Mediterranean
Spain, Italy & Corsica - Adventure sailing with cultural exploration
The Mediterranean is more than just a destination—it’s one of the most epic yachting playgrounds on the planet, and this voyage is your chance to see why. Our Mediterranean Odyssey Voyage is a fast-paced sailing and cultural adventure that kicks off in the south of Spain, following in the legendary footsteps of Ulysses as you sail east to Mallorca, Corsica, and over to the stunning Italian city of Rome.
This trip is your opportunity to level up your sailing game, whether you’re a beginner or already have some skills. You’ll be running the ship alongside your crew, navigating, handling the boat, and even pulling off overnight sails that will test your seamanship under the stars. Daytime sailing will have you gliding past rugged coastlines that look straight out of a postcard.
But it’s not all about sailing—when you hit port, the adventure shifts to land. Imagine exploring some of the most iconic places in Europe like the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, the Colosseum and the ancient Roman Forum.
On the way, you’ll hit Rondinara Beach for frisbee and volleyball right next to the jaw-dropping blue-green waters. Plus, you’ll have time to explore the glamorous streets of Malaga, Cartagena and Palma.
This isn’t just a trip—it’s an adventure packed with experiences that will stick with you forever.
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Appropriate Age
16-19 (Must turn 16 by September 1st)
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Students & Staff
26 students & 6 professional staff
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Vessel Type
S/Y Argo, 112ft. Schooner
| Dates | Days | Availability | Tuition | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 3 | 7/25/25 - 8/10/25 | 17 | Limited | $7,870 |
The Adventure
It all starts here
See For Yourself!
Normally, our sleek, modern schooners are reserved for Seamester’s Gap Year & Study Abroad adventures, but this summer, it’s your turn to take the helm with AQ! Want a sneak peek of what’s waiting for you? Check out the video above and get ready for an epic summer you’ll never forget!
Arrival Day - Malaga, Spain
Your adventure is about to begin! AQ’s expert staff will be there to greet you the moment you land at the Malaga airport and whisk you away to your new home — our unbelievable 112-foot school ship docked in the heart of the Costa del Sol. Once you step aboard, you’ll go through the check-in process and claim your spot on this incredible floating journey.
From there, it’s all about settling in, meeting your crew, and getting ready for the Mediterranean expedition of a lifetime. As the sun dips below the horizon over the picturesque Malaga port, you’ll already feel the excitement building—this is the start of something truly unforgettable.
Voyage Itinerary
Shore Time
While the thrill of the passage ends as we make landfall, new adventures present themselves as the anchor drops and we prepare to explore.
Shore time will include both organized group tours or activities and small group exploration on your own time. Each activity is designed to engage with the local culture, history or geography. New destinations bring challenges of language, customs and culinary exploits. Even just provisioning for the vessel’s crew is an adventure in itself!
Each destination brings its own flavor as we balance the physical, educational and cultural activities over the course of the journey.
Sample Trip Itinerary*
| Area | Ports of Call |
|---|---|
| Spain | Malaga, Cartagena |
| Balearic Islands | Palma, Mallorca |
| France | Bonifacio, Corsica |
| Italy | Rome |
| *Please note that all destinations are weather dependent and subject to change. | |
Mediterranean Itinerary
Learning The Ropes
Early on day two, we cast our lines and the journey begins. As with all voyages, the first few days of the program are a crash course on how to be successful in your new environment. With the guidance of our staff, you’ll learn the ins and outs of how to live, work, and learn in such close quarters with others – from sailing to cooking and everything in between.
A Typical Day…
There’s no such thing!
When voyaging throughout the world aboard a sailing vessel, “typical” isn’t in the vocabulary. Every day is a new adventure, packed with surprises and challenges.
Living aboard means you’re part of everything—there’s no sitting on the sidelines. You’ll be up at 2 AM, standing watch under a sky full of stars, keeping an eye on the ship’s systems, and making sure everything is running smoothly. You’ll be planning, provisioning, and cooking meals for your crew, pulling your weight as an essential part of the team. By the end of this journey, you won’t just feel like a passenger—you’ll know you played a crucial role in the success of an incredible expedition.
Time to Say Goodbye
There’s always a mix of emotions on departure day. The excitement to go home is always overwhelmed by the realization that the Adventure is over and that it’s time to say goodbye to the people you’ve grown so close to over the last few weeks. Day 1 will simultaneously seem like the day before and a lifetime ago as you and your crew depart to the airport for the last leg of your journey together.
“Oh my goodness it was the time of my life, the adventure of my life, the most fun of my life. I met so many friends that I have met and will keep strong bonds with for the rest of our lives, I saw and experienced things people can only imagine to see once in their lifetime. I would do anything to do it again. The worst part of this trip was getting off the boat, I had never cried so much in my life and it hasn’t stopped either, the friends you make with everyone, including the staff will last forever.”
Need More Information?
Certifications
On top of all the other cultural exploration and epic passage-making during the Mediterranean Odyssey voyage, you’ll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:
Sailing Certifications
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IYT International Crew
The IYT International Crew course is designed for students with limited previous experience, who are looking to become an active and competent crew member aboard a power or sailing yacht…
Learn More > -
IYT VHF Radio
The IYT VHF Radio Communications course is designed to ensure a thorough understanding of the entire spectrum of maritime radio communication…
Learn More >
Need to know
Is this adventure right for me?
Get ready for the Mediterranean Odyssey—an epic 17-day adventure that’ll take you from Malaga, Spain, all the way to Rome, Italy! This isn’t just any trip; it’s a full-on cultural exploration and sail training mission where you’ll visit multiple countries, each with its own unique vibe. Every stop is a new world to explore—different languages, foods, and customs at every port!
No sailing experience? No problem! Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned pro, this voyage is built for everyone. You’ll learn the ropes (literally!) while taking on real, hands-on sailing challenges. But it’s not just about the boat—on land, you’ll be exploring islands, hitting up cool towns, chilling with cookouts on white sand beaches, and hiking some epic mountains. If you’re craving adventure, this is the ultimate journey for you!
How many people go on this adventure?
Our Mediterranean voyage is one of our most exclusive programs, by nature of there being a very finite number of spaces available. On this adventure, you’ll sail aboard one of our 112 ft. schooners S/Y Argo or S/Y Vela alongside 26 students and 6 professional staff. It’s quite the adventure sailing on a modern rigged schooner, where you can get to know each of your fellow students and staff from all over the world.
What type of boat will I be on?
This voyage takes place aboard our very own sail training vessel S/Y Argo.
Argo is an expertly designed 112-ft two-masted staysail schooner with room for 26 students and 7 staff.
This vessel was designed and built to circumnavigate the world on our sailing adventures. This means that every sailing camp she embarks upon, a fresh batch of students face the challenge of spending many days or weeks at sea while crossing one of the world’s oceans. For those looking for a genuine blue water experience, then this is the perfect vessel.
When we built her we did so with safety, dependability, and ‘trainability’ in mind. We often refer to her as a “Big, Little Boat” meaning that we designed her systems in such a way that they are easy for students to understand and operate. Since our goal is to have students quickly reach the point where they are running the vessel, trainability is an important factor
Who will be my staff?
AQ is proud to attract and recruit the best in our field. Our summer staff includes professional maritime captains, professional PADI dive instructors, and medical professionals. Above all, we hire responsible and experienced facilitators and educators. All members of our team are dynamic, multi-talented, and passionate individuals with a devotion and commitment to the safety and experience of our students.
What's the food like?
At AQ, we strive to provide meals that meet the fundamental needs of all members of our team, yet when considering our experience, it is important to remember that there are natural limitations when provisioning in remote places and cooking for a large group on board a yacht.
We understand that each individual has personal preferences and that some students have specific dietary restrictions or limitations. While we strive to accommodate these as best we can, our meals may be a little different from what you are used to at home. We design our menu around meals that are simple to prepare, quick to clean up, suit the majority of teenager’s palates, and deliver the calories needed for long, busy days on the water.
Mealtime is often a highlight of each day! Students prepare all of the meals with help from the staff using a combination of packaged and canned goods and fresh produce we pick up locally. While we mostly eat all meals onboard the vessel, occasionally, students have the option to eat at a restaurant during shore time.
After enrollment, we ask families to inform us of all dietary restrictions and allergies. We can accommodate vegetarians, and vegans, as well as those with various food allergies. However, if you have a severe allergy or specific dietary expectations, please call our office before enrolling.
What do I need to bring?
Given that all students will be living aboard a sailboat for the duration of this outdoor adventure camp, we recommend that you keep things simple and avoid over packing. Students are given the opportunity to do laundry in the middle of the trip and are able to hand wash and hang clothes on deck to dry, so there’s no need to pack several weeks’ worth of clothing.
Our hope is that families will have minimal purchases prior to the trip, so we’ve compiled our packing lists in a way that you’ll find most of what you need in your closet at home. Around mid to late March, we make available our Pre-Trip Packet to enrolled students, which contains a detailed packing list for this year’s adventures.
Nitty Gritty
Where does the trip start and end?
- Trip start date – Red-eye flight from the USA on July 25th, arriving in Spain the following morning, July 26th
- Vessel embarkation point – Malaga, Spain (airport code AGP)
- Trip end date – August 10th, flying back to the USA that day
- Vessel disembarkation point – Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy (airport code FCO)
Are flights included in the tuition?
Since students join us from all over the world, the cost of transportation to and from the program is not included in the program tuition.
Who should we contact to book travel?
Helping to coordinate our students’ travel is of vital importance – and a mammoth task! For this reason, we strongly suggest that all families start by contacting our travel coordinator, Leah Hernandez of TRC Travel Center (T: +1.281.528.7727 or 800.329.9000 • E: [email protected]). Even if you are not originating in the U.S., Leah will be able to provide options and guidance.
Does ActionQuest provide support on travel days?
Yes. We understand that travel days can be stressful for both parents and students, so no matter what time of the day or night, our office team actively monitors and supports our participants during travel. We require students to travel with a mobile phone with domestic data capability so we can monitor their progress and communicate directly if necessary. For certain flight connections, ActionQuest also offers on-site airport assistance, yet our experience has shown that being active and available to everyone electronically is often more effective in quickly troubleshooting snags than being physically present in just one location.
AQ Tuition Covers the following:
- All accommodation and group meals once the adventure is underway
- Vessel charter and related government fees
- Staff, local guides, and tips
- The use of all sailing and water sports equipment (except for wetsuits, if needed)
- Sailing certification costs
Not included in the AQ tuition:
- Travel expenses from home to the program start location in Malaga, Spain and return to home from the end location in Rome, Italy
- Required emergency evacuation insurance & International SOS and MedAire Membership (est. $100) LEARN MORE >
- Medical insurance, and optional trip cancellation insurance
- Spending money for souvenirs, drinks/meals ashore – We recommend $300 – $350.
- Emergency money for unanticipated events such as doctors visits etc. – We ask that all students bring $300, which is held by staff and returned at the end of the program.
Discounts and Savings
- A one-time total tuition fee deduction of 5% is granted for any two adventures or for two or more students from the same family.
- Any two consecutive programs may be joined to form one extended course. In the interim between programs, students stay with staff. The total cost is determined by combining the cost of each program and subtracting the 5% extended course discount. (This discount also applies toward any trips adjoining our sister program GoBeyond.) ActionQuest and/or GoBeyond enrollment for any two programs in the same summer will be considered as a single extended program in the event of withdrawal or dismissal from the trip at any time.
Travel Docs & Visas
All students need to have a passport which is valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from Rome. Visitors from certain countries other than the US, UK, and Canada may require visas.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
We do not currently require proof of vaccination in order to enroll.
Other Immunizations
For visiting the Mediterranean, the CDC recommends that all travelers are up-to-date on routine vaccinations that most of us had as children (measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine.
That said, we understand that families have varying opinions on vaccinations. Some greatly desire the precaution; others prefer to avoid possible side effects of certain medications. Coupled with the fact that each student has unique medical considerations known best by his or her doctor, AQ does not supply medical advice. For this reason, we recommend that all families refer back to the expertise of the CDC from time to time.
Living in the moment
Though the fundamentals of our adventures don’t change, specific logistics evolve as we get closer to the summer and then day by day based on weather. The animated map along with the adventure overview portions on this page should give all families a basic understanding of the kinds of activities we do on the voyage. We also suggest looking through previous Trip Logs for a more detailed travel log created by the students.
With this in mind, we encourage all participants to “live in the moment”. Traveling by boat requires flexibility and a willingness to accept adversity and change. We hope you’ll take any bumps in your stride, and enjoy the adventure!
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