Ferrari Sporting Tour of Spain

14-25 May 2025

Ferrari Owners Club The Sporting Tour of Spain in 2024 was an absolute hoot, everyone had a great time and as one participant put it ‘I’ve tried really hard to find something wrong with this trip and I can’t’ So we’re going back for another go, but using an entirely different route—more things to discover!

May is a great time with all the spring flowers and the countryside still green before Summer bakes it golden. We start with an afternoon ferry from Plymouth (much shorter crossing time than Portsmouth) and arrive in Santander before a great drive to the ancient castle at Siguenza which dominates the little town Then it’s off to Almagro—well south of Madrid and famous for its tranquillity and theatrical heritage.

Next we have two nights at our wine hotel in Durcal which is splendid. We have been using it for years and they always look after us. It’s about an hour to the circuit which is in the middle of nowhere—so no noise restrictions. If you plan carefully you could pull in a visit to the Alhambra in Granada on the way back, but book well in advance

When the fun in the Sierra Nevada is over—we head for Merida. The best Roman remains in Spain are here, Emperor Trajan was Spanish and his arch is just around the corner from the
Hotel. There are many other remains to see

Next we head to Belmonte in Portugal for a stay in this tranquil little Pousada. The views are
brilliant—so is the food. When Ferdinand and Isabella threw the Jews out of Spain in the middle ages, many came and lived quietly in Belmonte.

From Belmonte we go to Baiona for two nights. A real highlight on the Galician Coast and the place where the first of Columbus’ caravelles made landfall on the way back from America. Both Porto and Santiago de Compostella make a great day trip so there’s plenty to do and the hotel is a fortified house on a promontary surrounded by crenallated walls

From Baiona we go for our last night at the amazing Hostal/Hospital at Leon, one of only two 5* Paradors and a beautiful building in the heart of this busy town (with a secure car park) We finish with a great run through the Picos de Europa to Bilbao for a lunchtime departure and early Sunday evening arrival at Portsmouth

Wed 14 May	Afternoon departure from Plymouth on Brittany Ferries
Thurs 15 May	Arrive in Santander and then drive 250 miles through the Rioja and on to Soria and then on over some deserted and very smooth roads to Siguenza “ The best day’s driving I’ve ever had!”
Fri 16 May	Drive 230 miles to Almagro, skirting Madrid through Guadlahara and Tarancon to then munch some miles and stop at the old Parador
Sat 17 May	Drive 170 miles to Durcal in Andalucia where we are staying at the lovely Hacienda Senorio de Nevada for two nights, it is a recently built wine hotel with great surroundings and excellent food. The drive down includes some minor passes and absolutely amazing driving with sweeping bends and billiard table smooth surfaces
Sun 18 May	It’s 60 very spectacular miles to Guadix. MikeG. Clive Greenhalgh used to race Ferraris and his circuit has been used by many famous drivers, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Damon Hill have all driven there. It’s an exclusive trackday, but you may also be able to go to the Alhambra in Granada
Mon 19 May	Drive 250 miles through the hills to Cordoba and beyond to Merida. Not only does it have the Roman ruins, it’s also a University town and the administrative capital of the Extramadura region. Our central Parador has secure parking
Tues 20 May	Drive 170 miles to Belmonte in Portugal. A C14 convent, now a Pousada and an oasis of tranquillity, with great food and service
Wed 21 May	Drive 228 miles to Baiona on the Galician Coast—a standout location overlooking the Rias Baixes and the shipping route into Vigo—two nights here
Fri 23 May	From Baiona we head for Leon—it’s 236 miles with great scenery and a wonderful hotel at jouney’s end in this lovely city
Sat 24 May	With an earlyish start its 200 miles to Bilbao for lunchtime embarcation and arrival in Portsmouth on 25 May