Western Baltic Summer Sailing
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Discovery Cruise from Kiel to Ystad: Sailing in Scandinavia
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 in the sea as we make our way to our destination port of Ystad, Sweden. 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 Kiel
Our crew will welcome you on board in Holtenau, on the western shore of the Kiel Fjord. 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 observe the varied comings and goings at the locks of the Kiel Canal. Everything from small sports yachts to ocean liners make their way past us through the busiest artificial waterway in the world. If you take a walk to the small Holtenau Lighthouse, you'll discover a nostalgic harbour atmosphere: many old freighters and schooners form the perfect backdrop for your first night on board.
Left: the professional crew does all the work up in the rigging. Centre: The 'Eye of the Wind' is your luxury home in the middle of the ocean. Right: The ship's figurehead above the waves.
Through the Fehmarn Belt to Lolland (Denmark)
After breakfast it's time to set sail: “Leinen los!” Along the eastern shores of the fjord we'll see the Laboe Navy Memorial and will soon reach the open sea as we pass the Kiel Lighthouse. After a busy day under full sail, we'll cross the invisible maritime border between Germany and Denmark and head for the south coast of the Danish island of Lolland. We will berth for the night in the small medieval town of Nysted. From here, you'll have a magnificent view over the Fehmarn Belt, the offshore wind farm at Rødsand, the old provincial town and Ålholm Castle. In the evening, there will be a jazz concert in the port. Depending on the progress of our journey, our first port of call will be either Gedser, the ferry port on the island of Falster, or Rødbyhavn, where for more than a century cars have taken ferries between Fehmarn and the Danish islands.
With the wind to Warnemünde
Our journey continues through the waves of the Baltic; a possible goal for the day may be the Baltic Sea port of Warnemünde. Red and green pier heads mark the entrance to the former fishing village. Here we'll make our berth close to the huge cruise ships. Go ashore to take a pleasant stroll along the quay at Alter Strom with its numerous bars, cafés, small shops, chippies, ships and boats. The best view of the scenery can be had from the 30-metre high lighthouse, open to visitors daily. From here it is only a few meters to the Baltic Sea beach, which offers not only fine sand but is also safe for swimming. Our tip for the evening is to head over to the Vörreeg, a narrow, cobblestone street just off Alter Strom. Here you'll find cosy pubs where you can exchange stories of your time on sea with your fellow sailors before we continue our journey the next morning.
As an alternative to going ashore in Warnemünde, we might look for a sheltered spot to drop anchor near the Darss peninsula, a seashore nature preserve, or we might sail to Klintholm on the Danish island of Møn. Here, it would be worthwhile taking a field trip to Liselund Palace, a country house with an English-style garden maintained by the Danish National Museum. We will experience a scenic highlight of the trip as we sail past the impressive Møns Klint. These chalk cliffs extend four miles along the eastern edge of Møn and are in spots as high as 128 metres, making them the highest cliffs in Denmark (image courtesy of Niclas Jessen).
Land ahoy! Ystad in sight!
Gradually, we will approach the destination of our summer cruise. As we sail in the waters along Sweden's southern coast, we will have plenty of time for more maritime discoveries before we finally make our way to the historical province of Skåne. In the old town of the former herring fishing village, we'll find many well-preserved half-timbered houses from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Ystad is also a place of pilgrimage for fans of author Henning Mankell, whose famous detective Kurt Wallander lives in the city. Our tip for a little day trip is the seventeenth-century Marsvinsholm Castle, located about seven miles from Ystad
Here you'll say goodbye to our crew and your fellow sailors. 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 Ystad, you can take a train to Malmö with its international airport, or you can take a bus to nearby Trelleborg and take the ferry back to Lübeck or Rostock.
Highlights of this trip:
- Sailing in western Baltic, calling in ports in Denmark and Sweden
- 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:
- 5 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 Kiel and from Ystad, shore excursions and alcoholic beverages. We will be glad to help you make individual plans for your arrival and departure. Please contact us.
