sailingalea@yahoo.es

tel:00447700076273

We have been living and sailing aboard our sailboat Alea for over three years.
After falling in love with the waters of Greece, a place that we might be returning to one day, we decided we needed a change of scenery and to search for new destinations.

Our goal for 2012 is to reach Greenland.

Before that we want to explore the beauty of the Caribbean at length – we think it's a really good plan to have, after finishing the longest trip we will have done so far: crossing the Atlantic.

In short, a year full of challenges that, if you wish, you can share with us at some stage.

We will arrive in the Caribbean in Tobago and later will sail north towards Greenland.

TOBAGO (January 2012)
We read in some blogs that when you arrive to Tobago it really feels like you are in the Caribbean, and that is why we decided that this island would be our first port of arrival.
It is a green island with beaches that will make you feel like you stepped into a postcard. After crossing the ocean it will be a well deserved break for our senses.

GRENADA (January 2012)
It is known as the island of spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper.
It is a former British colony where you will be able to combine strolling around the colonial cities, hiking in the interior of the island and of course sailing and snorkeling in turquoise little corners.

GRENADINAS (January 2012)
These are some small islands which belong to Grenada (Petit, Martinique and Carriacou) and to Saint Vincent (the total number of islands is 30, although few of them are inhabited). It is one of the favorite places for those who sail in the area since they offer unforgettable landscapes. Scuba-diving or just snorkeling in the Tobago Keys alone, make the trip worth it.

SAINT VINCENT (January 2012)
It is almost 28 kilometers long and impressive for it's gigantic and seething volcano La Soufriere. You can tour the interior trails that wind through the surrounding forest for an ideal photographic view. Other natural attractions include the Baleine Falls which are accessible only by boat, as well as the Mesopotamia region with it's banana plants.

SAINT LUCIA (February 2012)
St. Lucia is known for Pythons and two volcanic mountains guarding the anchor point, an ideal place to forget about everything, to relax and enjoy.

MARTINIQUE (February 2012)
This is a French island where you will do your shopping in Euros. It is like stepping onto a little piece of Europe transported into the Caribbean. With its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush interior and a volcano.

DOMINICA (February 2012)
This island has been described by some people as mountainous and impenetrable. It is an island with not too many places to anchor but it is worth wandering its interior: A tropical forest, hundreds of rivers and waterfalls, rare orchids and colorful birds, hot springs, small geysers and the Boiling Lake, the second larges lake of its kind in the world.

GUADELOUPE (March 2012)
This island is part of the French Antilles. Guadeloupe has it all: tropical forests, waterfalls, sandy beaches and charming villages. Guadeloupe is actually two butterfly-shaped islands connected by a narrow channel. The left "wing" of the butterfly is Grande-Terre, and the right "wing" is Basse-Terre. A short distance from the coast, there are some other smaller islands where you can see societies that have changed little in centuries.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (March 2012)
We will try to be in Antigua coinciding with the celebration of classic sailing regatta which takes place every year on the island.
Antigua offers more than 365 beaches, one for each day of the year.
On the other hand Barbuda, quieter and less known, is a great place for bird watching or just being seduced by the sea.

SAINT MARTIN / SINT MAARTEN (March 2012)
An island that belongs to two countries: the northern part is French (and therefore the official currency is the euro) and the southern part is Dutch. There are plenty of good places to anchor and beautiful beaches.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (April 2012)
This is one of the most touristy areas but still beautiful.
There are about 60 islands which some 300 years ago were home to pirates and are now host to a select audience!
Some of the highlights: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke ... beautiful beaches, natural pools and coral reefs

AMERICAN VIRGIN (April 2012)
We will enter this U.S. territory. These popular islands have easy access from a number of airports in the U.S. There are three islands, each with its own personality, from the most popular touristy locations to the most peaceful, a dream for divers to dive or just to snorkel.
We are about to say goodbye to the Caribbean. Soon it will be hurricane season and it will be better to find shelter in some other waters.

BERMUDA (april 2012)
After a journey of 800 miles, we will be visiting Bermuda, a set of 120 islands and islets. Touched by the warm Gulf Stream, its waters and pink sands have nothing to envy from the islands further south, a good way to say goodbye to the Caribbean sun for a few days.

The thaw begins and we will head to Canada to start a new phase of our adventure.
The distance between the islands is not large, so if you have a predilection for an island and is not in our schedule, let us know and we will study the possibility.

PRICING LIST FOR THE CARIBBEAN
One week stay 750 euros
10 day stay 950 euros
For longer stays calculate 95 € / day
Check-in on day 1 from 11am. Check-out before 17h

 
Beginning of our trip to Greenland
Bermuda Cruise - Sydney (784 NM) May 10th-May 20th, 2012
Cruise Price € 600

Sydney – Fox Harbour (Canada) May 22nd to June 2nd, 2012
Price € 1300

Before starting our trip to Greenland, we will have the time to sail between the mainland and Newfoundland in the amazing Strait of Belle Island.
This is an excellent place to spot whales (there are 22 species of whales in this area) including the world's largest population of migrating humpback whales. It is, in general, one of the best places to see and appreciate nature in all its glory: dramatic coastlines, dense boreal forests, ancient rock formations filled with colonies of sea birds, small mountain flowers, and rich marine life, etc.
We will also visit some ancient Viking settlements built in Newfoundland hundreds of years ago.
Sydney in Cape Breton, the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador finally we will visit Fox Harbour

.
Fox Harbour crossing-Nuuk (Greenland) 850 Mn, from June 3rd to June 15th, 2012
Price € 1100

GREENLAND

.
Nuuk - Ilulissat  June 15th to June 30th, 2012
Ilulissat - Nuuk from July 3rd to July 18th, 2012

Price Route 16 days in Greenland € 2000

Most people think ice and low temperatures when the think about Greenland. But it is more than that.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is an autonomous region, politically dependent on Denmark. 80% of its population (57,000 people) are Inuit (Eskimo) and the remaining 20% mostly Danes.

Fishing is the mainstay of the economy, although the island is currently looking for an alternative income through tourism. Every year 35,000 people come to know the island (Spain alone received 52,000,000 visits in 2010) and about 35 boats arrive every summer to its waters.

The climate is harsh, and while it is true that in winter minimum temperatures can reach below -35 ° C in summer temperatures vary between 4 ° C and 15 ° C (like the Mediterranean in winter).
In the south of the country along the fjords, the temperatures can be as high as 20 ° C in the month of June, July or August. The air is also very dry which makes the wind chill feel less cold than the same temperature would parts of Europe with higher humidity.

Sailing the fjords in Greenland is a unique experience, but the island also offers a number of hiking trails, including a hike on a glacier. You will virtually find hiking trails in every little village. During these hikes you will enjoy a view like no other of the most amazing pristine landscapes.

All this combined with the observation of wonderful wildlife, represented by the reindeer, musk oxen, polar bear, wolves, hares and arctic foxes, seals, whales ... Who could resist the idea of spending a few days in this arctic paradise?

Nuuk – Sydney from July 20th to August 10th, 2012
(3 days of cruising and the rest of the time around the coasts of Labrador)
Price € 2500

We will leave Greenland behind heading back to Labrador in Canada after two or three days sailing. Our point of arrival is likely to be Chidley and from there we will sail along the coast to the south.

As we mentioned before this is one of the places with the most abundant biodiversity on the planet. One of the biggest attractions of this route are the amazing lighthouses along the coast of Labrador.

Hundreds of small lighthouses and beacons can be seen along its shores, usually painted in different styles. Most of these lighthouses are still in operation and can be reached by car or after a short walk. Entering these historic buildings is like stepping back in time and you will enjoying stunning views over the sea.
It will be mid-August and the weather will invite us to continue heading south.

Maine, New York, Florida and Central America will be our fall and winter destinations ... do not lose track of us.

If you are going to join us it is IMPORTANT to know

The price includes:
Fully equipped sailboat with skipper and sailor / cook
Full board-breakfast, lunch and dinner, except 2 dinners per week (this will give you the opportunity to discover the local cuisine).
Bed linen and final cleaning (if your destination is Newfoundland, Labrador or Greenland, you must bring your own sleeping bag)

The price does not include:
Transfer to the point of embarkation
moorings and diesel
visas for entry / exit of the countries (of passengers and the boat)
natural park tickets and tours
anything else that is not explicitly stated as included

LIFE ON BOARD
If you would like you can participate in sailing the boat. If necessary we will be happy to give you a little course to learn the basic skills of sailing. We have a kayak available to enjoy the afternoon paddling, or you may choose to do some fishing, read, enjoy the sunset or the sunrise, paint, or go for an excursion inland to get to know the cities. If you wish you can always relax and sunbathe enjoying life. There is an activity for everyone.

We are sure you are already looking for a flight to come and stay with us?

If you want, we can help you plan your trip and discuss with you the best way and best economical way to reach us. If you tell us what city you are flying from and where you want to join the trip, we can help you find a good flight.

This is our scheduled itinerary but it may change due to weather conditions.
If you are interested in any of these destinations and would like to book your time with us please contact us.

sailingalea@yahoo.es

sailingalea@yahoo.es

Tobago

Dominica

Grenadines

St. Martin

Islas Virgines

Greenland