- Crossing the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean
- Several stops along the way, depending on weather conditions
- For this leg, sailing experience at sea is an advantage and good fitness is a “must”.
- There will be sailing day and night
- You will be assigned to the Twister’s watch system. It is not compulsory but highly recommended to participate in all watches.
- Vegetarian food is served on board as standard. If you want to eat fish or meat, you can indicate this when booking.
- All meals on board, port charges, etc. included
Sailing on the North Sea and through the Bay of Biscay in winter is a challenge. That is why this trip is suitable for those who want to push their limits, who want to test themselves in conditions that can be exceptionally beautiful but also tough. You can compare this stage to a mountain climb or a polar expedition: it is perfectly doable if you prepare well. The crew of the Twister has undertaken this trip many times and prepares the ship months in advance. Sailing experience at sea and good physical condition are an advantage on this leg.
This is a trip for active travellers, we all sail together on the ship. Sailing experience is not required, but an active and open attitude is. Along the way we will teach you everything from navigating to steering the ship, and by the end of the trip you will be an experienced sailor. Of course, there will also be plenty of time to relax, read a book and have a chat. In the evening, we continue sailing, everyone on board will be divided into watches so that we make good progress and everyone has enough time to rest, eat and sleep in addition to sailing. By the way, it is not compulsory to take part in all the watches. The nights at sea are magical. Because there is no ambient light at sea, you can see the Milky Way in addition to the stars. Arriving in port after a long time at sea is an unforgettable experience. Just try walking straight ahead with your newly acquired sea legs!
Like many great adventures, this trip starts very innocently: we set sail from the NDSM wharf, an idyllic little port in the centre of Amsterdam. We sailed down the North Sea Canal, past huge ports and large ocean-going vessels. At sea, we hoist the sails and the ship gets into its rhythm. Here we realise how busy this part of the North Sea is. Pilot boats, dredgers, shipping lanes and wind farms can be seen everywhere.
We sail across the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean to Lisbon. Along the way there is time for stopovers, in good weather we can pick the most beautiful spots, in less good weather we sometimes call at a port to seek shelter.
Once we leave the white chalk cliffs of Calais and Dover behind us, the channel widens and the shipping traffic calms down. The closer we get to the Bay of Biscay, the longer the waves get and the more relaxed the sailing becomes. This is also because everyone is now well acquainted with the ship and has settled in. The Bay of Biscay has a beauty of its own. Because the deep ocean meets the European continental shelf here, where the long waves of the Atlantic converge, large waves can form. The Twister’s experienced crew will guide you safely through these waves.
Once the rugged coast of Galicia comes into view, you can tell by the temperatures that we are travelling further south. We sail along the Spanish coast towards Portugal. As we enter Lisbon Bay and sail up the Tagus River, we see the impressive Ponte 25 de Abril. The capital of Portugal is of unparalleled beauty and has survived the centuries remarkably well. Here, after a successful crossing, we enjoy local delicacies and a well-earned drink in the warm nightlife.
