Italian tall ship Amerigo Vespucci sets sail on Made in Italy world tour

Italy’s Amerigo Vespucci tall ship set sail from the northern port of Genova on 1 July on a round-the-world tour to promote Italian food, culture and design.

During the 22-month voyage, the fully rigged Italian navy ship will dock in 31 ports, visiting 29 countries and five continents.

The ship will act as an ambassador for “Made in Italy”, showcasing Italian excellence at every port, and will be given a send-off in Genova on Saturday by the Frecce Tricolori jets.

On board the vessel is a control room that involves all the government ministries linked to the initiative, said the navy chief of staff Enrico Credendino, who described the worldwide voyage as “Italy on the move”.

Dubbed “the most beautiful ship in the world”, the Amerigo Vespucci navy training vessel was built in Castellamare di Stabia, Naples, in 1930.