Summer vacation 2020 - Denmark with subsequent refit in Sweden

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Summer holidays 2019 - Ireland and Scotland within a round trip UK

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From Bermuda to Florida and back via Canada

In October 2017 we sail from Bermuda to Florida in 6 days (after the PYD crew sailed the SeaQuest from the Netherlands via Spain and the Azores to Bermuda in 6 weeks).

Distance: 930 nm

In the summer of 2018 we sail back home from Florida in 10 weeks. Via the east coast of America (Charleston, Cape Cod and Maine-Frenchboro) to Nova Scotia in Canada. From Nova Scotia to the Azores and from the Azores to southern Brittany. Then back to Bruinisse in short hops.

Distance: 5000 nm

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Summer holidays 2016 - South Brittany

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Summer holidays 2015 - South Brittany

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Summer holiday 2014 - Tour North of Scotland

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Summer holidays 2013 - Scilly Islands and South England

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Summer holidays 2012 - Denmark 

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Summer holidays 2011 - southwest - Norway

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North Atlantic Ocean tour 

A dream has come true ... from July 19, 2009 to August 21, 2010 we made a 'big round of Atlantic' with the Brandaan. It's a fantastic experience, travelling as a family, spending a year in the open air, spending a lot of time and attention to each other and closely witnessing the development of the girls. We've had this dream for some time, actually since the beginning of our relationship (1997). The dream will become a reality when we buy the Brandaan in 2006 and also get the cooperation of employers and school. It's an experience we'll never forget. The travel reports state HERE.

The first part of our trip takes us along the coast of Belgium and France or England to the northern point of Spain (La Coruna). Then we 'hop' along the coasts of Spain and Portugal and via Madeira we arrive in the Canary Islands. After a very short stop at La Gomera, the second part of our trip takes us to the Gambia River to start the big crossing to Surinam via the Cape Verde Islands. We sail from the south of the Caribbean along the most beautiful islands to the north. Because we have been here before, we do this area a little faster than other sailors. We also go to Cuba, the Bahamas and the east coast of North America. Finally we sail from New York via New Port back to Europe, to the Azores. The last part of our trip takes us from the Azores via England and a detour through Scotland back to our home port Bruinisse.

In the map you can see our route. Each blue balloon is a place to stay.

We regularly get the question whether such a big round is good to do and what choices you have to make. That's mainly in the choices that have to be made in the second half of the year. The first half of the year you are reasonably bound not to start the Atlantic crossing until the beginning of December. So up to and including the crossing you can sail the same route as those who do a smaller round. With choices via Madeira or Marocco to the Canary Islands. Then choose between short trips to the Canary Islands to visit Gambia and Cape Verde. Or stay longer in the Canary Islands and cross over from there to Suriname or to one of the Caribbean islands.

Whether or not you can do a big round is mainly determined by the amount of time you want to spend in the Caribbean. We had already spent holidays in the Caribbean with rented boats before and had therefore already seen almost everything. We therefore consciously chose what we wanted to do and what we didn't want to do, based on previous experiences. If you've never been to the Caribbean before, it's quite difficult and even a pity to be so short. We've only been there 6 weeks in total. And that's why we were able to do 5 days Dominican Republic, one week Cuba, two weeks Bahamas and two months USA before we started crossing to the Azores again at the beginning of June. In the Caribbean, the water is great for swimming. In the Bahamas, too, it's fine, but it's a bit colder. In the USA, we didn't really swim anymore. A big round means less time for swimming in warm water. But you get a lot of other things in return. In front of us, Cuba, Bahamas and o

For those who want to stay a little longer in the Caribbean, we definitely recommend to go via the Bahamas to the Azores. We found it very nice there. Nice anchorages and good snorkeling and still a bit less crowded than the Caribbean. If you want to stay a little longer in the Caribbean and still go via New York to the Azores, you could also skip Suriname and Cuba, go faster from Florida to New York and be in New York a little later than us. After NY we went another week in the Long Island Sound, but that wasn't really a highlight. Few other boats and not really the sailing season yet.

We started the crossing to the Azores on June 6th. Going later is not recommended because of the hurricane season. We have been on the Azores for 4 weeks in total and loved it there. A big round is very easy to do, especially if you don't mind sailing nights and making some more miles. We have never experienced it as too much sailing. It's mainly about making choices about what you want to see and do and how long you want to stay somewhere. If you are going to America you do have to apply for a visa. It is most convenient to do this in advance at the embassy in Amsterdam. It can also be done on the road in Barbados and in the US Virgin Islands.

See also the publication in Silver magazine 51.

Distance: 14,500 nm

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Summer holidays 2008 - Brittany

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Summer holiday 2007 - Tour Scandinavia

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Summer holiday 2006 - Canal tour

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