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Kraken Travel Sailing Holidays
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26th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024

Tall Ship: Inverness to Amsterdam

From £960 per person

Deposit 25%. Balance due 12 weeks before departure
Explore the stunning scenery and immerse yourself in this adventure across the North Sea to Amsterdam.
Clear
Pay a 25% 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

From: €1,095 / £960 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: Inverness to Amsterdam

Duration: 8 nights from 26 October to 03 November 2024

Set sail on a thrilling journey from the captivating Scottish Highlands at Inverness to the Dutch Capital of Amsterdam. Sail 500 nautical miles across the North Sea, witness stunning coastal landscapes, encounter magnificent marine life, and explore historic villages like Whitby and Berwick-upon-Tweed. An unforgettable adventure awaits!

If you like, you can 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 vibrant Amsterdam, where captivating canals and cultural treasures await. Don’t miss this remarkable voyage that promises unforgettable memories and awe-inspiring moments.

Lindisfarne

Why You’ll Love This Trip

  • Embark on an exhilarating journey across the North Sea, feeling the power of the wind and the excitement of navigating open waters.
  • Experience stunning scenery as you sail from Inverness to Amsterdam, encountering picturesque coastal vistas and charming fishing villages.
  • Spot playful dolphins and other fascinating marine creatures, offering unique opportunities for close encounters with nature.
  • Explore historic villages like Whitby and Berwick-upon-Tweed, immersing yourself in their rich history and engaging with local traditions.
  • Discover off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden treasures, adding a sense of discovery and exploration to your unforgettable journey.
  • Connect with fellow travellers, building friendships and a sense of community as you share the voyage, stories, and laughter.

Who The Trip Is For

  • Those with a thirst for adventure and love the thrill of sailing across the open sea. Embrace the challenges and rewards of a voyage that spans 500 nautical miles.
  • Nature lovers will be captivated by the beauty of coastal landscapes and a passion for marine life. Take in breathtaking scenery and get opportunities to spot dolphins and other fascinating creatures along the way.
  • History and culture enthusiasts will appreciate the ancient sites, historic landmarks and charming fishing villages like Whitby and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Explore their rich heritage and engage with local traditions.
  • Travellers 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: Inverness – Amsterdam

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: Inverness

Our sailing trip across the North Sea from Inverness to Amsterdam 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. Depending on the weather and the tide, we may depart in the evening.

Day 2: At sea

We depart from the Sea Lock of the 60 NM long Caledonian Canal and after passing the Kessock Bridge we sail into 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. We set course for Berwick-upon-Tweed, the first port we will call on this journey.

Day 3 and 4: Berwick-upon-Tweed

After a trip of about 210 NM, we reach the mouth of the River Tweed. 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 time allowing. On the morning of day 4, we leave for Whitby.

Day 5: 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. We have become a well-known appearance and are always warmly welcomed.

Day 6 and 7: North Sea

Today we leave the port of Whitby and set course for Amsterdam, the last 230 miles of the crossing. We sail for two nights during this passage, in the middle of the North Sea.

Day 8: Amsterdam

On day 8 we hope to reach the sea locks of IJmuiden during the morning. After the lock, it is another two hours sailing across the North Sea Canal until we reach Amsterdam. Here we will moor at the ferry pier and after raising our glasses to a beautiful journey you still have time to explore Amsterdam. In the evening we have a delicious final dinner on board.

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.

Inverness, Scotland

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Itinerary: Inverness – Amsterdam

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: Inverness

Our sailing trip across the North Sea from Inverness to Amsterdam 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. Depending on the weather and the tide, we may depart in the evening.

Day 2: At sea

We depart from the Sea Lock of the 60 NM long Caledonian Canal and after passing the Kessock Bridge we sail into 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. We set course for Berwick-upon-Tweed, the first port we will call on this journey.

Day 3 and 4: Berwick-upon-Tweed

After a trip of about 210 NM, we reach the mouth of the River Tweed. 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 time allowing. On the morning of day 4, we leave for Whitby.

Day 5: 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. We have become a well-known appearance and are always warmly welcomed.

Day 6 and 7: North Sea

Today we leave the port of Whitby and set course for Amsterdam, the last 230 miles of the crossing. We sail for two nights during this passage, in the middle of the North Sea.

Day 8: Amsterdam

On day 8 we hope to reach the sea locks of IJmuiden during the morning. After the lock, it is another two hours sailing across the North Sea Canal until we reach Amsterdam. Here we will moor at the ferry pier and after raising our glasses to a beautiful journey you still have time to explore Amsterdam. In the evening we have a delicious final dinner on board.

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)