Italian beauty docks here as part of world tour

Voyage serves dual role of training navy cadets and promoting culture, products

- Mike Yeo

It has been in service since 1931 and looks like it is from another era, with its three huge masts for rigging sails, but the tall ship Amerigo Vespucci is thoroughly modern inside and serves a vital role in training the Italian Navy's future generations of sailors.

The 101m-long, 4,200-tonne vessel, which was once called the most beautiful ship in the world by sailors on a passing American aircraft carrier, is in Singapore at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre, as part of its voyage around the world.

While it is here, the Amerigo Vespucci is free for members of the public to visit between Oct 24 and 28. While almost all slots have already been snapped up at press time, people who have not booked can still go to Villaggio Italia, a five-day expo promoting Italian products, investment, research and entrepreneurship, also taking place at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, and, based on availability, try to visit the ship.

There are other activities organised around the ship, which is named after a 15th-century explorer. Go to https://tourvespucci.it/en/singapore-24-28-october-2024/ for information.