Experience the Escale à Sète Festival
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Stay onboard traditional tall ship Florette to experience the Escale à Sete Festival
This 7-day experience offers the rare change to live aboard the historic brigantine Florette while she takes part in Escale à Sete, one of Europe’s leading tall ship festivals.
Florette will join the parade of sail at the beginning and end of the event, before lying alongside in the harbour as part of the public celebrations.
Accommodation for this holiday is provided on a bed and breakfast (B&B) basis. Guests can enjoy the atmosphere of life on board without sailing, with Florette becoming your base in the heart of the festival. This is perfect for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the maritime heritage while staying in an authentic working tall ship.
- Traditional tall ship sailing
- Hands-on experience during the Parade of Sail
- Private Cabins
- Fully Crewed
- Bed & Breakfast
- Escale à Sète Maritime Festival
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
LIFE ON BOARD
AUTHENTIC TALL SHIP SAILING
Florette and her crew always try to combine traditional classic sailing while immersing guests in the natural landscapes ashore; volcanoes, ancient culture and the specialities of the regional Italian cuisine. Florette invites you to get involved with her traditional sailing. With an original rig, it is certainly an all-hands on deck approach – which is surely part of the magic to this adventure sailing holiday.
Sailing Florette is a true family affair. Captain Ron is the 2nd generation to run and sail Florette with his family after his parents bought the boat back in the 70’s. Ron was brought up on the boat, as he is now doing with his family. Alongside Ron and his wife Nicole, Florette is fully crewed with experienced and knowledgeable sailors. Nicole is also the boats chef, cooking up fabulous Mediterranean cuisine, so you won’t be going hungry after a day of sailing and exploring.
HAVE FUN!
Florette commands attention wherever she sails with her traditional wooden hull, decoratively carved transom and her impressive sail rig. Sailing with her is part of the magic of this adventure holiday and is a huge part of the experience. She also has sea kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and snorkelling gear for guests to use at no extra cost. There is also fishing gear available which is used to catch fresh fish for supper!
Sleeping and Relaxation
Florette is one of the larger boats in our fleet so she has ample space both above and below decks. Her Captain and family live-aboard but they have their own separate quarters. Guests can enjoy private cabins in combinations of 2-3 berth bunks. All cabins share a total of four toilets and three showers with another shower on deck for a rinse off after some sea swimming! A generous saloon, bar and eating area sit below decks with a traditional wooden finish. Above decks there is a large cushioned area for relaxation, sun-bathing or sleeping beneath the stars (bring your own sleeping bag if this is something you fancy!). An alfresco dining area sits mid-ships, perfect for lunches in the sun or dinners at sunset.
Eating
Nicole prepares meals using fresh local ingredients, seasonal produce and local fish to make excellent, healthy Mediterranean dishes. Breakfast onboard everyday and six meals are included in the ticket price. These six meals can be a combination of lunches or dinners with the rest of the guest meals eaten ashore at guest expense. The ticket price reflects this and gives guests the opportunity to sample and enjoy the local cuisine. If for some reason, Florette cannot get guests ashore, meals will be offered from the boat at a reasonable price.
Please check the What’s included tab for a breakdown of the ticket price.
Florette
Guest berths: 28 Rig: Brigantine
Florette is the last active, originally built brigantine in the Mediterranean and one of the last wooden windjammers still actively sailing. After nearly 50 years operating as a cargo ship, she was discovered by the Haynes family at the end of the 1970s, lovingly restored to a charter vessel, and returned to her original condition.
She remains in the same family, now run by husband and wife team, Ron and Nicole. Still sailing in her home waters, Florette spends her summer season island hopping from Malta to Sicily, through the Aeolian Islands and the Amalfi Coast.
Her voyages are the perfect balance of traditional hands-on sailing (no experience needed!), exploration ashore and really good food! From week-long adventures along the coast to more adventurous voyages across the Mediterranean Sea, there is something to suit all ages and abilities. Guests are encouraged to get involved with all aspects of sailing this historic ship, from hoisting the sails together to taking the helm or climbing the rigging.
She has a double sea kayak, six stand-up paddleboards, plenty of snorkelling sets and fishing lines for guests to use, all included in the ticket price.
Below decks, she has a combination of twin and shared cabins, authentic hammock bunks in the saloon or even take your chances and sleep on deck beneath the stars!
Over the past 45 years, Family Haynes has been faithfully restoring and maintaining her charm with her traditional rigging and still sets all her sails by hand. She has been equipped with the latest safety standards in accordance with EU guidelines for historic charter and sailing school ships and approved for deep-sea navigation.
Deck plan
More about Florette
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More holidays on Florette
Historic Tall Ship Sailing in Italy’s Aeolian Islands
Historic Tall Ship Sailing in Italy’s Aeolian Islands
Mediterranean Sailing from Malta to Italy with Florette
Guided Hiking & Sailing in the Aeolian Islands
Inspiration for your voyage
Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below. Be inspired to discover the world under sail! Read our latest journals below.
JOURNAL
