suffolk tour of spain

[lowebird]

Did anyone who has a Suffolk go on Rogers tour of Spain? If so, what was it like, I would have liked to go but I was in Brescia for the Mille Miglia with my Morgan.

Reg

[RoyC]

I didn't go, but I stumbled across a couple of pictures taken by a tourist at Santillana del Mar:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9261 ... 2889_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/9258 ... c05e_z.jpg

[lowebird]

Roy,
Thanks for posting these, they look really good. By any chance, was it your good self that I had a chat to at the VSCC meet at Prescott last week end?

Reg

[RoyC]

Yes.

[jagss100]

My Wife an I planned our own N Spain tour in the Suffolk, with friends in a 12 year old Mercedes convertible
We took the Portsmouth 24 hour Brittany Ferry to Santander and back home on the ferry from Bilbao
We wanted to see the Picos Mountains, Rioja and on the way see part of "The Road to Santiago" pilgrims
We decided to use the Spanish Parador's as accommodation
Paradors as follows :- Santillana Gil Blas (3 nights) 70miles to Cervera de Pisuerga (2 nights) 110 miles to Santo Domingo de la Calzada (2 nights) 48 miles to Argomainiz (2 nights) 60 miles to Bilbao and ferry home
Paradors are really good hotels usually in very interesting historic buildings and locations, just Google "Spanish Parador Hotels"
We did our trip in early June 2012, weather was a bit mixed from about 18 - 35 degrees. The roads were really good and empty witness the number of Brits on motor bikes
Scenery coast/mountain/plain was spectacular and towns and cities had plenty of places of interest.
I can highly recommend the trip because the ferries take the drudgery of French motorways out of the equation plus less wear on the Suffolk
Suffolk performed perfectly

[lowebird]

Dave,
Thanks for that, it certainly sounds good. Since I asked the question, there has been a good article in the Jaguar magazine which suports what you said.

Reg

[j4gu4r]

Sorry to butt into your conversations but I am a long admirer of the Suffolk Jaguar SS100 and drool over them whenever I see one.

One day I will find the one with my name on it.

Anyway, I organised an XK8/R tour to NW Spain this year for the XKEC (sorry to swear) with 13 cars and I can thoroughly recommend the Picos and surrounding regions. If you need any information I would be happy to help.

Regards

Andrew

[lowebird]

Andrew, Thanks very much for your input. You are certainly not butting in as any interest from any member is more than welcome.
Don't leave it too long before you try an SS100 they are truly great cars with all the Jaguar virtues we enjoy wrapped up in a beautiful 1930's GP no rust body.
Just go for it, you won't want the money in a care home!!

Reg

[jagss100]

Planning a trip to the Pyrenees this summer in SS, boat to & from Bilbao
Does any one know the best driving routes in/across the Pyrenees please?

[j4gu4r]

Hello JagSS100,

I organised an XK8/R trip for 13 cars from the XKCC last year but used Santander as our port (although they are very close) and concentrated on the Picos region (Asturia and Cantabria). I had been across the Pyrennes on a motorbike a few years earlier and can thoroughly recommend the region but fancied a change.

Brittany Ferries had a special offer of 25% discount up to the end of February (I think) for a tour using 4 different excellent Paradors over 7 nights which seemed very good value. Total cost for each couple worked out at £1600 approx. for ferries + cabin + car + evening meal, & 7 nights half board at the Paradors.

If you are interested I can e-mail you the detailed routes. Just PM me with your e-mail address.
The scenery in the Picos is spectacular and the roads generally quiet and good. We were made very welcome wherever we went.

I also have an excellent video of the tour taken by one of the tourers which you can have if interested, and an article (I don't want to upset anyone here by adding a link ). We are off to Tuscany this May with 8 XK8/R's using the car train from Holland to Livorno. Can't wait.

Andrew

[jagss100]

Hi Andrew
Thank you for your reply we did a similar trip via ferry Parador's and Pecos mountains in our Ss100 a couple of years ago
It was a very enjoyable trip.
We have therefore decided to return to Northern Spain but turn left when we get off the ferry and explore the western Pyrenees on the Spanish and French sides of the border using the excellent Parador's where we can.
Just a note to those using Britany ferries to Northern Spain they get booked up very quickly especially in school holidays
I would very interested to hear your comments on the train from Holland to Italy we have considered this for a holiday and possibly driving back through Germany
Have a good holiday
Regards
David

[j4gu4r]

Morning David,

It might be worth thinking of driving to Italy through Germany and returning on the train as the return journey for some reason is considerably cheaper.
There was a deal whereby on the return journey the car went free but probably not if just travelling one way. We booked through Railsavers the GB agent
The cabin cost on the way to Livorno, Italy is £416 and the car cost is £283. The return cabin from Alessandria, Italy is £238 with no car cost.

I will let you know after we return in June what the car-train is like, but I have heard only good reports.

Regards

Andrew

[jagss100]

Thanks Andrew I look forward to your comments on the rail journey I also have only heard good reports

[j4gu4r]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

We arrived home from Italy mid June after a very enjoyable tour of Tuscany and the Amalfi coast, but our overnight cartrain with Autoslaap Train organised by Railsavers (their British agent), was cancelled 3 weeks before we left due to Autoslaap ceasing trading. We are still trying to get our train fare refunded and it might be long and unfruitful.

After the initial shock we hastily re-organised the tour by driving the 900 mile trip through Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Italy stopping overnight in Heidelberg and Lake Como. The best part was that the XK's were the ideal car for long, fast motoring, but to our detriment we found that the journey through Switzerland was badly delayed at the St Gotthard tunnel due to the Swiss holding back traffic for safety reasons (we assume) following the tunnel fire a few years ago. The 5+ hour journey turned into a 10+ journey. A detour over the St Gotthard pass would have helped but nearing the top we were stopped and turned back due snow falls blocking the way in May !!! With hindsight I think in future I would travel through France.

There is a cartrain from Dusseldorf to Verona in July and August but this was too late for our trip and the alternative of Paris to Nice could have helped but it would have meant we also lost our ferry cost from Hull to Rotterdam if we changed to the Dover Calais ferry. I have also heard of a cheapish regular Swiss cartrain from Oberwald to Realp through the Furkatunnel in winter, a 15 minute journey which could be an alternative.

Would I go to Italy again. Definatly yes (although my wife might disagree) but I would take longer to drive down and go through France.

Hope this of some help for any future trips you may have and I can recommend some excellent hotels in Italy and on the journey down. Incidently, my XK8 recorded 30.7mpg on the 3500+ mile trip and one of the XKR's recorded 23.55 mpg

Andrew

[mikeduff]

My wife Sally and I have been on three Suffolk tours to Rioja Spain, in 2013, Spain and Porto in 2014 and the Pyrenees in 2015. All have been wonderful trips largely thanks to the local knowledge and experience of the Classics on the Road team Juan, Diego and Stewart. They have taken us to many hidden gems apparently known only to locals via spectacular roads rather than motorways. A few of us have been on multiple trips and get on really well so we do tend to travel in convoy but for those who like to go it alone the road books are really good and reliable. The choice of hotels does tend to be at the top end and this is undoubtedly a factor in the price but it also sets a standard for the food which is always marvellous. If we have to find fault it is that we don't really need a three course lunch as well as a full breakfast and a multi-course dinner; but it's just too difficult to say no! Diego is hoping to lead us to Tuscany in 2016 but the train cancellation mentioned elsewhere will scupper that plan for some of our number who will be unable to take an extended holiday. Happy to provide more details if required.