Homeward Bound: Join One of the World’s Most Loved Tall Ships on Her Journey Back to Europe
Original post: Another World Adventures
They say that the magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and feels even better to come back. For the crew on this tall ship that has been away sailing the world’s oceans for the past two years, that will certainly be the case!
Perhaps you’d like to join them as they make their way back on the final legs of an extraordinary time exploring some of the world’s wildest places, including Antarctica, the Pacific and remote ocean crossings, as this iconic sail training vessel is making her way home to the Netherlands. The 2027 Homecoming Series offers a rare opportunity to become part of that story.
The voyages on this tall ship are particularly special to AWA founder Larissa whose own transatlantic voyage aboard in 2011 was one of the experiences that helped inspire the creation of Another World Adventures. Living as part of the voyage crew, standing watch under star-filled skies and sharing life with people from around the world demonstrated exactly the kind of meaningful adventures we wanted to help others discover.
More Than a Sailing Holiday
This isn’t a cruise!
Everyone who joins signs on as part of the voyage crew. After a full safety briefing, you’ll stand watch, take the helm, help set and trim sails, keep lookout and learn traditional seamanship alongside an experienced international crew. No previous tall ship experience is required—just a willingness to get involved and embrace life at sea.
Before long, the watch system becomes second nature. Days are measured by the wind rather than the clock. Hearty meals are shared together. Friendships form quickly, and many people say they leave with a second family.
It’s little wonder these voyages have developed such a loyal following.
A Ship People Return To Again and Again
Originally built in Hamburg in 1911 as a lightship, this much-loved vessel has spent more than three decades sailing the world’s oceans as a sail training ship. She’s crossed every major ocean, rounded Cape Horn, sailed to Antarctica countless times and earned a reputation as one of the few traditional tall ships that genuinely specialises in long ocean passages rather than short sightseeing cruises.
That reputation means many voyages sell out well in advance, particularly the ocean crossings and milestone passages like this homecoming.
Which Voyage Will You Choose?
Namibia → St Helena → Azores
26 April – 14 June 2027 | 50 days
The flagship voyage.
Cross the equator, visit remote St Helena and spend five unforgettable weeks sailing the Atlantic before arriving in Horta, one of the world’s great ocean sailing harbours.
Perfect for: Adventurers looking for a life-changing bluewater sailing experience.
Azores → La Rochelle
16–29 June 2027 | 14 days
A classic North Atlantic passage.
Experience around 1,200 nautical miles of offshore sailing before crossing the Bay of Biscay and arriving beneath the famous medieval harbour towers of La Rochelle.
Perfect for: Those wanting a true offshore sailing adventure in a more manageable timeframe.
European Coastal Voyages
July 2027
Choose between two memorable finales to the Homecoming Series.
La Rochelle → Bordeaux
- 3–8 July 2027
- Six days of rewarding coastal sailing, strong tides and shifting winds before sailing up the Garonne River into the heart of the Bordeaux Wine Festival.
La Rochelle → Scheveningen
- 13–22 July 2027
- The historic homecoming voyage, following the French coast, crossing the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel before arriving back in Scheveningen for the first time in five years.
One Voyage… or the Whole Journey?
One of the joys of this series is that you can choose an adventure to suit your schedule.
Join for six days.
Spend two unforgettable weeks crossing the North Atlantic.
Cross an entire ocean over 50 days.
Or, if you’re fortunate enough to have the time (and a suitably understanding employer), combine multiple legs to experience one of the world’s great traditional sailing journeys as this much-loved ship returns home.
Whatever you choose, you’ll become part of a story that’s been unfolding across the world’s oceans for decades—and one you’ll be talking about long after you’ve stepped ashore.
Explore the Homecoming Series
Sail Antarctica Tall Ship Expeditions 26/27
Join a 20/21 day true Antarctica sail expedition to explore one of the world's last wildernesses
Atlantic Crossing: Namibia to the Azores via St Helena
Cross the Atlantic via St Helena on an unforgettable 50-day ocean sailing adventure.
Atlantic Passage: The Azores to La Rochelle
Sail from the Azores to France on a classic North Atlantic hands-on sailing passage.
European Coastal Voyages: France, Bordeaux & The Netherlands
Choose between two unforgettable European coastal sailing adventures through France and the North Sea.
Sail Round Cape Horn Auckland to Ushuaia
A extraordinary 52-day non-stop voyage from Auckland to Ushuaia around Cape Horn
Pacific Sailing Cook Islands to Tonga to New Zealand
Sail Rarotonga to Auckland via Tonga on a 26-day South Pacific tall ship voyage.
Tall Ship Sailing Tahiti to Cook Islands
Sail from Tahiti to Rarotonga via the Society Islands and Cook Islands on a 19-day tall ship voyage.
Tall Ship Easter Island to Pitcairn Island to Tahiti
Sail from Easter Island to Tahiti via Pitcairn and the Tuamotus on a 33-day tall ship voyage.
Pacific Voyage Tall Ship Galápagos to Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Explore Galapagos then sail across the open Pacific to Easter Island
Hi I’m Larissa, Founder of Another World Adventures. Welcome! If you’re planning an adventure you’re in the right place. Get ready to discover epic travel inspo and a collection of hand-picked trips from my trusted network of experienced adventure experts. Think unusual destinations, expeditions, slow, solo and sustainable travel and epic journeys on land and at sea! Ever got a question? Just get in touch, I answer every enquiry myself. Enjoy!
