Around November hundreds of sailboats are concentrated in the Canarian ports to undertake one of these voyages of at least once in your life where you too can embark.

Crossing the Atlantic under sail: a challenge cherished by every sailor worth his salt and affordable, too, as “mere mortals” with a thirst for adventure. From well into October, and finished the season in the Mediterranean, hundreds of sailboats with flags disparate van leaning against the Canarian ports in preparation for the great ocean crossings toward the Caribbean, often undertaken during November. It is time to finalize the development of ships, supply ships and stow everything needed for at least two weeks of sailing and, in many cases, crews completed.

They are also hundreds of adventurers every year around this time arrive in the Canaries looking to be admitted on board in exchange for guards and participate in sharing the work of the voyage as a crew more. Some experience as a navigator and minimal handling at least the English are usually good qualities to take a chance and thus cross the Pond for free or for a small fee to contribute to core costs.

Even if you are not the work left to the fortune to participate in such a trip and want to make sure both the travel plaza as authentic “sea dogs”, you can always call the boat rental companies that carry these Sailing dates its operations to the Caribbean and which offer them a small number of cabins for passengers, even without any previous experience, will have to act as a boy involved in all tasks of the seafaring life.

Shall, from the Canary Islands, two to three weeks when pushed forward by the trade winds on the back of the long Atlantic waves under the tropical sun, across 3,000 nautical miles almost perfect to address these months without, in principle, large good risks from storms and sea almost assured.

Long days without seeing land, alone with the ocean, where the guard duty at the helm or as domestic affairs and as vital as while cooking or cleaning the boat left countless hours to read, to clear the mind and spirit to those horizons by diaphanous rarely overlook other boats, to try his luck with the rod and try to catch some tuna with that prepare the freshest sushi to co-voyage and enjoy the unique atmosphere generated between participants in this truly exceptional experience, at least once in their life, no one should miss.

And notes that, if you can not organize it this year, in spring, usually in May, most of these yachts embark on the journey back to the Mediterranean and there and really do not have any excuse.

Some clues
The Atlantic Rally for Cruises rather than an actual race is an annual voyage that starts in November from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, which incorporates over 200 yachts up to make the ocean crossing in a way more secure since, apart from the strict security measures that are required for each boat to join them, the presence of marine experts in many boats is always a guarantee for novice sailors.

This year will leave on 22 November and ship owners who wish to join they can contact the organization for information on requirements and fees, while those who want to try their luck looking for a place in any of these boats is recommended that you arrive Las Palmas at least ten days before departure to allow enough time to go see what might need an extra crew member.

If you have your own boat and want to make sure the power to participate in the trip, you can contact rental companies take their sailing vessels operating in the Caribbean as Aproaches (Telp: 915 91 34 52 and 932 25 02 66), this year part with the Zulu, a lovely yacht with four double cabins for passengers since its launch in 2005, has crossed the Atlantic seven times. This time will sail from the Canary Islands on November 8 and is scheduled to arrive in Martinique, with a stopover in St. Lucia, the 29th. The price of adventure is 3,500 € per person plus about 40 € / day for the common fund for food and fuel and mooring costs, not including air travel.

The return trip can be done entirely from the British Virgin Islands with a stop in the Azores, to Torrevieja (between 7 and 30 May 2010, € 2,500 plus the amount of the pool), or by installments: Virgin Islands-Azores (between 7 and 21 May for € 2,000) and Azores-Torrevieja (between 30 May and 6 June, € 800).

Ignoring the adage that says “from Madrid to heaven”, these are just a handful of terraces where you can enjoy the latest summer nights and the best views of the capital.

Urban
Carrera de San Jerónimo
Rooftop of the Hotel Urban has design and class, like everything in this boutique hotel geared to gourmets. This heterogeneous and cosmopolitan meeting place with several chill-out areas furnished with elegant fabric and soft cushions, is one of the most privileged to watch the Madrid de los Austrias night. Do not miss the chance to test their select tapas and some of his painstaking and daring cocktails, like the fresini, based on natural strawberries and champagne.

The Traveler
Square Barley

A restaurant, a cocktail bar and a terrace on the roof are distributed by the three floors of this legendary building in the neighborhood of La Latina, which are added a few tables on the street where you can taste tapas, appetizers and pizzas. The peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the roof and invites conversation. The views offered from any of their heights, with the illuminated facade of the church of San Francisco el Grande, is one of the great attractions that has sought the motley audience that he attended.

The Penthouse
This luxurious terrace situated in the attic ME Reina Victoria hotel boasts some of the best views of old Madrid, with an eye to the most emblematic buildings of the center of the capital. A cosmopolitan space that, in his second season, remains one of the venues of the chic clientele. It is a privilege to sit in your chair or on their white chairs under the candlelight while sipping new tapas and signature cocktails and referred to the hotel tower that houses the master suite. All this surrounds with lounge music, chill-out and light house, although there are more animated themes as they pass the hours and occasional jazz sessions. The public, between twenty and early forties, is looking for gourmet dinner and a drink with a touch of glamor.

The Attic of Letters
In the Gran Via and from the seventh floor of the Hotel de las Letras, views that look out from this modern terrace can not be anything but exceptional. It was conceived as a sophisticated space given to the beautiful people of the city, decorated with white leather chairs, chaise lounge, wooden floors and small bars transparent. The music is soft and ideal for conversation while casually bite delicacies accompanied by some of its evocative cocktails, like the DLS or Connery.

Night Sky
The terrace of the Hotel Puerta America, this avant-garde and daring hotel designed by top architects worldwide, is a modern and cosmopolitan minivan called Fuse and divided into five distinct environments, dominated by bars with premium brand design, a select cocktails Copyright, cooking until the wee hours of the morning and impeccable attention. Anteroom Marmo Bar, a glass elevator takes you to the 13th floor, open until four in the morning, each night features a different show: music, humor sessions, presentations, fashion …

Room Mate Oscar
The roof of this hotel with pool on the edge of the Gran Via, between Fuencarral and wafer, is the terrace in the fashionable district of Chueca. An exclusive space on two floors, with pool and bar drinks and cocktails minimalist atmosphere: white chairs, white also ceramic floors, a bar backlit in imitation of alabaster, and several tents for sun protection. The views from the four corners of old Madrid are spectacular. During the day works as a private club, which is accessed by booking ahead, but at night it becomes a reference point for art lovers, urbanites, gastronomy and entertainment.

Gaudeamus Café
Masthead one of the most modern architectural gems from the center of the capital, the old building of the Pious Schools, Gaudeamus Cafe is a reference in the multicultural district of Madrid, for their charm and spectacular terrace from which to admire the Corrala and roofs of Lavapies. It is also a meeting place for social gatherings, culture, live music … in short, an open space for all types of artistic expression.