2016 International

[administrator]

Courtesy Frank Ashley and Drive Espana, the 2016 International will be in northern Spain:
   
   The May 2016 International Meeting is scheduled for Northern Spain. We have put together a two part meet, starting with a Tour of the Atlantic Coast to Galicia, followed by attendance at the four day Superdeportivos Cantabria supercar meeting which is a huge Supercar meet and party. Participants will have the option of doing the Tour,
   which runs from 10—20 May, the Supercar Event, which runs from 18—24 May or both.
   
   The Tour will start at Portsmouth with a 24 hour crossing to Spain on the Brittany Ferries flagship Pont Aven. After a night in Santillana del Mar, a lovely medieval village just outside Santander, the group will move to Leon for two nights in this lovely city with its Cathedral, shops and riverside rambla. The next stop is a night at the hilltop Parador of Verin with its stunning views before reaching Baiona on the Rias Baixes. Just 50 miles from Santiago de Compostella
   and a similar distance from Porto, Baiona is a magical spot, the hotel standing on a walled promontory which overlooks the harbour at which the first of Columbus' caravelles made landfall with news of the New World. The tour then continues to the riverside Parador at Ribadeo which is an ideal spot for exploring the picturesque Northern
   Atlantic Coast. For those returning home the ferry leaves from Bilbao on the Thursday afternoon, for those staying on for Superdeportivos Cantabria it is a shorter hop to Santander for four nights at the seafront Hotel Chiqui which is our base for the event.
   
   Superdeportivos Cantabria ( supported by the City of Santander and the Government of Cantabria) starts with a gourmet evening meal on Thursday evening, Friday will start with a drive out into the mountains with perhaps 100 cars and careful shepherding by the traffic police who escort us, close junctions, and encourage the group to press on. After a lunch stop there is a return to Santander and a formal dinner at the Palacio de Magdalena overlooking the sea. Saturday starts with a car show some 2 miles from the hotel followed by another drive out and a formal lunch at the Chiqui, in 2015 this was attended by over 300 people; after a brief rest there is a coach to take us for dinner and dancing. Sunday will be a more relaxed day, in 2015 we spent a few hours sailing around Santander Harbour with champagne and canapés before the farewell lunch. The Ferry home then departs at lunchtime on Monday from Santander for a 24 hour crossing to Portsmouth. The organisers of Superdeportivos will lay on bilingual
   hosts, but in 2015 we didn't really need them as most Spanish participants spoke some English.
   
   Tues 10 May Morning departure from Portsmouth on Brittany Ferries
   Wed 11 May Arrive in Santander then drive 22 miles to Santillana del Mar for a night at the Parador in this historic village
   Thurs 12 May Drive 145 miles over the Picos de Europa to Leon for two nights at the five star Parador
   Sat 14 May Drive 140 miles to Verin for a night at the hilltop Parador, laze by the pool, visit the town or go to the fortress of Pedro the Cruel
   Sun 15 May Drive 112 miles to Baiona for two nights in the stunning Parador. Use the spare day to explore, go to Vigo for shops and seafood, Santiago de Compostella for culture and history or Porto for a step into Portugal and Port!
   Tues 17 May Drive 190 miles to Ribadeo via the charming walled city of Lugo. There are two nights at the Parador allowing a drive out to properly explore the Atlantic Coast
   Wed 18 May Morning Departure from Portsmouth for those doing Superdeportivos only
   Thurs 19—Sun 22 May
   Full range of Superdeportivos activities including dinners, lunches, two drive outs formal dinner and dinner dance
   Mon 23 May Late morning departure on the Pont Aven to Portsmouth with early afternoon arrival 24 May
   Thurs 19 May Superdeportivos Group arrive at Bilbao and drive 63 miles to Santander for 4 nights at the Hotel Chiqui. Tour members joining Superdeportivos Group drive 187 Miles to Santander for 4 nights at the Hotel Chiqui. Non Superdeportivos participants drive 250 miles to Bilbao for the late afternoon ferry to Portsmouth with arrival late afternoon 20 May Baiona Leon Fuente de
   
   What is included.
   - Return ferry with outside twin cabin
   - Dinner bed and breakfast at all hotels on the Tour
   - Superdeportivos Activities as described with experienced Tour Leader
   - Tour leader to support Superdeportivos Activities
   - Map and roadbook.
   Price per car with two occupants.
   Tour only £2300
   Superdeportivos only £1850
   Tour and Superdeportivos £3100
   
   It will be an "unaccompanied" tour as Jasper will be doing another one at the same time.
   
   To book contact Drive Espana 01442 842542/07831 327727 or email
   info@driveespana.com

[MkIV Lux]

Good initiative Ashley and Frank.... [:)]
   sunshine guaranteed I guess... [:)]
   
   will need to update language skills with a Spanish crash course ....[^]
   ... some 4.000 + kms of motoring expected via France ... copilot will be [xx(] by the end of the trip
   
   stay [8D]

[4752]

Now that Christmas and the New Year celebrations are over and we are all looking forward to the coming season and perhaps starting to plan the mortoring calendar, may I take this opportunity to remind members who are thinking of joining in the ACOC 2016 International, that the closing date for entries is the last week in March.   This is because Tour Espana have to confirm with Brittany Ferries and also the Paradores, how many of the reserved cabins/rooms are required.
   
   The event offers the chance of motoring on roads with light traffic in a different area of Northern Spain to that visited on the 2011 tour, and if the combined event is chosen, then there is even more enjoyment to be had.
   
   Further info from us on 01789-720375, or Jasper Gilder on 01442-842542
   
   Frank Ashley/Thelma Grose