Starbucks, Ferran 25, Barrio Gotico, Barcelona

Advantages: Unique opportunity to sail in a pure blood racer
Disadvantages: The boat is in Barcelona, so you have to take a flight

...Weekend break to Barcelona. A week before, I had contacted www.25knots.com to book a sailing session with the Catamaran Didgeridoo, a 33 feet racing catamaran built in California. We met with Paul, the 25Knots guy, directly in front of the boat, in Barcelona. We were 4 guys and Paul was the fifth crew member. Paul gave us an introductory speech focusing on the basics of the boat. We all had some sailing experience, but never in a multihull. The key differences when sailing a racing multihull are: - You can double the speed of a monohull (you make 16knots when others 8 knots) - The apparent wind is always coming from the nose - You raise the windward and lower the leeward daggerboards in each tack - You fly-the-hulls easily, particularly with a racing catamaran We could check these differences very shortly after... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Everything going for it
Disadvantages: Crowds

...I lived in a small town near Barcelona for a year some time ago. In fact, before Bacelona had the Olympics. I found it to be the most wonderful city I had ever visited, and I still rate it in my top three places. I used to love the atmosphere around Las Ramblas and the Barrio Gotico (what's the Catalan?) and just to wander the streets was a real privilege. And the food......... wow! I don't know what it is about the place, but it's 'alive'. It's vibrant, exciting... I really miss it and would love to go back. I would recommend a trip there to anyone. Perhaps the most memorable thing is the architecture, especially that of Gaudi. What a site the Sagrada Familia! I love the city.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: exciting, funny, ... a perfect day
Disadvantages: you might get exhausted

...I have been sailing dinghies for a while. I started with hobbiecat some years ago. I love sailing in small boats couse you can feel the sea very close and you do a lot of excercise as well. However, when I have been invited to sail and race in bigger boats I have to say that I've been disapointed: - bigger boats are slow and you don't feel the sea. - you are often the last monkey in a large crew and you don't have the chance to learn... you are just a moving load. If you feel you had had the same dissapointment after moving from dinghies to bigger boats I would suggest to try to sail with the didgeridoo, a 33 feet catamaran owned by 25knot.com 25knots is the only spanish company I've heard of that believes in racing catamarans. Their offer is simple: go sailing for 4-5 hours in the Barcelona coast with a 33feet high... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful