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

Stavanger (NO) - Aalborg (DK)

24 July - 01 August 2026

8 days, Gulden Leeuw

From € 980,-

Book this journey

Tall Ships Races Sail Training

15-25: € 980,-

Book this journey

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

24 July - 01 August 2026

The Tall Ships Races 2026: Race 3. Set sail from Norway to Denmark on the final leg of The Tall Ships Races 2026—an unforgettable race across the sea! Join your crew in Stavanger and depart in a spectacular Parade of Sail alongside an international fleet of tall ships. As the race begins, it’s all hands on deck: you’ll learn to steer, navigate, and handle the sails while working in day and night watches. Whether it’s plotting your course or spotting ships on the horizon, life at sea is full of teamwork, challenge, and connection. Along the way, you’ll form lasting friendships and share in the excitement of the race. Arrive in Aalborg with two full days to celebrate—join the Crew Parade, Crew Party, and other festivities that mark the end of the Tall Ships Races in true maritime style.
For young Windseekers aged 15-25.
This journey will be open for bookings from the 1st of October 2025.

The Tall Ships Races 2026

Each year, a diverse fleet of tall ships, small ships, and yachts come together to champion Sail Training and build international friendships among young people. To ensure youth participation, at least half of the crew must be between 15 and 25 years old. The vessels take part in thrilling races and Cruise in Company legs, sailing between host ports and immersing themselves in lively harbour festivals along the way.

Every journey begins with a joyful sail-out in a stunning Parade of Sail, leading into several days at sea before concluding with two exciting days in the destination port. Here, trainees take part in a variety of events, from the Crew Parade and award ceremonies to the Crew Party, games, and competitions. Are you ready to set sail on this unforgettable adventure?

Ports

Stavanger is a vibrant modern port with a charming historic district. Its picturesque old harbour offers a lively atmosphere right in the heart of the city. Stavanger boasts a rich cultural scene and is the perfect gateway to some of Norway’s most stunning natural landscapes. Don’t forget your hiking boots – the surrounding mountains promise unforgettable views. Discover the dramatic Lysefjord, hike to the famous Preikestolen and Kjerag cliffs, or unwind on the sandy beaches of Jæren.

Aalborg has shared a special connection with The Tall Ships Races since first hosting the event in 1999. Located on the Limfjord, the city was founded by Vikings over a thousand years ago and still proudly showcases its historic roots. Today, Aalborg is a modern, vibrant city with a rich cultural scene – home to theatres, a symphony orchestra, museums, and performance venues. It’s the perfect place to relax and reflect after an unforgettable sailing adventure.

  • Stavanger (NO)

  • Aalborg (DK)

Key points

  • Dates: 24 July 2026 - 1 August 2026
  • Embarkation: 17:00 / Disembarkation: 10:00
  • For Windseekers age 15-25 years
  • Windseekers joining: maximum 55
  • No sailing experience required!
  • Official language on board: English and Dutch
  • 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
  • Windseekers need to have a health insurance and a travel insurance
  • Need to take with you on board: sleeping bags and towels
  • "Sailing on the North Sea by night, watching millions of stars..."

    Mathijn (13), Netherlands

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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Windseeker logs

  • Bon Voyage, Plastic!

    Thalassa, July 2021

    France

    – by Trainees

    Sunday, 11th of July Once we arrived in Boulogne sûr Mer we had to wait until 9 o'clock before the embarkation on the Thalassa. So we walked a bit around the festival and the harbour. Then we met more people who …

    Read log
  • Ship

    Absolutely Awesome Day

    Europa

    Southern Atlantic Ocean

    – by Annie van Haaren

    Today was absolutely awesome. Waking from a good 7 hour sleep to breakfast, first time in 5 days as I had been sleeping right through it when on the dog watch. We had watch from 8 am till 12 midday. …

    Read log

Photos

  • Trainee
  • Sørlandet
  • Sørlandet

OTHER JOURNEYS YOU MIGHT LIKE

STO Garant

This Journey is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website (www.sto-garant.nl/en/downloads).

This process is automatic and you do not need to do anything else. After receiving your booking, Windseeker will send you detailed information on how and when to pay for your journey – together with all the other important details.

 

What does it mean?

In short: you do not pay the booking amount to Windseeker but instead into an escrow account. This trust account holds your payment in reserve until your journey’s end. The booking amount is then released to Windseeker on the day after your trip ends. If Windseeker or the Ship should become financially insolvent before the end of your trip, STO Garant will implement the guarantee. The Guarantee Scheme details how you can make a claim under the guarantee in such cases. You can read more about this here.