Europe to the Tropics Under Sail
This adventure combines two consecutive tall ship voyages that can be joined individually or booked together as one extraordinary Atlantic sailing expedition.
The first leg sails from Rotterdam to Tenerife through the English Channel, Bay of Biscay and along the Atlantic coast of Europe. The second continues from Tenerife to Sal, Cape Verde, following the northeast trade winds across the open Atlantic.
Join either voyage as a standalone adventure or combine both to create a 32-night sailing expedition from northern Europe to the edge of tropical West Africa. Together, the two legs offer a rare opportunity to experience a huge variety of sailing conditions, coastlines, cultures and ocean environments in a single journey.
The first leg is rich in maritime history and changing scenery as you sail from the busy waterways of northern Europe towards warmer climates. The second leg delivers a more classic offshore experience as the Canary Islands disappear astern and the Atlantic opens ahead.
Throughout the voyage you’ll become part of the crew, standing watch, steering, handling sails and learning traditional seamanship while sharing life at sea with fellow adventurers. Whether you choose one leg or both, this is a fantastic opportunity to build offshore sailing experience while exploring some of the Atlantic’s most iconic sailing routes.
Why you'll love this adventure
- Sail from wintery northern Europe to tropical Cape Verde.
- Celebrate Christmas and New Year at sea.
- A fantastic stepping stone towards longer ocean passages.
Dates
Itinerary
This trip page showcases two consecutive voyage legs which may be booked separately or combined into one longer expedition. Many sailors choose a single leg, while others join both voyages to experience the full journey from Rotterdam to Cape Verde.
What's included
- Accommodation onboard
- All meals during the voyage
- Sailing instruction and participation
- Safety equipment and briefings
- Professional captain and crew
- Shared cabin accommodation
Not included
- Travel to and from the ship
- Drinks from the onboard bar
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses ashore
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
All cabins are equipped with a hot and cold tap sink, bedding and towel, European sockets, heating, and forced ventilation for a comfortable night in the tropics. Toilets and showers are communal and separate for men and women. The living area is spacious and comfortably furnished, with large tables, games, musical instruments, a projector and screen, and a library – perfect for relaxed social evenings after an active day at sea or wandering the islands.
Meals
An experienced chef prepares three well-balanced meals a day. Snacks are served between meals. Coffee, tea and milk are included, and other drinks are served at regular bar prices.
Who is this trip for?
Adventure travellers, aspiring ocean sailors, gap year travellers, solo travellers and anyone seeking a substantial offshore sailing experience. No previous sailing experience is required, although participants should be comfortable spending extended periods at sea and actively contributing to life onboard.
Additional notes
- Voyage legs may be booked individually or combined
- Rotterdam to Tenerife: 12–29 December 2026
- Tenerife to Sal: 30 December 2026 – 13 January 2027
- Combined duration: 32 nights
- Christmas and New Year fall within the combined expedition
- No sailing experience required
- Guests actively participate in sailing operations
- Significant offshore sailing throughout
- Route and timing depend on weather conditions
Tour operator
For over 30 years, this operator has been creating incredible tall ship voyages, enjoyed by new and experienced sailors alike. Most recently they completed a historic two-year expedition in the wake of Charles Darwin called Darwin200.
The aim of their voyages is to have a hands-on, active experience, immersing yourself into life at sea, the rhythm of sailing and the culture of the regions you travel between.
Based out of the Netherlands they have two ships and work with a third providing sailing experiences around the world.
Their Three-masted topsail schooner
The last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century.
The ship is furnished comfortably and supplied with all modern conveniences. All the cabins are fitted with a washbasin with hot and cold running water and there are separate sets of showers. In the spacious and stylishly appointed salon there are reading tables, seating areas and a piano. Life on board is made even better by delicious meals prepared by a professional chef to fuel you up for a day’s sailing.
It is one of the world’s finest, fully restored historic tall ships and the largest sailing vessel ever to be restored in the Netherlands. She is registered by the Dutch Government as a monument of great cultural and historical value. The ship is one of the oldest and most authentic ships in the international fleet of Tall Ships.
Over the past 30 years she has welcomed thousands of sailors and adventure seekers on board including royalty, politicians, presidents and pop stars, even once hosting a birthday party for Sir Tom Jones!
The first Dutch commercial tall ship to sail to both the north and south poles and successfully tackle the infamous Cape Horn.
Their Two-mast clipper-brig
Built in 1919 and thoroughly stripped and rebuilt to modern standards in 1983. The tall-boat brig style was developed by the Americas during the war of independence to evade the much heavier English Man o' War. As such, the ship combines traditional design with fast speed. Since 2008, she has operated as a sail training vessel, undertaking her regular Atlantic circuit through the Canaries, Cape Verde and the Caribbean.
Below deck there is a spacious saloon which is the heart of the ship and each cabin has a basin with hot and cold running water. Showers and toilets are separate – outside the cabin.
Enquire today
Rotterdam to Tenerife to Sal: Atlantic Sailing Expedition
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