It’s 9pm on a Sunday night and we find ourselves excitedly mingling around the docks at Portsmouth … WWOW Supercar club are heading to Spain and Portugal – home of the finest driving roads in Europe – We are 13 Supercars and 18 lovely people.
V12, V8, Flat 6, a few 4 Pots with lots of turbos.
The two nights on Brittany Ferries to Bilbao build the anticipation, excitement and camaraderie until we finally hit land.
8am Tuesday morning and we immediately head for the Spanish Mountains
Our Epic Road Trip Begins
It’s land-side Day 1 of our epic road trip which whisks us along the pristine coastal motorway until it’s time to turn off into the Spanish Picos.
We twist and turn around the base and go vertical up the peaks heading for one of the most beautiful hotels you will ever find!
Paradors are national treasures, and this one is a beauty in the Spanish 🇪🇸City of Leon.
Ambushed by local Instagram photographers, the cars (and some drivers) instantly become heroes to the passing public.
Challenging Mountains
Day 2 Wednesday our day plan is to head over more challenging mountains and down into Portugal on one of our favourite lake side roads.
Heading North out of Leon, it takes us into the Luna National Park delivering an intoxicating mix of dramatic scenery, stunning roads, fabulous cars and very happy people!
The whole day flies by (including an impromptu chat with the local fuzz) as we burst into Portugal around 4pm.
Chaves Casino Hotel is our base for the evening… some of us were more lucky than others on the roulette wheel and card tables.
Adrenaline Rush
Day 3 Early start…. We love this time of day! 7.30am and the cars are ready, whilst the drivers are still sleeping.
Slippery dew mingles with splattered bugs on the cars and a light fog makes the sleeping beasts look very cool and slightly intimidating.
We are blessed to have the services of a local guide today; Rui, an Alpine driver of great skill, has offered his services and route knowledge, navigating the mountains of Northern Portugal.
Rui escorts us to the WRC hill climb rocketing to the top of the mountain at an unmatchable pace.
He follows that adrenaline rush with 20km of the best mountain road ..ever .. ever … ever…phew! Time for lunch in stunning sunshine
The group split at this point, some wanting, and needing more excitement, others (me included) wanting to calm down, and the lightweights took a 2 hour meander through Vineland’s and valleys on the north of the river to our 5 star hotel in the Douro Valley.
We travelled the Douro Valley Road, on the north side of the river.
It’s often voted one of the most beautiful areas in Europe. We agreed as we skirted welcoming villages in full bloom. That early blast through some mountains has prepared us for our evening dinner together
The friendships formed, the laughter shared and the memories made, have us all falling in love with Portugal.
Sun, Fun and Celebration
Day 4 We enjoy a wonderful relaxing day, driving Europe’s most beautiful road the 222 on the south side of the Douro Valley. We took coffee at the DD hotel which dangles precariously above the river, followed by lunch at a lovely spot at a large bend in the valley.
Sprint time after lunch on the motorway into the big city delights of Porto.
Our sea front hotel is incredibly welcoming. It’s Michelin Star dining for some tonight. Villa Foz is a must stay hotel (we plan to have two nights here in 2026).
Day 5 Some enjoyed a stroll along the sea front before pressing the Go Button for our ignitions, and we roar out of the Vila Foz’ private garage to gather in their courtyard. Drenched in more glorious sunshine we are kicking off the day beside the crashing Atlantic waves. The outstanding weather and constant sunshine is now an expected part of the trip.
Our deliberate late start allowed us all to enjoy a morning in the beautiful city of Porto.
This is followed by a sprint for our 4.30pm wine tasting. Monverde Wine Hotel are our hosts at their wine lands hotel … Hilarity followed as some struggled to find their rooms post a few glasses of vino!
We had held a superb wine tasting session as a birthday party for the leader of our Team Alonso.
A Rock Star Welcome
Day 6 Sore heads were beaten into submission by our groups desire to wizz up the Atlantic Coastline for a great lunch at Vigo…
A late start had been compulsory due to celebrations which went deep into the night… again.
A shorter driving day was always the plan .. We lost an hour to BST and a further hour when hopping back into Spain.
60 minutes further on from Vigo was our goal for tonight, the Pilgrims destination Santiago de Compostela.
We lodged at the Parador De Santiago de Compostela, the oldest 5 star hotel in Spain. However, the best was yet to come, as we entered the narrow cobbled streets leading to the main square where we were privileged to be allowed to park outside the Parador, and rather cheekily….in front of of the Cathedral.
We received a rock star welcome by 100’s of tourists and car spotters who absolutely loved, and swarmed around the cars taking photos.
What a site they were, dirty, panting, covered in bugs … and that was just the drivers! Absolutely Fabulous!,
Petrolhead Heaven
Day 7 of our epic adventure was indeed EPIC!
An 8am departure from the enchanting city took us to the base of the best road of our tour. The 340, petrolhead heaven, particularly when blessed with beautiful skies.
We pushed hard as the clock was against us. We aimed for Bilbao, almost 400 miles away by 6pm… the promise of a champagne reception on the rooftop bar of The Art Hotel, with the Guggenheim museum as our backdrop, motivated everyone.
The challenging curves of the 340 induced wide grins and produced some outstanding driving memories.
Driving into, above, through and below the clouds all in the same hour was freaky and inspiring in equal measure.
Such was Team Sainz’ progress, that as we swung past Oviedo, a group decision for lunch at Fernando Alonso’s F1 Museum was a welcome surprise.
Fed & motivated for our final leg, sweeping along the Northern Coastline. Crashing waves on our left and snow capped mountains on our right, was truly jaw dropping.
This is a beautiful place to be, Aston Martins in front of us, McLarens behind, just added to the spectacular views.
We made it! 5.42pm at the hotel and 5.57pm on the jaw dropping rooftop bar. Fresh ice in the bucket, chilled sparkling Cava in the hand, it was time for the WWOW Tour Awards Ceremony!
This is wwow.uk
This is fun 🤩
This is how we roll and we would love you to roll with us on your next WWOW Supercar Adventure.
Hasta La Vista
Day 8 … final countdown. Don’t miss Bilbao, what a stunning city it is… we had work to do with a 1pm ferry and an 11am check out
It was easy to get lost on the 22 minute drive to the ferry and half the group did! Finally we filed onto the boat. Exhilarated, enthused & ready to do it all again asap!
In 30 hours we will be back in England. In 48 hours we will all be back at work. In 72 hours we will all be glued onto WhatsApp with pictures videos, stories, memories & laughter
By the weekend we will all have paid our deposits to return in 2026 🇪🇸🇵🇹🚙💨 … phew 😰
Hasta la vista
baby…. We will be back!