Day 10 - Obidos Lisboa

For Day 10, we rode from Obidos back to Lisbon where the group took the bikes back to Motoxplorers. 

On the ay in we were surprised to see Carlos Martins, who is a guide of Motoxplorers and he took a video of us as we entering the city

For dinner we all met at Faia Restaurant and we were treated to a great meal accompanied by the traditional Fado.

We were lucky to see one of the most well known Fado singer, Lenita Gentil. She has been singing fado publicly since 1967 when she won her first award. Lenita’s versatility is one of the features of her career, and she treated us to both traditional and more light fado finishing up with a well known marcha popular.

It was a great tour where we all had fun and the group was able to enjoy Portugal.

Make Life a Ride !

Arriving in Lisbon (filmed by Carlos Martins)

Our last dinner together at Faia Restaurant in Lisbon

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Day 9 - Viana do Castelo Aveiro Nazare Obidos

For Day 9 we travelled from Viana do Castelo to the waled city of Obidos.

On the way we visited the riverside city of Aveiro where we stopped and saw the gondolas and also had the well known pastries of the town.

We then went to have lunch, which was grilled fish that was grilled just in front of us, in Praia da Vieira. While we were sitting and enjoying lunch we could also take in the beautiful view of the Atlantic Coast.

We then rode south to visit one of the most well known sights of Portugal, Nazaré. Most known international because of its giant 100-feet waves, Nazaré is also possibly the most famous fishing town in Portugal. We stopped our bikes in Sitio which is located on a rocky promontory over 100m above the main part of the town, Sitio provides wonderful views over the bay and beach of Nazaré, and from here we could see where the Atlantic regularly pounds creating ideal conditions for big wave surfing.

We finished the day in Obidos where we stayed at the Pousada da Vila inside the city walls. We also had the opportunity of walking on the actual walls that surround the city and from there see the area surrounding it. We had a good dinner and then walked back to our rooms to enjoy the last night on the road.

View from Pousada with rain

New levels achieved at breakfast in Pousada 

Visit to Aveiro

Lunch at Praia da Vieira

Visit to Nazaré

Aerial photos of the Day

Some HD photos for the Day

The beautiful town of Obidos, where we stayed for the night

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Day 8 - Geres Viana do Castelo

For Day 8 we rode from Gerês towards the northern border with Spain and then turned West towards Viana do Castelo where we spent the night.

Charles and I woke up quite early so we could go to the Monte and watch the SS10 stage of the FIA World Rally Championship that was taking place in Portugal. It is just amazing how these guys put the car where they want to. I was specially impressed with Kalle Rovanpera, the 21 year old Finnish prodigy.

Rene and I had the opportunity to visit the Santuário da Peneda, which in the pure air of the altitude gives an holy feel to the mountain around it.

We stayed at the Pousada de Vila do Castelo and before the evening settled in we went down to see the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia where we climbed the tower and had a birds eye view of the town. We then took the cable car down the mountain to go and have some late lunch in the town.

That evening we were treated to a great supper in the Pousada which apart from its beautiful view and rooms is well known for its great kitchen.

Enjoying one of the stages of Portugal Rally

Santuário da Peneda 

Views in Viana do Castelo

360 degree view from the top of the tower in Church of Santa Luzia

Some drone photos from last two days

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Day 7 - Porto Guimaraes Caniçada Geres

On Day 7 we had lunch in Porto with members of the BMW Motorrad Fans and then were led by some of them to visit Casa de Sezim in Guimaraes, that doubles as wine producer and also accommodations for people to stay on vacation for some days. We met the owners and also were treated to a list to the main house and had wine tasting. 

After the visit to the Casa, we rode through the city of Guimaraes and stopped to take a photo with Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal.

We then went up the mountain to Penha where we stopped to see the sanctuary, the city below and have something to drink in an esplanade.

We then made our way towards Gerês the only national park in Portugal.

We had a beautiful dinner overlooking the river and dam.

For the night we stayed at the Pousada da Caniçada in Gerês.

Enjoying Porto in the morning after breakfast

Having lunch in Porto with the Motorrad Fans Club

Visit to the Casa de Sezim in Guimaraes

Guimaraes - where Portugal was born

Enjoying the view up the mountain in Penha

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Day 6 - Quinta Terrincha N222 Almoçar Miradouro Sao Leonardo Porto

For Day 6, we had probably one of our most amazing days of riding as we rode most of the day by the River Douro and were surrounded by vine and olives plantations.

One of the highlight so the day was riding the N222 which a number of years ago won the prize of being the "best driving road in the world".

For lunch we stopped at the top of world in Sao Leonardo viewpoint

We arrived at our hotel, Pousada do Porto in the street of flowers (Rua das Flores) in beautiful city of Porto. 

We parked our bikes and then walked to the Ribeira (area in Porto close to the Douro River) where we had a very nice dinner surrounded by the beautiful sights of this part of Porto.

A bit about the N222, the "best road in the world"

Breakfast with a View

Viewpoint at the Douro River

Riding by the Douro River and Porto

Riding the Douro Vinhateiro Region

Riding the Douro River with Bob and John

Rene herding the sheep as seen by Alicia

Riding the Douro River as seen by Alicia

Bob, John and Sr. Manuel

Come Together at Ribeira in Porto

Enjoying the beautiful city of Porto

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Day 5 - Serra da Estrela Almeida Vila Nova de Foz Coa Quinta Terrincha

For Day 5, we came down the mountain and made our way northeast towards the town of Almeida where we had lunch.

The town of Almeida is a walled city that is in very good condition. I specially enjoyed taking photos in front of signs with my family name.

We then made our way north to Quinta da Terrincha which has beautiful vines.

We had a very nice dinner overlooking the planted valley as the sun came down.

Our hotel in Serra da Estrela

The walled city of Almeida as seen by the drone

An Almeida in Almeida

Some Photos for the Day

Drone Photos for the Day

Riding a canyon close to the Torre de Moncorvo 

Quinta da Terrincha as seen by Charles

Dinner in the wine country

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Day 4 - Marvao Piodao Serra da Estrela

For Day 4, we encountered the tighter twisties as we made our way towards the center of Portugal. 

The guys had a lot of fun riding these roads.

We rode on top of mountains and saw the flowers in bloom as we approached the schist rock village of Piodão where we had lunch.

In the afternoon we made our way towards the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, that also has the highest mountain in Portugal.

We stopped at Torre, the highest point of the mountain and bought cheese and sweet bread that we enjoyed that evening during dinner.

While the group went to the hotel, I still rode down the mountain and met a friend of mine that showed me the street art in the city of Covilhã.

For the night we stayed at Pousada da Serra da Estrela.

Shooting the breeze

Beautiful view of the river Zêzere as it meanders through the center of Portugal 

Riding on top of the mountain with flowers in full bloom

Riding the hills in Portugal

The schist rock village of Piodão

Riding in the Serra da Estrela

Street art in Covilhã

Serra da Estrela Cheese

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Day 3 - Tavira Guadiana Moura Monseraz Marvao

On Day 3 of our trip we rode by the Guadiana river, looked across it to Spain in Alcoutim where we stopped for coffee.

We also visited what in my opinion are the two most majestic castles in Portugal, Monsaraz and Marvão and rode through many twisties.

For lunch we stopped in Moura where some friends of mine came to meet with us.

For the night we stayed at the Pousada in Marvão.

Riding in Portugal (as seen by Alicia)

The beautiful town of Alcoutim on the river Guadiana

Lunch in Moura with friends 

Monsaraz

Monsaraz seen from above

Marvão castle

Marvão seen from above; Take 2

Dinner in Marvão

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Day 2 - Alcacer do Sal Sagres Tavira

For Day 2, one of the longest days, we left Alcacer do Sal and rode the Costa Vicentina (by the Atlantic Ocean) and stopped at Vila Nova de Milo Fontes for coffee and cake.

We then continued south down the coast and stopped for lunch at Sitio do Forno with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean.

We then rode more south until we got to the southern most tip of Portugal, Cabo São Vicente close to Sagres where we visited the lighthouse.

We then made our way East towards the town of Tavira.

On the way we stopped at the Portimão International Racing Circuit, where every year the MotoGP and Formula 1 races take place. We also had the opportunity to visit with the Motorcycle Club of Portimão.

For the evening we stayed in Vila Galé de Tavira and walked the town in the evening where we had dinner. Some of us ate Indian food whereas others preferred the Portuguese seafood.

Stop for coffee at A Choupana in Vila Nova de Milfontes

Vila Nova de Milfontes

Lunch at Sitio do Forno

Cabo São Vicente, the furthest point south in continental Portugal 

Cabo Sao Vicente as seen by the drone

Portimão International Racing Circuit

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Day 1 - Lisbon Espichel Sesimbra Arrabida Alcacer do Sal

Day 1 of the trip took us from the hotel in Lisbon to Cabo Espichel where we stopped and took some photos and videos and also met with the President (Tiago) and Vice President of the BMW Motorrad Fans Club.

Tiago then led us through the town of Sesimbra (popular vacation place for Portuguese people). 

We then rode the beautiful Arrábida Mountain with views of the sea below. 

We then stopped at Portinho da Arrabida for lunch where we were treated to a Portuguese favorite, Robalo grelhado (grilled fish).

In the afternoon we visited a WWII fort and then rode to take the ferry from Setubal to Troia.

We then enjoyed some twisties and made our way to the accommodation for the night the Hotel Pousada do Castelo in Alcacer do Sal. This Pousada is built inside old castle walls and has a beautiful view of the town and river Sado below.

We walked to and back from dinner in the town below.

Cabo Espichel

Cabo Espichel as seen by Alicia

Drone Video of Cabo Espichel

Drone photos in Cabo Espichel and Portinho da Arrábida

Offer of neck protection by President of BMW Motorrad Fans Club

Riding in Portugal as seen by Alicia ; Take 2

WWII Cannon and Bunker

Arrábida 

Lunch at Portinho da Arrábida

Ferry Ride from Setubal to Troia|

Arrival in Alcacer do Sal as seen by Alicia

Dinner in Alcacer do Sal

Our accommodation for the night - Hotel Pousada do Castelo in Alcacer do Sal

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Day 0 - Getting bikes and riding close to Lisbon

Everyone is in town and we went to get the bikes in the morning at Motoxplorers.

We then had lunch with BMW Motorrad Fans by the River Tejo. 

In the afternoon we rode to Cabo da Roca, the most western point in continental Europe.

How did the idea of this ride come about 

Lisbon, Capital of Portugal

John Hubbard enjoying Lisbon

Having lunch by the River Tejo with the BMW Motorrad Fans

More lunch photos

At Cabo da Roca

Fog at Cabo da Roca

One love at Cabo da Roca