Winding Through Portugal: The Ultimate Adventure

Our Portuguese adventure began not in Portugal itself, but in the Basque Country, where the first chapter of our journey unfolded with a touch of theatre. As dawn broke over a rainy Bilbao, the transporters from our trusted partners at Apex Transport rolled into the grounds of the majestic Palacio Arriluce Hotel. With precision and care, an extraordinary collection of cars was lowered from the trucks, one by one, as hotel guests and curious onlookers gathered to witness the spectacle.

What awaited was nothing short of breathtaking. Our convoy for this journey to Faro represented the pinnacle of automotive engineering. The line-up leaned towards Porsche excellence, with two 991.2 GT3 RS, two 992 GT3 RS one enhanced with the coveted Manthey Racing kit and our very own 718 GT4 RS, a car that feels perfectly at home on both road and track. Adding a dash of Italian passion, we were also joined by a Ferrari 488 Pista and a ballistic Ferrari SF90, ensuring that every stretch of road would resonate with a symphony of performance.

Perhaps the most rewarding element of this tour, however, lies not only in the cars, but in the people behind the wheel. All but two of our guests were returning participants, familiar faces who have shared roads and memories with us on past adventures. It is this sense of continuity, of journeys woven together over the years, that creates a family of enthusiasts bound by a shared love for exceptional cars, extraordinary places, and unforgettable experiences.

This opening moment set the tone for the days ahead: elegance, excitement, and camaraderie. From Bilbao’s Basque charm to the sun-drenched roads of Portugal, the stage is set for a journey unlike any other.

Leaving the Basque coast behind, our convoy headed south, tracing a route that revealed the sheer beauty and variety of Spain’s driving roads. It was here that the tour truly began to unfold, our first encounter with the flowing mountain passes and the sweeping ribbons of tarmac that make the Iberian Peninsula a driver’s paradise.

Midway through the journey, just outside Burgos, we paused for a leisurely lunch at a charming local restaurant, where the air was rich with the scent of barbecue. It was the perfect prelude to an afternoon of spirited driving, though not without drawing curious glances and admiring smiles from locals captivated by the sight and sound of our automotive ensemble.

As the sun began its descent, we arrived at the Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena, an extraordinary retreat set within the walls of a beautifully restored monastery. Nestled amid the rolling vineyards of Ribera del Duero, this five-star haven perfectly blends centuries-old heritage with understated modern luxury. Here, the pace shifted. After an exquisite evening meal that celebrated the region’s gastronomic traditions, guests retired to their rooms to prepare for the next chapter of the adventure.

The following morning, gathered once again around the cars, excitement stirred in the crisp Castilian air. Ahead lay one of the most remarkable destinations of the entire journey a hotel experience unlike any other.

The weather, as it sometimes does, had its own plans for us. With torrential rain falling steadily throughout the day, and our convoy running on summer tyres, the decision was made to take the safer route cruising the open motorways and letting the kilometres melt away beneath us. Even so, there was something compelling about the sight of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres battling the storm, the sound of water cascading off bodywork, and the resilience of our guests as we pressed on towards our next destination.

What awaited us more than made up for the journey. Arriving at the Maison Albar Amoure, we were immediately struck by its grandeur a stately entrance giving way to a meticulously renovated property that blends contemporary sophistication with timeless elegance. But it was inside that the true magic revealed itself.

For the evening, we had prepared something extraordinary. Our private dining experience was set within the hotel’s bar area, the atmosphere elevated by the presence of a Ferrari SF90 XX Spider, displayed with reverence from the Amoure’s own collection. Surrounded by such artistry, with the entire space reserved exclusively for us, the evening unfolded with an intimacy and luxury that words can scarcely capture. It was less a dinner, and more a celebration of cars, of company, and of the rare privilege of experiencing something so unique.

Morning brought yet another surprise. Over coffee and croissants, conversation hushed as we were joined by a true icon: the Ferrari LaFerrari from the private collection. Cameras were raised, smiles shared, and memories captured in a way that only encounters with such rarities can deliver.

Maison Albar Amoure was more than just a hotel stop it was a highlight, an experience that lingers long after the journey continues. And with promises already in place to return next year, we look forward to unveiling even more treasures from the Amoure’s private collection, alongside the exceptional cars our guests bring with them.

Reluctantly bidding farewell to the refined embrace of Maison Albar Amoure, we set our sights on our next destination, the Burel Mountain Hotel. A masterpiece of design perched amidst the majesty of the Burel Mountains, this hotel promised more than just luxury; it offered a journey worth savoring.

The drive itself was nothing short of exhilarating; a symphony of sweeping bends, flawless roads, and cinematic scenery unfolding at every turn. Each curve of the mountain roads felt like an ode to driving pleasure, the kind that reminds you why the journey can often outshine the destination.

We paused only briefly for photographs, desperate to capture even a fraction of the grandeur that surrounded us, yet unwilling to break the intoxicating rhythm we had found on these spectacular roads. Having embarked on many such adventures before, we all agreed the roads through Burel stand among Europe’s most breathtaking and beautifully engineered stretches of tarmac.

As we approached the Burel Mountain Hotel, perfectly poised within the apex of a dramatic hairpin turn, the scene felt almost cinematic. Engines silenced, we stepped out into the cool mountain air, the soft ticking of cooling metal underscoring our laughter and shared stories of the drive. Surrounded by serene peaks and that unmistakable post-drive euphoria, there was only one thing left to do, unwind and indulge in the mountain’s quiet luxury.

As dawn spilled softly over the mountains, we began our descent meandering through the early morning haze, the roads unfurling beneath us like silk ribbons. The journey led us through the cobbled streets of drowsy Portuguese villages, each one still stirring from slumber, as we made our way toward Portugal’s radiant capital, Lisbon.

The Serra da Estrela Nature Park gifted us yet another chapter of pure driving bliss. Its sweeping roads, flanked by untamed beauty, were fast, fierce, and utterly intoxicating, a driver’s dream carved into the heart of nature. It was one of those rare routes that demanded both precision and passion, rewarding every turn with a breathtaking view.

After one of the most demanding and unforgettable driving days of the trip, we rolled into Lisbon, navigating its charming maze of narrow streets and tiled façades until we arrived at our haven for the night, the Epic Sana Lisboa. A refreshing dip in the rooftop pool, framed by panoramic city views, was the perfect antidote to the day’s intensity.

As evening settled, we dressed for the night and ventured across the city to Barouk, where the air was rich with the aroma of spiced dishes and the warmth of Middle Eastern hospitality. From there, the night unfolded effortlessly slipping into Lisbon’s hidden cocktail bars and discovering the capital’s electric yet intimate nightlife. It was the perfect crescendo to a day that had already given us everything.

Waking to the soft hum of Lisbon in the morning light, we knew this day would offer something rare a pause. A brief interlude of calm between two days of thrilling drives. Leaving the capital behind, we glided effortlessly along Portugal’s pristine motorways, the scenery shifting from coastal charm to the sun-drenched tranquility of the Évora region.

Our destination, the Convento do Espinheiro, was nothing short of breathtaking a 15th-century convent reborn as a sanctuary of luxury and serenity. Its whitewashed walls and manicured gardens whispered of history, while its poolside offered pure, modern indulgence. After the exhilaration of the previous day’s roads, this retreat felt like the ultimate reward.

The afternoon unfolded at a slower pace time spent lounging beneath the warm Alentejo sun, the stillness punctuated only by the sound of laughter and the soft ripple of water. It was a moment to recharge, reflect, and simply breathe in the beauty that surrounded us.

With little driving to recount and a much-anticipated day ahead we’ll fast-forward to what awaited us next: another chapter of unforgettable roads, sweeping landscapes, and pure driving euphoria.

As dawn broke on our final morning of this unforgettable journey, there was only one direction that felt right, south toward the sun-drenched splendour of the Algarve. The promise of the coast pulled us onward as we descended through yet more ribbons of immaculate tarmac, each curve perfectly carved into the landscape. The roads here were intoxicating, flowing, rhythmic stretches that danced between rugged hillsides and glimpses of distant ocean, the kind of driving that stirs the soul and makes time feel suspended.

Our destination was one of our most cherished spots from past adventures: the Bahari Beach Lounge & Restaurant. Returning here felt like revisiting an old friend, familiar yet still brimming with the magic of the first time. The team had graciously reserved parking for our convoy, a small gesture that elevated the experience into something truly special. Lunch unfolded in effortless luxury: sun on our faces, the Atlantic glittering before us, and plates of exquisite seafood that perfectly captured the essence of coastal Portugal.

But the day was far from over. Leaving the serenity of the beach behind, we turned east toward Portimão, where a burst of adrenaline awaited at the legendary Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve. The circuit delivered pure joy, high-speed battles, laughter echoing through every corner, and just the right hint of friendly chaos. By the time we stepped out of the karts, clutching our sides from laughter (with one slightly bruised photographer bearing the scars of a so-called “racing incident”), we were buzzing.

As the sun dipped low, we cruised through the Algarve’s rolling fairways, pristine greens and palm-framed roads, the air warm and golden, until we reached our final sanctuary the Wyndham Grand Algarve. It was the perfect place to end the journey: refined, tranquil, and kissed by the last light of a trip we would never forget.

Each mile, each moment, of this tour was a reminder of why we drive: for the roads, the people, and the memories that stay long after the engines cool. If this adventure has stirred something within you, join us on our next tour using the link below and experience the road as it was meant to be extraordinary, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Over and out, the JQ Team.