Why sail to the Mediterranean?

“There are flights to the south of France, so why make it so difficult by sailing?”

This is how my ongoing trip through Europe’s rivers and canals to the Mediterranean was commented on the other day.

“There are also simpler ways to get from the top of a mountain to the valley than by skiing,” was my short answer.

Yes, there are certainly simpler ways to get to the Mediterranean than in a 17-foot motorboat from the 70’s.

Or is there?

It is not just a question of getting to the Mediterranean. It is the journey itself that is important. The adventure!

In many ways it is simpler in my little orange Terhi 520HT than it has been the other times in larger and more comfortable sailboats.

But most importantly of all: The alternative to sailing in my small motorboat “Mini Lisa”, was to stay at home.

I get a big adventure in a completely ordinary everyday life with work, shopping, cooking, activities and children. I bought the boat for around € 3,000 and I have spent an additional €800 on it. This is more or less the same amount that an average family spends on a week’s holiday on the Canary Islands (plus: I can probably sell it for around that price afterwards).

I sail in three stages of 10-14 days, leaving the boat on the canal meanwhile. Right now I’m at home with my family, working, running the rat race, and trying to be a good husband and father. But in a few weeks I will be sailing the last stretch to the Mediterranean with a friend.

Is it cumbersome or simple? I think it’s an easy way to have an adventure!

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