About this leg:
-January 2 to 19, 2025
-18 days
-On tall ship Twister
-Over the North Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean
-Multiple stops along the way, where and for how long is weather dependent.
-Price: from € 2.550,-
-All meals on board, port dues, etc. included
We kick off our voyage with a thrilling first leg. Sailing on the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay in winter is challenging, which is why this trip is suitable for those who want to push their limits, who want to test themselves in conditions that can be exceptionally beautiful but also pretty tough.
You can compare this stage with a mountain climb or a polar expedition: it is easy to do if you prepare well. The crew of the Twister has made this trip before and starts preparing the ship months in advance. Sailing experience at sea and a good physical condition are useful during this stage.
Like many great adventures, this story also starts very sweetly: we leave from the Veerhaven, a quaint, little harbour next to the Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam. We travel down the Nieuwe Waterweg past extensive ports and large sea-going vessels.
Once at sea, we raise our sails and let the ship find her rhythm. This part of the North Sea is incredibly busy: pilot boats, dredgers and, further on the horizon, traffic lanes and wind farms.
We make our way over the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean to our final destination, Lisbon. We make several stops along the way. If the weather is good, we have our choice of attractions, if it isn’t, we may have to call at a port to seek shelter.
Once we clear the white cliffs of Dover and Calais, the Channel widens and shipping is less busy. The closer we get to the Bay of Biscay, the longer the waves become and the easier the sailing is. By this time, we have all become acquainted with the ship and are starting to learn the ropes.
The Bay of Biscay is stunningly beautiful. The deep ocean meets the European continental shelf and the long Atlantic waves hit the shallow waters, causing quite a stir. The sailing can be quite spectaculair as a result, but the experienced crew of the Twister has no trouble leading us through the high seas.
We reach the rugged coast of Galicia and the rising temperatures are a good indication our more southern location. We journey along the Spanish coast to Portugal. When we enter the Tagus in the Bay of Lisbon, we feast our eyes on the impressive Ponte 25 de Abril. Portugal’s capital is one of unsurpassed beauty and has stood the test of time remarkably well. Now is the time to enjoy the local delicacies and a well-deserved drink in the city’s warm nightlife.
All too soon we have to start preparing for the crossing of the Atlantic ocean to French Guiana and Surinam.
