Scandinavian Cruising by Tall Ship – Kalmar Sound, Gotland & Stockholm

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Tall ship fans wanting to try a different tall ship. European tall ships are run very differently from UK sail training ships. Eye of the Wind offers both a luxury feel to the accommodation and customer service with only 12 guest crew, but the potential for active participation is there. Her professional crew like to set lots of sail and do as much as possible under sail. In Europe, particularly Scandinavia there are a lot of historic waterfronts in the centre of towns. It is part of the summer entertainment to create a good spectacle sailing away from the dock whenever possible.

Scandinavian Summer  on Eye of the Wind

Starting your adventure in the Kalmar Sound offers relatively sheltered waters for beginners, and the rest of the Baltic is also pretty calm (although winds can pick up at times).

You will embark at Kalmar at 7pm. Worth arriving in the town early to explore some of Sweden’s best preserved 16th century buildings, as well as Kalmar’s famous renaissance-style castle, with its ornate turrets and drawbridge.

The crew will greet you and show you around the ship, and the Captain will give a safety briefing and discuss the itinerary based on the latest weather forecasts. You’ll also enjoy freshly cooked dinner on board and get to know your fellow sailors.

After a comfortable night’s sleep it’s time to slip lines and set sail!

Your week aboard will bring variety and constant interest, exploring the differing landscapes of the Gotland islands and the Stockholm archipelago. You’ll enjoy offshore sailing en route to Gotland, as well as coastal meanderings along beautiful coastlines, and evenings spent in a mixture of lively harbours and secluded anchorages.

You will disembark at Stockholm at 10am after a hearty breakfast, ready to explore the ‘Venice of the North’.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

There are places with fast tides so you can get some exciting choppy water in very localised spots but mostly this is sailing in flat waters without big swell.

The climate on the shores of the Baltic is more continental than maritime so summer temperatures can be hot but spring and autumn will be colder than Britain or Atlantic facing countries.

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.

After receiving safety instructions and an introduction to sailing from the ship’s crew, you will soon be able to take part in sailing yourself. On Eye of the Wind Hands-on assistance on deck is always voluntary, so if you want, you can just relax and enjoy watching the sailing manoeuvers and the traditional seamanship in action every day. If you like, you can make yourself comfortable below deck in the comfortable lounge, browse through a good book from the large on-board library.

AGILITY & FITNESS

Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.

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. 

Eye of the Wind is an experienced operator with many happy customers. She sails in Northern Europa nad the Baltic in Summer (Northern Hemisphere) and across the Atlantice to the Caribbean for some winter sunshine sailing holidays.

Facebook Reviews currently 5 out of 5 stars 

A fabulous adventure! Words cannot convey the experience.

John, Tortola to Bermuda, Feb- March 2023

 

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

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 Schwartz

Dear Adam,

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.

Eye of the Wind Faroes to Iceland Summer 2022

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. 

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