Today it is time for the Caledonian Star to leave the New World and head out into the Atlantic swell in the direction of the Old World. While the early explorers did the Atlantic crossing with small sailing ships and under very harsh conditions, we will instead do it with style, comfort, good food, lectures and good company.

Remember that following the first Atlantic crossing, made by Columbus in 1492, new plants were brought to the Old World and these made it possible for a great population increase in Europe. Later this forced people to leave and settle in the New World. For example, what would people have on the table if potatoes had not been brought to Europe? How about Italian cuisine before Columbus' time? The tomato and the potato both originate from the high Andes in South America.

This crossing will take us in ten days to the Canary Isles, the last islands Columbus saw as he went in the opposite direction to find the Caribbean Islands after 55 days at sea.

Over the last 500 years, an Atlantic-crossing exchange of people, goods and ideas has been of great importance for the society we see today. The triangular trade between Europe, Africa and America has been essential and is still going on. Today there are two Africas and two Europes on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.