Sailing trip Azores

Travelogue by Heinz-Dieter Heibach

Transit Cruise on the KAIRÓS: Portimão, Portugal – Valencia, Spain

Who would have thought it!!! When I saw my wife Barbara poring over a Sailing-Classics brochure with sparkling eyes in October 2025, I had no idea that we’d be booking a delivery cruise on the KAIRÓS just a short time later. But let’s take it one step at a time. For the two of us, as recreational sailors with our little ETAP 23iL, it was actually unimaginable that we’d ever get to sail on a large two-masted yacht and even lend a hand ourselves. After a last-minute informational meeting with Ms. Sturm at the Stuttgart sales office, we were certain: We were going to take on this voyage, and so we eagerly awaited the start of the trip in June 2026. For us, the focus was on sailing the KAIRÓS rather than just hopping from bay to bay. There were just ten days between the end of my own trip and our flight to Portugal. On that trip, I’d previously sailed solo from South Holland across the English Channel to southern Brittany, and then continued on with Barbara for a few more weeks in the Bay of Biscay. Days before her arrival, we were already tracking the KAIRÓS via Vesselfinder on her journey from the Azores to Portimão. The joyful anticipation grew.

When we finally saw the KAIRÓS in person for the first time, we were really looking forward to checking in the next day.

Captain and Sailing-Classics CEO Seren Elgün warmly welcomed us—ten passengers—aboard along with his seven-member crew. The very next morning, after a brief stop for a swim near Portimão, we set off for what would be our last anchorage for the time being, near Faro. This gave the guests plenty of time to settle in on board and get familiar with the KAIRÓS. After all, the upcoming nonstop voyage to Valencia would be quite demanding during our first two days at sea.

Off the Strait of Gibraltar, winds of up to 47 kt from the east were forecast. Later, while tacking toward Tarifa, the anemometer even registered 50 kt. The boat, the crew, and, of course, the guests were put to the test. However, I thoroughly enjoyed steering the 153-metric-ton KAIROS close-hauled through waves up to 4 meters high. On our little ETAP, I had last sailed in the English Channel with a broad reach and winds of up to 32 kt. On that boat, you’re much closer to the elements. It was nothing like the majestic experience on the KAIROS. Together with Seren, I sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar on the third night. There was relatively little ship traffic, and Tangier at night, along with the Rock of Gibraltar, glowed almost mystically against the dark backdrop of the mountains behind them. After the hardships of the Atlantic, the conditions in the Mediterranean Sea the following day felt like sailing on a duck pond. We watched dolphins, as well as tuna and barracudas hunting; two sunfish (Mola mola) were drifting on the surface; and later, my personal highlight: a pod of six pilot whales, which I first noticed because of their loud songs. These extraordinary creatures accompanied us at a leisurely pace for about half an hour. Pure joy!

And then there were those sunsets at sea, time and time again. I love them!!! The crew took excellent care of us, even in the toughest conditions. The ship’s engineer found a quick solution to even the smallest problem, and the ship’s command—including the captain, first mate, and deckhand—always made everyone on board feel safe, not just the sailing novices among the guests! Over the remaining days, we cruised—with several stops for swimming in the middle of the open sea—all the way to Valencia, where, after 711 NM, we performed an anchoring maneuver under sail. Hats off! After one final night at anchor, there was a touch of melancholy in the air that last morning. At breakfast, everyone spoke in hushed tones. The crew prepared everything for our departure. Over the past seven days, we—crew and guests alike—had become a temporary unit! I’m very satisfied and happy that I was able to actively support the regular crew with ship handling and maneuvers. In particular, the watches with Captain Seren Elgün helped me improve my seamanship quite a bit, especially when it comes to handling a tall ship.

After tears had been shed—not just by the crew—as we said our goodbyes, we checked out and drove to the harbor with the second group. There, from the shore, Barbara and I gazed thoughtfully at “our” KAIRÓS for what would be our last time—for now.

Captain Nico and his crew did a great job

An all-round successful trip

It was an all-round successful trip, from the organization and information beforehand to the support and care on board! Captain Nico and his crew did a great job, so that I felt very comfortable the whole time on board and enjoyed the trip very much. All crew members were always attentive, kind and helpful! The fellow passengers also very quickly became a harmonious and cheerful community. I will remember this trip as a very special experience and will be happy to recommend you to others.

What a feeling...

A wonderful Atlantic crossing

I experienced a wonderful Atlantic crossing and still think about it every day. What a feeling to be out there "all alone" for 3 weeks; that will always be a part of me.... And then the nice conversations with great people, as they say: all in the same boat. The crew were great; with Sandy and Agi I felt it always seemed like it was their first day on board, so full of energy and friendliness; a hearty Merci, as we say here in Switzerland.... It was an incredible experience for me and I'm already looking forward to another sailing trip (this time with my husband).

It was a dream trip...

A dream trip across the Atlantic

It was a dream trip... Every morning during the RHEA cruise I got up in the dark and, after greeting the night shift crew, sat down on a bench with a headlamp and started writing into the dawn. Organizing your life - is there a better way to do this than during a three-week crossing through an empty world (which is by no means empty under the keel)? ... A wonderful time, ... especially the two stops that allowed us to take a dip in the 5,000 meter deep Atlantic. So all this will remain unforgettable, a lifelong dream...

Bianka and Dirk after their Cape Verde cruise on the CHRONOS in November

A very successful mix

Very successful mixture of sailing, excursions, culture and background information. The crew on board was great!

Bianka and Dirk after their Cape Verde cruise on the CHRONOS in November

Every aspect of the trip was first class

The whole trip was fantastic

I wanted to let Sailing-Classics know about my experience on the April 6th to May 5th Atlantic Crossing from Antigua to Mallorca on Chronos. Everything about the entire trip was fantastic. The captain Jan Dobrogowski did an amazing job of managing the adventure. Every aspect of the trip was first class and professional. All of the crew worked really well together and were professional, friendly and relaxed all at once. Managing safety, the route, the weather, the schedule and the various guests' personalities is not a small endeavor. So congratulations and a big thank you to everyone.