At Prins we saw the warm weather coming from afar, literally, with our recent visit to Spain. We’ve had a great Prince Tour, maybe the best so far! And that while the previous editions could hardly be surpassed… In terms of climate, we are now somewhat used to it. Moreover, after such a week we are practiced ‘fans out’. Because apart from lots of good food, drinks and beautiful sights, the Prins Summer Tour 2021 was of course all about driving!
After we had already tried out the route with a Spanish-peppered rental car a few weeks earlier, we were almost certain: this will be the most beautiful Prince Tour ever. That is quite a statement, given the indelible memories of previous years. We were therefore cautiously exited, especially in the beginning. As if we had to start the event with half a foot on the brake.
Monday
On Monday, the first day of the Tour, however, we could hardly restrain ourselves. The healthy tension disappeared like snow in the sun in Bilbao during a Princely delivery of 3 cars to their owners on a square right below the Guggenheim Museum. Once seated at a very pleasant dinner in a traditional restaurant located in the old center of Bilbao, the ice was finally broken. A total of more than 50 petrol-breathing Prins customers and car enthusiasts saw their confidence grow by the minute in an unforgettable week. And that turned out to be quite right.
Tuesday – part 1
We would like the start of the first official stage on Tuesday to go like a well-oiled machine, but Bilbao is and remains a hectic southern European city. Moreover, taking 27 beauties up one by one from the parking garage via a car lift is in practice a less romantic event than we hoped. And then see them lined up in one continuous row. Navigating also required a bit of getting used to. With some fits and starts the Prince caravan started, but once on the way we soon forgot about the rough start. Nevertheless, an early coffee stop was more than welcome! The atmosphere was immediately good there: a historic castle in beautiful condition formed the backdrop for a unique collection of Rolls-Royce classics!
Tuesday – part 2
From here we continued our way in the direction of an increasingly beautiful landscape. Meanwhile, the asphalt became emptier and emptier; all the ingredients for an enjoyable ride! First a hearty lunch, Spaniards are not averse to that at all: cheeses, wines and a nice piece of meat from the grill. The inner man was well cared for. But we were far from full of driving: halfway through day one everyone was already completely in the ‘flow’. Braking, steering, accelerating; unnoticed it was in our system in no time. This went on for almost 2 hours, until we reached the emblematic pearl called Santillana del Mar. Here it was fun until the late hours on Plaza Major.
Wednesday
Secretly we already knew: Wednesday will be a blast! Pikos de Europe was the domain of heavy feet, quick hands and wide grins. Views interspersed with narrow gorges, smooth asphalt and little traffic; this is where the real helmsmen and women came to the surface! To be clear: at Prins we sell cars, so driving was also central to this Tour. Even when participants stopped briefly to grab an extra bit of view and/or a cup of coffee, the focus was on driving: many passers-by from the Prins peloton were encouraged to make themselves heard excessively loudly and sign an autograph left on the asphalt. And yes, that happened. The endless enjoyment lasted until a pleasant terrace evening in the center of León, where we stayed in a stately old hotel.
Thursday – part 1
How different Thursday looked. Not in terms of fun, but the environment changed drastically from the fresh-looking green mountains to the mostly bone-dry, rougher interior of Spain. The stretched, sloping stretches of tarmac and long straights made the ride a lot more manageable. In short, look at infinity and go! Our sidesteps through old, almost extinct villages caused quite a stir locally. Although the speed had long been out with us, one of the residents thought it was all getting a little too intense. For a moment it seemed that the man wanted to work the beauties with a crowbar – the WhatsApp group had already warned about this, but he held back. Happy.
Thursday – part 2
Barely recovered from this memorable ride, we settled in one of the dusty villages at a real Bodega. Here we were treated to an extensive barbecue in the middle of a very cozy wine cellar, meters deep. Meanwhile, the sun kept the cars well at operating temperature. And that’s a good thing, because after that it was just a short stretch of flames to Hacienda: a breathtakingly beautiful place. Perhaps the best of the week! In a Roman-style outdoor pool, we were served with cold drinks at our beck and call. After a very tasteful wine tasting it was time for a delicious dinner in the chapel of the estate. We were in special company: a stork had filled its nest with young ones.
Friday – part 1
On to Portugal! We were all still full of beautiful Spain, but Portugal turned out to be a worthy successor in the afternoon with its rocky nature. Once again it was remarkably quiet on the road; with the exception of a few peasants and farmers’ wives plus their animals, there was hardly anyone to be seen. Handy when the cars are fired like a cannon… We left the straights and wide bends behind us in blood rush; tight cornering was coming! A totally different experience to drive here, but again a very nice one. Lunch was also served in beautiful surroundings. Once near Douro Valley, we discovered an architectural marvel: Cao Museum, consisting of a large piece of concrete concealed in a rock, with parking on the roof. Never thought that a work of art could provide such a dazzlingly beautiful view! Another advantage of a modern piece of design: inside it was pleasantly cool compared to the 34 degrees Celsius that the temperature gauge recorded outside…
Friday – part 2
However, we do not complain: once all noses were in the direction of the Douro, the Portuguese landscape treated us to beautiful views in quiet regions. The rocks seemed to slowly fade into the background in exchange for vines. Arriving in Douro, we see an iron bridge with our own oasis on the other side, including palm trees and swimming pool. Welcome to The Vintage House! In this heat there was only one right place for a welcome drink: in (and around) the water!
Saturday
The next morning we took our time over breakfast in our private oasis. The vast majority of those present left at 11:30 am for a sensational ride in the Duero area, along banks and between vines. The eyes are on a unique lunch location with dishes that are just as beautiful as the view. It’s hot, very hot. Fortunately, bottled water and ice-cold rosé provide much-needed refreshment. A few drive straight to Porto in one line to spend an extra long afternoon in the famous port city. And then suddenly comes the realization that the end of Prince Summer Tour 2021 is in sight. Not before we close it in style! The Yeatman Hotel is magnificent. The trucks that were already ready to load the cars confronted us with the facts. Then enjoy it for a while! Down at the quay, while enjoying snacks and live music, we raise a glass one last time to what might be the most beautiful Prince Tour ever. In the background the center of Porto; a place in our hearts from now on!
Heralding the end of a ‘holiday’ is never fun, but we did it with a huge sense of satisfaction. We would like to thank all participants for their confidence and for bringing a lot of fun, atmosphere and of course a heavy right foot. The sun has haunted us, and the memories always will!
