Around Bornholm to Gotland

Summer Baltic Cruise from Ystad to Visby

Please note the following about the itinerary described: This route is optional and can be changed without notice due to the wind and weather conditions. The captain often decides the course of each day's sailing on that day and will, whenever possible, of course try to take into account your wishes. This ensures that your cruise will be a pleasant mix of adventure and comfort, from joining in and simple enjoyment. The length of the cruise is designed to give sufficient time for visits to ports or quiet moments anchored at sea as we make our way to our destination port of Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland. This is not a cruise full of hustle and bustle. In harmony with the wind and the sea, we will unwind ourselves and discover the power of taking it slow. This cruise guarantees and strives for deep relaxation.

Traditional sailing

"Cathedrals of the seas", as the tall windjammers were once called as their billowing, mountainous sails would appear over the horizon. Replace your everyday life for a week with life on board such a traditional tall ship. Our two-mast brig built in 1911 will take you on an unforgettable summer voyage through the Baltic Sea. After a safety briefing and instruction in sailing, you'll soon be able to participate in the active operation of the ship, if you want. Our professional crew is glad to explain how every detail of the historic brig operates. Hoisting the shrouds, keeping the course on the ship's wheel and hauling in the rigging will all make this trip a memorable holiday experience with a difference. All sailing manoeuvres are performed by the experienced crew completely by hand. Setting and trimming the sails is always a fascinating show of skill going back to ancient seafaring days which you can relax and enjoy from the deck.

Embarkation in Ystad – worth seeing for more than just fans of Wallander

Our crew will welcome you on board in the port of Ystad in the historic province of Skåne. Embarkation is at 8 pm. You'll quickly feel right at home in the cosy lounges and on the deck of the 'Eye of the Wind'. After a welcome drink and dinner in the deck lounge, you'll have the opportunity to explore the historic, former fishing village with its many well-preserved half-timbered houses from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Sweden's southernmost city is also a place of pilgrimage for fans of author Henning Mankell, whose famous detective Kurt Wallander lives in the city. Our advice: Use the time before checking in to visit the seventeenth-century Marsvinsholm Castle, just seven miles from Ystad.

Sailing for Bornholm

Soon you'll hear "Leinen los!" and we'll be setting sail for our first stop, the Danish island of Bornholm, about 40 nautical miles ahead on the horizon. From the sea, the 85-mile coastline presents itself as a mixture of unique, bizarre rock formations, endless white sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages with the characteristic chimneys of the fish smokehouses. As a starting point for a leisurely trip ashore, we will choose between the ports of Rønne on the west side of the island or Nexø on the east side, known for being Denmark's sunniest town. Bornholm can be easily explored by hiring a bicycle or by bus and offers numerous attractions for visitors of all ages: you can visit Hammershus, Europe's largest fortress ruin, on the north side of the island. From there, you can enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of Christiansø and across to the Swedish coast. The Opalsøen Lake, Stone age rock paintings and the small Hammerodde lighthouse can be found near the village of Allinge. Also worth seeing are the four round churches in Nylars near Rønne, estimated to be more than 900 years old and whose origin remains a mystery. From the port of Nexø, a worthwhile trip would be to the dunes of Dueodde which invite you to take a long walk on the beach. In rainy weather, you may want to check out the new Nature Bornholm museum, which tells visitors the 1.7 billion years of history on Bornholm. For families with children, the Joboland amusement park in Svaneke, the Butterfly Park in Nexø or the birds-of-prey show are worth a visit. Our advice: Be sure to try the excellent Bornholm kippers.

   
Typical Bornholm impressions from Rønne (image courtesy of Thomas Nykrog) Hammershus (Jørgen Schytte)
and Nylars with its round churches (Lennard Nielsen).

Side trip to Ertholmene, Denmark's easternmost point

As we move north-easterly, we will soon pass the small Ertholmene archipelago. Christiansø and Frederiksø form the easternmost point of Denmark. Offering a place for ships to berth, the rocky island of Christiansø looks like a former hideout for pirates. It now has fewer than 100 inhabitants and has no cars. After the day-trippers have left the island, there is an indescribable silence here that you'll want to preserve and take home with you.

Aerial view of the Ertholmene archipelago (image courtesy of Jan Winther); the idyllic harbor of Christiansø (Denmark Media Center).

Karlskrona - the Baroque city on Sweden's south coast

Depending on wind, weather and travel progress, we will make another stop at the port of Karlskrona in the Swedish province of Blekinge. "Sweden's only baroque city" is shaped by its maritime history, the ferries that dock here and the fishing industry. The naval port with its former shipyards was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, we will spend a night in the nearby Kalmarsund anchored in a cosy berth on the island of Öland. You can enjoy a peaceful evening on the deck and watch the sun set over the tranquil sea with a glass of wine from the bar on board.

A day at sea - sailing adventure on the Baltic Sea

Our journey takes us across the waves of the Baltic. Driven by the wind, we will set sail for Gotland, Sweden's largest island and the destination of our summer cruise through Scandinavia. We will be on the water for a longer period now. We will sail from early morning until late at night or maybe even overnight without stopping – another highlight of the trip and at the same time a genuine seafaring adventure just like in ancient times! The gentle, steady rocking of the ship's hull in the waves, the vastness of the sea and the faint creaking of the rigging are the best ingredients for a relaxing holiday experience. The soothing uniformity of the sea takes root in your soul and the stress of everyday life drains away. The fresh sea air will also stimulate your appetite—you can look forward to dining in our excellent galley which consistently gets top marks in our customer surveys. Be surprised by what you discover!

Gotland's secret: a unique blend of light, air and water

As sailors, you'll be greeted as you approach Gotland by the Raukar, rock columns that thrust up to 20 metres out of the sea as remnants of the ice age millions of years ago and which seem to wear bizarre faces (image courtesy of Tuukka Ervasti / imagebank sweden se). Numerous offshore islets that lie not far off the coast, are often uninhabited or have a lighthouse as the single structure, are part of what make Gotland so fascinating. This part of the sea is known as Sweden's fair-weather sailing area as there's often little or no wind and daytime temperatures exceed 20°C in July. The Gotland secret lies in the unique combination of light, air and water.

Farewell to the ship and its crew in the former capital of the Hanseatic League

We'll then be heading to the port of Visby where you'll say goodbye to our crew and your fellow sailors. Visby, home to 20,000 residents, is the largest town on the island and protected as a World Heritage Site. The town is marked by the fully preserved two-mile long fortifications which form a semi-circular defensive wall around the historic town centre down to the beach. Once the most important port in the Baltic region, the town was often the subject of many hard-fought battles. Even today, the townspeople live among the four-storey timber-framed façades within the city limits of 1250. The old cobblestone streets, the massive ruins of a burned-down church and low archways will inspire you as you imagine life here five hundred years ago when Visby was the capital of the Hanseatic League and horse-drawn wagons rattled their way down to the lively marketplace. You might even imagine the clamour of sabres rattling among wild pirate hordes.

You'll disembark with a duffel bag full of memories You'll be departing with some relaxing summer days on the Baltic Sea behind you. The trip offers plenty of variety with a balance between time sailing and relaxing shore excursions. From here you can easily head back home with a stopover in Stockholm on your way to the international airport.

Highlights of this trip:

• Sailing in the western Baltic Sea
• Bornholm: Unique nature and the most sunshine hours in Denmark
• Gotland: The former capital of the Hanseatic League, legendary Swedish island
• Balance between time spent at sea and generous shore excursions
• Pleasant sailing in an area without extreme weather and sea conditions
• Active sailing operation on a more than 100 year-old Windjammer Excellent galley with culinary highlights from morning to night

Services included:

• 7 nights' accommodation on the 100 year-old historic 'Eye of the Wind'
• Accommodation in exclusive double cabin with hot and cold running water, shower, toilet and air conditioning
• Full board (including all meals, soft drinks, coffee & tea)
• Lounge with TV/video and extensive on-board library, some limited WiFi access available

Not included:
Travel to Ystad and from Visby, shore excursions and alcoholic beverages. We will be glad to help you make individual plans for your arrival and departure. Please contact us.