It's said that the perfect holiday is a balance between activity and indulgence - and what better way to achieve that balance than a week or two wth Celtic Ventures cruising some of the most spectacular sailing areas in the world. During the summer of 2008 we will be taking Cassiopia, our fully-equiped and customised Oceanis 393 on a tour of the celtic world, sampling the cuisine, culture and spectacular scenery that it has to offer. While sail training at all levels is available during this cruise, the emphasis will be on fun, relaxation and discovery.

The entire voyage is divided into 1-week legs, each with arrivial and departure points that are convienient for budget airlines and other transportation. Cassiopia can sleep up to six people, and we can accomodate individuals, couples - or a full party - depending on the availablity of particular legs. There will be a professional skipper and organiser on board at all times (unless you've chartered the boat and don't want one!) and you can be as involved or as uninvolved as you like. We'll take care of the details. Your job is to have an amazing and memorable experience.

Wales, Anglesy & the Isle of Man (Saturday, June 28th - Friday, July 4th inclusive)
The pan-celtic voyage will begin in Dun Laoghaire with a crossing to Wales, visiting villages and towns such as Newport and Aberystwyth, before heading north through Bardsey Sound, along the spectacular Lleyn Peninsula and through the beautiful Menai Straits - stopping at the more interesting ports and anchorages along the way. After navigating the notorious Swellies we'll head back into the Irish Sea, completing our Welsh week at Douglas, on the Isle of Man.

Arran, Mull of Kintyre & Argyll (Saturday, July 5th - Friday, July 11th inclusive)
Leaving the Isle of Man we'll be heading north, for Scotland. We'll spend a few days exploring the Isle of arran and the Mull of Kintyre before entering the Crinan Canal for a leisurely short-cut to the Western Isles, threading our way north through the islands and spending time in breath-taking anchorages along the coast of Argyll, 'coastline of the Gaels'. We'll end this leg at Oban, in the Firth of Lorn.

Inner Hebrides & the Classic Malt Cruise (Saturday, July 12th - Friday, July 18th inclusive)
Oban is where we'll join the craic of the annual Classic Malt Cruise, a 200-mile voyage through the Inner Hebrides, lubricated by the hospitality of the Classic Malts distilleries of Oban, Talisker and Lagavulin. This will be two weeks of world-class cruising, sometimes in company, punctuated by organised social activities and, of course, the odd tasting. This will be our fifth time participating in the Classic Malt Cruise, and it is invariably a well-rembered highlight of the cruising year. We'll be back in Oban at the end of this week.

Inner Hebrides & the Classic Malt Cruise (Saturday, July 19th - Friday, July 25th inclusive)
Join the boat in Oban on Saturday, July 19th. Leave the boat in Ballycastle, N.I. on Friday, July 25th.

North and West of Ireland (Saturday, July 26th - Friday, Aug. 1st inclusive)
From Ballycastle we'll head to the West Ireland. This will be a distance leg, along the coasts of Donegal and Mayo, to finish at Galway. We'll be making distance each day along some of the most rugged coastline in Europe, but we'll take time out for sunset dinners and a good night's sleep at isolated anchorages and small coastal villages along the way.

Galway (Saturday, Aug. 2nd - Friday, Aug. 8th inclusive)
Galway (Saturday, Aug. 9th - Friday, Aug. 15th inclusive)


West of Ireland & Kerry (Saturday, Aug 16th - Friday, Aug 22nd inclusive)
From Galway we'll move south on an overnight trip to Kerry, where we'll slow right down as we explore the Kingdom's infinitely interesting and achingly beautiful coastline. We'll be swimming, whale-watching, fishing, and enjoying all that the South west of ireland has to offer, including good food and nights of music and Guinness. We'll take our time, and will end up in Bantry in West Cork.

West Cork (Saturday, Aug 23th - Friday, Aug 29th inclusive)
Our second week, starting in Bantry, will be along the Cork and Kerry coast will be more of the same - but with different anchorages, different ports and different activities every day and night. We know this cruising ground well, and will bring you to all of the hidden places, far from the maddening crowds. The details will be left to those onboard, but we'll end up in Kinsale for a gourmet dinner in the glow of a memorable week.

Cornwall & the Scilly Isles (Saturday, Aug. 30th - Friday, Sept 5th inclusive)
From Kinsale we'll be going South west, with a 26-hour passage to the 'land that time forgot' - the spectacular but little-known Scilly Islands, 30 miles South West of Land's End. The Scilly's have much to offer, and we'll make the most of them with several days exploration and fine dining before heading for Cornwall and (weather permitting!) a slow and close look at Land's end. We'll stop in Penzance for a day before crossing the English channel to finish at Brest in Brittany.

Brittany (Saturday, Sept. 6th - Friday, Sept 12th inclusive) (Fully booked)
Starting in Brest we'll get to know the islands, coastline and seaside villages of France's celtic corner. The food will be good and the sailing ground will be magnificant.

Brittany (Saturday, Sept. 13th - Friday, Sept. 19th inclusive)
Brest to Dun Laoghaire, stopping at the Scilly Islands and Padstow.

Cost
€960 per person per week + boat kitty (fuel, marina fees and meals out). Alternatively you can join for any part of the voyage at a cost of $160 per person per day + boat kitty.

Sail training is available along the route towards ICC, Competent Crew, Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper certification.

If you have any questions about our Pan-Celtic Voyage, or would like to join us for part of it, please contact us.