May to October 2012

Netherlands – Belgium - France – Italy – Slovenia – Croatia – Greece

Take part in the first kayak crossing of Europe!

In May 2012, two new Explorer kayaks ( one of them HV Explorer ) from Nigel Dennis Kayaks in Wales will be brought to Amsterdam in Netherlands. Here they will enter the Channel chain for the first leg of the Terra Santa Trans-European Paddle, heading for Gent, Belgium.

From Gent, they will continue through the French canals and waterways via Paris and the breathtaking Bourgogne region, Dijon, Lyons, and down the RhoneRiver to the Mediterranean at Marseille.

The route will then take to the sea, passing through the famous French Riviera and Cannes, Portofino and the Italian Riviera, and Genoa.

After a short overland crossing, the kayaks will paddle via the Venetian canals and Murano, home of Venetian glass, along Slovenia, and to Croatia’s IstriaPeninsula. The route crosses the entire country, north to south, taking in the magnificent islands and historic towns of Split and Dubrovnik.

At Dubrovnik, the kayaks will board a ferry to Bari, Italy, then Corfu. From here, they’ll continue paddling between the Ionian Islands – Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

Then comes an exciting paddle around the Peloponnese to the island of Aegina, and an island-hopping crossing through the Cyclades to Naxos.

The final leg will set out to Amorgos and on to Kalymnos, finishing at the enchanting little port of Vathi with calamari, Greek salad and Mythos beer!

Book the leg that suits you, and be part of this amazing trans-European paddle!

Challenging or relaxed paddling?

Along inland waterways or open sea?

French pastries or Italian pasta?

Tent or hotel?

Vineyards and dairies or galleries and museums?

Venice canals or the mighty Seine?

 
How will we manage the changeovers between paddlers?

Having booked a suitable leg, each pair of paddlers will come to the starting point of that leg where they will receive the kayaks and equipment from the pair who are completing their leg.

How long is each leg?

Most legs are a week’s paddle, but some are two or even three weeks long.

Can I book any leg?

Booking depends on your paddling skills and the level of the leg you wish to paddle. We will be happy to advise you and recommend a leg that suits your capabilities.

How will the changeovers be coordinated?

The kayaks will have a “Spot” locator device which transmits the paddlers’ position each day. The date of completion for each leg will be estimated, but it must be remembered that we’re dependent on the weather. In any case, it is advisable to book flights just a few days in advance.

What does it cost, and what does the price include?

The price of a week’s paddle is 500 Euro. This price includes an Explorer kayak, spare paddles, repair kit, first aid kit, Spot locator device, and daily weather forecast updates.

What additional costs can I expect?

Food, restaurants, flights, transfers

What are the main challenges?

Route planning, checking the weather forecast each day, kitting the kayaks out with food and drink, estimating paddling times, navigation using maps, charts and GPS.

Added value!

While each leg is a wonderful trip in itself, all the legs together will make up a great group experience! Every pair of paddlers will send a message and photo at the end of each day, so that club members sitting at home can follow their progress and be a part of the trip too. Paddlers can also make short video clips, sign their names on the kayak decks at the end of their leg, and of course join the party to celebrate the completion of the trans-European paddle!