Taster Sailing Round Trip: Lübeck Bay and Wismar Bay

Embark	Disembark	Vessel	Duration	Voyage No
Wed 21-04-2027, 19:00Travemünde, Germany	Sun 25-04-2027, 10:00Travemünde, Germany	Eye of the Wind	4 Nights	EYE27/10

Voyage Description

If you want to find out what traditional sailing is really like without committing to a longer voyage, this four night Baltic round trip is a good place to start. Sailing from Travemünde, the ship heads into Lübeck Bay with the route shaped by the wind and conditions. Fehmarn or Wismar may provide the turning point and an opportunity to go ashore.

Although this is a short voyage, you are part of the sailing crew. You can help with sails, ropes and everyday life aboard while learning from an experienced professional crew. No previous sailing experience is required.

Setting Sail from Travemünde

Lübeck was one of the great trading cities of medieval northern Europe and became known as the Queen of the Hanse. Its old town reflects the wealth and influence created by centuries of Baltic trade.

If you can arrive a day early, the European Hansemuseum is particularly relevant to the voyage ahead. Its exhibitions explore around 600 years of Hanseatic trade, cultural history and seafaring. Lübeck is also a city worth exploring on foot. Its historic centre contains medieval streets, churches, merchants’ houses and the famous Holstentor city gate. An evening night watchman’s walk offers another way to explore the old town.

Then there is Lübeck marzipan. It has been associated with the city for centuries and remains one of its best known specialities.

Once aboard, Eye’s friendly crew will welcome you aboard and help you get settled in. There’s time for mingling and getting to know your crewmates before dinner is served.

Photo by Matthew Stuttard of Eye crew in the rigging

Along the Way

Once clear of the Trave, there is time to settle into life aboard and start learning how a large traditional sailing vessel works.

Lübeck Bay provides relatively sheltered coastal sailing and is well suited to a short introductory voyage. Local tourism information describes the area as suitable for beginners, with generally light currents and numerous harbours along the coast.

The route is not fixed, the wind and weather will determine where the ship can comfortably reach and where she spends the night. One possibility is Fehmarn, an island known for its beaches, coastal landscape and watersports. Alternatively, the ship may head towards Wismar Bay and the old Hanseatic port of Wismar.

A harbour visit gives you the chance to step ashore after a day under sail, explore for a few hours and then return to the ship for the evening.

Throughout the voyage there is a useful balance between sailing and shore time. Four nights is long enough to begin finding your feet aboard without the demands of a longer offshore passage.

Sabbatical - Setting Sail into a Rejuvenated Future

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The western Baltic is a good sailing area for an introductory voyage, but it is still open water and conditions can change.

Lübeck Bay is relatively sheltered compared with more exposed offshore sailing areas. Strong tidal currents are not a major feature of this part of the Baltic, which makes coastal passages more straightforward.

Conditions will depend on the weather during your particular voyage. There may be gentle sailing in relatively flat water, but stronger winds can produce a short, steeper sea. Rain and cooler conditions are also possible, even during otherwise settled periods.

The skipper will choose the route according to the forecast, wind direction and sea conditions. Therefore, Fehmarn and Wismar should be regarded as possible destinations rather than guaranteed ports.

That flexibility is part of traditional sailing. The aim is to make good use of the conditions rather than follow a rigid itinerary regardless of the weather.

A NOTE ON VOYAGE DESCRIPTIONS

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice.

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail. For more on this, see our article ‘What is a Hands-On Sailing Holiday?’

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

Start & End Port

Travemünde, Germany

Kit List

What to pack for a sailing holiday on the Eye of the Wind

Working Language on Board is German and English

Practical Advice for Eye of the Wind

Practical Advice for Covid 19 and Eye of the Wind

What is Included

Sailing Instruction
All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
Duvet, pillow and sheets
Hand towels

What is not Included

Waterproof jackets and trousers
Alcoholic drinks but there is a bar on board
Any entry visas required

What to Bring

Suitcases take up a lot of room in a cabin, so it is better to uses soft bags in a ship. A small rucksack for going ashore is useful.

Eye of the Wind does not supply waterproof jackets and salopette type trousers. Please bring your own waterproof clothing.
A mix of warm and wind proof clothing.
Lots of thin layers is better than one thick layer in cold destinations.
In tropical countries - long sleeves and long trousers to protect you from the sun
Footwear on board needs a good grip and soft soles- the decks are wood or steel.
Ashore stout, waterproof walking boots are best if you are in remote places.
Eye of the Wind has electric sockets in all the cabins 240 V
Cameras, spare batteries, chargers if you need them
Binoculars are handy for bird watching etc.
Suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses
Dont forget any regular medication, persciption glasses and spare
Euros for bar bill
Passport, travel insurance, tickets etc
To get ashore is usually by dinghy so be prepared to get wet feet. Rubber boots or quick drying sandals - depending on the location.
The ship provides hand towels but please bring a beach towel
snorkel and mask for caribbean if you like snorkelling (travel tip: swimming goggles pack up smaller than a facemask)
Bring insect repellant for Caribbean as can get mosquitos ashore in evening (rare at anchor)
ear plugs can be handy

Electricity

All the power to your plug sockets comes from the ship's generator which runs on deisel. The less the generators have to run to top up power, the nicer it is for the guests on board and also greener for the planet. Please don't bring loads of hairdriers, electric devices to charge.

There is no internet on board whilst at sea.

Review

The Captain's style was excellent.. so skilled, authoritative but never shouty, always caring, kind, funny & interested in people. I was So impressed that the crew were majority of girls, so strong, brave, knowledgeable & keen. 20yrs ago there might have been 1 or 2 token girls in crew & now they run the ship!

Boys also wonderful of course & chef Dennis was excellent. Im old enough to be Granny to most, but no ageism, sexism or patronising attitudes so thankyou for that.

The stops on the Danish islands were good use of time. So clean, green, pretty, & v.friendly. Unfavourable wind meant we couldn't sail as much as hoped but last day we got 12 of 15 sails up. Helming a tall ship in full sail is such a privilege. Wow.!

What a beautiful experience. Memories are priceless.
Naomi - Baltic Sea Spring 2026

Hello all at Classic

The trip went very well and was a great experience.

Everything was very well done, great captain, crew and guests.

Sea shanty singing lead by Matthew from the King's Pond Shantymen!
Best wishes, Bob. Eye of the Wind, Cadiz to the Canary Islands November 2024

A fabulous adventure! Words cannot convey the experience.
John, Tortola to Bermuda

Tortola to the Azores! What a great time. Thanks to Captain Pit and the crew. An awesome adventure with awesome people!"
F Coutreau

What a wonderful, lovely, great, awesome trip we've had from Malaga to Lanzarote! I loved and enjoyed every minute.

Thanks again for this wonderful experience. I miss you guys!
Andrea

Now that was a voyage! The EYE crew - all 10 - five women and five men - embody two words:

COMPETENT and KIND

And such a beautiful ship. Thank you beyond measure
Susan

Vessel Gallery

With red sails against a blue sky, Eye of the Wind is a photogenic ship. If you have any new images we would love to see them since Eye of the Wind has only recently returned to our website.