Spain/Ibiza – Valencia-Andalusia (Almeria/Almerimar)

We sail with a maximum of 6 guests. Each of the 4 cabins has its own bathroom.

Duration: 12 days

Start of trip
We sail from Ibiza via Valencia to Andalusia. This trip is ideal for collecting any remaining miles you need, experiencing the fascination of night passages and visiting Valencia, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

We depart from Ibiza, either from Marina Eulalia or Sant Antoni de Portmany. Once everyone has settled into their bunks, we provision for the trip at the nearest supermarket. Then we treat ourselves to a fine restaurant and enjoy Spanish specialities.

Cast off
Sunday begins with a hearty breakfast and once the ship's briefing is complete, we cast off and set out in search of the most beautiful bay in Ibiza. As soon as the harbour entrance lies astern, the sails are set and everyone can familiarise themselves with the boat.

Ibiza and Formentera
A few more days follow in beautiful bays between Ibiza and Formentera – 'the Caribbean of the Mediterranean'. Beaches with turquoise-blue water invite swimming and snorkelling, we explore the two neighbouring islands in short passages and find sheltered bays for the evening. The dinghy is launched for shore excursions.

The passage to Valencia
We sail from Ibiza to Valencia. Whether we tackle the 80 miles towards Valencia with a long day passage depends on the wind. Should we sail overnight, our only companions will be the stars above us and the sound of the bow wave. Perhaps a few midnight dolphins will pay us a visit.

Arriving in Valencia
Valencia is certainly one of the highlights of this sailing voyage. Spain's third-largest city after Madrid and Barcelona has so much to offer that one could easily spend an entire holiday week here. Breathtakingly futuristic architecture is on display at the City of Arts and Sciences, the 'Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies'. The Silk Exchange 'Lonja de la Seda' with its spiral columns has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Valencia Cathedral, the churches and monasteries, countless museums, historic and spectacular modern bridges, as well as the harbour installations of the famous America's Cup (of great interest to us sailors) are just some of the many sights this fascinating city has to offer.

Onwards to Alicante
Next stop Alicante. Here the traces of human existence reach back three thousand years before our era. Today the inhabitants live mainly from tourism and wine production. In June 2012, the Volvo Ocean Race Museum opened at the harbour, dedicated to sailing and the history of this famous regatta. We continue along the coast via Santa Pola to Torrevieja. Both places became known for their fishing fleets, which had their economic heyday between the 1950s and 1970s. Santa Pola, once founded in antiquity by the Romans as a harbour, is now very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

On to Cartagena
We continue towards Cartagena. In this extensive natural harbour, which over the millennia has seen and sheltered the trading ships and war fleets of all seafaring peoples, we moor at the city quay. We lie directly in front of the old city wall, the open squares and boulevards that invite an evening stroll. We may also pay a visit to the nearby Mar Menor – the entrance with only 2.50m depth and the passage under the bridge are a great highlight.

From Cartagena via Garrucha to Almerimar
Depending on the weather, we either make a night passage from Cartagena to Almerimar, accompanied only by the rush of the bow wave and the starry sky above us, or we enjoy two longer day passages with a stopover in the port town of Garrucha. But either way, on the last evening in Almerimar we review this varied trip once more over a final dinner together.