The call of the sea

There are places on Earth that resonate deep within our being. I have always carried the sea as my favorite water landscape deep inside me. This infinite blue expanse that embraces the soul is for me something fusion-like, an extension of my body. Growing up on the shores of the North Sea and its high tides familiarized me with the idea of transformation: the sea is never the same, depending on the winds, the seasons, the luminosity. From the turquoise blue of the Adriatic Sea, where I spent my summers, to the pastel gray of the North Sea, my childhood garden, it takes on a thousand shades — but it's still the sea. As a child, I discovered water, playing in the water, on the water, with the water, experiencing waves, foam, going from shrimp fishing to board sports such as windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Its appeal has become “irresistible”, and the experience of water has taken such a place that it embodies for me one of the great essences of life.

The sea is much more than a landscape to be admired: it is a living force, a guide, a source of physical and mental well-being. It invites us to slow down, to contemplate, to sparkle, to reconnect with ourselves, with nature, with the essential. In Croatia, where I have lived and sailed for years, the crystal clear waters that surround the islands unfold their magic every day. This maritime paradise inspires me to guide others to a profound reconnection to nature, to themselves, and to that simple beauty that we sometimes forget to admire.

An invitation to let go

Jean d'Ormesson, who was a fan of swimming, had this beautiful phrase: “Happiness is a staircase that goes down into the sea”.

From this staircase, you start, you lose your footing, you accept to let yourself be carried away in the immense volume of water that spreads out around you. We turn our backs on the coast, on the weight of the earth, and we turn away from material gravity, worries, obstacles, we escape.

At sea, especially when sailing, time seems to stretch out, worries disappear, and we rediscover a form of wonder at natural beauty. Immersive cruises are not only trips, but opportunities for personal transformation, for reconnecting with oneself and with the living world. I strongly believe that the marine environment is a patient and powerful teacher. It teaches us to be flexible, to embrace change, to find beauty in simplicity. And above all, it reminds us that we are an inseparable part of this great canvas that is nature. So let's cast off, let's be embraced by the experience of water, and embark on a journey that nourishes not only the body, but also the soul.

The sea, a universal source of vitality

Water is a fundamental element of our existence: it constitutes 70% of our body, and up to 80% of our heart. It is a universal energy that nourishes, soothes, and heals. For thousands of years, civilizations have understood and used the therapeutic benefits of water, using it to purify, regenerate and revitalize. Today, “blue health” — a concept resulting from research conducted around the world, popularized in particular by Pascale d'Erm in her book Blue Health — reveals that direct contact with water is an effective prevention against so-called civilization diseases: depression, anxiety, overweight, autoimmune diseases. The sea soothes the nervous system, stimulates pleasure hormones like serotonin, and helps oxygenate the body and mind. Sea air, rich in negative ions, balances stress levels and boosts our mood. And then, there is this voluptuous sensation of water that carries our body, wakes us up to the awareness of happy sensations, brings us together, body and spirit. A dive, a moment of abandonment in the water, is a return to the essentials, a caring embrace that reminds us of our belonging to this vast ecosystem.

Veil of freedom

Sailing is much more than sailing from one island to another. It is an immersive experience where the rhythm of life is dictated by the sea and the wind. An invitation to slow down, to learn to listen again, to adapt. The sea teaches humility, resilience, and letting go. It pushes us to leave our comfort zone, to make decisions, to be present in the moment.

Being on a sailboat means taking control of your life, regaining a sense of freedom and control while learning to deal with the unpredictable. Every breath of wind, every wave, every change of course becomes a powerful metaphor for navigating our own “inner storms.” On the boat, all our senses are awakened: the wind on our face, the salty spray on our lips, the lapping of the waves. These simple and sensory moments re-anchor in the here and now, bringing deep peace and lasting well-being.

Free man, you will always cherish the sea!
The sea is your mirror; you contemplate your soul
In the infinite unfolding of his blade,
And your mind is no less bitter.
(Man and the Sea - Charles Baudelaire)