| Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10-04-2027, 16:00Palma, Mallorca, Spain | Thu 15-04-2027, 10:00La Spezia, Italy | Santa Maria Manuela | 5 Nights | SM100427 V09 |
Join Santa Maria Manuela in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, for a five-night Palma to La Spezia tall ship voyage across the western Mediterranean to the Italian coast.
No experience is needed. Help hoist and trim the sails of a historic four-masted topsail schooner, take the helm and stand lookout for dolphins and shearwaters. Mid-April brings mild days, cool evenings and quiet seas, with night watches under the stars and a small crew who quickly become good company.
The voyage ends in La Spezia, Italy, in the Gulf of Poets, with Portovenere and the Cinque Terre close by and quieter than they will be in summer.
“We want to say thank you to all the crew they all were so helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. If the world would follow Santa maria Manuela’s example we would all live in a better place.”
Peter and Ron
Five nights at sea aboard a historic four-masted topsail schooner.
Join in Palma de Mallorca beneath its Gothic cathedral.
Help hoist the sails, take the helm and stand lookout.
Learn the ropes from a professional crew, no experience needed.
Look out for dolphins and fin whales in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Sail in mid-April, before the summer heat and crowds arrive.
Arrive in La Spezia, at the head of the Gulf of Poets.
Explore Portovenere and the Cinque Terre after the voyage.
| Vessel type / Rig | Gaff Schooner |
| Guest Berths | 50 |
| Beam | 33ft |
| Draft | 18ft |
| Deck Length | 173ft |
| Overall Length | 225ft |
| Tonnage | 992 tons |
| Year Built | 1937 |
This Palma to La Spezia tall ship voyage takes you from the Balearic Islands to the north-west coast of Italy aboard Santa Maria Manuela, a historic four-masted topsail schooner with Portuguese cod fishing heritage. You join in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and spend five nights crossing the western Mediterranean before arriving in La Spezia, Italy, at the head of the Gulf of Poets. No previous sailing experience is required. You can haul on lines, take a turn at the helm and stand lookout, or simply watch a large square-rigged ship being worked by a professional crew. The voyage sits within Classic Sailing’s Mediterranean spring voyages, and the timing is part of its appeal: mid-April arrives before the summer heat and before the crowds reach the Cinque Terre and Portovenere
On a Palma to La Spezia tall ship voyage you can expect five nights of hands-on sailing in spring conditions. You help hoist and trim sails, steer, keep lookout and share meals with a small crew. Days at sea alternate with quiet watches under the stars, and you arrive in Italy with time to explore.
The crossing from Mallorca to the Italian coast covers roughly 420 nautical miles as a straight line, though the distance actually sailed depends on the wind and the route the captain chooses. From Palma Bay the ship heads north-east, past Menorca and out into open water, before entering the Ligurian Sea north-west of Corsica. On a clear day the Corsican mountains, still capped with snow in April, may be visible on the horizon. For most of the passage there is nothing around you but sea and sky.
Santa Maria Manuela carries a lot of canvas, and working it takes many hands. Guests are welcome to join in hoisting, setting and trimming the sails, coiling and making fast the lines, and bracing the yards when the wind shifts. The permanent crew show you what to do and why, then let you get on with it. Within a day or two most guests know which line does what and can anticipate the next command. It is physical work in short bursts, followed by long spells when the ship looks after herself and you can sit back and watch her go.
Taking the helm is one of the most rewarding jobs aboard. Steering a ship of this size teaches you to feel the delay between moving the wheel and the bow answering, and to read the sails as well as the compass. Lookout duty matters too. Keeping watch for shipping, fishing boats and marine life is a real responsibility, and the crew rely on what you report.
The captain decides each day’s sailing according to the forecast. Spring in the western Mediterranean can bring a Mistral, the cold north-westerly that funnels down the Rhône valley and across the Gulf of Lion, giving brisk winds and lively seas. At other times the wind falls light and the engine may be used to keep to schedule. You can watch how the crew plot the ship’s position and ask questions about routing and weather; the chartwork itself is handled by the professional crew. With five nights aboard, a demonstration of sextant use for celestial navigation may be possible if conditions and time allow.
The itinerary is subject to weather conditions and the captain’s discretion. The advertised joining time in Palma and the arrival time in La Spezia remain firm commitments.
A typical day starts with breakfast and a quick look at the forecast, then the watch on deck takes over the steering and lookout. Mid-morning might bring a sail change as the wind backs or freshens, with every available hand on the lines. After lunch there is time to rest, read or talk to the crew about the rig. In the evening the ship settles down, the galley produces dinner and the night watches take over under the stars, with the coast of Italy getting closer each morning.
Mid-April brings mild spring days, typically in the high teens Celsius, with noticeably cooler evenings and a real chill on deck once the wind picks up. Expect a mix of sunshine and occasional rain. Sea temperatures are still low at this time of year, around 14 to 16 degrees, so this is a voyage for fleeces and a good windproof jacket rather than swimming. The reward for those layers is clear light, quiet seas free of summer traffic and night watches with sharp, uncluttered stars.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain, is one of the easiest ports in the Mediterranean to reach from Britain, with direct flights from London and many UK regional airports. The ship departs in the late afternoon, so if you arrive early, walk through the old town, where narrow streets lead to shaded squares and La Seu, the Gothic cathedral, stands over the waterfront. Bellver Castle, unusual for its circular plan, looks down on the bay from the hill to the west. For full travel details, see our Palma port guide.
Allow time for delays and aim to arrive in Palma the day before, or at least on an early flight. Getting from the airport to the harbour is quick by taxi or bus, and you will receive full joining instructions once your booking is confirmed.
The voyage ends in La Spezia, Italy, a working port and long-established Italian naval base set deep in the Gulf of La Spezia, better known as the Gulf of Poets. The approach is one of the best parts of the voyage: wooded hills close in on either side, with Portovenere guarding the western entrance and Lerici on the eastern shore.
The ship arrives in the morning, which leaves the rest of the day free. La Spezia’s Naval Technical Museum suits anyone interested in ships, and the town has an easy, unhurried centre with good cafés and food markets. It is well worth adding a few days. Portovenere, with its row of tall painted houses and the church of San Pietro on the headland, is a short bus or boat ride away. The five villages of the Cinque Terre are reached by local train in minutes, and the coastal paths between them are best walked in spring before the summer heat and crowds. Spring timetables for ferries and paths change from year to year, so check before you travel.
Liguria is also the home of pesto, and La Spezia is a good place to try it as it should be made, along with focaccia, farinata (a thin chickpea pancake baked in wood-fired ovens) and fresh seafood from the gulf. After five nights of ship’s meals, a long Italian lunch ashore is a good way to mark the end of the voyage.
Getting home is straightforward. Pisa and Genoa airports are both reachable by train, with onward flights to the UK.
Santa Maria Manuela is a large ship, which gives her a steady motion and plenty of deck space, but life aboard still follows the rhythm of a working vessel. You are part of the crew rather than a passenger. Guests are usually allocated to a watch, which shares the jobs of steering, lookout and sail handling with the permanent crew through the day and night. Watches mean you will see the ship at every hour: the dawn watch as the light comes up over a flat sea, the afternoon trimming sails in a fresh breeze, the night watch steering by the stars.
Most guests arrive not knowing anyone, and that is normal. Solo travellers are common on these voyages, with shared cabins available and a naturally social atmosphere developing among the small crew. Conversations start at the helm, continue over meals and carry on late into the evening on deck. Many guests are professionals in the middle of busy careers, using a week at sea to step away from routine and think about something entirely different. Some are experienced yacht sailors who want to know what it is like to handle a square-rigged ship; others have never been on a boat. The mix works well.
All meals are prepared aboard and served at set times, with fresh food bought in port. Accommodation is in proper bunks within cabins, and same-gender arrangements apply in shared cabins except in the more communal sleeping areas. Bedding is provided. There is a bar aboard, and personal bar bills are settled at the end of the voyage.
You are always free to take part as much or as little as you choose. Some guests are at every sail change; others spend more time reading in a sheltered spot on deck, watching the colour of the water change, or listening to the wind in the rigging. Both are perfectly good ways to spend a voyage. The crew are happy to talk about the ship, the rig and the history of the cod fishing fleet she came from.
Every voyage begins with a full safety briefing covering lifejackets, harnesses, emergency stations and how to move safely around the deck at sea. The permanent crew are professional sailors who handle this ship for a living, and they keep a close eye on new hands, particularly during the first day. If going aloft is offered, it is always optional and done with a harness under crew supervision. Nobody is asked to do anything they are not comfortable with.
Phone signal disappears once you are well offshore, and many guests find that a welcome change. You will be back in coverage as the ship approaches the Italian coast. The ship maintains full communications with shore for safety and operational purposes at all times.
The Ligurian Sea forms part of the Pelagos Sanctuary, a protected area for Mediterranean marine mammals shared by Italy, France and Monaco. Striped dolphins are the species you are most likely to see, often riding the bow wave, and fin whales use these waters as well, although sightings are never guaranteed. Spring is also a good time for seabirds. Shearwaters skim the waves close to the ship, including the Balearic shearwater, which breeds on the islands around Mallorca and is one of Europe’s rarest seabirds. Keep binoculars handy on lookout; this is where watchful guests make the sightings the rest of the crew hear about at dinner.
At night, look over the side for bioluminescence, the pale green sparks of plankton disturbed by the hull. On a dark, calm watch far from land, it is one of the quieter pleasures of a spring passage.
Santa Maria Manuela belongs to the tradition of Portugal’s White Fleet, the cod fishing schooners that sailed each year to the Grand Banks and Greenland, where fishermen worked alone from small dories launched off the ship’s deck. Sailing her today connects you to a hard working life at sea that ended within living memory.
The voyage closes in waters with their own story. The Gulf of Poets earned its name from the English writers who lived along its shores in the 1820s. Percy Shelley spent his last months at San Terenzo, near Lerici, and drowned when his boat was caught in a storm off this coast in 1822. Lord Byron swam across the gulf from Portovenere to Lerici.
No previous sailing experience is required, as the professional crew will teach you everything from basic rope handling to sail handling at a pace that suits you. Experienced sailors are equally welcome, and many enjoy the chance to work a large traditional rig that they would never meet on their own boat.
The physical demands are moderate, with tasks suited to various fitness levels, and you’re always free to participate as much or as little as you choose. You will need to move around a deck that can heel and roll, and climb steep ladders between decks. If you have any concerns about mobility or health, speak with our team before booking and we will give you a straight answer.
Some people feel unwell during the first day or so at sea, particularly in a fresh breeze. A ship of Santa Maria Manuela’s size moves more gently than a small yacht, and most guests find their sea legs quickly. Bring whatever remedy suits you and start it before you join.
All meals and accommodation, all safety equipment, and instruction and guidance from the crew are included. Travel to Palma and home from La Spezia is not included, and travel insurance is required. Personal bar bills are additional.
Around three quarters of Classic Sailing guests travel alone, and a Palma to La Spezia tall ship voyage suits solo travellers well: the small crew, shared watches and communal meals make it easy to settle in. Shared accommodation offers both economy and the reassurance of company. If you are travelling with a partner who is less keen on sailing, the ports at each end make good places to meet up. Palma and the Italian Riviera both suit a few days ashore before or after the voyage, and the ship offers proper beds, fresh meals prepared daily and the freedom to take part as much or as little as you like.
Pack in a soft bag that can be stowed easily. Bring layers for mid-April: thermal base layers, a warm fleece, a windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm hat, gloves for hauling lines, and non-slip soft-soled shoes. Add sun cream and sunglasses, as spring sun on the water is stronger than it feels.
With five nights aboard, the voyage fits within a standard two-week holiday allowance, leaving time either side for port exploration in Palma and the Italian Riviera. Compare the cost per day with a good hotel: here meals, accommodation and the chance to sail a historic tall ship are all included. For experienced sailors, the value lies in what you cannot do on your own boat or a modern yacht charter: handling square sails, working as part of a large crew, and crossing open sea on a ship with a working history.
Classic Sailing has connected guests with traditional sailing experiences for over 30 years. We work only with tall ships and traditional vessels, never modern yachts, and we also offer daysails and RYA courses for those who want to build their skills further. Voyages and people vary; we are here to help you find the voyage that best suits you.
See available dates and cabin options, or speak with our team about any questions before you book.
The historic capital of the Balearic island of Mallorca, Palma is full of history from the Moorish period and beyond. Don’t miss the iconic La Seu Cathedral, which took a good 300 years to build, and the 10th-century Arab Baths. There are also fantastic hiking opportunities nearby in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Situated on the Ligurian Sea between Genoa and Pisa, La Spezia is dominated by its maritime history and the ongoing naval presence. The Museo Tecnico Navale is excellent. La Spezia is also the perfect place from which to explore the ‘Cinque Terre’ or ‘Five Towns’, a national park and UNESCO site, with lovely walking routes through some of the region’s most picturesque old ports and villages.
We had the most amazing time. The crew were so friendly and helpful, the food was great throughout, and the cabins were really comfortable. We both climbed the rigging as the sun was setting over Porto Santo to round off a brilliant last day with the new friends we met. Thanks for the wonderful experience.
Ian & Dayna
I have sailed many times on tall ships, this is by far the best yet.
Richard
Terrific crew and ship and a lovely passage to the Azores. Crew and guests were very good and patient with someone who only spoke English. This is a terrifically well run vessel. Excellent accommodation, well serviced by a professional crew. All very friendly, helpful and willing to give information throughout. Many opportunities to get involved in most aspects of the ships operations. Very many thanks.
Keith
An amazing ship and amazing crew.
David
We had a terrific and adventurous time on board during Sachsen Sail in the Bay of Biscay. Thank you to all Santa Maria Manuela crew members!
Mario
Un voilier merveilleux avec un équipage très sympathique. Merci pour tout.
A splendid ship with a very kind crew. Thank you for everything.
Marie-Francoise
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