Orujo.

Next, we cross into Portugal, reaching the gateway to Parque Natural da Serra de Estrela, the country’s first natural park. Covilhã, a city that radiates freshness, features original town walls from the 12th century and showcases architecture from its golden age as a center for the wool industry, primarily driven by its significant Jewish community. This textile production persisted into the 16th century and was revitalized in the late 1700s, contributing to the town’s elevation to city status in 1870. Today, the former factory is part of the University of Beira Alta and houses a museum dedicated to its textile heritage.

In Serra de Estrela, we’ll have the chance to explore Portugal’s highest region, with stunning motorcycling routes featuring hairpin bends and breathtaking views. We might also visit the beautiful Cathedral of Guarda.

As we meander back into Spain and southeast through Extremadura, we’ll pass vast wetlands and reservoirs formed by the Tajo and Guadiana rivers, which are essential for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Extremadura boasts the longest stretch of interior coastline in the Iberian Peninsula, measuring nearly 2,000 kilometers, with these artificial wetlands serving as vital habitats for birdlife.

Our journey will conclude in Guadalupe village, home to the magnificent Monastery of Guadalupe, one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions. Discovered in 1325, a statue of the Virgin Mary, rumored to be carved by St. Luke, drew visitors from far and wide, leading to the construction of the beautiful monastery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We’ll also explore the Serranía de Ronda, a mountain range in Málaga province dotted with charming white-washed villages like Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema. The scenic Puerto de las Palomas road connects these villages, offering breathtaking views through Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The stunning scenery is so captivating that you’ll want to turn back and experience it again! Additionally, we have the option to detour to the scenic Caminito del Rey, an air path built into the cliffs of the Gaitanes Gorge, known for being one of the most impressive and perilous mountain trails in the world.

We will be providing a more detailed itinerary on arrival to include hotel info and GPS co-ordinates. Please note that this is an outline route and maybe subject to change.

Whats Included

Included:

Return transport of your motorcycle from our base in Gorey, Co. Wexford.
B&B accommodation in quality 3-4 star hotels.
4 evening meals
Tour guide(s)
Detailed route maps / itinerary etc. allowing some self-guiding if preferred.

Not Included

Any travel costs to get to the start and from the finish point for the tour.
Personal travel, accident and medical insurance (covering matters such as medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, loss or damage to property)
Motorcycle insurance cover, motorcycle breakdown cover or recovery costs
Entrance fees to sights and parks, optional local excursions or local activities, (except where stated)
Lunches or snacks (except where stated). Any meals whilst on board ferries. Evening meals on rest/optional ride out days.
Personal spending money, tips, souvenirs or other extras.
Personal documentation (eg visas, passport), vaccinations, personal taxes, border crossing fees, motorcycle documentation
Costs of motorcycle repair (parts, labour or other related costs), tyres
Fuel, oil & other motorcycle consumables
Toll road fees, traffic fines or other charges relating to breach of the law
Any other item not specifically included in the price.

Accommodation

Hotels

As with all our guided tours we carefully select very good standard 3 or 4* hotels. Over the years we have built up a vast selection of tried and tested hotels around the world and we select hotels for their character and service rather than just on their star rating. Hotel standards vary all over the world and a 4* in Africa or South America is not always the same as in Europe. In some more remote locations, we may use equivalent 3* hotels or the best available in the area, which could be a more family run establishment, with local character.

Useful Info

Pre-trip we provide you with Tour Specific Information that gives you detailed information about how to prepare and plan your tour, and what to expect when on tour. These are a few FAQ that many people have. If you have any further queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

What bike is suitable to bring?
Generally speaking we recommend adventure or touring style motorcycles as the most suitable. However, sports, sport-touring and cruiser motorcycles may also be suitable subject to you being comfortable riding it for the distance and duration of the tour and that it has been properly prepared and adequately serviced with good tyres.

What riding experience do I need?
Generally speaking we recommend all participants to be experienced tourers in Europe and/or beyond. Obviously, some destinations are easier than others, as classified by our difficulty ratings, and should you have concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. It is your responsibility to ensure your motorcycling skills are up to the requirements for this tour. Obviously advanced riding skills increase enjoyment factor and reduce risk.

Do I have to ride in a group?
No! We do not make you ride in convoy and we offer you the freedom to decide how you would like to ride. However, we find most people prefer to ride with the group without the need to navigate. We use either the ‘drop off’ or ‘buddy’ systems when group riding (depending on country and complexity of navigation); these are tried and tested systems of group riding and allow riders to ride at their own pace. Full details are provided at pre-trip briefings. Daily departure times are set every evening for the following morning depending on the days route and points of interest. If you prefer to ride on your own, we provide you with a map and route cards with recommendations for lunch or coffee stops and hotel information. We offer a very flexible approach with an emphasis on maximum enjoyment.

Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
Yes. Pillion passengers should be experienced tourers / travellers.

What is the average group size?
Our groups are normally between 8 – 14 riders (some riders will have passengers). Most riders are from the Ireland, but we do also have overseas riders who may take part.

What documents do I need?
You will need your original documents as follows:

Passport and Driving Licence. Passengers only need their passport. As a general rule, passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the tour; however, this may be shorter in some European countries.
If you are bringing your own motorcycle, you will also need your motorcycle registration document (RF101 / log book) and your motorcycle insurance.
In addition, you must have valid travel/medical insurance.
Visas as required Please ensure that you are fully aware of all passport and visa requirements and that you allow adequate time to obtain them.

What will the weather be like?

Depending on season / time of year we will advise expected weather conditions in the pre-trip information and also suggest the most suitable gear based on our experience. It is imperative that tour participants have suitably adequate gear. Please note our tour calendar is carefully planned taking into account the most suitable seasons / local weather for the destination. However, as much as we would like, we cannot always guarantee the best weather. Particularly considering the un-predictable climates the world has been experiencing.

What about my health when I am abroad?
You need to be physically fit and healthy and also take the necessary health precautions. It is essential for you to consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date medical travel information prior of travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Please ensure that you are fully aware of all official travel advice, local customs, current affairs, travel requirements and medical/travel advice. Please check with your GP regarding recommended inoculations.

Do I need Travel / Medical Insurance?
It is a condition of you travelling with us that you are adequately insured. Your insurance policy must cover you for the costs of any medical expenses, medical treatment or repatriation needed, due to injury or illness on this trip, including those that occur whilst motorcycle touring, either as the rider or a passenger. It is important that your insurance company understands that the main purpose of your trip is motorcycle touring, using your own large capacity cc motorcycle or a rental motorcycle. Your insurance must cover you for the full duration of the trip and for all countries we travel through.

In addition, we strongly recommend that your insurance policy has cover for loss or damage to your personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation and curtailment. We do not refund your deposit simply because you failed to take out insurance in sufficient time. Some travel insurance policies do not cover motorcycle travel over a certain cc or for a prolonged duration.

Minimum Numbers
We require a minimum number of 8 riders on this tour. If we do not have this number of bookings, then we reserve the right to cancel the tour.

Booking:

Overlanders may accept a booking online, via telephone or by email. To confirm a booking a deposit is required – once the deposit is received the booking is confirmed.

Payments & Fees:

A 20% deposit is required at time of booking.
Balance payments must be made in full at least 60 days prior to the shipment / travel date.

Cancellation/Amendments/Refund Policy:

Please note that all payments and deposits are non refundable nor transferrable if cancellation accrues within one month before the shipment / tour date.
Where possible we will try to accommodate any amendments you wish to make.
In the event of curtailment no refunds shall be made.
Refunds may be processed via the original method of payment, except for cash transactions where refunds will be provided by cheque.

Preparation for Shipping (if applicable)

All rider/pillion gear including boots and helmets should be packed into a kit/sports bag and labelled with the owners name, bike make/model and registration. One kit bag permitted per person.
- Please note loose items or items tied onto the motorcycle will not be transported.
- Bin liners, rubbish bags, cardboard / plastic boxes etc are not acceptable.
Motorcycles should be in a clean and presentable condition both for outbound and return shipments. If your motorcycle is considerably dirty post trip please wash it before returning it.
All Luggage (hard and soft panniers) should be left unlocked and removable from the motorcycle if necessary for transport purposes.
Alarms should be switched off or in “Ferry” mode for transport purposes.
Fuel level should be kept relatively low. All our depots are within a few km of fuel stations.
Keys for both the motorcycle and luggage should be left with the motorcycle.
At handover we will require a signed customs declaration form and a photocopy of the registration document / log book stapled together. Customs declaration from will be emailed pre-shipment. These should only be handed over in hard copy at time of delivery.
- Do not email copies in advance.
- We will not accept original copies of registration documents/log books.