Portuguese Couple Rides Through War Zones to Reach Jerusalem on Motorcycle
A Portuguese couple has completed an ambitious motorcycle journey across Europe and the Middle East, arriving in Jerusalem despite wartime challenges. João Fernandes Luís, 56, and Paula Marinho, 46, travelled through conflict zones, drawing comparisons to historic explorers along the way. The pair set off from Porto, crossing Europe and Turkey before entering the Middle East. Their route included stops in Bethlehem, Hebron, Metula, and finally Jerusalem, where they left a Portuguese national team scarf at the Western Wall. There, they prayed for Portugal’s success in the 2026 World Cup.
This trip marked Luís’s fifth motorcycle journey through the region, each covering between 15,000 and 20,000 kilometres. However, it was his first during wartime, adding extra risks. In northern Iraq, soldiers questioned them for hours and prepared for potential threats before allowing them to proceed. Due to safety concerns, Iraqi troops escorted the couple in military vehicles to the Jordanian border. An official there even called Luís the 'modern Vasco da Gama' for his adventurous travels. Previous trips had led to suspicions of spying for Israel, though no charges were ever brought.
The couple’s journey ended at one of Jerusalem’s most sacred sites. Their route through conflict zones highlights both the dangers and determination behind their travels. Luís and Marinho have now returned home after weeks on the road.
