Scandinavia 2010

[Evenspread]

I would like to spend some time this year touring parts of Scandinavia.
Allowing a week for the transit to and from, where would be the best places to visit? I am planning on an eight week trip on the assumption I can get sufficient crew?

Any advise on any aspect of the proposed trip from those who have been and done it would be appreciated.

I will also post this on the live aboard forum.

 

[Stork_III]

Look up www.kissen.co.uk

Not been myself but am planning to go.

 

[Sadlermike]

Assuming you are starting from Scotland, my option one would be Skaggerak, spend a few days in Denmark, then head across to the Swedish coast. Head as far north through the Archipelago as time allows and return via Gotland and Bornholm. This has the attractions of spectacular scenery that contrasts with Scotland and a reasonable chance of fair weather. The downside is the number of motor boats.

Option 2 is to head from Lerwick to make landfall in the Bergen area and explore the coast from Bergen northwards for as far as time allows. South of Bergen the scenery is less attractive and the seas more crowded. The advantage is the scenery, the downside is the unreliable weather.

You could combine the best of both options if you are able to leave the yacht in southern Norway for the intervening winter.

 

[Twister_Ken]

You should really join the Cruising Association, then ask this question of its Baltic section - several hundred people who are absolutely nuts about sailing Scandiwegia (not to mention Russia, Poland, Baltic States) etc. They even publish their own cruising guides, not available to non-members

 

[Evenspread]

Thanks for the replies and links, will check out the C.A. site.

 

[peterb]

Thanks for the replies and links, will check out the C.A. site.

Or, if you're going, talk to them at the Boat Show.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I would like to spend some time this year touring parts of Scandinavia.
Allowing a week for the transit to and from, where would be the best places to visit? I am planning on an eight week trip on the assumption I can get sufficient crew?

Any advise on any aspect of the proposed trip from those who have been and done it would be appreciated.

I will also post this on the live aboard forum.

Scandinavia is a very big place, and cannot really be visited in 8 weeks unless you plan to spend all your time at sea! The western coast of Norway is worth 8 weeks alone. Wonderful place to visit but should only be attempted if that is your only goal for the summer.

I have sailed there many times and can offer this view. Based on going via the Kiel canal.

1. The Kissen site is a good one, and you should also read "To the Baltic with Bob"
2. The best sailing area is the archipelago around Stockholm and similarly the area between it and Helsinki. Whilst there are some interesting places to visit along the way, such as Bornholm, they really do not compare.
3. Take a week to get to the area south of Stockholm, then follow a clockwise route through the archipelago. Go north up the Sodertalje canal and then enter Malaren and follow it east through the centre of Stockholm. Stay a week or so in this area, then go out to sea again, past Vaxholm and Sandhamm and across to Aland and Finalnd.
4. If you like cities go all the way to Helsinki. If you dont, stay in the island for a couple of weeks and then head down to Gotland for a week.
5. I would then take the Gota canal back across Sweden, taking say 2 weeks to emerge at Gothenburg. A week or so here and then south to Copenhagen. A week there and then back via Kiel.
6. Don't fill yourself up with detailed charts. Get the big ones to get you there and buy the detail locally. The Swedish cruising charts are very good.

Have fun.