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Kraken Travel Sailing Holidays

20th March 2024 to 28th March 2024

Tall Ship: Amsterdam to Inverness

From £965 per person

Deposit 50%, Balance due 12 weeks before departure
The sailing passage will go along the beautiful Scottish and English coasts as you enjoy the beautiful scenery and unique wildlife such as dolphins.
Clear
Pay a 50% deposit per item
Suited to
Families, Couples, Individuals, Groups
Difficulty
No sailing experience is required. Sit back and relax or get as involved with crew life as you like. Learning to navigate, trim and set the sails, and helm the ship
Nights onboard
8
Vessel type
Tall Ship - Flying Dutchman. Built in 1903, restored and renovated during the winter of 2003/2004, turning it into a luxury schooner
Vessel length
39.5 metres
Skipper
Yes
Berth Style
22 guests in 11 twin cabins. All cabins are en-suite and are twins. Twin Cabin Plus cabins are slightly larger in size
Insurance Required
Yes

Standard Cabin: €1,095 / £965 per person*
Standard Plus Cabin: €1,225 / £1,080 per person*
Single Occupancy: €1,645 / £1,450 per person*

*Trips are priced in the operator’s local currency. The sterling amount shown is a guide only and the amount you pay in sterling will change with currency fluctuations.

Tall Ship: Voyage From Amsterdam to Inverness

Duration: 8 nights from 20 to 28 March 2024

Embark on an extraordinary sailing adventure from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Inverness in Scotland, spanning 500 nautical miles. Discover the stunning Scottish and English coastlines, encounter playful dolphins and immerse yourself in the rich history of charming fishing villages like Whitby and Berwick-upon-Tweed. If you like, you can participate in the watch system and learn the art of sailing from our experienced crew.

Explore the haunting ruins of Whitby Abbey and discover the inspiration behind Bram Stoker's Dracula. Visit the legendary Holy Island and spot dolphins near the Chanonry Point lighthouse. Finally, reach historic Inverness, where the Caledonian Canal welcomes you to the Scottish Highlands. Unforgettable memories and breathtaking moments await on this remarkable sailing passage.

Cliffs in Whitby, England

Why You’ll Love This Trip

  • Spot playful dolphins and experience the thrill of encountering unique marine creatures along the captivating Scottish and English coasts.
  • Explore picturesque towns like Whitby and Berwick-upon-Tweed, engaging with friendly locals and discovering their fascinating stories and traditions.
  • If you're interested in sailing, you can gain hands-on experience and knowledge from our skilled crew, who are passionate about teaching the ropes and sharing their love for the open seas.
  • Marvel at the awe-inspiring landscapes, from dramatic cliffs to serene coastlines, creating picture-perfect moments at every turn.
  • Witness stunning sunsets, visit historic landmarks and indulge in the rich culture of Inverness, ensuring a trip filled with cherished memories.

Who The Trip Is For

  • Adventure and sailing enthusiasts seeking a thrilling journey across the North Sea and along the Scottish and English coasts, and an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
  • Nature lovers who are eager to witness unique wildlife in their natural habitat and explore picturesque fishing villages along the way.
  • Travellers with a passion for history and culture, as the trip offers opportunities to visit historic sites like Whitby Abbey and the charming town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
  • Those who embrace the flexibility of ocean travel. While we will attempt to reach as many destinations as possible, the final route will be determined during the trip depending on the weather conditions.

Itinerary: Amsterdam – Inverness

As a sailing ship, we are largely dependent on the weather. The program below is a guideline and is determined by the influence of the current and the weather, especially the wind. This may mean that we skip ports or call at ports other than those described below. Flexibility is the key to enjoying this varied adventurous trip!

Day 1: Amsterdam

Our sailing trip across the North Sea from Amsterdam to Inverness begins! From 18:00 you are welcome on board and you will meet the crew and fellow passengers. You have time to explore the ship and settle in. The welcome dinner is followed by an introduction from the captain about life on board and the plan for the coming days is discussed.

Day 2: At sea

The journey really starts now. We leave the port of Amsterdam and via the North Sea Canal, we sail to the locks in IJmuiden where we transition onto salt water. After the waves, we set sail towards Whitby, a distance of 230 NM.

Day 3: Whitby

In the afternoon we enter Whitby. From a distance, you can see the ruins of “Whitby Abbey” on the cliffs south of the harbour. This monastery, destroyed in 1540 by King Henry VIII, has been one of the sources of inspiration for Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Whitby is also known as the former home of the famous explorer James Cook, who made several voyages of discovery with his ship the “Endeavour”. All in all, there is a lot to see in this beautiful fishing village. We stay here overnight so there is enough time to explore Whitby.

Day 4 and 5: Berwick-upon-Tweed.

In the morning we leave for Berwick-upon-Tweed. This is a distance of about 90 NM, depending on the circumstances, about 15 hours of sailing. To reach the harbour we must sail a short distance up the river Tweed, because of the depth this is only possible at high tide. Berwick-upon-Tweed lies on the border of England and Scotland and has been conquered several times in history by the English and then the Scots again, today it is English. Extensive defences surround the city. Not far from the harbour is the famous Holy Island (Lindisfarne) which is connected to the mainland by a dam. This dam can only be crossed at low tide, at high tide it disappears completely underwater. Lindisfarne is known for the monastery and castle on the island and the nature on the island. From Berwick-upon-Tweed, Holy Island is easy to visit by bus or taxi if timings allow.

Day 6 and 7: North Sea

In the course of the morning, we leave Berwick-upon-Tweed and prepare for the last stretch to Inverness, about 210 NM. We will first head north to the point of land at the fishing town of Peterhead. There we change course to the West towards Inverness. Just before Inverness, we will enter the Inverness Firth. If you’re lucky, you can spot dolphins swimming around the Chanonry Point lighthouse as they hunt for fish in the fast-flowing stretch of water between Chanonry Point and the impressive 18th-century artillery fort of Fort George.

Day 8: Inverness

We will arrive at Inverness not too late in the day. Here we pass through the first locks and the railway bridge of the famous Caledonian Canal to our mooring. There is plenty of time to explore Inverness, the Highlands capital, or walk along the canal.

Day 9: Goodbye

Unfortunately, this wonderful journey has come to an end and after breakfast, it is time to say goodbye.

  • All charges regarding port fees, tourist fees, and fuel expenses
  • Cabin with shower and toilet
  • Bed linen and towels
  • The use of a zodiac for landings when we visit places without a harbour
  • The crew: captain, cook, and first mate
  • Half board including coffee, tea, milk and juice at meals
    (In the case of half-board, you will also be able to discover local specialities on land, in addition to the catering on board)
  • Transport to and from the vessel
  • Personal expenses ashore
  • Food ashore
  • Fees for events that take place outside the ship
  • Beverages besides the included drinks during the meals

Accommodation

This is not a floating hotel but a traditional sailing ship that is comfortable, intimate, and small enough to anchor in shallower water.

Flying Dutchman Layout

Cabins

  • 11 two-person cabins. Total of 22 guests
  • All of the cabins on board are twin en-suites with air-conditioning

Flying Dutchman Cabin Flying Dutchman Cabin Flying Dutchman Cabin Flying Dutchman Cabin

Common areas

  • On deck – The ship has a large deck area on which you can sit and soak up the sun. There is a cosy bar in the deckhouse and plenty of room for eating together on the deck.
  • Salon – Main interior social space with comfortable couches and tables to sit, eat and socialise with fellow travellers. Includes a bar and entertainment system.

Flying Dutchman Deck Flying Dutchman Deck Flying Dutchman Interior Salon Flying Dutchman Interior Salon

Language

Our voyages attract travellers from all over the world, which has been an important factor in establishing an open-minded atmosphere on board. The crew of the ship is most of the time from Dutch origin but speaks and understands English very well.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Inverness, Scotland

Itinerary: Amsterdam – Inverness

As a sailing ship, we are largely dependent on the weather. The program below is a guideline and is determined by the influence of the current and the weather, especially the wind. This may mean that we skip ports or call at ports other than those described below. Flexibility is the key to enjoying this varied adventurous trip!

Day 1: Amsterdam

Our sailing trip across the North Sea from Amsterdam to Inverness begins! From 18:00 you are welcome on board and you will meet the crew and fellow passengers. You have time to explore the ship and settle in. The welcome dinner is followed by an introduction from the captain about life on board and the plan for the coming days is discussed.

Day 2: At sea

The journey really starts now. We leave the port of Amsterdam and via the North Sea Canal, we sail to the locks in IJmuiden where we transition onto salt water. After the waves, we set sail towards Whitby, a distance of 230 NM.

Day 3: Whitby

In the afternoon we enter Whitby. From a distance, you can see the ruins of “Whitby Abbey” on the cliffs south of the harbour. This monastery, destroyed in 1540 by King Henry VIII, has been one of the sources of inspiration for Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Whitby is also known as the former home of the famous explorer James Cook, who made several voyages of discovery with his ship the “Endeavour”. All in all, there is a lot to see in this beautiful fishing village. We stay here overnight so there is enough time to explore Whitby.

Day 4 and 5: Berwick-upon-Tweed.

In the morning we leave for Berwick-upon-Tweed. This is a distance of about 90 NM, depending on the circumstances, about 15 hours of sailing. To reach the harbour we must sail a short distance up the river Tweed, because of the depth this is only possible at high tide. Berwick-upon-Tweed lies on the border of England and Scotland and has been conquered several times in history by the English and then the Scots again, today it is English. Extensive defences surround the city. Not far from the harbour is the famous Holy Island (Lindisfarne) which is connected to the mainland by a dam. This dam can only be crossed at low tide, at high tide it disappears completely underwater. Lindisfarne is known for the monastery and castle on the island and the nature on the island. From Berwick-upon-Tweed, Holy Island is easy to visit by bus or taxi if timings allow.

Day 6 and 7: North Sea

In the course of the morning, we leave Berwick-upon-Tweed and prepare for the last stretch to Inverness, about 210 NM. We will first head north to the point of land at the fishing town of Peterhead. There we change course to the West towards Inverness. Just before Inverness, we will enter the Inverness Firth. If you’re lucky, you can spot dolphins swimming around the Chanonry Point lighthouse as they hunt for fish in the fast-flowing stretch of water between Chanonry Point and the impressive 18th-century artillery fort of Fort George.

Day 8: Inverness

We will arrive at Inverness not too late in the day. Here we pass through the first locks and the railway bridge of the famous Caledonian Canal to our mooring. There is plenty of time to explore Inverness, the Highlands capital, or walk along the canal.

Day 9: Goodbye

Unfortunately, this wonderful journey has come to an end and after breakfast, it is time to say goodbye.

Warm and waterproof clothing is very important, as it can get very cold during sailing, especially at night, even in the summer. A waterproof and windproof jacket is recommended to help keep warm and dry. Waterproof rubber-soled boots or shoes are also recommended to keep your feet dry and warm. Pack comfortable and practical clothing for all weather circumstances, the key is layers. It is recommended to pack in a soft bag that can be easily stored away as there is no locker room onboard for suitcases. Also in the cabins, there are 2-pin European plug sockets and USB sockets (‘normal’ USB-B, no USB-C on board) so guests will need to bring adapters if they are from outside the EU.

  • List of items we recommend you bring with you; these are not mandatory.
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Adaptor for European Socket
  • Wet weather clothing – waterproof and windproof jacket
  • Clothing – enough clothing for all weather circumstances (think layers and quick dry clothes)
  • Wellies or waterproof shoes
  • Walking boots, shoes for onshore, and trainers with good grip
  • Sea Sickness and personal medication
  • Small Torch (head torches are good)
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses (polarised lenses are ideal, but not essential)
  • Sunscreen (water-resistant, SPF 30 or higher)