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

Oban (GB) - Troon (GB)

14 May - 21 May 2016

7 days, Thalassa

From € 1095,-

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Expedition Sail Training

person cabin p.p.p.: € 1095,-
> person cabin p.p.p.: € 1595,-

Book this journey

Thalassa:
Oban (GB) - Troon (GB)

14 May - 21 May 2016

Whisky trip Scotland 1: perfect if you’re a Windseeker and a whisky enthousiast! Sail with Tall Ship Thalassa to the most famous single malt distilleries and visit Islay Island. Discover Scotland’s coastal distilleries, enjoy the company of fellow whisky aficionados and meet whisky professionals! See Scotland and the isles from a different perspective and make the whisky trip of a lifetime. Especially for this whisky sail there will be a well-stocked whiskybar on board. The sailing trip is escorted by an experienced whisky guide/expert. This Journey starts and ends in Scotland, in the harbour of Troon. The exact sailing route depends on wind and weather conditions. 2 persons in 2 person cabin, price € 2040. Open to Windseekers of all ages, minimum age 21 years.

Programme Outline

Your Journey starts in Oban, where you will embark on the Tall Ship Thalassa for a whisky odyssey through the inner Hebrides and around Kintyre. Together you will enjoy a week of beautiful sailing, nice meals, and of course plenty of whisky from all parts of Scotland. You will visit several distilleries and have whisky tastings where you can enjoy fine single malts, right from the source. The island of Islay is prominent on the itinerary, as it boasts eight distilleries of fine heritage.

Keep an eye out on the water during the sailing crossings, as chances are you will spot spectacular marine life, such as basking sharks. And lend a hand raising and trimming the sails - the Thalassa crew takes their duties seriously, so the engine stays off as much as possible. Working together to run the ship is a bonding experience, and it will lend a new dimension to an already spectacular journey. When you reach the famous Bushmills distillery, you'll be an experienced rope-tugger :)

While you're on board, you can also opt to partake in the Watch rotation. During the day, you'll help with steering the ship and trimming the sails. And if you sail through the night, you'll experience the isolation of being at sea under a starry sky, as you have the deck to yourself. And don't worry - your duties will leave you ample time to gaze at the horizon, engage in conversation with your Windseeker whisky shipmates, and taste more of the extensive whisky collection on board.

Your Itinerary takes you from Troon to Bruichladdich, and onwards to Port Ellen. From there you will sail to Bunnahabhain, where you will visit the distillery there. Then it's back to Port Ellen, where you will have time to explore the town. In the afternoon you will continue on to Jura, visit another distillery, and leave for Campbelltown. There you'll visit the Springbank Distillery, before leaving for Aran for yet another distillery excursion. From there you'll sail back to Troon.

Ports

Oban (meaning ‘little bay’ in Gaelic) is a small harbor town on the west coast of Scotland, famous for its whiskey distillery. The town occupies a beautiful setting in the Firth of Lorn, and is a perfect place to find shelter from the Atlantic. Walking around town is a pleasure, and close by you’ll find mountains, castles, dramatic coastal scenery, and McCaig’s tower that resembles the Colosseum. In the first week of August, the town plays host to West Highland week, a yearly sailing regatta.

Troon, situated on the west coast of Scotland, is famous for its Royal Troon golf course, one of the hosts to the Open Golf Championship. The course is chosen to host this annual event roughly every seven years. The Duke of Portland took the existing natural harbour on the north side of the headland and added docks. Troon has over the past few years become a popular place for Kitesurfing. The strong winds coming from the Atlantic and from the north down the Firth of Clyde make it an ideal spot.

  • Oban (GB)

  • Troon (GB)

Key points

  • Dates: 14 May 2016 - 21 May 2016
  • Embarkation: 14:00 / Disembarkation: 14:00
  • Windseekers joining: maximum of 35
  • 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
  • Contact your fellow-Windseekers via Windseeker facebook
  • "The best moment was when we crossed the finish line and everybody celebrated together. The tone was simply unforgettable!"

    Ida (19), Finland

You sail on the Thalassa

Shipping type: Barquentine
Homeport: Harlingen (NL)
Date built: 1980
Trainees: 30
Length: 47m
Height of mast: 35m
Sail: 800m2

Sail in style. The Thalassa is more than capable to sail every imaginable sea and ocean. A 3-masted barquentine, she carries square sails on the foremast, while the main and mizzen masts are both gaff-rigged. Thanks to that she can …

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Photos

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  • Trainee

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