From the Azores to Normandy

Vessel:
Where: Portugal/France

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Sail with a classic windjammer as she makes her way across the Atlantic Ocean from the evergreen islands of the Azores to the French coast.

The Azores are the evergreen islands of pristine beauty lying between America and Europe. For the Eye of the Wind, they are the starting point for the second stage of an Atlantic crossing between Bermuda and the European coast. A distributary of the Gulf Stream guarantees a balanced and mild climate with spring temperatures of around 20 degrees. The all-embracing ocean provides fresh sailing winds and healthy sea air.

The 16-day trip starts in the harbour of Horta on Ilha do Faial, which is also called Ilha Azul, the ‘Blue Island’, because of the blue hydrangea hedges that stretch for many kilometres across the island. This destination can be reached from many international airports with a stopover via Lisbon. Embarkation takes place at 19:00 hours. Afterwards, there will be dinner together in the comfortable lounge where you will quickly feel at home on the Eye of the Wind’s deck and soon get to know your fellow sailors.

Make the most of your start in the Azores with a day of exploration of the fifth-largest of the ‘Hawk Islands’, the literal translation of the Azores. Thanks to the fact that there is little traffic and few tourists, you can go hiking in absolute peace and quiet. Breathtaking routes lead across the densely vegetated island, along the cliffs, around the crater lake and to the lighthouse in the west. The picturesque port of Horta is a wonderful place for every circumnavigator to stop. The legendary Peter Café Sport is a popular meeting place where skippers, divers, whale watchers and locals can chat and enjoy a glass of the ‘best Gin and Tonic in the world’, surrounded by souvenir photos, ship models and tail flags.

From Horta, our course leads past Pico, the larger neighbouring island. At a height of 2351 meters, the towering mountain of the same name is Portugal’s highest peak and the last visible landmark before we sail on to the Atlantic. Encounters with whales and dolphins are always possible and not unlikely. More than 30 species of whales and dolphins, including the majestic sperm whales, have been spotted in the waters around the Azores. After the command to “Cast off!” has been given, a pleasant wind will push us through the deep blue water of the seemingly boundless ocean. Any sense of confinement will give way to a feeling of boundless freedom that can only be experienced on the high seas. The smooth and steady swaying of the ship on the waves, the vast ocean, and the soft creaking of the rigging are all you need for a tranquil holiday experience.

Busy maritime traffic will greet us at the entrance to the English Channel where the springlike North Atlantic starts to unfold its rough charm, and a fresh wind blows through the rigging. You will get to know the Eye of the Wind as a seaworthy ship that has proven itself in all weather conditions.

The heave of the sea and fresh ocean air are known to make sailors hungry – our excellent onboard cuisine will surprise you every day with new creations from the galley cookbook. In the meantime, you can make yourself comfortable below deck in the lounge, read a good book from the onboard library, or browse through our DVD collection. After a few days at sea, we will reach the Celtic Sea and the entrance to the English Channel. Every day, up to 500 vessels are on the move in these sailing waters. This means that there is a lot to see for avid ‘ship spotters’, as new vessels can be discovered from the deck throughout the day. Depending on the progress of our journey, we might make an additional stop before reaching our port of destination. Whether and where we go ashore depends only on the wind and weather conditions.

Possible places for a shore leave are Brest in Brittany. For more than 350 years, the French port city of Brest has been an important maritime and naval base. The cityscape is characterised by fortifications, maritime buildings and bridges. Make the most of your day at the port by visiting the Océanopolis theme park with its 42 seawater aquariums, or catch up on the history of the port at the Musée de la Marine. Another stop could be on the Channel Islands on Jersey. This pearl in the bay of Saint-Malo is not only the Eye of the Wind’s home port but also has the highest sunshine hours per year than anywhere else in the British Isles. In a remarkable coastal formation, green banks, rugged cliffs and long sandy beaches alternate and invite for long walks. Enjoy the island flair during a visit to the bustling market hall or a coffee break at Liberation Square.

You will disembark in Cherbourg in Normandy. Days filled with breathtaking impressions of the nature and seascape of the North Atlantic now lie behind us. Take advantage of your stay for a visit to the Cité de la Mer with its remarkable Titanic exhibition, a huge aquarium and other underwater experiences.

This voyage will not only allow you to experience the wonder of a tall ship, but will also give the opportunity to explore these impressive islands – so climb on board for an adventure like no other!