Join us for a special seminar on Saturday 24th September 2016 from 0900 to 1100 at the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton. Free to attend with advanced registration, plus complimentary ticket to the Southampton Boat Show.
Click here to register
Offering wonderful sailing, superb seafood, and friendly beachfront ports, exploring the Portuguese coastline has long been a popular cruising location for those getting their first taste of the liveaboard lifestyle. With this in mind, we are organising a special free-to-attend seminar on “Cruising in Portugal” to be held at the Southampton Boat Show. Those attending the two hour seminar can expect to gain an interesting insight to exploring the Portuguese coast, and be inspired to set sail on their own adventure. Practical weather, training and safety advice will be discussed, particularly for those who may be planning to cross the Bay of Biscay for the first time.
The seminar will have a special emphasis on ARC Portugal, which has run annually for over twenty years. The rally departs from Plymouth, UK in June and crosses the Bay of Biscay to Bayona, then cruises south in a series of day sails with stopovers in welcoming marinas along the way to finish in Marina de Lagos a little over three weeks later. This scenic and social rally is credited as much more than a delivery trip to the Algarve – it offers guided visits ashore to explore historic cities, excellent meals with breathtaking views and introducing sailors to life-long cruising friends.
The trip exceeded all expectations. The best cruising experience we have ever been involved in.
The staff and organisation were superb. Such great fun too. Would highly recommend.
- Steve and Babs Leach, With Dignity, ARC Portugal 2016
Facilities have evolved significantly in recent years, and the seminar will highlight interesting ports of call along the coast including Bayona, Povoa de Varzim, Porto, Figueira da Foz, Peniche, Oeiras and Sines. The route for ARC Portugal has also evolved during the lifetime of the rally and features some of the best historic locations on the Iberian Peninsula. Along the way, participants can visit the historic pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela; enjoy regional wine tasting in the heart of the Vinho Verde region; visit the oldest university in Portugal; take a trip to cosmopolitan Lisbon; lounge on the beach or go surfing; enjoy a yacht club drinks reception and a sardine BBQ.
The finishing port for the rally, Marina De Lagos is renowned as one of the premier marinas on the Portuguese Coast. Situated close to the Algarve, with modern and secure berthing, there are excellent boatyard facilities nearby and its proximity to Faro for international flight connections makes it a convenient cruising base for those with visiting friends and family, or returning home. Ingrid Fortunato, the Manager at Marina de Lagos, will be at the seminar to provide advice about further local cruising and the practicalities to consider for basing your yacht in Portugal.
The seminar is free to attend with advanced registration and attendees will receive a complimentary entry ticket to the Southampton Boat show at the seminar.
Click here to register for the seminar