Baltic or Biscay?

[madridpunch]

I have unexpectedly got a couple of months free from end of June - I was thinking of making my way down the channel ->Britanny -> Biscay see how far I get.

Then someone suggested that I go in the other direction and make my way up to Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Baltic...

I hadn't really considered it before, but sounds quite interesting...

I have a Starlight 35 based on the East Coast

What should I do? And where should I visit?

Advice welcomed (but not necessarily followed...)

Thanks
Madridpunch

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

As you are on the east coast already I would head for the Baltic, but skip all those places and go straight to the Stockholm archipelago.

 

[richardsn9]

Another vote for the Baltic!

Denmark has some very pleasant cruising and historic towns, and Sweden is spectacular. One route would be to island hop through Denmark, then cruise the islands on the west coast of Sweden north of Gothenburg before using the Gota Canal to cut through to Stockholm via the inland lakes. The east coast of Sweden has classic archipelago cruising. You can either finish you circuit round the south of Sweden or retrace your route. Apart from one or two longish north sea legs, you can day sail almost all of it. The weather is usually milder and drier than you might expect during the summer months.

 

[prv]

Personally I'd go to the Baltic. I sailed there a few times with the Army out of Kiel ten years ago, and have been thinking lately that I'd love to go back. Much more interesting than trudging out into the Atlantic. Depends whether you want a challenge or a pleasant holiday, I guess.

Pete

 

[peterb]

Another vote for the Baltic. Not only are there far more places to visit, I've always found the people more friendly. As already suggested, the archipelagoes (Stockholm and Finnish) are fantastic, but the North German coast is also interesting.

 

[Steve_O]

Baltic for me as well. Was cruising around Denmark a few weeks ago and had a great time. We started in Kiel and then up to sonderborg, Middlefart, Horsens, Arhus anlong the mainland and then across to the islands. Lovely country and very friendly people all the way. Some of the islands have some great little anchorages and little towns for the night.

 

[AliM]

Yes, agreed, come up to the Baltic. We are in Denmark at present, having started out from the East Coast about 5 weeks ago, but then we have several months to wander slowly. You can get to the Kiel canal in just over a week if you day sail, and a lot quicker if you do it in longer jumps. Once you are through, you can go in whatever direction the wind blows - there are marinas, small harbours and anchorages all over the place.

 

[Blueboatman]

Start watching the weather and try to get a 'feel' for whichever area may be getting the high pressure and sunnier sailing.

For example last summer there was quite a bit of foul weather along the eastern half of the south coast and east coast/North sea yet in the west country it was pretty good.

 

[madridpunch]

Looks to be unanimous! I guess it will be the Baltic for me! Thanks for the advice, I'll look at suitable itinerary, I might come back for some more specific questions about the route.

Thanks again for your feedback