FORUM train&sail

Crossing the Bay of Biscay, France-Spain...

*) Reaching those destinations depends upon weather and other sailing conditions

Sailing for people with high expectations

In this segment you will be able to experience ambitious sailing as well although there will be less traffic. In Brest we need to wait for the “lucky hour” to pass the infamous Biscay. Next to the waters around Cape Horn the Bay of Biscay is one of the waters challenging sailors the most.

Luckily the three day weather forecast is pretty reliable and we can start our journey around the Atlantic coast with the Bretagne’s and Galicia’s rough landscapes.

We will start off in Brest a small harbour city in the west of the Bretagne. High upon the bay lays the impressive Château de Brest which today hosts a Marine Museum. The Oceanapolis invites to discover different maritime worlds. Three pavilions that deal with topics like the polar zone, tropical zone and sea inhabitants and flora.

The Atlantic Ocean is after the Pacific the second largest ocean of the world.

Its name comes from one of Greek Mythology’s titans. As a punishment for taking part in a battle between titans and gods Zeus banned him to carry the heaven’s weight on his shoulders for the rest of his live.

The Biscay also called Bay of Biskay is part of the Atlantic Ocean between the north west coast of France and the north coast of Spain. The Biskaya reaches from Galicia up to the Bretagne. The French also call it "Golfe de Gascogne". The Bay of Biscay is infamous for enormous storms and heavy swell.

The coast in the south is rocky and steep. In the south east in between the estuary of the Adour and the broad estuary of Gironde that is exposed to the tide the coast is flat and sandy and characterized by lagoons. Until up to 320 m north of Gironde the land is flat and fertile in the north of the peninsula Quiberon the coast is surrounded by rocky hills.

Numerous rivers coming from the spanish mountains as well as French Rivers like the Loire, Charente, Gironde and Adour open out into the gulf.

Let the legendary and majestic tower of Hercules in La Coruña that is located between the harbour entry and bathing bay inspire you. The naturally protected harbour was already used by Phoenicians, Celts and later Romans. Those built the lighthouse that is located in the north of the city in 110 a.D. On its top they used to inflame real bonfires. Today you can once again see its artificial light in the east and the west.

The historic center of this city includes the Plaza de María Pita, Plaza de Santo Domingo and a small park called Jardín de San Carlos. María Pita once was a butcher’s wife who was known for her braveness in the fight against the English freebooter’s around the pirate Sir Francis Drake in 1589. Today she is still seen as a hero and symbol for freedom.

Now it is getting warmer as the Portuguese Stream helps us reaching the south more quickly. We will past the most western point of Europe. Even if the Spanish announce the end of the world with the peninsula Finisterre the most western spot of the European continent is still in Portugal shortly before we reach the harbour of its capital Lisbon at the Cabo de Roca.

The “Eye of the Wind” will take you on a journey along Galicia’s rocky landscapes and rough Atlantic coasts. Be inspired by castles and fortresses that form a row along the border between France and Portugal.

Let the legendary and majestic tower of Hercules in La Coruña that is located between the harbour entry and bathing bay inspire you. The naturally protected harbour was already used by Phoenicians, Celts and later Romans. Those built the lighthouse that is located in the north of the city in 110 a.D. On its top they used to inflame real bonfires. Today you can once again see its artificial light in the east and the west.

In the Galician province Pontevedra at the Atlantic coast you will find the city that provided the name for the most southern of the Rias Baixas: Vigo is a demotic fisherman’s town with many historic buildings and a large, planted boulevards.

Vigo’s harbor, one of the best natural harbours in the world, was the origin of this village surrounded by mountains. Its maritime character even at the Roman’s time has always been used and led to the becoming of a sports harbours, the transatlantic pier as well as the Atlantic Fishing and tinned food industry today. This is why you will also be able to find all kinds of delicious fish and seafood. Be excited for this extraordinary flavour experience.

Named after the harbour city Porto and the district in the North of Portugal there is a very special wine that people all over the world including sailors love to drink: Port wine. Especially impressive is the unmistakable architecture of Porto’s houses. Porto is built on steep hills and reaches down to the Douro shore. The emotional history of the city is still present in medieval castles, monasteries, small romantic churches, manorial country estates and pilgrimage sites.

Your adventurous journey is going to end in Lisbon, the so called city of lights at the end of Europe. Portugal’s capital is more multifaceted, confusing and contradictory than many other of Europe’s metropolises. The glamorous streets, majestic places and large parks in French manor characterize the European capital. Still Lisbon is a historic city, a Potpourri with a special character. Over the past 800 years many different cultures mixed with modern trends and lifestyles have set unique contrasts. Be inspired by this multicultural flair.

You will be impressed by the coastal landscape and snow covered mountains if you come on board of the “Eye of the Wind”.

Meals and accommodations are included in the price. Not included are arrival, land tours and alcoholic beverages. Accommodation occurs as customary in 2-Person-Cabins. If you wish there will be the chance to get a Single cabin for an extra charge (please request beforehand).