Festival voyage La Spezia – Sète

Three nights sailing between two harbour festivals: from La Spezia in Italy, together with other tall ships, to the maritime festival Escale à Sète in France. A short, festive voyage on board the Santa Maria Manuela.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

Route: La Spezia – Ligurian Sea – Gulf of Lion – Sète
Departure: Sunday 18 April 2027, La Spezia, Italy
Arrival: Wednesday 21 April 2027, Sète, France
Duration: 3 nights
Ship: Santa Maria Manuela, four-masted schooner from 1937

Prices per person

Berth in a shared cabin (bunk): € 750
Bunk-bed cabin, per person sharing: € 660
Double-bed cabin, per person sharing: € 795

Lowest price from € 750 per person for a berth in a shared cabin. A cabin for yourself, a master cabin or a family cabin for three to four people is also possible; ask us for the price.

IN THE COMPANY OF OTHER TALL SHIPS

After the La Spezia harbour festival the tall ships leave together, heading west. The sight of several large sailing ships at sea is something you will not soon forget.

The voyage ends in Sète, the "Venice of the Languedoc", where Escale à Sète brings together hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of visitors every spring.

THE ROUTE

La Spezia

Board in the Gulf of Poets, among the hills and close to the Cinque Terre.

Along the Riviera

West along the coast of Liguria and the Côte d'Azur, with other tall ships in sight.

The Gulf of Lion

The wide bay off the Languedoc coast, where the wind can pick up considerably.

Sète

Arrival at the Escale à Sète festival: canals, fresh seafood, music and ships from all over Europe.

EXTRA INFORMATION

LIFE ON BOARD

The Santa Maria Manuela is a 68-metre steel four-masted schooner, built in 1937 for the Portuguese cod fishery off Newfoundland and Greenland, the famous White Fleet. After a thorough restoration she has been sailing again since 2010, now with guests. Every cabin has its own bathroom with shower: shared cabins with bunks for four to six people (separate for men and women), cabins with a bunk bed or a double bed, and spacious master cabins for two to four people. A permanent crew sails the ship; you are always welcome to help, but you do not have to. You can help hoist and trim the sails, take the helm, learn knots or climb the mast under supervision. If you prefer to rest, find a spot on deck or in the bowsprit net. Meals are provided on board and eaten together.

WHO IS THIS VOYAGE FOR

For lovers of tall ships and maritime festivals, and for anyone looking for a short introduction.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Sète is close to Montpellier, with train and flight connections.
• No sailing experience is needed; the crew explains everything.
• The ship sails under the Portuguese flag and the language on board is English.
• Travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is required; cancellation insurance is recommended.
• Travel to the port of departure and home from the port of arrival is not included.
• Ideally arrive a day before departure: the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this a race?

No, the ship sails together with other tall ships, but it is not a competition.

Can I visit the festival in Sète?

Yes, the voyage ends during Escale à Sète.

Do I have to help with the sailing?

No. Help is welcome but never compulsory; the permanent crew sails the ship.

Does every cabin have its own bathroom?

Yes. All cabins on board, including the shared cabins, have their own bathroom with shower.

How do I book this trip?

Send us a request through the booking form on this page. Together we will check availability, your choice of cabin and the next steps.

The trip description and route are indicative. The programme depends on weather, wind and sea conditions; the captain has the final say on the route and ports.

All services that make up your trip are provided by independent suppliers. When you book, you enter into a contract directly with the supplier, the ship, under the booking conditions of that ship. As an agent, our service consists of promoting the trips offered by the supplier and acting as a facilitator in obtaining a booking agreement between the customer and the supplier. In doing so, we are always at your disposal with our experience and service.

The Tall Ship Santa Maria Manuela is a four-mast sailing ship built in 1937. This sailingship has a rich history as a cod fishing vessel and sailed mainly in the northern Atlantic ocean. Today you can sail on a cruise in modern comfort. The ship has been thoroughly restored in 2010 thanks to its new owner, the Portuguese group Grupo Jerónimo Martins. With a capacity of up to 50 guests, the sailing ship offers wonderful sailing trips worldwide.