Sailing experiences for all ages

Tall Ships Adventures has launched its biggest ever programme of activity sailing holidays for Winter 2008/9 with a huge choice of voyages on its traditional brig, Stavros S Niarchos and four round-the-world Challenger yachts following their introduction in 2008.

Warm weather, winter sunshine sailing holidays feature yacht racing during the regatta season in the Caribbean as well as wildlife watching and Astro navigation tall ship voyages around the Canaries.

Back in the UK, budding sailors can take their first steps into yachting on 5-day Academy voyages on a Challenger yacht for the RYA Competent Crew Certificate with 4-night sails from Portsmouth costing from £199pp.

Winter sunshine highlights:

• Even non sailors can join the crew on one of two 72-foot Challenger yachts as they take part in the Grenada Sailing Festival, Tobago Carnival Regatta and the biggest regatta in the Caribbean, the Heineken St Maarten, in early 2009 – from £949pp for 10 nights. Or simply explore the islands of the Caribbean on island hopping sails - for example see in the New Year under the stars on a 10 night sail from St Lucia to Grenada for £749pp.

• Before then join the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) 2008 sailing from Gran Canaria to St Lucia – this 21 night voyage departs 20 November and costs £1850pp.

• Join experts and choose between Wildlife Watch and Astro Navigation voyages on board the tall ship Stavros S Niarchos as she sails from Tenerife around the islands of the Canaries from December through to March – from £449pp for 7 nights.

All sails include full board but do not include flight connections. Sails are open to sailors and non sailors with four age categories: 14-15, 16-25, 18-65 and 18-75

For more information log on to Tallships.org.