The Baltic Sea has many islands archipelagos and straits offering relatively sheltered waters for beginners Both Copenhagen and Stockholm are surrounded by many islands. Towards Gothenburg or Stockholm, there are more open stretches where the Baltic Sea is wider, contrasting with the Swedish coast which has complex archipelagoes of small islands and skerries (smooth, low lying rocks in a former glaciated landscape.
For culture lovers this whole area is steeped in maritime history from Vikings to the Hanseatic trading ports.
For those who want to be close to nature, Many of Eye of the Wind’s summer voyages here in Sweden, Germany, and Denmark are a great mix of anchorages off white sand beaches, pine-covered islands, and nature reserves or national parks.
If you travelling from outside of Europe, or just want to see more of Northern Europe, then exploring whilst on a green mode of transport has a feel good factor. See the great cities of Scandinavia and Northern Europe by travelling under sail.
The further into the Baltic you go in summer, the hotter it gets. The Swedish Archipelago, the Aland Islands and Finland’s lakes and forests beckon the sailing crazy Scandinavians. Summer outdoor living is part of the culture in Sweden, Norway and Finland and it is not because of their tough Viking ancestry. close to a continental climate, it is actually a lot hotter than the rest of Atlantic fringing Europe which has a more maritime climate (wetter!).
Scandinavian food and drink has a reputation for being expensive, but on a sailing ship your accommodation, meals and travel along the coast are all included. All the vessels we currently work with that are sailing to Scandinavian ports are based in countries where alcohol is a lot cheaper, so they may arrive well stocked (depends a bit on custom regulations).
Swedish Smack Festivals, Risor Wooden Boat Festival, Folk Boat reunions, Viking longship museums and many surviving Baltic trading ships all add to the sense of history. Baltic timber has built many a wooden ship and trade by ship between nearby Sweden and Denmark and the numerous islands still has continues, even if it is now by small coaster. Several of the Classic sailing historic fleet would not have survived two world wars if they hadn’t been kept for cargo voyages in the Baltic (Oosterschelde, Excelsior) and excellent boatyards at Marstrand and Svenborg still attract the best wooden shipwrights.
On the shores of Southern Norway are white towns of wooden buildings, and in Bergen and Stavanger, the colourful waterfront warehouses are still wooden construction.
