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Join a sailing adventure on a Tall Ship and set course for new horizons!

Alesund (NO) - Aalborg (DK)

17 July - 03 August 2015

17 days, Gulden Leeuw

From € 875,-

Book this journey

International Exchange

28 : € 875,-
> 28 : € 1445,-

Book this journey

Gulden Leeuw:
Alesund (NO) - Aalborg (DK)

17 July - 03 August 2015

Join the Gulden Leeuw for an EU Exchange “Erasmus+” journey, open to trainees from the following countries: Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Malta, Finland, Hungary. Besides sailtraining, you also will join an intercultural programme during the Tall Ships Races (Cruise in Company from Alesund to Haugesund and Kristiansand and Race 2 from Kristiansand to Aalborg). The nautical theme of this European Union Erasmus+ voyage will be: “In the footsteps of the Vikings – exploration and trade over sea”. Make new international friends, learn to handle the ship, and work together with your fellow trainees and the crew while you discover the spectacular fjords along the Norwegian coast. It promises to be an epic journey! For Windseekers age 15-28.

Programme Outline

Experience the famous Tall Ship Races (TSR). Meet people from all over the world. Learn how to sail a majestic Tall Ship. No sailing experience needed! Meet new friends from other countries through the European Union international youth exchange on board. Party during the festivals in the host ports. The professional crew teaches you everything you want to know about sailing and the Tall Ship Gulden Leeuw. There is much to see and discover through the activities offered during the programme.

Step on board of the Gulden Leeuw on the 3rd of July in Ålesund. Unpack your bags and start your discovery of the Ship immediately with your fellow Windseekers. Find your footing on deck, brace for the wind and start setting sails! There will be fellow Windseekers from all over Europe joining you on this Journey, from Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Malta, Finland, Hungary and the UK. By the time you arrive in Aalborg you’ll be one big family!

You'll participate in the watch rotation, once a day and once a night. Become a skilled sailor by learning from the professional crew. Set and trim the sails, steer the ship, help the cook and do odd jobs on deck and below. Together with your fellow Windseekers you work on your best racing time. The crew is there to guide you during your watch. At the end of your European Union International Youth Exchange, you and your team are a comfortable and skilled sailing team.

During the Cruise in Company from Alesund to Haugesund and Kristiansand you'll explore beautiful islands and fjords, before arriving in Kristiansand. After the festivities there, it's time for a Race to Aalborg. Work together to perform at your very best! The nautical theme of this European Union Erasmus+ voyage will be “In the footsteps of the Vikings – exploration and trade over sea". You'll sail this historic route, but the arrival in Aalborg will bring you back to modern times.

Ports

Ålesund is once again host port for The Tall Ships Races in 2015. Ålesund harboured the event for the first time in 2001, in an intimate harbour amongst beautiful fjords, mountains and islands. Consisting out of seven islands, Ålesund is a modern city. In 1904 the city, once built largely of wood, was completely burned down by a sea of flames. After a period of planning, the town was rebuilt in stone, brick, and mortar in Jugendstil.

The final leg of the Tall Ships Races 2015 will finish in the grand port of Aalborg. Aalborg has had a love affair with The Tall Ships Races since 1999, when the city hosted the event for the first time. Aalborg is situated at the Liim Fiord where it was founded by Vikings over 1000 years ago. Today Aalborg is a modern city with visible historic roots. Its theatres, symphony orchestra, performance venues, and museums, make Aalborg a great place to wind down after an exhilarating Sail adventure.

Sponsorship and costs

Your Life on Board covers 17 days, starting on the 17th of July and ending on the 3rd of August 2015. The normal price for this voyage is €1445. If you're from one of the partnering EU countries (NO, DK, NL, MT, UK, FI, HU), and 15 - 28 years of age, you are eligible for the reduced price of € 875. Price excludes drinks at the bar and transportation to and from the Ship. After the Journey's conclusion you may be eligible for a partial refund of transfer costs.

This special project of 17 days is organised by Windseeker in coordination with partners in 7 different countries. The European Union provides partial funding through the "Erasmus+" programme. This programme promotes cultural exchanges between young European citizens. Erasmus+ covers a daily fee and hopefully a part of the traveling costs. This, combined with money from other funds, enables Windseeker to offer you this Journey at a reduced price.

Key points

  • Dates: 17 July 2015 - 3 August 2015
  • Embarkation: 16:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers 15-25 years, age 26-28 at request
  • Joining countries: Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, France, Malta, Finland, Hungary.
  • Windseekers joining: maximum of 60
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English
  • Price includes: accommodation and meals, excludes drinks at the bar
  • Price excludes transportation costs to-and from the ports. Our travel counsellor can advise you and book your transfers
  • One-off registration fee €25
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: sleeping bag, pillowcase, sheets and towels
  • Dutch Windseekers will need to become members of the STAN / €25
  • French Windseekers need to become member of ADGV
  • "I learned that I could do things that I could have never done before."

    Christopher (16), England

You sail on the Gulden Leeuw

Shipping type: Topsail Schooner
Homeport: Kampen (NL)
Date built: 1937
Trainees: 60
Length: 70,1 m
Height of mast: 40 m
Sail: 1500 m2

The Gulden Leeuw is a three-masted topsail schooner, which means that you can climb the 40-metre mast to unpack the square sails. That’s approximately 12 stories high! But do not worry, you can start with the lowest yard. With 1500 …

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