Short Break Tall Ship Sailing Holiday in Denmark
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Join Aron for a taster sailing experience as you island hop through Denmark’s South Funen archipelago from Svendborg.
A short break Denmark sailing holiday aboard the historic schooner Aron is one of the most charming ways to discover the South Funen archipelago. Setting sail from the harbour town of Svendborg, the port Aron has called home since she was built in 1906, you’ll spend your days island hopping through some of the most sheltered and scenic sailing waters in the Baltic.
Calm seas and moderate winds make this a wonderful introduction to life under sail. With no experience necessary, and skippers Gorm and Helene who know every channel and anchorage intimately, you’re in capable hands. This voyage is a traditional, hands-on sailing holiday, perfect for beginners and those wanting to experience the magic of sailing with such a beautifully kept historic vessel.
- Traditional wooden tall ship
- Island hopping by sea
- Gentle tuition & hands-on sailing
- Private cabins, full board
- Sustainable, slow travel
Need some help?
Talk to the team
Telephone: +44 (0)1872 487288
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7804 472592
Island Hopping the South Funen Archipelago by Tall Ship
Svendborg → Tåsinge → Skaro → Lyø → Drejø → Strynø → Ærø
Denmark is home to more than 444 islands, and they are undoubtedly best explored by boat. The South Funen archipelago, tucked into the sheltered waters south of Funen, is Denmark’s third-largest island. Offering some of the finest sailing in the country, you can expect low swell, moderate winds, and a scattering of beautiful, unhurried islands, making this a short break Denmark sailing experience quite unlike anything else.
Your base is Svendborg, a historic harbour town on Funen’s south coast. Built in 1906, Aron is a traditional Danish schooner and has been lovingly maintained over the years. She’s a working boat in the truest sense, and sailing aboard her feels entirely different from anything modern. Her current owners, husband and wife team, Gorm and Helene, are very proud of their traditional sailing heritage.
The archipelago’s sheltered channels keep the seas gentle, and the modest distances between islands mean there’s plenty of time each day to both sail and explore ashore. For those new to sailing, the environment feels reassuring rather than daunting, and the scenery makes every island stop worthwhile.
The Islands: Where Wind and Tide Take You
The wind always has the final say on where you’ll anchor each evening, and that’s part of the appeal. Skippers Gorm and Helene, both islanders themselves, know these waters with the kind of familiarity that only comes from growing up on them. Below is a sense of the islands you might visit.
- Tåsinge is Gorm and Helene’s home island. The waterfront village of Troense is picture-perfect, lined with manicured cottages and 17th-century architecture, with a strong community spirit and a quiet commitment to sustainability.
- Skaro – A tiny, time-forgotten community of around 30 people, famous for its ice cream made with birch sugar and seaweed. Watch it being made at the island’s small café.
- Lyø is home to around 80 inhabitants, a handful of cars, and a unique circular churchyard – the only one in Denmark. Hire a bike or wander on foot; it’s flat, peaceful, and quietly enchanting.
- Drejø & Strynø – Wildlife walks and white fallow deer on Drejø; half-timbered houses, a traditional boat museum, and a classic Danish windmill on Strynø.
- Ærø is the jewel of the archipelago. The town of Marstal, where Aron herself was first built, sits to the east. To the west, Ærøskøbing, known as the fairy-tale town, is one of the finest preserved 18th-century towns in Denmark.
Wildlife, Nature & the Rhythm of Slow Travel
Part of what makes a short break Denmark sailing holiday here so special is the pace. You’re moving with the wind, not against the clock. Mornings often begin with time ashore before breakfast – a walk, a swim, or simply a coffee at the bow watching the harbour wake up. Lunch is usually enjoyed underway, with the afternoon opening up a new island to explore.
The natural world is never far away. The archipelago’s quieter islands offer excellent birdwatching, coastal wildlife, and the kind of unhurried scenery that rewards those who slow down long enough to notice it. White fallow deer roam Drejø. Birdsong replaces road noise, and on a calm evening at anchor, the only sound is water against the hull.
Life Aboard the Classic Schooner Aron
Aron is a beautifully kept piece of living maritime history, and life on board reflects that spirit. This isn’t a yacht charter or a cruise; it’s a proper traditional sailing voyage, where guests are encouraged to play an active role in sailing the ship if they wish, with patient guidance from the crew throughout.
- Cabins: Private cabins below deck, simple and comfortable
- Meals: Full board, Danish-inspired, home-cooked meals prepared on board
- Sailing style: Hands-on if you want it, relaxed if you don’t — always welcoming
- Crew: Skippers Gorm and Helene bring warmth, expertise, and deep local knowledge
- Atmosphere: Small-group, and entirely without pretension
A few members of the VentureSail Team sailed with Aron; click here to read more about their week sailing and exploring the islands, travel tips and more. We recommend combining this taster voyage with a few nights in Copenhagen!
Things to note
Sailing vs Shoretime
Night-watches?
Travel insurance notes
As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance, which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined, so please check with your travel insurance provider.
Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.
This voyage will not be more than 12 miles offshore.
Our sailing holidays on traditional tall ship Aron of Svendborg are perfect for those looking for a unique, sustainable holiday experience. Get to grips with life on a traditional vessel as you explore the islands of the Baltic Sea under sail.
Getting Involved
Aron is owned and skippered by a Danish couple, Gorm and Helene. Hailing from the Danish port of Svendborg, they have been sailing in and around Denmark all of their lives. The opportunity to share their sailing grounds with guests, showing them where they grew up and introducing them to the history and sailing heritage of the area, is something they are both extremely proud of.
They love nothing more than to welcome guests on board Aron, sharing with them both their floating home and also a piece of maritime history of which they are fiercely protective. (If you get the chance to stop at Marstal – be sure to get Gorm to give you an outside tour of the old shipyard before you take a museum tour!)
Gorm is usually at the helm, plotting the route with Helene and watching the weather. Helene is on hand on deck to guide guests, showing them the ropes. She used to teach sail training on larger tall ships, so her manner is considered, and her explanations of wind direction and sail hoisting are clear and easy to learn. Although guest participation is not mandatory, Gorm and Helene believe it is truly the best part of the experience. It doesn’t matter what your age or ability, there is always something to suit!
Get to grips with hoisting the sails, taking the helm and some basic navigation. Everything on Aron is done as part of a team, from work on deck to preparing dinner and washing up. Everyone takes a turn – there’s something quite holistic about peeling apples on deck, just picked from a local island, sharing cultural stories of culinary delights from around the world (or maybe just your granny’s apple pie recipe!)
Sustainable Sailing
Enjoy the silence of the sea, the wind in the sails and the gentle creak of this beautiful old wooden ship.
Sailing with Aron is not necessarily about the destination (although the islands of Denmark are truly beautiful and perfect to be explored by boat!). Still, the journey itself is the real purpose. Using mainly the power of the steady Baltic winds, sailing with Aron is a sustainable holiday choice in a time when there are increasing climate challenges around us. The impact on the environment is deciding the experiences we choose, and with Aron, ecology, sustainability and local experiences are at the heart of everything on offer. Denmark has a real community spirit from town to town and island to island. Everyone helps each other out, and a lot of the village stores run on a community-funded, volunteer basis. Helene and Gorm are very much a part of this and are building relationships with local artisanal producers across the islands. Helene hopes to use the last section of the cargo hold on Aron to share produce across the islands. This isn’t for financial gain, just to share community spirit.
Dining Aboard
With the fresh sea air comes a healthy appetite, and after a day of traditional sailing, enjoy delicious home-cooked meals aboard. Using local produce or perhaps even throwing a line for our very own catch-of-the-day, Helene is well-versed in cooking up a feast from the galley. The menu ranges from traditional Danish dishes to international flavours. Helene has spent many years travelling the world with tall ships, so her menu is very much inspired.
There is plenty of space both above and below decks to lay up a feast, with the saloon and dining area providing a cosy space for colder evenings. Helene converted the saloon from its previous life as a bar, with her own fair hands, reusing the original materials.
Sleeping & Relaxation
Aron can accommodate up to ten guests in a combination of four twin cabins and one 3-berth cabin. Cabin allocation happens once everyone has booked and has boarded. Some cabins are more suited to taller guests, come better suited for couples, etc, so Helene will allocate upon arrival.
Each cabin comes with its own sink, hand-towel, wash towel, full bedding and USB charging points, and all cabins share a toilet. There is a shower aboard Aron if needed, but the shoreside marina facilities are so good, it’s almost a shame not to use them. Aside from the showers, you’ll often find communal BBQs with sheltered seating, and sometimes even a sauna!
The crew have their own private space and cabins in the transom of the ship, and Gorm and Helene sometimes sail with two of their sea-going children (usually if there are other children booked on). So Aron is suitable for all and any ages of children, although as a guide, children under five should have some experience of being at sea.
A Typical Day
Breakfast starts typically around 8-8.30 am, before the plan for the day is discussed. Usually, after breakfast, it’s time to hoist the sails for a few hours before making port after lunch. Afternoons are spent exploring ashore, walking the flat islands to castles, beach-combing, getting fresh ice cream, sea dips, bunk resting, reading a book, or playing cards together. There is no expectation, sometimes the group walks together, sometimes they split up – it’s your holiday, so it’s up to you!
The Scandinavian coastline is a great place to embrace the “hygge” that Denmark is known for, switch off from the demands of the modern world and simply relax.
Sample menu
All food is made on board, and local, fresh produce is at the top of the shopping list.
BREAKFAST
- Continental style: fresh meats, cheeses, warm rolls, soft-boiled eggs, conserves, oatmeal, and fresh pastries
ELEVENSES/AFTERNOON CAKE
- Tea, coffee, cakes and local pastries
LUNCH
- Home-made soup, bread and local cheeses
- Fresh sandwiches, local meats, salad
- Danish buffet: warm liver pate with mushrooms and bacon, potatoes, fresh bread, cheeses, smoked herring and mackerel
- Open sandwiches -“Smørrebrød”
DINNER
- Home-made potato and leek soup with fresh rye croutons and locally caught chilli shrimp
- Local, rolled stuffed pork with garlic-roasted vegetables and a salted lemon and apple salad.
- Local celeriac fritters, sesame new potatoes and fresh greens, salad and fresh bread
- International tapas – a variety of Helene’s dishes from her worldly travels – we won’t ruin the surprise!
DESSERT
- Ice cream from Skaro
- Fresh fruits
- Chocolate Liquorice! (a Danish favourite…)
There is also a huge fruit bowl that guests can help themselves to throughout the voyage!
Aron of Svendborg
Guest berths: 10 Rig: Schooner
Aron is owned and skippered by Danish sailing couple Gorm and Helene, whose love of traditional sailing is evident to see. They believe that any sailing voyage is “an adventure at your own pace”. Travelling on a sailing ship like Aron is a sustainable choice at a time when climate challenges are increasingly shaping the experiences we choose. On board Aron, they prioritise ecology, sustainability and local produce wherever possible.
From long weekends to week-long and even some traditional sail racing voyages, there is something for everyone. Her main sailing area in the South Funen archipelago in Denmark offers balmy winds and gentle waves, making her a great introductory boat for those wanting to experience something new. If you’re a little more adventurous, she explores the Swedish archipelago during the summer and takes part in some traditional sail races too. There is no age limit, either young or old, and there is no need for any sailing experience, just a good sense of humour and a lust for adventure is a must!
Built in 1906, Aron of Svendborg is a fine example of a traditional Marstal sailing ship, with the soft lines and powerful ‘spring curve’ for which these schooners were renowned. Built with solid oak, her flat transom and good sailing characteristics are typical of shipbuilder Lars Jensen Bager of Bager’s shipyard in Marstal.
Both above and below decks, Aron of Svendborg is a beautiful base for exploring the islands and coastline of Denmark and Sweden. She offers private bunk cabins, a spacious saloon area and plenty of space above decks to relax under sail and watch the world go by.
Deck plan
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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
