The ultimate sailing adventure
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2006 17:10
Active holidaymakers can take a holiday sailing a 60-metre ship (photo: Tall Ships Trust)
If you love the idea of taking to the seas with the wind in your sails then there are plenty of great sailing holidays choose from.
However, if you want to go one step further and learn to be part of the crew of a big sailing ship, then you could try a Tall Ships adventure holiday.
An experience that will appeal to active travellers who want to try something new, Tall Ships expect people who holiday aboard one of their 60-metre traditionally rigged ships to sign on as a working crew member.
The company is in fact a charity - the Tall Ships Youth Trust - and is dedicated to the personal development of young people aged 16 to 25, but Tall Ships also offers the experience to anyone who wants to try sailing some truly breathtaking ships.
Upon arrival, holidaymakers are split into three watches that sail the ship, and over the trip get to learn how to climb the rigging, handle the sails and ropes, take the helm, keep lookout as well as the less exciting jobs such as cleaning the ship.
No previous sailing experience is required, and the Tall Ships says travellers can participate according to their capabilities and requirements.
The company has two ships - the Prince William and Stavros S Niarchos - which are manned by 13 volunteers crew and 48 voyagers.
Both ships are centrally heated, have hot showers and hot drinks available at all times and promise high quality onboard eating.
The Prince William's itinerary includes one-day sails and shorter tasters around the coast of the UK and Ireland over the winter.
A five-night adventure on the ship taking a tour around the British coast costs £299, and includes all meals on board, tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits, safety equipment and training, waterproofs, sailing instructions and boat transfers ashore.
The Stavros S Niarchos sails the Mediterranean, visiting the Canaries and Madeira.
A seven-night voyage in the Canaries, off the Spanish coast, starts from £399, and is also available over Christmas.
The Stavros is also running an Atlantic Challenge from Gibraltar to Madeira.
For more information see
www.tallships.org