Santander to Seviile end of March - advice please.

[timim1972]

Hi All

Firstly, I'm new to this site, so hello.

I'm doing the Portsmorth to Santander on Brittany Ferries end of March. We have a Commodore class cabin , which is meant to be the best, so will report back on the experience on my return.

They'll be three of us on two bikes (me and the missus on a '58 BMW GSA & a friend on a V-Strom 1000) and we plan to ride from Santander to Salamanca straight form the ferry on the first day, then Salamanca to my house in Ayamonte which is on the coast, 1 hour from Seville, and on the Portuguese border.

So has anyone got any tips about riding through this part of Spain, recommendations on places to stay in Salamanca or any other suitable half way point? My pillion tends to prefer the slightly more luxurious end of the market!

Much appreciated.

Tim

 

[pedro]

Hello and Welcome

The road from Santander down to Burgos makes a great start to the trip. As for Salamanca, I see that you are looking towards the luxury side of things, so nothing to offer thare i'm afraid. We generally rough it my staying in the 'bungalow' sheds on the campsites.

 

[bladerunner]

I stayed at

http://www.nh-hoteles.es/nh/es/hoteles/espana/salamanca/nh-puerta-de-la-catedral.html

N40 57.618 W5 40.012

Puerta de la Catedral last July when at a conference.

Very central (opposite the cathedral), with secure underground car park. Salamanca is the dog's danglies - lovely city with excellent restaurants. It doesn't wake up until 9pm and then keeps very busy until 5am!

You can expect some serious weather over the mountains from the ferry in March - factor in plenty of stops to warm up/regain your confidence!

 

[timim1972]

Brilliant thanks guys. Much appreciated.

Do you think it's too big a ride straight from the ferry to Salamanca? The ferry gets in a 12 local time and I hoping to get to Salamanca, with some breaks, by 6 ish.

Thanks

Tim

 

[strimstrum]

If you like luxury (castles, convents etc etc) then Spain is famous for its Paradores - http://www.parador.es/en/

I've stayed in loads of these all over Spain and they are good for the "WOW" factor.

 

[rodsharp]

Some brilliant roads but watch out for police. They seem to be having a purge on mediocre offences like crossing solid lines even though they are often nearly worn away and not stopping at junctions,sometimes in the middle of nowhere. Carry plenty of cash as the fines are on the spot and usually 100euros minimum. You have been warned.

 

[RegH]

Hi Tim,

New to this board (I normally inhabit XRV as a Transalp owner ) and just spotted your post. We too have a place in Ayamonte.

I am taking the TA down to Spain/Morocco - leave 31st March and hopefully back 4th May. I hope to be in Ayamonte by 18th April and will stay a few days before heading back the long way via Portugal/Picos.

Still, if we cannot hook up this time, we can hopefully get together for a beverage in the not too distant future.

have fun.

Reg
p.s. I am subscribed if you want to PM

 

[santrix]

Myself and Bilco are on the ferry 7th April to Santander, then one night in the Picos then heading south.. I wonder if you are on our route...?

 

[RegH]

Santrix,

Tried to PM Tim but have no details of his dates/final route (not subscribed ).

We drive to Ayamonte quite a lot but usually through France to San Sebastian and then hit the (free) motorways via Burgos, Valladolid, Salamanca, Caceres etc. We often leave the motorway at Zafra and there is a superb run over the mountains to Huelva that I MUST do on a bike someday

This (first) time on the bike, I am getting the ferry to Santander on 31st March and have 4 days to get to Malaga to meet the MotoMorocco folks. I will have more time in the Picos on the way back so will head straight on down. Trying to minimise motorway miles so looking at Burgos, and hopefully west of Madrid via Segovia, Toledo, Ciudad Real etc.....

Sitting at MapSource as we speak. Route makes sense??

Where are you heading??

Reg

 

[timim1972]

Hi Reg

Apologies for the delay in replying; as this is the only forum I've ever used I keep forgetting to check it!

Please drop me a line, if it's appropriate etiquette at [email protected]

I'm on the 25/3 ferry, then in Ayamonte (well Villa Antonio, nearer Isla Christina) from the 27th to the 31st. I'm then leaving my GSA down there and flying back. Plan is then to fly back to Spain a month or so later and ride the bugger back - all the way through France, or just to Santander again.

On a final note - spent the night in Burgos a few years ago (doing a 2 day drive back in an M3 form Ayamonte to West Sussex), and it was a brilliant place - I remember the most remarkable tree line avenue and a massive square full of great bars et al.

Let's try and meet up in Ayamonte at some point if our diaries match.

Take care.

Tim.