New adventure sailing company Rubicon 3 (www.rubicon3.co.uk; 0203 086 7245) has launched a series of expeditions to begin in April 2014, departing from the UK, that will put adventure seekers on top of the world, thanks to a route that takes in the Arctic Circle.

SAIL | TRAIN | EXPLORE

With trips lasting from two weeks, Rubicon 3's expeditions are a unique combination of serious sailing on a specialised 60' expedition yacht (Hummingbird), high-quality sail training, plus the chance to explore spectacular islands, coastlines and cities. The routes take in some of the most iconic shipping forecast areas and offer rich cultural delights. The company's philosophy is 'Sail, Train, Explore' and this blend of voyaging, sailing training and cultural exploration sets Rubicon 3 apart from others.

Rubicon 3's first 2014 sailing adventure (The Hanseatic Route) departs 16 April - 4 May and costs from £1,995pp. This exciting route is off the beaten track for most sailors - guests will experience open-water sailing in the North Sea, Amsterdam, the Kiel Canal and the beautiful city of Gdansk, as well as some incredible history. The trip departs from the UK and the price includes berth accommodation and all on-board meals. Also included is a pre-departure RYA Essential Navigations course, a seamanship pack and access to on-board tuition from instructors.

Other routes include stop-offs at cities including Riga, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Edinburgh, plus destinations such as Shetland, the Orkneys, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway and the Arctic Circle.

No previous experience required - all training included

Rubicon 3's crew of up to eight will be made up of like-minded adventure seekers, eager to escape the typical 9-to-5 routine. Anyone over the age of 18 can join the expedition and no sailing experience is necessary - a key part of Rubicon 3's philosophy is to provide hands-on sail training, both in-port and on-passage.

Exposure to the culture, language and history of thirteen different countries, mixed with the teamwork and personal challenge of ocean sailing on a 60' yacht makes Rubicon 3's expeditions an excellent choice for Gap Year students and of interest to university admissions officers.

With two full-time Yachtmaster Instructors, there is normally an instructor-to-client ratio of at least 1:4, meaning that crew can take part in as much or as little sailing instruction as they wish.

Run by skilled and experienced British sailors

British sailors Rachael Sprot and Bruce Jacobs are fully-fledged ocean yachtmaster instructors, and are both MCA Master 200 and Office of the Watch 500-qualified, with a wealth of experience on the water behind them. Rubicon 3 was created after they realised there was a growing demand for adventure travel and a desire to learn new skills along the way. Add to that a route heading east and north, a rarely explored region, and expeditions split into different-length legs, and the expeditions become a trip of a lifetime, which can dove-tail into everyday life, or become a much longer voyage of discovery.

Training is central to the company - both have spent many years encouraging and nurturing individuals new to the sport of sailing. A key aim of Rubicon 3 is to encourage people to learn the skills to have their own adventures in the future.

"While sailing schools can create a series of exercises, there is no substitute for learning on-passage. During our expeditions, you will be learning in the real world where constantly-changing conditions deliver a hands-on understanding of how the oceans behave. We know our customers will return with a broad set of experiences which will give them the confidence to take their sailing further," says Sprot.

"We also wanted to develop a route that had elements of mystery, the exotic and remoteness," adds Jacobs. "The reaction to our route has been incredibly positive and there are some really iconic destinations, seas, oceans and straits for people to add to their log books."

ENDS

For press information contact Emma McEnroe (0775 221 5397; emma@mcenroepr.co.uk)

Notes to Editors:

EXPEDITION 1 - UK TO ST PETERSBURG

Leg 1: April 16th - May 4th. Start: UK South Coast. Ends: Gdansk. 870 miles. 19-day expedition (work leave: 13 days). £1,995

Leg 2: May 5th - May 23rd. Start: Gdansk. Ends: St Petersburg. 850 miles. 19-day expedition (work leave: 15 days). £2,470

EXPEDITION 2: ST PETERSBURG - EDINBURGH

Leg 1: May 24th - June 14th. Start: St Petersburg. Ends: Copenhagen. 1,080 miles. 22-day expedition (work leave: 15 days). £2,860

Leg 2: June 15th - July 1st.Starts: Copenhagen. Ends: Edinburgh. 820 miles. 17-day expedition (work leave: 12 days). £2,210

EXPEDITION 3 - ICELAND & THE NORWEGIAN SEA

Leg 1: June 6th - July 27th. Start: Edinburgh. End: Reykjavik. 1,140 miles. 22-day expedition (work leave: 15 days). £2,860

Leg 2: July 30th - August 18th. Start: Reykjavik. End: Bodø. 1,010 miles. 20-day expedition (work leave: 14 days). £2,600

EXPEDITION 4 - THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN AND NORWEGIAN FJORDS. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

Leg 1: August 23rd - September 7th. Start: Bodo. End: Trondheim. 491 miles. 16-day expedition (work leave: 10 days). £2,400

Leg 2: September 8th - September 30th. Rating: Adventure. Start: Trondheim. End: Edinburgh. 841 miles. 23-day expedition (work leave: 17 days). £3,150

THE GRAND TOUR - ONE OF THE GREATEST SAILING TRIPS IN THE WORLD

April 16th - September 30th. 7,100 miles. 5½ months. Thirteen countries, six seas, four gulfs, two straits, one firth and the Arctic Circle.   £17,995