IMTBike named it the Portugal and Spain Land of Vineyards tour, however it might simply as simply have dubbed it the Land of Castles tour. Or the Land of Charming Historical past tour. Maybe the Land of Winding Roads and Everchanging Vistas. And even Land of Iberian Ham. Personally, I’d name it the Portugal and Spain Land of Ahhs tour. One’s senses are regularly spiked by the sheer depth of historical past, the kaleidoscope of surroundings, a phantasmagoria of motorcycling roads, pleasant native tradition, magnificent one-of-a-kind lodging, and gastronomic delights. Wrap all of it in a worry-free tour expertise with a humiliation of pampering from a world-class tour firm, and you’ve got an expertise you’ll always remember and, for those who’re something like my spouse, Amy, and me, will need to repeat (see sidebar beneath for her perspective).
This story doesn’t present a turn-by-turn account or detailed report of every expertise and place visited – that might require far more room than is on the market right here. As a substitute, my purpose is to share what the tour expertise is like and assist you decide if such an journey is likely to be best for you (spoiler: it in all probability is).
IMTBike is a well-established motorbike tour and rental firm bringing 30-plus years of expertise to the desk. Whereas it specializes within the Iberian Peninsula, it provides organized and customized excursions all through Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The corporate tradition displays the persona and dedication of founder Scott Moreno and our senior information Martin Cebrian, who’s the director of guides and has been with the corporate practically from its begin. Every member of the IMTBike workforce is fastidiously chosen primarily based on their ardour for serving folks and offering a world-class expertise. These qualities turned evident in our upbeat, entertaining, and hardworking second information, Paolo Pezzoli. Martin and Paolo are consummate professionals and excellent hosts, devoted to 1 factor: ensuring everyone seems to be having a good time.
The making of a Land of Vineyards tour. This tour, the brainchild of Martin, is one in every of IMTBike’s longer excursions, protecting greater than 1,700 miles and 13 using days, plus two relaxation days. It was developed to showcase an oft-overlooked a part of Spain whereas highlighting the product of a number of the world’s oldest wine areas. Starting and ending in Madrid, the route traces the wealthy and numerous wine nation that stretches throughout northwestern Spain’s Castile and León area, loosely following the east-to-west movement of the Duero River (the Duoro in Portugal) towards the river’s termination on the Atlantic Ocean on the west aspect of Porto. This lesser-known central area of Spain falls outdoors conventional vacationer tracts (oh, what they’re lacking!), making a nearly personal highway for us to journey over mountains, alongside rivers, by means of forests, and amongst infinite vineyards. The fastidiously deliberate route showcases the varied wine areas of La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda, El Bierzo, Douro, Porto, and extra. Alongside the way in which, it immerses members within the fabulously wealthy historic heritage of Spain and Portugal.
The tour consists of shuttle service from the airport, new mannequin BMWs in close to pristine situation, help car service, two tour guides, premium lodging, in addition to breakfast and dinner (besides on relaxation days) and an in depth tour booklet. Individuals are liable for gas, lunch, and drinks past what’s supplied. Discover extra particulars of this program, together with many different appetizing excursions for 2026, at IMTBike.com.
There are two methods of approaching an epic journey like this. The primary is to analysis the whole lot, research the route fastidiously, and dedicate hours to planning for each doable contingency. The second is to indicate up along with your using gear and let all the occasion unfold round you. IMTBike makes the second choice doable. They sweat the small print so that you and your using companion can arrive, calm down, and benefit from the expertise and not using a single fear.
How does a solo rider like me wind up on a gaggle trip like this? I’m not a lot of a gaggle rider. Nor, apparently, have been a number of different tour members. For me, group using is a supply of hysteria when gearing up for an organized motorbike tour. That stated, any trepidation was promptly eased as Martin set an upbeat tone, established the foundations of the highway, and led the gathering of impartial riders onto the highway. The conservative tempo gave riders an opportunity to get acclimated with the bikes and with one another, whereas concurrently permitting the information to evaluate the group dynamic. Security is a said IMTBike precedence, and every rider quickly discovered his or her personal tempo and place within the formation. Nevertheless, if being a part of the group feels too restrictive, riders are welcome to journey on their very own.
A wine nation tour with pleasant pairings. This was the primary time Amy and I’ve participated in a tour comprised fully of {couples} (and one father/daughter duo). This created a very satisfying environment, offering alternatives to get to know different pairs and for Amy to speak with different ladies. Dialog included much less bike discuss and was extra common than on different excursions, which was a welcome shift. Simply as Martin and Paolo prompt would occur, we promptly established new friendships that may undoubtedly result in future excursions collectively.
Tipping bikes, not wine glasses. Whereas it is a wine nation tour, there was no imbibing throughout the using day. We rolled among the many vineyards and, at stops, discovered about what makes every area’s wines distinctive, however all sampling was reserved for when sidestands have been down for the evening. You don’t must be into wine – or any fermented beverage for that matter – to completely get pleasure from this tour. It’s equally in regards to the using, tradition, historical past, and hospitality. So drink all of it in. In fact, if you’re into wine, the tour is a superb introduction to the fun of Spanish and Portuguese wines.
Ah sure, the wine. This subject might be a quantity in and of itself. In any case, winemaking has been an integral a part of the Iberian Peninsula for greater than 2,000 years. By touring by means of many distinct grape-growing areas, we have been in a position to distinction and examine the signature traits of the native wines and the influences of indigenous soil and local weather – from Spain’s rugged northern mountains (house of Rioja wines) to the Castilian plateaus (Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc varieties), the previous vines of Toro (Tinta de Toro, additionally the origins of the primary Spanish wine to be launched to the American continent by a fella named Christopher Columbus), to the microclimate of Bierzo (the place Mencía grapes are grown), to Portugal’s northwestern agricultural area and steep terraced vineyards (producing the subtly glowing Vinho Verde or “inexperienced wine”), and on to the coastal termination of the Duoro River at Porto (the supply for Port wine). The wine areas we visited meet strict necessities and constantly preserve the very best requirements of high quality.
This can be a using tour. And the route delivers. As numerous because the area’s wines, the tour route introduces an invigorating mixture of roads, terrain, and surroundings. From informal sections meandering throughout gently rolling hills, to devilishly twisting mountain passes, to high-speed sweepers that movement with the rivers, this tour is designed for riders with not less than an intermediate degree of ability and expertise on mountain roads. It presents just a few difficult bits, together with a number of the peninsula’s high motorcycling roads, however it leaves riders with ample alternative to get pleasure from spectacular views. Days on the highway are restricted to 6-8 hours within the saddle (with well-timed espresso and lunch breaks), making it excellent for two-up touring.
A fan of the van. Avoiding the necessity to pack and unpack the bike every day was appreciated. The IMTBike van, pushed by one of many two guides (Martin and Paolo took turns on the wheel), carries the baggage from vacation spot to vacation spot. Not like most excursions, the IMTBike van trails the group of riders alongside all the using route versus driving on to the day’s vacation spot. The profit? The van ensures no riders are left behind whereas offering a handy place to stow using gear when stopped for lunch or native exploration. Having the van current additionally gives speedy backup within the occasion of a difficulty (there’s a spare bike on board) or if a rider opts to park their bike and trip inside for some time.
Dipping into the native tradition. The fantastic thing about using the backcountry is having the privilege of being immersed within the native cultures. Every espresso store and cafe is a family-owned small enterprise. The meals is normally selfmade based on household recipes and all the time with contemporary native substances. One fantastic roadside cafe served spectacularly enormous and contemporary greens, together with the most effective tomatoes I’ve ever tasted, and sandwiches served on selfmade bread. We felt responsible leaving any meals uneaten however have been relieved to see the proprietor gathering our leftovers and feeding them to her chickens and different livestock. The circle was full.
Rolling by means of historical past. Being from a rustic able to have fun its first 250 years as a nation, the truth of using by means of a land that has endured the ravages of successive invasions, wars, and conquests for greater than 2,000 years was practically incomprehensible. Centuries-old walled cities, imposing castles, grand stone cathedrals, and medieval bridges abound – not simply right here and there however in every single place we regarded. Whereas it could be historic, it by no means grows previous.
The Iberian Peninsula – now peaceable, secure, and pleasant – has survived eons of strife. The tensions and uncertainty of our up to date world encroached upon the each day lives of everybody on this tour. This tour turned a brief escape from the strains of world affairs, divisiveness, and anger, and it reminded Amy and me simply how good folks may be once they have alternative to return collectively and welcome one another’s firm. If everybody on this loopy planet might take part in a tour like this, I imagine the world could be a greater place.
A tour with actual endurance. The lodging all through the tour are firstclass and splendidly distinctive. Tour visitors keep at historic pousadas and paradors, that are castles, palaces, and fortresses which have been transformed into motorcycle-friendly lodges. Lodging embody luxurious transformed monasteries full with spa amenities, inns inside historic walled cities, luxurious rooms at a vineyard with panoramic views of the vineyards, plus a number of boutique lodges showcasing native aptitude. Every was spectacular in its personal method.
Why this works. In a single phrase: hospitality. Primarily based on this expertise, IMTBike makes touring overseas by motorbike simple and rewarding. They deal with each element. The tour guides are educated, relatable, and likeable. Even the smallest particulars have been thought of, equivalent to making cumbersome group gas fill ups and occasional or lunch stops tremendously environment friendly. The tour guides seamlessly dealt with snags and not using a hitch, like coping with a highway closure, parking points, gradual service at a cease, and so on. Martin and Paolo by no means missed a beat, maintained calm and funky heads, and all the time put the client expertise on the forefront. There was by no means a false smile nor halfhearted effort; it’s clear these guys genuinely get pleasure from ensuring each participant has a good time. As somebody who performed multiday motorbike coaching excursions for greater than 20 years, I do know firsthand how difficult that may be. This IMTBike workforce has my utmost respect.
IMTBike’s 2026 calendar consists of excursions in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Morocco, Thailand, Japan, Laos, and Vietnam. The Portugal & Spain Land of Vineyards tour will run Sept. 19 by means of Oct. 3, 2026. Discover extra info and ebook a tour at IMTBike.com.
SIDEBAR: Ideas from the Pillion
By Amy Trow
Almost 20 years in the past, Eric satisfied me to affix him on a motorbike tour of Europe. That tour differed from the comfortably paced, luxurious expertise of the IMTBike Land of Vineyards tour. Even so, I discovered again then {that a} motorbike tour wasn’t simply an effective way to see the world but additionally an unbelievable approach to totally expertise it. After this latest expertise, I really feel that method much more.
From the pillion, listed here are just a few private takeaways from my IMTBike expertise:
- I generally overlook how a lot enjoyable it’s to trip on the again of my husband’s motorbike. And the way simple it’s throughout these instances to close out the remainder of the world and easily get pleasure from one another’s firm, particularly when touring by means of a number of the most breathtaking surroundings on this planet.
- It’s fascinating to me how rapidly friendships kind round a shared ardour. We appear to seek out methods round cultural, language, and different limitations.
- A lot of life’s most memorable moments occur off the itinerary (who knew our guides might play guitar and sing so properly?).
- I can’t think about anybody, anyplace, ever uttering the phrase “I’m hungry” whereas on an IMTBike tour.
- By no means did I ever think about I might spend the evening in a monastery, not to mention one the place I might get a spa therapy and a cocktail.
- I don’t know why, as a wine fanatic, I haven’t explored Spanish and Portuguese wines sooner. I’ve been lacking out!
As an skilled traveler, I’ve discovered that it’s the service you obtain all through your journey that makes a visit particular. The IMTBike workforce has clearly put nice thought and work into making each side of their excursions as nice, comfy, and seamless as doable, including many small touches alongside the way in which that vastly elevate the expertise.
No matter which seat you occupy on the motorbike, for those who’re contemplating reserving a motorbike tour in Europe (or anyplace else), I encourage you to take the subsequent step. For Eric and me, this has been one of the vital invaluable experiences we’ve had collectively. However be warned: You’ll probably get the bug to do it once more!
