Iberian Odyssey: IMTBike Portugal and Spain Land of Vineyards Tour Review

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Iberian Odyssey: IMTBike Portugal and Spain Land of Vineyards Tour Review

IMTBike's Land of Vineyards tour presented as many varieties of roads as it did grapes. (Photos by the author and IMTBike)

IMTBike named it the Portugal and Spain Land of Vineyards tour, but it could just as easily have dubbed it the Land of Castles tour. Or the Land of Captivating History tour. Perhaps the Land of Winding Roads and Everchanging Vistas. Or even Land of Iberian Ham. Personally, I'd call it the Portugal and Spain Land of Ahhs tour. One's senses are continually spiked by the sheer depth of history, the kaleidoscope of scenery, a phantasmagoria of motorcycling roads, delightful local culture, magnificent one-of-a-kind accommodations, and gastronomic delights. Wrap it all in a worry-free tour experience with an embarrassment of pampering from a world-class tour company, and you have an experience you'll never forget and, if you're anything like my wife, Amy, and me, will want to repeat (see sidebar below for her perspective).

From the beginning, the spirit of the tour was light and welcoming.

This story does not provide a turn-by-turn account or detailed report of each experience and place visited – that would require far more space than is available here. Instead, my goal is to share what the tour experience is like and help you determine if such an adventure might be right for you (spoiler: it probably is). 

Artifacts mark the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

IMTBike is a well-established motorcycle tour and rental company bringing 30-plus years of experience to the table. While it specializes in the Iberian Peninsula, it offers organized and custom tours throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The company culture reflects the personality and commitment of founder Scott Moreno and our senior guide Martin Cebrian, who is the director of guides and has been with the company nearly from its start. Each member of the IMTBike team is carefully selected based on their passion for serving people and providing a world-class experience. Those qualities became evident in our upbeat, entertaining, and hardworking second guide, Paolo Pezzoli. Martin and Paolo are consummate professionals and perfect hosts, dedicated to one thing: making certain everyone is having a great time.

The city of Porto frames a deep canyon carved by the Duoro River.

The making of a Land of Vineyards tour. This tour, the brainchild of Martin, is one of IMTBike's longer excursions, covering more than 1,700 miles and 13 riding days, plus two rest days. It was developed to showcase an oft-overlooked part of Spain while highlighting the product of some of the world's oldest wine regions. Beginning and ending in Madrid, the route traces the rich and diverse wine country that stretches across northwestern Spain's Castile and León region, loosely following the east-to-west flow of the Duero River (the Duoro in Portugal) toward the river's termination at the Atlantic Ocean on the west side of Porto. This lesser-known central region of Spain falls outside traditional tourist tracts (oh, what they're missing!), creating a virtually private road for us to travel over mountains, along rivers, through forests, and among endless vineyards. The carefully planned route showcases the diverse wine regions of La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda, El Bierzo, Douro, Porto, and more. Along the way, it immerses participants in the fabulously rich ancient heritage of Spain and Portugal. 

Great food and camaraderie are served each evening.

The tour includes shuttle service from the airport, new model BMWs in near pristine condition, support vehicle service, two tour guides, premium accommodations, as well as breakfast and dinner (except on rest days) and a detailed tour booklet. Participants are responsible for fuel, lunch, and beverages beyond what is provided. Find more details of this program, along with many other appetizing tours for 2026, at IMTBike.com.

Spectacular accommodations – like this monastery converted to a hotel and spa – pampered us at the end of each day.

There are two ways of approaching an epic trip like this. The first is to research everything, study the route carefully, and devote hours to planning for every possible contingency. The second is to show up with your riding gear and let the entire event unfold around you. IMTBike makes the second option possible. They sweat the details so you and your riding companion can arrive, relax, and enjoy the experience without a single worry. 

Our guides often hosted night walks to explore the local scene.

How does a solo rider like me wind up on a group ride like this? I'm not much of a group rider. Nor, apparently, were several other tour participants. For me, group riding is a source of anxiety when gearing up for an organized motorcycle tour. That said, any trepidation was promptly eased as Martin set an upbeat tone, established the rules of the road, and led the gathering of independent riders onto the road. The conservative pace gave riders a chance to get acclimated with the bikes and with each other, while simultaneously allowing the guide to assess the group dynamic. Safety is a stated IMTBike priority, and each rider soon found his or her own pace and place in the formation. However, if being part of the group feels too restrictive, riders are welcome to travel on their own.

When riding throughout the region of Castile and León, count on seeing an ancient castle, walled city, or fortress at nearly every turn.

A wine country tour with delightful pairings. This was the first time Amy and I have participated in a tour comprised entirely of couples (and one father/daughter duo). This created a particularly enjoyable atmosphere, providing opportunities to get to know other pairs and for Amy to talk with other women. Conversation included less bike talk and was more universal than on other tours, which was a welcome shift. Just as Martin and Paolo suggested would happen, we promptly established new friendships that will undoubtedly lead to future tours together.

In Portugal we were introduced to the rugged mountain landscape and impressive tiered vineyards that frame the Duoro River.

Tipping bikes, not wine glasses. While this is a wine country tour, there was no imbibing during the riding day. We rolled among the vineyards and, at stops, learned about what makes each region's wines distinctive, but all sampling was reserved for when sidestands were down for the night. You don't have to be into wine – or any fermented beverage for that matter – to thoroughly enjoy this tour. It's equally about the riding, culture, history, and hospitality. So drink it all in. Of course, if you are into wine, the tour is a fabulous introduction to the joys of Spanish and Portuguese wines. 

Spain and Portugal endured centuries of invasion and conquest. These vast walled cities created havens for the inhabitants.

Ah yes, the wine. This topic could be a volume in and of itself. After all, winemaking has been an integral part of the Iberian Peninsula for more than 2,000 years. By traveling through many distinct grape-growing regions, we were able to contrast and compare the signature characteristics of the local wines and the influences of indigenous soil and climate – from Spain's rugged northern mountains (home of Rioja wines) to the Castilian plateaus (Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc varieties), the old vines of Toro (Tinta de Toro, also the origins of the first Spanish wine to be introduced to the American continent by a fella named Christopher Columbus), to the microclimate of Bierzo (where Mencía grapes are grown), to Portugal's northwestern agricultural region and steep terraced vineyards (producing the subtly sparkling Vinho Verde or "green wine"), and on to the coastal termination of the Duoro River at Porto (the source for Port wine). The wine regions we visited meet strict requirements and consistently maintain the highest standards of quality.

This is a riding tour. And the route delivers. As diverse as the region's wines, the tour route introduces an invigorating mix of roads, terrain, and scenery. From casual sections meandering across gently rolling hills, to devilishly twisting mountain passes, to high-speed sweepers that flow with the rivers, this tour is designed for riders with at least an intermediate level of skill and experience on mountain roads. It presents a few challenging bits, including some of the peninsula's top motorcycling roads, but it leaves riders with abundant opportunity to enjoy spectacular views. Days on the road are limited to 6-8 hours in the saddle (with well-timed coffee and lunch breaks), making it ideal for two-up touring. 

Our hosts said we would all become fast friends. They were spot on. Our fabulous group poses in the foreground of a beautifully preserved walled city and fortress.

A fan of the van. Avoiding the need to pack and unpack the bike each day was appreciated. The IMTBike van, driven by one of the two guides (Martin and Paolo took turns at the wheel), carries the luggage from destination to destination. Unlike most tours, the IMTBike van trails the group of riders along the entire riding route versus driving directly to the day's destination. The benefit? The van ensures no riders are left behind while providing a convenient place to stow riding gear when stopped for lunch or local exploration. Having the van present also provides immediate backup in the event of an issue (there's a spare bike on board) or if a rider opts to park their bike and ride inside for a while.

Segovia features one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in Europe. This no-mortar structure is nearly 100 feet high and features 163 arches.

Dipping into the local culture. The beauty of riding the backcountry is having the privilege of being immersed in the local cultures. Each coffee shop and cafe is a family-owned small business. The food is usually homemade according to family recipes and always with fresh local ingredients. One wonderful roadside cafe served spectacularly huge and fresh vegetables, including the best tomatoes I have ever tasted, and sandwiches served on homemade bread. We felt guilty leaving any food uneaten but were relieved to see the owner gathering our leftovers and feeding them to her chickens and other livestock. The circle was complete. 

Our guides, Martin Cebrian (left) and Paolo Pezzoli (right), are worldclass hosts, skilled and responsible riders, unflappable tour managers, and remarkable entertainers.

Rolling through history. Being from a country ready to celebrate its first 250 years as a nation, the reality of riding through a land that has endured the ravages of successive invasions, wars, and conquests for more than 2,000 years was nearly incomprehensible. Centuries-old walled cities, imposing castles, grand stone cathedrals, and medieval bridges abound – not just here and there but everywhere we looked. While it may be ancient, it never grows old. 

Martin entertains us with a guitar performance.

The Iberian Peninsula – now peaceful, safe, and friendly – has survived eons of strife. The tensions and uncertainty of our contemporary world encroached upon the daily lives of everyone on this tour. This tour became a temporary escape from the strains of world affairs, divisiveness, and anger, and it reminded Amy and me just how good people can be when they have opportunity to come together and welcome each other's company. If everyone on this crazy planet could participate in a tour like this, I believe the world would be a better place. 

A delicious vino blanco at sunset on the balcony of a luxury hotel.

A tour with real staying power. The accommodations throughout the tour are first class and wonderfully unique. Tour guests stay at historical pousadas and paradors, which are castles, palaces, and fortresses that have been converted into motorcycle-friendly hotels. Accommodations include luxurious converted monasteries complete with spa facilities, inns within ancient walled cities, luxury rooms at a winery with panoramic views of the vineyards, plus several boutique hotels showcasing local flair. Each was spectacular in its own way.

A panorama of lush mountains.

Why this works. In one word: hospitality. Based on this experience, IMTBike makes traveling abroad by motorcycle easy and rewarding. They handle every detail. The tour guides are knowledgeable, relatable, and likeable. Even the smallest details have been considered, such as making cumbersome group fuel fill ups and coffee or lunch stops tremendously efficient. The tour guides seamlessly handled snags without a hitch, like dealing with a road closure, parking issues, slow service at a stop, etc. Martin and Paolo never missed a beat, maintained calm and cool heads, and always put the customer experience at the forefront. There was never a false smile nor halfhearted effort; it's clear these guys genuinely enjoy making sure every participant has a great time. As someone who conducted multiday motorcycle training tours for more than 20 years, I know firsthand how challenging that can be. This IMTBike team has my utmost respect.

Fantastic roads are the winding thread that connects the experiences on this wonderful tour.

IMTBike's 2026 calendar includes tours in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Morocco, Thailand, Japan, Laos, and Vietnam. The Portugal & Spain Land of Vineyards tour will run Sept. 19 through Oct. 3, 2026. Find more information and book a tour at IMTBike.com.

SIDEBAR: Thoughts from the Pillion

By Amy Trow

Nearly 20 years ago, Eric convinced me to join him on a motorcycle tour of Europe. That tour differed from the comfortably paced, luxury experience of the IMTBike Land of Vineyards tour. Even so, I learned back then that a motorcycle tour wasn't just a great way to see the world but also an incredible way to fully experience it. After this recent experience, I feel that way even more. 

From the pillion, here are a few personal takeaways from my IMTBike experience: 

• I sometimes forget how much fun it is to ride on the back of my husband's motorcycle. And how easy it is during those times to shut out the rest of the world and simply enjoy each other's company, especially when traveling through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. 
• It is fascinating to me how quickly friendships form around a shared passion. We seem to find ways around cultural, language, and other barriers. 
• Many of life's most memorable moments happen off the itinerary (who knew our guides could play guitar and sing so well?). 
• I can't imagine anyone, anywhere, ever uttering the phrase "I'm hungry" while on an IMTBike tour. 
• Never did I ever imagine I would spend the night in a monastery, let alone one where I could get a spa treatment and a cocktail.  
• I don't know why, as a wine enthusiast, I haven't explored Spanish and Portuguese wines sooner. I've been missing out! 

As an experienced traveler, I have learned that it is the service you receive throughout your journey that makes a trip special. The IMTBike team has clearly put great thought and work into making every aspect of their tours as pleasant, comfortable, and seamless as possible, adding many small touches along the way that greatly elevate the experience. 

Regardless of which seat you occupy on the motorcycle, if you're considering booking a motorcycle tour in Europe (or anywhere else), I encourage you to take the next step. For Eric and me, this has been one of the most valuable experiences we've had together. But be warned: You'll likely get the bug to do it again! 

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