From Porto to the Canary Islands aboard the barque EUROPA

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From Portugal to the Canary Islands

The crew on board is international, so English is predominantly spoken.

Join the barque EUROPA in Porto and sail south towards the Canary Islands, where the Atlantic opens out and the days are shaped by wind, waves and life at sea. This is far more than a passage from one port to another: you become part of the crew on deck, helping to set the sails, standing watches and experiencing the rhythm of life aboard a traditional sailing ship. Leave everyday life behind, discover the vastness of the Atlantic and experience the ocean under sail as you set course for Tenerife.

As you leave Porto behind, mobile reception gradually gives way to a different rhythm of life. No more phones or laptops – just the ocean, the elements and your fellow travellers aboard, with whom you will spend the next 11 days. The voyage follows the natural wind patterns: first the Portuguese northerly wind (“Nortada”) accompanies us, and further south the north-east trade wind provides a steady breeze that carries us towards Tenerife. There is plenty of time to get to know the ship, your fellow travellers and yourself better.

Farewell to Porto

Our journey begins as soon as you step aboard the barque EUROPA. As you walk up the gangway, you leave the bustling atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto behind. With its colourful riverside houses, lively, winding alleys and centuries of maritime history, this Portuguese city has always faced the sea. Set on the hills above the River Douro, Porto grew through trade and its close ties with the Atlantic. The city's history has been shaped by generations of seafarers and merchants. Now it is our turn to follow the Atlantic Ocean. As the city fades into the distance, we set the sails; the coastline grows ever smaller, and life aboard finds its own rhythm. Ahead of us lies the Atlantic – the beginning of an unforgettable sailing adventure.

Eleven days at sea – a shared journey

For eleven days, the Atlantic becomes our world. On our southbound course we follow the changing winds and currents and adjust our heading, while the ocean sets the pace. Some days the sails fill in a steady breeze; on others we wait patiently for the wind to return. Every watch opens up a new horizon, and every day teaches us a little more about sailing, the sea and one another. Life on board soon finds its rhythm. We learn to trust each other and to pull together when the wind shifts and the ocean stretches endlessly around us. After ten days at sea, Tenerife finally appears on the horizon. As we approach Santa Cruz, we bring with us more than just memories of the crossing. We came aboard as strangers – but we arrive as one crew, united by the ocean and the journey we have shared.
Route

From Porto we sail south along the Portuguese coast before heading out into the Atlantic towards the Canary Islands. Thanks to the Portuguese northerlies and – further south – the north-east trade winds, we follow the currents and winds that have guided seafarers through these waters for centuries. As we leave the European coast behind, the days grow warmer and the ocean spreads out wide around us. On this eleven-day voyage aboard the barque EUROPA, you gain practical experience of offshore sailing before we finally arrive in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What is included:

A small, personal sailing experience with a maximum of 42–46 fellow sailors
Sail training and exciting talks given by our permanent crew
Taking part in research projects on board during the longer legs
Delicious meals prepared by our experienced cook; coffee and tea are available without limit
Spend your free time in the onboard library, the lounge, the poker corner, the deckhouse or at the bar on board

Special Features

The watch system

The EUROPA is operated around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a manoeuvre can be called at any time, the crew must organise itself and sail on a watch system. This means that part of the crew is always awake and sailing the ship, while the rest of the crew is off duty. The watches change after four hours.

The Barque EUROPA is a so-called sail training ship, and as such every participant becomes part of this crew and sails as a trainee. This means that everyone on board is introduced to the safety procedures and that everyone is expected to take an active part in the watch system. Active participation in all sailing manoeuvres is what makes these voyages so special. How far you are involved in everything depends on your own interest and physical fitness.

On deck, you work closely with the permanent crew. During a watch you assist the permanent crew for four hours and then have eight hours off. The watches are named after the colours of the Dutch flag. During a watch, you have to take the helm, stand lookout and help with setting and taking in the sails.

Requirements for the voyage:

Health certificate and health and international travel insurance
A valid passport. Please ask your consulate about visa regulations for the countries to be visited, and make sure you have adequate vaccinations for these countries yourself
Personal medication
For work on deck: waterproof shoes with non-slip soles
Swimwear and sandals
Clothing for every kind of weather

For clothing, the “onion system” is recommended, in which several layers are worn on top of one another. Bear in mind that it can get cold at sea, especially at night.

Unsuitable on board

Your bunk has a duvet with cover, a pillow with pillowcase and a bed sheet.
You do not need to bring a sleeping bag.
Towels are provided.
Suitcases are unsuitable for stowing in the cabin. Please bring a holdall or a kit bag instead.
It is not permitted to bring large quantities of food or alcoholic drinks on board.
Valuables