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Your Eye of the Wind Team.
For the Eye of the Wind, the Azores are the starting point for the third leg of a long Atlantic crossing. Two weeks on board – time for you to experience an unforgettable active sailing holiday and at the same time get to know the ship as a favourite place for rest and relaxation. The destination of this voyage is the French port and naval city of Brest in Brittany.
Take advantage of your stay on Ilha do Faial to explore the fifth largest of the "Hawk Islands", as the Azores are called. Little traffic and few tourists mean you can hike in complete peace and quiet. Fantastic routes lead across the densely vegetated island, along the cliffs, around the crater lake and to the lighthouse in the west. The picturesque harbour of Horta is a stopover for every circumnavigator. Skippers, divers and whale watchers use the legendary "Peter Café Sport" as a popular meeting place to exchange news over the "best gin and tonic in the world" between souvenir photos and model ships. Upstairs, the founder of this pirate pub, one of the last whalers, has set up a scrimshaw museum with artistically carved whale bones and teeth.
The 15-day voyage begins in the harbour of Horta on Ilha do Faial, also known as Ilha Azul, or "blue island", due to its kilometres of blue hydrangea hedges. This destination can be reached from many major airports with a stopover via Lisbon.
Boarding takes place at 7 p.m. During the subsequent dinner together in the cosy saloon, you will immediately feel at home on the decks of the Eye of the Wind and get to know your fellow travellers.
Windjammer romance and a sense of freedom
From Horta, our course takes us past the larger neighbouring island of Pico. The mountain of the same name, towering above everything else, is Portugal's highest peak at 2,351 metres and the last visible landmark of our blue water passage before reaching the European mainland coast.
Encounters with whales and dolphins are possible at any time and are not unlikely. More than 30 species of whales and dolphins, including the majestic sperm whales, have been sighted in the waters around the Azores.
After the command "Cast off!", a pleasant wind pushes us through deep blue water. Any feeling of confinement gives way to the boundless freedom that you experience on the high seas like nowhere else. The steady rise and fall of the ship's hull in the waves, the vastness of the sea and the quiet creaking of the rigging are the best ingredients for a relaxing holiday experience. From the very first nautical mile, you can relax and become "boundlessly happy".
Your choice: active or leisurely sailing
Would you like to take the helm yourself and steer a 100-year-old two-masted ship? Under the expert guidance of our friendly and helpful crew, you are welcome to actively participate in sailing at any time. Active assistance on deck is always done with great enthusiasm and on a voluntary basis – so you can of course just sit back and relax while watching the sailing manoeuvres.
Busy shipping traffic at the entrance to the English Channel
Soon, the spring-like North Atlantic will reveal its rugged charm and let a fresh wind blow 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 swell and the fresh sea air are known to make you hungry – our excellent galley will surprise you every day with changing creations from the galley cookbook. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable below deck in the cosy saloon, browse through a book from the on-board library or take a look at the selection of DVDs available. After a few days at sea, we reach the Celtic Sea and the entrance to the English Channel. Up to 500 vessels travel through this varied sea area every day, so there are always new ships to discover from the deck.
The Atlantic port city of Brest offers numerous maritime attractions. Océanopolis invites visitors on an exciting journey through the world of the oceans with its diverse exhibitions. The imposing Château de Brest, which dates back to Roman times and now houses the Musée de la Marine, where visitors can learn more about France's maritime history, is a defining feature of the city. Another highlight is the Pont de Recouvrance, one of the largest lift bridges in Europe, from which you can overlook the harbour and military installations. Also worth seeing is the former arsenal of Brest, which was long the centre of French shipbuilding. If you are looking for a maritime atmosphere, visit the fishing harbour or the Quartier du Port – here you can experience the city's close connection to the sea up close.
A medical certificate is required for participation in this trip: Click here for more information.
The route described here may change at short notice due to prevailing wind and weather conditions. The ship's command will decide on stopovers and the course of the voyage, taking your wishes into account whenever possible. This way, you will experience the trip as a pleasant mix of adventure and comfort, participation and enjoyment.
- 15 overnight stays on the traditional sailing ship Eye of the Wind.
• Accommodation in a comfortable double cabin (single cabin available at extra cost, subject to availability).
• Full board (incl. all meals; water / coffee / tea).
• Saloon with TV / DVD player and extensive on-board library.
• Hot and cold running water, shower and toilet in each cabin, bed linen, towels and air conditioning.
• Arrival and departure, shore excursions, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• We would be happy to arrange a reliable partner travel agency to help you plan your individual arrival and departure. Please contact us in good time if required.
I can highly recommend a sailing trip on the Eye of the Wind. This is a sailing ship straight out of a picture book, and the crew is in a great mood. You may climb to the top of the mast – 27 metres above sea level. Fabulous!"
Simply an overwhelming experience - you have to experience it.
Here I can let go of all the tension and find myself again.
Seeing this magnificent sailing ship glide through the waves powered only by the wind is an indescribable feeling. There is nothing more beautiful.
