Almost 200 years after Charles Darwin boarded HMS Beagle to explore and document the natural world, a ground-breaking expedition is following in his wake. The Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde will set sail from Plymouth, the same port the Beagle launched from, on 14 August.
The two-year voyage will cover 40,000 nautical miles and four continents, dropping anchor in some of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Rio de Janeiro, Tahiti, Sydney and Cape Town. Members of the public can book a berth on any of the 32 legs, with prices ranging from £350 to £6,250 per person, depending on the trip duration. Most require no prior sailing experience.
Led by a team of permanent sailors, paying guests will be tasked with steering, navigating and manning the ropes of the three-masted…