European adventure for teenagers: Fun if by land. More fun if by Boat!
“There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
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Come experience what most tourists never do—dozens of off-the-beaten-path discoveries and treasures in one of the most charm-blessed corners of Europe. Join us next summer on the French Atlantic coast for an epic maritime expedition along the postcard coastlines of Brittany and the British Channel Isles on iconic sailboats. Established in 1992, QBE’s European Leadership School, is an internationally known outdoor adventure course for teens, a combination of old-school sailing instruction, unique personal development, and European cultural discovery on classic 46ft/14m pilot cutters.
Each expedition includes personalized gaff-rig sailing instruction in addition to visits to:
✅ historic sites
✅ under-the-radar museums
✅ artisanal workshops
✅ world-famous cultural attractions
—Plus the opportunity to attend local festivals and participate in regattas when opportunity arises and scheduling allows.
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you again for providing such an amazing, unique and absolutely cool experience! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I stumbled upon this program online but decided it looked perfect for my teenage girl. [She] set off on the three-week sailing expedition, but within a week was begging to stay on for a second expedition.
She loved everything about what wound up being seven weeks at sea ... sailing, sleeping and cooking aboard, exploring the marina towns and festivals, the change-over week and especially new friends and mentors from all over the world. To say she enjoyed it and that it was life changing would be an understatement!
I love hearing all the stories that just keep coming! She will definitely be back next year! ...I’m happy to provide references to any parent considering this program for their teenager.
Thank you again!!”
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“Le nec plus ultra” of European travel options for young adults
PARENTS:
QBE (Qualified By Experience) is an internationally known expeditionary-learning initiative supported by a group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts who taught at or attended the same top Swiss international school.
Outdoor and cultural expeditions were always mandatory for all students, and through the years, skiing, mountaineering, cycling, and sailing were the outdoor activities of choice. So when one of the expedition masters came across two unique 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 the school’s proven transformative experiences available to a larger market.
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.
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, youngsters love it. In fact, many of our crew members come back and do it again—some as many as five times!
From Google AI Search
EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS • VALUES FOR SUCCESS • NEW GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Transportation assistance available | No sailing experience necessary | Safety record: Impeccable

