A fleet of about 40 ‘tall ships’ will arrive in the port of Harlingen, Friesland, on the 14th of July.
The ships come from 11 different countries and will be welcomed in a grand parade which will transform the port into a festival dotted with snack bars, musical performances, and activities.
In addition, visitors will be able to reserve trips and tours aboard some of the anchored tall ships. On the 17th of July, the fleet will depart from Harlingen for their next destination: Antwerp.
But what exactly is a tall ship? According to the Tall Ship Race Harlingen’s (TSRH) official website, tall ships are large sea-faring vessels separated into four categories, or classes, based on their size. The largest of the ships, referred to as Class A or First Class, measure a minimum of 24 meters in hull length, while the smallest, Class D, measures a minimum of 9 meters.
Some of the larger ships, such as the Golden Lion, measure more than 70 meters.
With over 150 trainees participating from the Netherlands, the event, which is hosted and organized by UK-based charity Sail Training International (STI), wants to raise awareness for the craft of sailing and to provide youth aged between 15 to 25 with the “experience of a lifetime,” as noted in the TSRH’s official website.
Alongside the sailing of the tall ships, a wide variety of secondary events will take place along Harlingen’s port side. Musical performances featuring artists such as A-Fever XL, an internationally renowned Abba tribute band, will keep visitors entertained for the entirety of the event.
Visitors can book package deals for trips aboard the tall ships through the TSRH’s website. As there are a limited number of spaces available for the trips, the TSRH recommends that visitors interested in taking a boat trip reserve their spot as soon as possible.
If you are looking to spice up your weekend and check out some eye-catching ships, Harlingen is the place to be.
