Why on earth Wouldn’t You want to be a part of this?
Summer small-group sailing expeditions along postcard European coastlines on fabulous classic sailing boats
Want to learn to sail a boat like this?
And see this?
And this?
Or how about gazing at millions of stars, away from light pollution?
You’ll make new friends: some on your boat, and if you’re lucky, some alongside your boat.
And you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to load up your fork with some of this (a Breton dessert crêpe).
This summer, go all in. Join us in Brittany for a small-yacht sailing expedition that actually delivers one amazing experience after another. It’s a first-rate sailing course, a life-elevating summer enrichment opportunity, and a treasure trove of university application essay ideas.
Book now for summer 2026.
*PARENTS: QBE (Qualified By Experience) is a top-shelf expeditionary learning initiative supported by a group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts who taught at or attended the same Swiss international school. Outdoor and cultural expeditions were always mandatory for us, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the outdoor activities of choice. So when one of our former expedition masters came across two rare pilot cutters on the market a number of years ago, he immediately started working the phone to raise funds to purchase them. His idea was to make one the school’s most transformative teen experiences available to a new generation of young adults.
When it comes to boosting self-esteem, challenging outdoor adventures (like small-yacht open-water sailing) can be the secret sauce, especially when participants are given the reins to make many of their own expedition decisions. There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of cutting through the water with a strong breeze in your sails, unless it’s the pride you feel when pulling into port after a challenging day on the water. (And of course there are the daily revelations that come from discovering the area’s vibrant ports, cultural sites, and regional cuisine.) Participants go home feeling they’ve taken their lives to a new level.
It’s simply a fact that self-esteem is a powerful catalyst for academic and career success. Parents and educators are constantly amazed at the difference a great adventure can make in a teenager’s life trajectory. And what’s more, teens love it. In fact, many of our crew members ask to come back and do it again—some as many as four times!
Trusted by parents since 1992