All aboard for the Tall Ships Races

Man the decks and hoist up the riggings, it’s that time once again as the Tall Ships Races kick off once more!

This year they’re departing from Antwerp, Belgium’s famous multicultural port town, before racing round to Lisbon, Cadiz and La Coruña, making this year the perfect year to take a trip to Belgium if you haven’t already.

2016 is also the diamond anniversary of the Tall Ships Races, meaning that it’s set to be an extra special event, with events around the harbour and in the city on the days leading up to the departure.

The stars of the show are the Tall Ships themselves, as their masts and sails dominate the skyline around the port, creating a spectacular time-warp sight around the city. During their time in port, visitors can board the Tall Ships, explore them and learn all about their inner-workings and history, as well as meeting the people who work onboard the ships, and more.

The Tall Ships will be in Antwerp from 6-10 July, departing on the final day with a magnificent parade, but not before the crews parade through the streets, receiving prizes and wishes of good luck from those in attendance.

For all the Tall Ships’ pomp and bluster will doubtless take over the city for the week they are in port, there is plenty to do in Antwerp all year round. The city is a fashion capital, with a progressive and interesting sense of style and museums dedicated to fashion such as the MoMU museum, which details the history of fashion in the city.

Antwerp is a typically Belgian city in terms of architecture and aesthetics, and the Grote Markt in the centre of the city is a classic European town square. However, Antwerp is also an international and multicultural city, recently named as the 2^nd most multicultural city in the world, meaning that you can find food, cuisine and cultural heritage from all over the world around the city.

So if you’re a maritime buff looking for a short break this year, look no further than Antwerp for the Tall Ships Races. See the opening act of one of the most famous maritime races in the world, in a wonderful port city with a genuinely immersive multicultural vibe.