Northern Spain… Galicia

Interestingly San Seb airport is actually in Hondarriba, it may be a good alternative as I've not yet confirmed a booking for the former yet. The airport looks quite central, is there a lot of overhead noise? It might make a great base for 3 or 4 days to explore from.

Thanks everyone for some great recommendations. I’ve now extended our itinerary from simply spending a few days getting from Santander ferry port to our function near Pontevedra and then heading eastwards to France straight away, to now spending a couple of weeks in N Spain taking in all of your suggestions!
Staying in a few Brittany ferries recommended hotels, a few Paradores and the rest still to book.

A final question please…is it worth dropping down into Northern Portugal whilst we’re over in Galicia, or save that for another trip.

I guess it depends how long you've got. It's the centre piece of our trip this year, 3 nights in Porto and 4 in Pinhao (Douro Valley) which is stunning.

I would 100pc make time for the Douro valley. It is one of the most beautiful wine regions I have been to. Stayed at Quinta de São Bernardo but think prices have crept up quite a bit since we stayed (still cheaper than the six senses which caters mainly for those paying in $$$). The former is a lovely small hotel with great food and wine. Can help you with wine tour recommendations if needed, there's so many but I find the smaller operations are a lot more intimate and a less manufactured experience.

On the way back from the Douro to Santander ferry if you head East and slog it back via Spanish motorway you might stop round Valladolid, the town itself is very industrial. We ended up crashing in an IBIS in the shadow of the Michelin factory on the way from the Algarve last summer. It's a good stopping point all the same and makes an easy morning motorway drive before the Ferry. If your budget extends to it the Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine outside Valladolid just got awarded top Michelin hotel status - meant to be insane but maybe one for post Euro jackpot.

It's 12 years since I was last there on a motorbike trip that took us down through Spain, across to the Algarve, then up the west coast of Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, but my endearing memory of Portuguese B-roads is just the most incredible smooth tarmac everywhere we went.

There were no Police to be seen anywhere so once out in the sticks we just gave it the absolute beans on the most glorious public road surfaces I've ever had the joy to ride on. If you do head that way, maybe seek out some of those roads for the driving thrills. (Sorry I can't recommend a route, our esteemed leader set it, I just followed at the back grinning like a Cheshire cat!)