Travel Route and Landprogram

Itinerary and shore programs

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The voyage starts along the west coast of Europe through the Bay of Biscay. Via the Canary Islands we continue to the Caribbean and Central America. On the way back the ship passes Cuba, Bermuda and the Azores.

In addition to time on the ship, we plan to spend a total of about 50-60 days ashore.

We also want to visit new destinations on each trip, so there is never one final itinerary.

In addition, with a sailing ship we are of course always exposed to the weather conditions and since it is our priority to motor as little as possible, we can never say exactly when we will reach which point on the route.

One possible route might look like this:

First leg: starting port to Vigo

After casting off in the first port, the route leads through the Bay of Biscay to Spain. Everyone gets used to life on the ship.
The watches start and the teachers begin to plan individual lessons for the students.
The first real excursion takes place in Vigo: The bus takes them to Santiago de Compostela, the destination of the famous Way of St. James.

Second leg: Vigo to Morocco

Along Portugal’s west coast, the ship heads south to Morocco to pay a visit to the African continent. The ship docks in Essaouira and the young people experience the oriental culture up close.

Third leg: Morocco to Tenerife

In Tenerife, a varied program awaits us: a visit to the Thor Heyerdahl Museum, the old town of Santa Cruz, a day at the beach and a hike up one of the island’s mountains.

If we have enough time left, we will visit other islands of the Canary Islands.

Fourth leg: Tenerife to the Cape Verde Islands

The route then follows the adage from old seafaring times: “Go south until the butter melts.” In search of the trade winds that will take us across the Atlantic, we sail further south along the African coast and visit Cape Verde as the last country before the Atlantic crossing. In addition to the necessary provisioning, we explore the impressive island world of Cape Verde.

Fifth leg: Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean

The trip across the Atlantic takes about two weeks, depending on wind conditions. Now there are only the daily position reports and a daily report from out there. This part is also called the “barefoot route” because it is very pleasant here: wind from astern, calm swell, warm temperatures, often a great starry sky at night and maybe even a swim stop in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sixth leg: Caribbean Islands to Panama

The first island in the “New World” was in the last years always Antigua, where we arrive around mid-December. Until Christmas, depending on the schedule and weather conditions, we will sail to different islands in the Grenadines such as Bequia, Union Island or Tobago Keys. After Christmas we will sail through the Caribbean Sea with a possible stop in Santa Marta / Colombia.

Seventh leg: Costa Rica

After transferring overland from Panama to Costa Rica, our largest land program will take place here:

Language course in Jaco
Expeditions (self-organized)
Surf course at the Pacific Ocean
Coffee farm with coffee harvest and fair trade insights
Visit to a farm in the rainforest with expeditions into the jungle, insights into permaculture and encounters with indigenous people

Eighth leg: Panama to Cuba

The westernmost point of the trip is behind us, from now on it’s only east or north and on this route we pass Cuba. Due to its culture and history, Cuba is another highlight of the trip and allows insight into one of the last communist countries in the world. Of course, the visit to the capital Havana must not be missed.

Ninth leg: Cuba to Bermuda

Before the northern Atlantic crossing, Bermuda is visited every year. Here, the ships are again bunkered and prepared for the long leg to the Azores. A city tour of Hamilton and a beach cleanup offer a change of pace on shore before it’s back on the ship for longer.

Tenth leg: Bermuda to the Azores

It is now finally heading east back home. The North Atlantic can be challenging at this time of year and now the youngsters’ previously trained sailing skills are needed to guide the ship. The previous speed record of the “Pelican of London” is 16 knots (approx. 30 km/h), the “Regina Maris” has also been taken to 18 knots. In the Azores, Horta on Isla Faial is a romantic harbor town that offers many opportunities for exploration and expeditions. And of course, a visit to the world-famous “Peter Cafe Sport” and the traditional immortalization of the crew with a painted picture on the pier should not be missed.

Eleventh leg: From the Azores to home

From now on, two feelings alternate on board:

On the one hand, the joy of being home, and on the other hand, the melancholy of leaving the world and the shipboard family of the last five months. At the same time, this part of the route through the Bay of Biscay demands a great deal of the young people in terms of seamanship and brings the group even closer together. The ship handovers also take place on this section, with the young people taking over the positions of the crew.

In mid-April, the ships then dock in the port of destination with a big reception for the parents.

I WANT TO GO WITH YOU!