Sailing with Schooner Linnéa

5 days/4 nights from Västervik to Stockholm

About the Trip

Stockholm ahead! Someone cries from high in the mast. In the evening sunlight the Swedish capital reveals its old harbour surrounded by the steep cobbled streets of Södermalm, the spires, palaces and parliament of Gamla Stan and the rolling, green hills of Djurgården’s eko-park. After five days at sea you finally enter the city often referred to as the Venice of the north. With all its waterways, charming squares and pavement cafés it’s a wonderful city for a tired but happy seafarer to relax in. Imagine yourself sitting on deck eating a delicious shrimp sandwich taking in this ancient Viking settlement, now capital of Sweden. As your mind wanders back to ancient times you can imagine how difficult it must have been to conquer Stockholm from the sea having to navigate the intricate natural maze of islands, shallow channels and hill top forts.

When you cruise from Västervik to Stockholm you will pass a number of archipelagos that have distinct local cultural and historical traditions. These beautiful and fascinating archipelagos include Tjust and St Anna and of course the Stockholm archipelago. During the five days you will sail ancient Viking routes learning about the culture, livelihoods, nature, traditions, architecture, wars and conflicts dating back to the Viking era. Each evening the ship will anchor depending on the prevailing winds and weather. Once the anchor is dropped it is possible to lower the ships long boat into the water and by using the two rows of oars you can explore the area and venture ashore. But don’t miss dinner on board. It’s a culinary treat!

Includes: Accommodations, all meals, equipment, and taxes

Certification:

- “Natures Best” certified, the Swedish Eco-tourism Society

About this Organization:

Schooner Linnéa started out in Stockholm but soon discovered a beautiful archipelago south of Stockholm called Västervik. In 1976 they moved there, settled in the town of Gamleby and made it their home port. They soon began using Linnéa for expedition cruises and took on board groups of school children, companies and individual guests. In 1986 the foundation Människan och Havet (Man and Sea) was founded and it is the organization through which the Bergström family now works. They sail approximately 100 days a year from May to September. A funny idea for a home has turned into a full scale professional business. Kerstin is chef on board and she’s renowned for her sail ship menus. She is also the one that with needle and thread makes cloth sails from the same company in England that delivered sail cloth to Lord Nelson in the 18th Century. Skipper Egil is a master story teller. He can tell you all about how to make tricky knots and when to use them and he can give you a fascinating insight into the long history of sailing ships. He speaks Swedish, English, German and Greek. His deep love for the sail ships of old was rewarded when the Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (Museum of Natural History) in Stockholm gave the Foundation the three mast Schooner Vega built in 1909. This resulted in a thorough renovation of Vega at the dock in Gamleby. Innumerable hours of unpaid work together with the Foundation’s help ensure that the Vega will be sailing the Baltic soon, with paying guests on board.

To sail the Schooner Linnéa is to take part in cultural history. Guests are divided in two groups and each will experience all the duties on board according to a well planned schedule. From steering, cooking, cleaning, setting sails to navigating the team work together, a proven recipe for creating new friendships. But don’t worry if you are fond of contemplation and want to appreciate the scenery in a more lazy fashion as there is a time for everything. Just remember that the running of the schooner is meant to be part of your experience and a ship of this size needs the help of all hands on board. Many comment that by the end of the voyage they feel part of a team but at the beginning they were only an individual. Kerstin and Egil Bergström have lived most of their days with and on board the Schooner Linnéa. Their genuine love of the sea and interest in the way man and nature can harmonize reflects the life on board. An important part of this sail trip is to let guests take part in the ordinary work and schedules that constitutes the traditional way of life practiced on board for centuries. Okay, the harsher ways of the seamen are now consigned to the past and there will be ample time to have fun and relax on board.

Learn more about Schooner Linnéa