VentureSail Holidays

Fantastic experience: My 17 year old son and I spent four days aboard the Bessie Ellen sailing of the coast of Scotland. Captain Nikki and her crew are very knowledgeable, friendly and will waste no time in !getting you stuck into the action. The food is amazing and made from scratch, and there's plenty of it. Highly recommended

Positive experience: We had a lovely time on board the Flying Dutchman on the Whisky & Folk tour. Captain Aires and the first mate/cook Sean were great. The food was excellent and the folk musicians were brilliant. We were especially surprised by the number of different instruments they played. An especially nice touch was being piped aboard with bagpipes on our last share excursion. The selection of whiskies offered were brilliant. The alcohol package was well organised and plentiful. No shortage of snacks on board. Lots of local information was provided. A very memorable trip.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic 3 days on Emma Claire. Brilliant Skipper and an absolute gem of a boat. I have absolute confidence in both. The home prepared food was the icing on the cake! Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did.

Positive experience: Food outstanding, you are treated with care and as a guest more than as crew. If that was what I was hoping for it could have been a 5* rating. Unfortunately I was hoping for more of a crew experience and I did not gel with the team leader I was assigned to. Don't think I will sail with this organisation again. Lots of respect for the captain, mate and a lot of the senior crew and trainees. If you want a light sailing experience with a good level of comfort this could be for you.

Fantastic experience: Super holiday. It was the first time for me on a tall ship - and at 80 years old I had qualms about my ability to cope. I need not have worried. The business of handling the boat was fascinating, the scenery and seascapes were magnificent. The food was unusual and of very high quality. Bessie Ellen out of Oban on May 17. I hope I am in good enough health to book for next year. Philip Bishop

Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful time on the Bessie Ellen sailing out of Oban. Nikki and the crew were a great team. The accommodation comfortable. The food fabulous. There was no pressure to help with anything but if you wanted to there was plenty to do. Our fellow passengers were a great bunch. Would recommend this trip to anyone.

Fantastic experience: What an unforgettable adventure we all had on Blue Clipper from Penzance to Oban! Nothing was too much trouble from the crew, food amazing, very clean and comfortable cabin, views incredible, climbing the mast rigging and anchoring off Easdale Island just a couple of the more memorable moments. A huge thank you to the wonderful skipper Grace and all her fabulous team. Just awesome and I will be back! Amanda x

Fantastic experience: We had one of our best ever sailing holidays this May on Zuza, a 72 foot cutter-rigged sloop, sailing around the inner Hebrides out of Oban. The weather was fantastic - the light winds and bright sunshine made for relaxed passages, calm anchorages and super wildlife spotting opportunities. Even if the weather had not been so good, I think we’d still have had a great time as the Zuza setup is ideal for this world-class cruising area. The crew were fantastic - highly professional, they really looked after us and their knowledge of the waters around Mull and the wildlife was very good. The standard of the food on board was exceptional - several leagues higher than we used to produce on our own boat! Booking with Venturesail was a bit of an experiment; though experienced sailors we did not feel comfortable chartering in these challenging waters that were new to us but still wanted a proper sailing, not cruising (ie, following tour guides with clip-boards), experience. We were not disappointed, we and got to experience all the fun of sailing without the stress of skippering with things like to where to anchor safely for the night. This kind of holiday would suit many types but especially people like us, who want to keep sailing but don’t want the hassle of chartering. Plus, if the weather does blow up then it’s better to be on a boat like Zuza than a much smaller vessel. Highly recommended

Fantastic experience: Writing a five-star review while not repeating other peoples’ comments is difficult: here goes. I have previously sailed many miles on long passages on the Jubilee Sailing Trust square-riggers before that charity’s closure, but this was my first experience with Venturesail and a gaff-rigged schooner, Blue Clipper. For background, I’m 73, rather deaf, and with damaged legs that restrict my mobility somewhat. In the last 4-5 years I have been day sailing with friends on their 40’ Contest based near La Rochelle: very comfortable, excellent restaurants up and down that coast and, to be honest, very little challenge. I joined Blue Clipper in Portimao, Portugal, for the passage to Penzance, mainly for personal pleasure but also with the aim of discovering whether I was still up to the physical and mental demands of such sailing (and I was, just about). There is very comfortable accommodation for 12 paying passengers, and I was surprised that there were only three of us signed up. This had the obvious advantage of giving us each our own cabin, but meant that there were only 14 aboard, of whom 9 were watchkeepers, so we had to operate on three watches rather than the conventional four. Rather more duty hours than I had planned, so fitting in sleep was a priority, but I was able to do this without missing out on any of the excellent meals. I regret that once or twice I slept through the afternoon cake. The crew were all very much younger and fitter than I am, so hauling on ropes was pretty much left to them, while I spent a great deal of the time on the helm as they did the hard work, in very variable conditions (but keeping me supplied with tea all the while!). The crew were without exception welcoming, friendly, considerate and knowledgeable. There was absolutely none of the ‘them and us’ that often exists, and I felt that I was being treated much more as an equal rather than a passenger. Good company, even 0000-0400 was enjoyable (!). I would be delighted to be able to sail with any of them again. I deliberately haven’t mentioned any names: I would have to list the entire crew. My sincere thanks to all of the permanent crew and my very best wishes for their futures. To borrow a phrase: ‘you have made an old man very happy’. Mark Portimao to Penzance 5 May – 15 May 2025.

Positive experience: I really enjoyed the 3 nights onboard Aron of Svendborg, a beautiful classic sailing yacht. Excellent sailing from island to island in the Funen Islands of South Denmark, visiting pretty and colourful harbour towns and even a Danish Ice cream factory on the tiny island of Skaro. Helene and Gorm, the owners, were so hospitable and encouraged everyone to get hands-on on the boat from hoisting and lowering sails to helping prepare meals and washing up. It was very much all about teamwork. A great experience.

Fantastic experience: My wife and I spent 4 days boating with the passengers and crew of the Zuza last week. It was a real delight. The accommodations were clean, comfortable and in line with the type of vessel that we sailed on. The crew was very friendly and accommodating. The cook produced amazing meals out of her small galley. The scenery was beautiful and the ability for us to interact with Puffins was memorable. We were blessed with fantastic weather. I recommend the Zuza for those that want a small boat cruise (there were a total of 6 passengers) of the Scottish coast.

Fantastic experience: We had the most wonderful time on the Bessie Ellen, a holiday of a lifetime in the Inner Hebrides. the crew were so friendly and happy to teach you the ropes. Nikki is not only a great skipper but a fantastic cook an put together fabulous meals every day in the small galley. we couldnt have asked for a better group of guests and crew and the circumnavigation of mull on Bessie Ellen over 7 days was full of offshore trips and wildlife encounters not to mention the joy of sailing a 121 year old Gaff rigged Ketch. It was a joy and a pleasure to be part of the crew.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely superb weekend sailing on Pellew! We were blessed with the sunshine, and a fabulous professional, relaxed crew that made everything seem super chilled-out.. even though as an ex-hostie I know very well it how hard that is to achieve! Well done team Pellew!

Fantastic experience: My experience was far better than I could've imagined. Venture sails described the experience well and was very informative with my booking and questions

Fantastic experience: Der Segelurlaub auf der Florette vom 19.4. bis 4.5. von Malta über Sizilien, Kalabrien und den äolischen Inseln war traumhaft schön, sowohl vom Segelrevier als auch vom antiken Schiff, das wie eine Reise in vergangene Zeiten war. Captain Ron seine Frau Nicole und die tolle Crew haben alles getan diese Reise für uns zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis zu machen. Die unterschiedlichen Bedürfnisse der Mitreisenden wurden optimal berücksichtigt. Das Essen war immer sehr lecker, abwechslungsreich, viel Frischkost und lokale Spezialitäten. Es hat Spaß gemacht aktiv beim Segelsetzen mitzuhelfen, jeder nach seinen körperlichen Möglichkeiten. Die Landausflüge waren gut organisiert. Es war eine aktive Reise ohne Luxuskomfort für Menschen, die noch das Authentische suchen. Wir würden gerne wieder auf der Florette mitsegeln. Christiane und Wolfgang Sommer

Fantastic experience: This was my 4th trip on Steady and as previously, thoroughly enjoyable. Jan-Willem and Marielle are the perfect hosts, allowing participation in all aspects of the sailing and providing a wonderful spread at every meal. I especially liked the trips ashore to explore uninhabited islands. I'll be back on board again!

Fantastic experience: I booked a trip on the Aron of Svendborg in October last year for myself and my two daughters (aged 9 and 13) and we all thoroughly enjoyed it! When we got there, we discovered we were the only paying people on the trip and the owners still let it go ahead. Additionally, they also arranged for some friends of theirs with similar aged children (including their own children) to join us on the trip to enhance our experience! Everyone on the Aron was lovely and so welcoming and we were very well looked after. The food was delicious and gave us a real flavour of traditional Danish cooking, whilst also catering for my fussy youngest daughter! The area was incredible and we overnighted at some beautiful harbours that we had time to explore when the ship was docked! I really enjoyed learning about the history of the tall ship and had a go at the helm as well as putting the sails up and down (which was quite a workout!) The kids were never bored and loved swinging on the ropes like pirates, rock pooling, playing games and relaxing in the hammock! A highlight for them was climbing out to the bowsprit to help take down the sails. We also thoroughly enjoyed having a dip in the sea each day - the water is so clear! We are all still missing the ship 6 months later and plan to go back again!

Fantastic experience: Bessie Ellen Easter in Cornwall trip was great. Nikki knows every inch of her craft & teaches crew & punters alike in handling of old gaffers, in kindly non- shouty way. Crew aged 18 to 28 were superb. 12 guests aged 11-71 had range of experience but were all useful after 3 days.! Chef Pete cooked us huge gourmet meals every evening. Dog Bracken kept us amused & meant walks daily were part of schedule. I highly recommend this beautiful boat. Thanks all. See FB for pictures.

Fantastic experience: Just spent a brilliant long weekend sailing on Florette, a stunning tall ship, sailing through the crystal-clear waters of Malta. Wind in the sails, sun on my face, and salty sea air—pure freedom. Every moment felt like stepping back in time, with breathtaking coastlines and unforgettable sunsets. Met the loveliest crew and fellow adventurers including Venture Sailing's very own Deb's! We sailed under the guidance of a truly fantastic captain. Grateful for the magic of the sea and this beautiful vessel. Still living off the buzz of this mini adventure!

Fantastic experience: Sailed from Amsterdam to Inverness, 27 Mar to April 5 on the Flying Dutchman, it was one of the best sailing trips I have been on. The Skipper and crew were so attentive, always having time to explain the traditional ways of saiing. The boat is so comfortable and the food is delicious. We stopped off at some really interesting spots along the way, I would highly recommend it.

Fantastic experience: Atlantic crossing from the Azores to Cascais, Portugal, unique, nature's love of details, the winds, swells and waves, the common dolphins in their beauty, a wonderful "rush" and a special experience in keeping focus, concentration, team building and dealing with team dynamics and excellent in their professional behavior to us as guest. The great Crew, awith its unique spirit, unforgettable ❣️

Fantastic experience: We had a wonderful week aboard SV Rhea in spite of Force 11 wind and 4 m seas in the passages. The ship was excellent in all respects and the crew professional, considerate and caring. The itinerary needs a couple of extra days to accommodate potential "atypical" weather.

Fantastic experience: Had a great week with the Blue Clipper crew as we sailed from St Lucia to Antigua via the 3 intervening island countries. Captain Jack and his crew did everything to make this a fantastic trip - as our first tall ship experience. We were encouraged to take part - hauling ropes etc. The 5 countries visited had lots going for them as we went ashore daily - including a visit to Deshaies in Guadeloupe where "Death in Paradise" is filmed. We had plenty of wind in the week so sailing was fast - if a little lumpy at times! We tried fishing from the boat with the several rods on board - but failed to catch anything. We saw thousands of flying fish enroute and much other wildlife including turtles. We enjoyed using the kayaks and also snorkelling. Admin wise the booking/payment all was good. However the final disembarkation port changed a few days before the trip - which for us did not matter (thankfully).

Fantastic experience: Fabulous sail ... only problem was it was too short! Crew were amazing - skilled, welcoming and great fun to be with. Blue Clipper is a wonderful ship and way to se the world.

Fantastic experience: My wife I and are in our late 30s. We spent three amazing days and nights aboard Pellew in May of 2023. I had some hesitations going into the trip. Would there be enough food, would we do any real sailing or would we just motor around? I was pleasantly surprised. The food that Jo and the crew prepared for us multiple times daily was delicious and plentiful. I am confident I ate more cake (made fresh on the ship daily by the way) during the many coffee/tea breaks on this trip then I have ever have in my entire life! We motored only when absolutely necessary. Luke and the crew love to show off the sailing capabilities of the beautiful pilot cutter, and I believe they despise using the motor when sailing is possible. We sailed straight out of the harbour after we pulled anchor on the first day. On our daily sailing adventures, we used all of the sails including the top sail and flying jibs (I hope I got the names correct there). Thanks again! Dan and Danielle from Canada

Fantastic experience: Exactly as described - a fine ship with excellent crew and enjoyable itinerary. Not necessarily much luxury or fine cuisine and requiring a strong stomach though. Food hearty and plentiful. Accommodation comfortable but sparse. We had an age range from mid forties to late seventies and even though I avoided climbing the mast it challenged my 72 year old abilities to the full for which I’m grateful. With those qualifications would recommend to someone seeking a challenge and adventure, possessing a nostalgia for the great days of sail!

Fantastic experience: !Fabulous! VentureSail have such a wide range of boats varying in style and capacity, therefore offering many different sailing experiences..... In September, I stepped on to Zorba Cat, moored in the tiny harbour at Perdika, Aegina island, Greece. A 60 foot catarmaran.... Extremely comfortable and spacious! Excellent private accomodation plus plenty of space for relaxing, dining or even yoga on deck! Travelling solo, I was apprehensive but, immediately on boarding and meeting everyone, I thought "This is fantastic!!" Welcomed by our lovely hosts Aga and Greg, we spanned from corners of the world, America, Colombia, Poland & UK. ( 9 in total on board.) The week that followed was amazing. Island hopping in the stunning, vast sailing area with crystal clear turquoise sea. Aga, with boundless energy and ability to constantly surprise us, producing the most delicious, colourful salads and healthy delights from the galley while Skipper Greg, guided by the elements, selected the next perfectly beautiful, tranquil anchorage for swimming, snorkelling or paddle boarding en route to our overnight location. We could be as involved as we wished with the sailing. Helping when departing then to deploy, trim or furl the sails or prepare for arrival. A different destination each night, moored at the quayside or at anchor a short distance away by dinghy. Strolling to a traditional taverna enabling the opportunity to leisurely enjoy local food and wine in the gorgeous Greek atmosphere. Thankyou very, very much to Aga, Greg, Alison, Sophie, Louise, Mark, Santi and Simon. You ŵere all involved in contributing to such a wonderful holiday. Thankyou. M XX

Fantastic experience: What an amazing experience. We absolutely loved it. The crew were very professional and Inge the chef provided us with the most amazing meals. It was lovely to get on an old traditional sailing vessel. I loved that we could help with the sails etc. I will post photos later

Fantastic experience: Excellent holiday again on Pellew with Luke, Jo and James. Great locations, great sailing and excellent food. Fun atmosphere aboard with great banter!

Fantastic experience: VENTURE SAIL and the crew of ZORBA CAT did a fabulous job of preparing us (my daughter and myself) for a week of sailing in Greece. Planning messages were clear, consistent, and welcoming. My only snafu here was not knowing to use What'sApp to communicate before the program started, so we didn't know that bedbugs may be a problem or which harbor to start in. I ended up calling your office a few hours before the start to figure it out, and had to hustle to get there. A note here: Greg and Aga said that people often show up on the first day too early. It would help to know that we will have dinner in the town where the boat is docked, and that if we want to drop our gear off AFTER six o'clock and meet at the taverna, that would be fine. We quickly learned that we wouldn't be sailing on ZORBA after all, which was initially a disappointment to me as I like the feeling of sailing on a monohull and had intentionally NOT booked on ZORBA CAT. Of course the cat was far more comfortable, and we were grateful to not have to pay the premium, but there's no mistaking that it's a different experience. Would I have cancelled? No. But it took me a while to adjust my expectations. Sailing on what is essentially a very comfortable platform was not what I had in mind when I signed up. BUT the food, weather, locations, and company quickly made up for my disappointment. Greg and Aga are to be commended for their expert handling of the boat and logistics. Greg's attention to detail and safety were highly appreciated; Aga's food was out of this world. A note here: I think it would have been helpful to hold the knot teaching session right away, before anyone was embarrassed about not remembering what they been taught before. Also, I would have appreciated knowing what our objectives were for the day before we got underway. While I appreciate the need to see what the wind would do, I always had to ask what the day looked like... which made me feel a bit pesky. An overall view of the sailing area, with a chart, would have been appreciated too. I asked about this a couple of times, but was only shown the navigation screen. I'm 70, a bit old school, and missed not being able to visualize the area. Food, as I said, was truly remarkable. Aga will have many willing buyers if she ever has time to write up her recipes! Meals ashore were also very good, but I think you should revise your estimate of costs to reflect current pricing. We each spent more like 25-30 euros a meal rather than 20, and it adds up. Dinner at the vineyard was twice that, which we were told the day it was reserved. I definitely would have taken more cash had I known. Otherwise, it felt like things went off without a hitch. More wind would've been nice, but I doubt you've learned how to manage that yet! Many thanks again to all involved. I certainly hope to sail with you again!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been on a few sailing trips, but VentureSail and the Zuza crew hit this one out of the park! Incredible the whole way. We got super lucky with the weather. The meals were fabulous. The islands were magical. The puffins were on parade. The boat is very comfortable, plus staff kept us informed and asked for input. I’m already saving up for my next sail! 100% recommend!

Fantastic experience: this organisation cares, yes it really cares. We had specific needs and they took those on board. I would have no hesitancy in recommending them

Positive experience: CHRONOS 24th August -31st August,2024 Hi we had a lovely holiday on board CHRONOS, a holiday is what you make it we met some lovely people, a good friendly crew from all round the world, but I would like to highlight a view issues that concerned us. On arrival we found the boom of the main sail was damaged & as this was a sailing holiday we were a little disappointed, we did sail but of course not to the level we expected. Safety Standards, we were given a very light hearted safety talk by the captain, not very reassuring as what had currently happened to a private yacht. We were not given any safety instructions on how to get on & off the dingy, very much depended on the individual crew member. A little unnerving the dinghy’s were used at night to transport guests ashore with no official lights or insufficient lights. Putting up sails was very adhoc operation with sunbathing guests given little or know warning to the activities of the crew. A little disconcerting I was woken in the night anchor slipping engines started, & with the recent sailing accident made me quite nervous. I swam around the boat every morning but the exhaust fumes made me feel sick. Unsure when the sewage was disposed off or pumped out, but on occasions a smell, these two items were mentioned by other passengers. I feel sad to mention but the food fell very short of our exceptions, an Italian Chef a nice young man we were expecting great things. Very bland no fresh salads even our first day, I think he tried too hard simpler is better. Unfortunately when filleting the fish he made a school boy error & my meal was ruined by all the bones, real quite dangerous.

Fantastic experience: I spent a week onboard Aron leaving from Svendborg in August 2024. What a beautiful boat, so well maintained and loved. Gorm is a great host and I cannot say enough about our lovely deckhand Meja. Having never been to Denmark before I was blown away by the beauty of the Islands, we also had great sailing, fantastic weather and great company. The holiday is out of this world, cannot recommend it enough.

Fantastic experience: I was on Bessie Ellen from 20th/27th August. We were due to sail to The Scilly Isles, from Newlyn. Sadly weather conditions meant we were unable to sail to our intended destination. We had a good week, sailing along the South Cornish coast as far as Fowey. Plenty of sailing, swimming, walks and fantastic food. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Thank you Nikki and all the crew for making it a memorable experience.

Fantastic experience: Everything on this Blue Clipper voyage from Falmouth to Falmouth was spectacular. Captain Grace and every single member of the crew was professional and very friendly and we felt totally included and involved with everything. The chef was incredible and continuously produced excellent meals throughout each day, I actually put on 4 lbs in the 5 nights I was onboard, despite all the physical exercise I was doing hoisting sails. The superb itinerary was very flexible taking into account the weather conditions and the sailing was absolutely brilliant. The ship is very comfortable and I don't think that voyages on other sailing vessels will measure up as well, the benchmark has been set very high. This was my first experience doing a "hands on" voyage and there was no expectation that you had to get involved with the sailing, but of course the more you did the better the voyage. Highly recommended and will definitely repeat in the future.

Fantastic experience: The crew and skipper of Blue Clipper, are the best I have come across in all my sailing experience. They were kind, hard working, respectful and most friendly; The chef was oustanding, I have not eaten so much amazing food on a boat ever! The ship itself was a joy to sail, quite a contrast to what I normally sail, never seen so many ropes in my life...! Bon voyage to Blue Clipper and all who sail on her. Thank you VentureSail. Kind regards, Clive.

Fantastic experience: The crew were very welcoming and explained everything well. Abit of physical activity but plenty of time to relax. The food was excellent. Thank you for a relaxing weekend

Fantastic experience: Sailing With Aron - Amazing Experience – Far Exceeded our already High Expectations! We have just returned from an enchanting trip to the South Funen archipelago in Denmark, sailing on the magnificent 120-year-old Aron, arranged by the extremely helpful and friendly VentureSail team. Sailing between the islands each day was fabulous, with our 8 guests all getting involved and at least making a start in learning how to sail her. We were all in awe of our skippers Helena and Gorm who handled Aron with such ease (in spite of their relatively novice crew!). Climbing the rigging and heading out onto the bow sprit was an optional extra which a number enjoyed but all got involved in hoisting and tying off sails and helming. Helena and Gorm were delightful hosts, as were their children who joined us for parts of our voyage. The food aboard was delicious and plentiful, and we were very much made to feel part of their lovely family during our stay. The weather was great and when the winds became very light in the latter part of our stay, Helena entertained us by setting up a fun game of deck golf. Each afternoon, on arrival at a different island, we went ashore for walk (and beer) and our last day visited Skaro to sample their delicious healthy ice cream. Lots of swimming in the Baltic too added to our extremely memorable trip. Couldn't believe we also had shooting stars and the Northern Lights to add to our fantastic memories! We can’t recommend this highly enough - a fascinating, fun and informative break with huge thanks to Helena and Gorm for their first-class welcome, friendship and hospitality.

Fantastic experience: Loved every minute of it. Richard and his crew were amazing, especially with us old farts who thought we knew what we were doing but quickly realised we'd forgotten everything. Would love to go back next year for a longer voyage where I get promoted from "sweater" to "ballast" :-)

Fantastic experience: Good agency selling well selected sailing expeditions.

Fantastic experience: My daughter and I sailed and hiked from Svolvaer to Tromso with a really lovely, multi-national group of people. If you bring resilience, flexibility and a good sense of humour you will be rewarded with a truly memorable trip, in breathtaking scenery, and opportunities to create memories you will keep forever

Positive experience: The Flying Dutchman, the Captain Aries and all the crew were wonderful but sadly the weather ruined our original destination the Outer Hebrides and we were unable to go there...

Fantastic experience: Buchung bei VentureSail Holidays perfekt. Wer gern eine unvergessliche Fahrt zu den Hebriden und St. Kilda machen moechte, sollte sich auf der Flying Dutchman einschiffen. Kapitaen Aries und gesamte Crew kompetent und vor allem verantwortungsvoll, immer hilfsbereit, humorvoll. Verpflegung erstklassig. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis auch fuer "Landratten", die von Segeln keine Ahnung haben, aber doch einiges lernen konnten. Wer sich schon auskennt, kommt ebenfalls auf seine Rechnung und hilft mit.

Positive experience: The voyage was an example of how "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men aft gang agley" in that we did not reach the objective of St Kilda owing the the weather conditions. The Blue Clipper turned round shortly after passing the Outer Isles owing to the sea conditions. The ship would have had to hare travelled the distance of crossing the Minches and back under uncomfortable conditions for people on board and probably landing on St Kilda would have been out of the question and there would have probably been insufficient time for any stop over on the way to Oban. Sailing voyages are necessarily subject to weather wind and tides. After all it is Maybe sailing. Conditions were comfortable on board

Fantastic experience: Incredible 6 days sailing a traditional schooner. Fantastic way to discover Denmark. Total escapism aided by Helena, Gorm and their children. A BIG thank you!

Fantastic experience: as always fab guests crew food and sailing , just need to work on the sunshine

Fantastic experience: Everything was great (except the weather, that could have been better :-) ) Lovely crew, great company, well organised, great food and heavenly cakes. Beautiful boat, an experience not to be missed.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful trip around The Small Isles sailing on The Zuza. Experienced Crew who worked 24/7 to endure a safe and super sail…..Peter the Skipper, Tanya and Sue. Great Chef Jim and fabulous meals on board. Would sail with the Crew and Team anytime again!

Fantastic experience: Booked a trip on Zorba sailing around the Cyclades , had an awesome time perfectly hosted by Aga and Captain Tom , the weather was very windy , we never felt unsafe and the sailing was exhilarating. Food on board was exceptional , the prices at Taverna’s of an evening was very reasonable and of excellent quality. The team on Zorba took very good care of us , we saw Dolphins and even a Turtle, what an adventure !

Fantastic experience: Our guide was spot on, Annis on Katharina was knowledgeable and snorkeled with us everyday along with other crew members, the dingy was always near us and ready to bring us back to the boat without having to rush others who wanted to remain in the water “exploring”, our underwater lectures every night were so informative, we will book another trip on Katharina next year

Fantastic experience: Excellent weekend on Escape, based at Dartmouth Devon. Lovely boat, very relaxed skipper, good sailing, beautiful boat, we were well looked after! Even the weather was pretty good!

Fantastic experience: It was a most enjoyable 6 days aboard Aron sailing around the South Funen off Denmark. The hosts were most hospitable and caring with Helene producing delicious food for every meal. Each cabin had its own washbasin and equipped with a USB port. Showers were taken in the various harbours at very well maintained facilities. They made the sailing possible for all age groups. I was an older guest with limited physical ability when it came to hoisting sails but other guests, some very able, and others less so were all able to participate as much or as little as they wished. The islands they took us to visit were each a delight in different ways. I can't recommend the boat Aron , its owners and the experience they provide highly enough!

Fantastic experience: Jan-Willem and Marielle were exceptional hosts on board their immaculate boat Steady. 4 days of good sailing and wonderful company amongst the islands and channels around the Firth of Clyde. We even got to eat freshly caught and smoked mackerel. The ships company were diverse and amusing with locals and a geordie New Zealander too. Despite taking a tumble of entirely my own making and needing some repair I will be looking for my next adventure with Venturesail very soon.

Fantastic experience: Venture Sail Holidays on Chronus , sailing for four days on the Bay of Naples. A Fantastic Holiday. I could not fault the ship or crew, both of whom were excellent.Captain was informative , relaxed and a good sense of humour. Strongly recommend this for a taster of sailing but also a relaxing break for experienced sailors. Comfort all the way while slowly crusing around popular venues. Good food, good company and a beautiful and well designed yacht.

Positive experience: A great experience but there was disappointment that we were unable to reach the Outer Hebrides

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience on Zuza!

Fantastic experience: Great week was had at the beginning of June on Amazing Aron of Svendborg. Owners and skippers Helena and Gorm were such brilliant hosts guiding us through the ropes and the Danish way of life. South Funen is a wonderful cruising ground. It was a privilege to sail on Aron with the other lovely friendly guests.

Fantastic experience: My family and I celebrated my 57th birthday by sailing onboard the Zorba Cat with Greg and Aga around the Saronian Islands from June 15th to 22nd. Best birthday ever, and a truly wonderful holiday experience. We were very well looked after and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Sailing, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, tubing… we had so much fun!! And the food was simply superb! Great meals onboard, and delicious dinners at different destinations each night. We tasted the freshest seafood, and classic Greek cuisine that was amazing. A winery tour, learning to Zorba dance, and opportunities to visit historic ancient sites were special moments too. Truly a wonderful introduction to Greece and her lovely people, culture, history and scenic coasts! Thank you, Greg and Aga, and Stach, for everything! Hoping to see you in the Caribbean next! You guys are the best! ❤️

Fantastic experience: Had a fantastic few days on Pilgram in Falmouth, despite very dodgy weather. The crew were great, and everything well organised and lovely. The food was delicious which was an added bonus! Thanks so much!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fabulous experience. The boat, Pellew, the boat builder (Captain), crew, chef, companions, accommodation, hot shower, anchorages, weather - all perfection. Thank you everyone!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely perfect, enjoyed every minute of my time on Zuza, would definitely recommend and will be booking again

Fantastic experience: Wonderful voyage on Zuza around Mull, Iona, Staffa, Coll & Tiree. Great crew and other guests (all like minded). Will definitely repeat.

Fantastic experience: Was an excellent experience, one that I would whole heartedly recommend. The skipper was wonderful who worked incredibly hard to make the trip enjoyable for all without compromising on safety. The same goes for other crew members who were friendly, welcoming and contributed to the overall experience. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Way beyond any expectations I had – a truly fantastic 6-day experience on the beautiful Blue Clipper! What an amazing, friendly and fun international crew, brilliantly led by captain Jack and first mate Mo, with wonderful stewardess Cat to look after us. Great cooking Sam too! Formed lasting friendships with the fellow passengers and will treasure the memories for years to come. Here's to my next voyage!

Fantastic experience: Very enjoyable trip with a wonderful crew on a lovely boat. Outstanding care provided and the food was delightful. Total 10 out of 10 for me.

Fantastic experience: It is a truly unique experience to sail on the Pilot Cutter Pellew with her builder Luke Powell and his wife Jo. Together with mate James they provided us with an unforgettable week sailing to and around the Scilly Isles and back. Jos' cooking is superb and Luke ensures that we had a number of fascinating off boat excursions. As one of our party said it was a life affirming experience.

Fantastic experience: We immensely enjoyed our Venture Sail holiday onboard Zuza. We appreciated the assistance from your Onshore Team beforehand, in particular with a personal communication about my food intolerance, and your reassurance. Onboard, please would you pass on our considerable thanks to Vince-Skipper, Elisa-First Mate, and Mike-Chef. They made our trip into a really wonderful experience and we felt revitalised and relaxed from day one. This was the first time we have stayed onboard, on the sea, in a community of people who were new to us. Vince, Elisa and Mike created calm and harmony for us. Every day we enjoyed something new and exhilarating onboard Zuza because she is a lovely boat. We felt reassured by Vince’s patience, kind humour and knowledge of the sea, no matter what we challenged him with; Elisa’s thoughtfulness for taking care of guests, and Zuza; and indulged ourselves with the mouth-watering meals that Mike magically created in his tiny galley. Our personal high moments were: mooring overnight in secret bays; carefully guided opportunities, by Vince and Elisa, for learning about sailing Zuza; and seeing first-hand a Minke whale, common dolphins, porpoises, puffins, guillemots, and the magical geology of Fingal’s Cave. It was all so good that we didn’t want our holiday on Zuza to end.

Fantastic experience: We had a great trip from Oban around the Western Islands. Skipper John looked after us very well. Wonderful scenery and wildlife sightings.

Fantastic experience: Excellent trip. Crew were fantastic- great balance between allowing us to get on with doing stuff and support! Nikki runs a great ship!

Fantastic experience: The whole group was very looked after, the flexibility around weather and opportunities was well managed, the crew made us very welcome, well fed and educated in all aspects.....

Fantastic experience: I had an amazing holiday on the Bessie Ellen. Nikki, Owen, Tommy and Jos were a fantastic crew. Food was brilliant. I'd definitely recommend VentureSail to anyone!

Fantastic experience: Totally amazing 4 days on Pellew off the Cornish Coast. Beautiful boat, sensational crew and great fellow voyagers. Would go again tomorrow. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Spectacular sailing holiday around the beautiful inner Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. Adrianne and Debs at Venture Sails were fabulously helpful, thoroughly professional, delightful company and a real pleasure to share our mini adventure with, they both are a credit to Venture Sail Holidays, a boutique sailing holiday specialist based in Cornwall. We were on board the beautiful Stravaigin, named after an old Scots word which aptly means “to wander aimlessly with intent” - as we did for four days and three nights, immersing ourselves in the rich marine and wildlife haven around the islands. Wildlife, wild swimming, wild flowers, wild dolphins, wild scenery, wild sea-to-table cuisine, wild seals flopping around the shore, wild deer roaming the grassy outcrops, with the occasional spotting of otters - bareboat sailing is the best way to explore the pristine nature around the islands. Our hosts, captain and guide John, Stravaigin’s owner, and our delightful skipper Vanessa were highly experienced and wonderful company as well as being amazing chefs - it just would not have been the same without them. This was so much more than a sailing holiday - an intimate, memorable and highly personal experience during which we bonded with our fellow sailing companions and learnt so much about the local history, folklore, economy and the magical mythology of the islands from our captain John, a lifelong outdoorsman who has made a living climbing, hiking, sailing and leading training exercises in nature. And to top it all, both him and Vanessa as well as Debs and Adrianne were brilliant at Balderdash :) Thank you all for a magical break and hats off to Venture Sails for bringing together a team of such high calibre who all combined to make this experience so much more than the sum of its sailing parts. We will definitely be back.

Fantastic experience: A brief weekend taster trip aboard “Escape” from Dartmouth, staying overnight in Brixham. Just the hospitable & calm owner/skipper Andy, plus us 3 guests. My first time on a traditional wooden boat. I loved every minute of it, constantly asking myself why it has taken so long to get started.

Fantastic experience: We stayed on Chronos for a week sailing around Antigua and Barbuda. We didn't really know what to expect as our family has not been on a sailing holiday before. Chronos is an exceptionally beautiful boat and the staff of 9 were really professional. All of our needs were generously met - specifically all the food and drink (3 meals a day on the boat), communication and flexibility to see and do interesting things every day (like snorkelling, swimming with Sting Rays, seeing Frigate Birds). The other guests on board were friendly and there were lots of opportunities to be together or spread out on Chronos to have private sunbathing time! Highly recommend it as a unique week away in a beautiful setting with warm water and sunshine.

Fantastic experience: Really excellent week on Chronos sailing from Falmouth Harbour around Antigua and Barbuda....August 6th -12th. Excellent boat, amazingly helpful crew,(I am older and needed help with getting in and out of the Zodiacs etc.) super food , service, sailing. I will recommend it to all. Not their fault that the weather broke! They sailed excitingly in heh strong winds and rain. One negative comment. You told me I needed a soft bag for storing in the cabin and it was difficult for me to find one. Actually it was 100% unnecessary...they were very surprised that you gave this advice.

Fantastic experience: My experience on board the Flying Dutchman was an absolute adventure in every way. Indeed the wind and the seas dictated our destination. That is brawl sailing! Captain and crew were professional and most gracious to their guest. Captain Aires communicated the days plans with passengers, as well as updating us on weather forecast. The amazing food on board was far superior to any five star venue. Beautifully prepared dishes, followed by a well stoked assortment of snacks and beverages, including beer and wine. Accommodations were remarkably well prepared, with very clean and comfortable berthing. I look forward to sailing with Flying Dutchman very soon! As for Venture Holidays, the staff did a fantastic job with reservations and updates with vessel’s schedule ! Well done Venture Team!!

Fantastic experience: Venture Sail are a pleasure to deal with. I've just sailed on Chronos around the Cape Verde islands & the crew are amazing, captain Ron, 1st mate Cornelis, steward Rosie & host Leonie taught me & looked after me. Every member of the crew has a passion for sailing & making the passengers feel special.

Fantastic experience: Portimao to Cadiz and back. Brilliant accommodation. Brilliant crew. Charming and super helpful. Some problems with our weather here and there but of course there's no controlling that!

Fantastic experience: Had a great sailing holiday on Zorba with friends. The owners were extremely helpful and fun to be with, great food prepared by Aga.

Fantastic experience: An outstanding holiday on a lovely sailing vessel with a really wonderful crew.

Fantastic experience: We spent a wonderful week aboard the Zorba with Aga and Greg. They both were lovely to sail with and put us completely at ease. We enjoyed sailing around islands in Greece and experiencing life at sea. Greg was a wonderful captain and Aga made delicious meals, but it was their lovely personalities that made our time aboard the Zorba treasured.

Fantastic experience: Great trip sailing in Greece around the Saronic Isles on Zorba. Greg and Aga are really good to sail with, know the sailing waters and the best tavernas and all made for a very enjoyable week.

Fantastic experience: It was amazing and exceeded expectations. Our skipper Chris was not only kind and interested he also taught us so much. Leo who crewed was wonderful, patient and entertaining and Nacho cooked the most wonder food with the happiest of dispositions Will definitely book again and couldn't recommend this experience more. Thank you to all.

Fantastic experience: Great trip with super experienced John. Knows all the best spots and the wildlife. Great well equipped yacht.

Fantastic experience: What a great way to see some of the Hebrides. zuza is a very comfortable and sociable yacht. The crew were very friendly and allowed guests to take part in the sailing duties. The catering was amazing. We enjoyed meeting our other guests. I would love to do it all again

Fantastic experience: Great boat, fabulous Inner Hebrides tour, friendly crew, excellent food. Had a brilliant time.

Positive experience: Excellent holiday ..boat was lovely..food and hospitality from Marielle... scenery was amazing...loads of wildlife to see ...thought there was the opportunity for some briefings over routes and and locations .. But overall a good experience

Fantastic experience: I loved every minute. The sailing, the boat, the views, the skipper, first mate & chef - the food was also amazing. Best holiday ever for me!

Fantastic experience: Can't recommend highly enough - if you're looking for an adventure of a lifetime, look no further than here. I'm very keen on sailing but my experience with VentureSail was next level, to the point that I have booked another two adventures!

Fantastic experience: We had a fantastic week with John and Jacky on Stravaigin. The weather was ideal and whilst not as hot as in the south, tropical for Scotland! We saw porpoises, dolphins, golden eagles, fish eagles and a minke whale and seals at every location, amazing. John has such an intimate knowledge of the islands with background geology descriptions, wildlife information and myhtical stories from Scoltland's history, we found a beautiful anchorage each evening and enjoyed some lovely food for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. We had a special treat on our anniversary, John treated us to a visit to the Boat House in Loch Choire, the welome we got there and the food was extraordinary, thoroughly recommended. These sailing grounds are amazing, the views are incredible and the lochs and surroundings breathtaking. We even managed a couple of swims in the sea. Thanks so much we had a memorable time, great company and a beautiful boat. Our sincere thanks to John and Jacky for making our trip to the Highlands so special. Best wishes, Pam and Geoff

Fantastic experience: A magical week sailing in the western isles Scotland. Fabulous boat and such a friendly atmosphere on board. Really comfy saloon and wheelhouse. Knowledgeable skipper Neil and shout out to crew James and Tanya. Creative cuisine very delicious. Clever and responsive route plan. Hope to sail again next year

Fantastic experience: Fantastic 6 days aboard Stravaigin. We fitted in Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna and Skye and enjoyed good sailing, walking, swimming and foraging, all with some fantastic views and fabulous food. Many many thanks to John (skipper and host) and Heather (forager and mountain guide) for making the week such a special one.

Fantastic experience: Just home after a week on ARON In wonderful Denmark . So very different to my visit to the Hebrides on Bessie Ellen in May yet with some things in common. A heritage boat from 1906, great host and skipper, good food on board, congenial fellow guests and crew. Our first visit to Scandinavia and sailing in the Baltic. No tides. Warmer water. Sea but virtually no salt. A shallow coast so no anchoring for the night because you would be too far from the shore and regulations require an anchor watch if anchored. Wonderful Danish design in so many aspects of life- architecture, infrastructure-spotless facilities on every island however small, all power and communication lines underground. Perfect English spoken by all ages. We were the first clients for Aron from Ireland/UK through the Venturesail agency who can be delighted with this new addition to their fleet and the first ship based in Denmark. Apart from delightful crew and other lovely guests we were joined by Angela from National Geograpic and Richard James Taylor , photographer recording their first visit to Aron and Denmark. Such fun to be with both of them on board. Look out for a great article due in the December edition which goes on sale in November. And Richard's drone shots!

Fantastic experience: Bought this trip for my partners 30th birthday. We had the pleasure of joining our skipper Andy on Escape in Dartmouth for 3 days. Quote from my partner : “possibly the greatest experience of my life”. Andy was super relaxed and encouraging of us two newbies getting involved in every aspect of sailing over the weekend. He’s a lovely friendly guy and a top chef. His boat is an absolute beauty and we can’t recommend a voyage out on her enough.

Positive experience: Emailing beforehand with VentureSail was great. Big issue was that they gave me the wrong departure and arrival times. I was two hours late because of this, taking public transit. No possible way to speed up my travel to the port. Skipper did call a few times to ask that I "hurry up". Literally impossible to speed up a public bus, sir. So I sat for over an hour stressed out because of VentureSail and this skipper. Maybe just contact the sailing company directly after booking through VentureSail to confirm every single detail.

Fantastic experience: Great holiday with Marielle and Jan-Villem on the Steady. A really great introduction to sailing in a fabulous landscape

Fantastic experience: We sailed on The Flying Dutchman from Oban to Rhum, Syke, the Shiants and Mull. The boat felt safe and secure. The cabins, bunks and shower were extremely comfortable. You were encouraged to help but not pressured to get involved. The captain Aries briefed everyday on weather routes etc and kept us off the rocks. Emma first mate showed us the ropes and shared her local knowledge. Sian running around like a linty worked wonders in the galley keeping 18 guests and the crew fed with delicious food. Loved the bread and butter pud. Dunvegan gardens were gorgeous. Hats off to Aries for absorbing the cost of landing. The Shiants felt like the edge of the world and we're hoaching with cormorants one of whom tried to stowaway on board. Portree allowed us a day ashore and a meal in the sunshine with our new chums from around Europe. The day we sailed to Knoydart in almost flat calm and sunshine was spectacular you felt you could be in the Carribbean. Tobermoray was welcoming and we enjoyed a distillery tour. We discovered that the Western Isles Hotel featured in the film "I know where I'm going" and rushed up the see the place. The staff could not have been more friendly clearing a table overlooking the bay and showing us the memorabilia associated with the film. Finally back to Oban. We felt as good we'd been away for a month not a week We'd packed so much in.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely amazing holiday- Aga and Greg are superb hosts which is what makes the holiday so special. Couldn’t have asked for more- learning to sail on Zorba, the hidden gems off the beaten track in the Cyclades, amazing food… highly recommend!