it's all lard in N.Spain
Inspiration sought. Santander - UK
- Thread starter AberdeenAngus
- Start date
it's all lard in N.Spain
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Now we're talking. Instead of Rotterdam, substitute Ijmuiden & ferry to Newcastle. Cheers Ectopic. Definite possible.
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Whale oil. Beef hooked.
Personally I would do something like this:
From Santander area, if you head for the Pyrenees (town of Sort), you could do the amazing N260 heading East. Many (inc teapotone youtuber) think this is one of the best:
From here there are some real highlights heading through France, like the Cirque de Navacelles
Mark (Ikkje on here) and I did this a couple of years ago - it was amazing.
From there, continue NE over good roads and collect the Col de Iseran (highest pass in the Alps, so at least you will cool down at altitude
) - it's part of the tourist route "Route des Grande Alpes" whish is fab! The pass will be open in August, and 20 degrees cooler than the valleys
Again NE towards Todtnau, and the fabulous roads of the Black Forest.
It's easy to pick a fab route NNE in Germany (it's hard not to!) but when you get towards Harz, there's the most amazing roads. This one that ends in teh Biker Oasis Cafe 36 is legendary:
Harz is awesome for bikers, and Altenau is a regular base.
From here it's an easy ride to Rotterdam (Hull ferry) or Amsterdam (Newcastle)
I found Rotterdam-Hull P&O a better price/convenience so I've been using that more recently...
Mark (Ikkje on here) and I did a Vid after. Much of it was different, but the section from 60 seconds in to 7 mins 30 gives you the idea
From Santander area, if you head for the Pyrenees (town of Sort), you could do the amazing N260 heading East. Many (inc teapotone youtuber) think this is one of the best:
From here there are some real highlights heading through France, like the Cirque de Navacelles
Mark (Ikkje on here) and I did this a couple of years ago - it was amazing.
From there, continue NE over good roads and collect the Col de Iseran (highest pass in the Alps, so at least you will cool down at altitude
) - it's part of the tourist route "Route des Grande Alpes" whish is fab! The pass will be open in August, and 20 degrees cooler than the valleys Again NE towards Todtnau, and the fabulous roads of the Black Forest.
It's easy to pick a fab route NNE in Germany (it's hard not to!) but when you get towards Harz, there's the most amazing roads. This one that ends in teh Biker Oasis Cafe 36 is legendary:
Harz is awesome for bikers, and Altenau is a regular base.
From here it's an easy ride to Rotterdam (Hull ferry) or Amsterdam (Newcastle)
I found Rotterdam-Hull P&O a better price/convenience so I've been using that more recently...
Mark (Ikkje on here) and I did a Vid after. Much of it was different, but the section from 60 seconds in to 7 mins 30 gives you the idea
At roughly 1,600 miles that might well work, too.
It all now hinges on how many days the OP has available to get from Santander to Aberdeen and how much emphasis is placed on the journey being: “A gentle saunter back to Aberdeen”.
Either way, there’s lots of options on the table. I wonder if he’s booked his outward ferry yet?
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Outward ferry booked some time ago. If anyone is wanting to head to Spain for the eclipse I'd get a move on - things are booking up fast.
However, due to all this discussion re France, i've decided to make it a dedicated trip next year with enough time to take in all your excellent suggestions.
For this year, i'm going to be staying in Northern Spain / Portugal then heading up to to Ireland via the Bilbao/Rosslare ferry which I never knew existed.
Thanks for the input - much appreciated.
However, due to all this discussion re France, i've decided to make it a dedicated trip next year with enough time to take in all your excellent suggestions.
For this year, i'm going to be staying in Northern Spain / Portugal then heading up to to Ireland via the Bilbao/Rosslare ferry which I never knew existed.
Thanks for the input - much appreciated.
Enjoy it when it comes.
PS Don’t forget to let us know if you decide to go to Italy or Norway instead.
Norway is a fantastic place to ride but it’s a long way from SantanderEnjoy it when it comes.
PS Don’t forget to let us know if you decide to go to Italy or Norway instead.
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Norway is a fantastic place to ride but it’s a long way from Santander
Indeed it is; Aberdeen is much closer.
That assumes that next year, he goes to Santander at all. The only reason in 2026, seems to be to see a total eclipse. If I lived in Aberdeen (heaven forbid) I’d probably not go to anywhere in the Nordics via Santander or indeed, via anywhere in Spain at all.
As he (so far at least) plans to go to France in 2027 (unless he changes his mind and goes somewhere else) who knows where he might come ashore on the European mainland?
Last time I went to Bilbao with a group we went Stranraer to Larne. Then the rest of the day we meandered down through Ireland to Rosslare, overnighted and then took the ferry to Spain.
We came back the same way with an overnight planned in Larne before hopping back to Scotland. I can't recommend that bit as we didn't get in till gone 4pm and then had to hammer up the motorway during rush hour to reach our hotel in time for dinner (mostly liquid, black and delicious).
It was significantly cheaper than going from Portsmouth or crossing from Newcastle to Ijmuiden.
We came back the same way with an overnight planned in Larne before hopping back to Scotland. I can't recommend that bit as we didn't get in till gone 4pm and then had to hammer up the motorway during rush hour to reach our hotel in time for dinner (mostly liquid, black and delicious).
It was significantly cheaper than going from Portsmouth or crossing from Newcastle to Ijmuiden.
Thanks for bringing the eclipse to my attention
Here’s a handy guide for the next five years:
Solar and Lunar Eclipses Worldwide – Next 10 Years
List of where the next solar or lunar eclipse is visible. Check if you can see it in your city.
www.timeanddate.com
