Day 1: Gibraltar: Arrive Gibraltar Marina Bay 1800 hrs on Sunday to meet the skipper (depending on flights). Usually, on the first evening, the crew and skipper go out to one of the marina side cafes for an evening meal or barbeque and get to know each other better. There is a short chat about safety and how to use essential boat equipment.
Day 2: Morning is a safety brief, then out into Gibraltar Bay for some tuition and sailing. This will help to get everyone used to the boat ready for a trip across the Straits to Ceuta (Spanish Morocco) or, if you prefer, some other destination.
Day 3: Ceuta Spanish Morocco: we usually head across the Straits to Ceuta (Spanish North Africa). If you are on an RYA course then tuition is carried out before leaving and during the trip with students carrying out all the duties of running the boat. Ceuta is a duty free port and boasts the most fantastic outdoor swimming pool (above right). We often have time to spend an afternoon there round the pool with the odd lager or glass of wine.
Day 4: Smir & Tetuan Morocco: We move on to Smir in North Africa. Smir beech, above right, is nearly always empty and the water is great for that evening swim. From Smir you can visit Tetuan one of the oldest towns in Morocco. The people are welcoming and the town is bustling with markets, leather works, narrow streets and passages.
Day 5: Spain: We usually go to one of the Spanish ports such as Duquesa on an exciting evening/night passage. We sometimes see dolphins swimming leaving luminous trails sparkling in the sea and on clear nights the stars of the Milky Way light up the sky. In port we sample Tapas in the local bars or eat on board depending on the ETA at the port.
Duquesa is a very pretty Spanish port with lots of sea front restaurants and shops. There is a good night life with bands and groups in various bars.
Day 6: Lots of really great fun doing sailing exercises. These are layered so that we start off with the basic ones and keep adding more until suddenly you realise that you really do know how it all works. All this is carried out along the stunning South Coast of Spain as we sail back into Gibraltar bay with the rock in the background. On Friday evening we have the last night evening out and issue certificates for those who have done courses and we even have certificates for the kids.
If you are on a two week trip then Portugal is usually included in our sailing itinerary. On the way to Portugal we visit Cadiz and ports such as Santa Maria, Porto Sherry and Rota. Portugal offers large marinas like Villamoura and quiet anchorages.
Day 7: Portugal: Breakfast, pack up, have a coffee at the cafe if there is time and good buys.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Gibraltar
Boating and Sailing
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