SAIL Amsterdam is the world largest nautical event, aiming to showcase the city’s maritime legacy. It takes place every five years, with its inaugural edition in 1975.

The amplour of this year`s SAIL is uncomparable to everything I have experienced before. Picture the world`s most beautiful and exotic tall ships, which had been sailing the seas throughout the centuries, moored in the IJhaven of Amsterdam. This is such an incredible sight!

Besides these historical ships, there are of course many more, so incredibly diverse in size, shape and colour. They are cruising along the IJ, side by side with the private boats of Amsterdammers themselves, who are singing, dancing and cheering as they move forward. The show would not be complete without them.

Even more people are standing on the shore, gazing at the beautiful sight unfolding in front of their eyes, happy to be part of something so amazing.

I went to SAIL on Friday evening – when the photos below were taken – and I cannot remember a day when Amsterdam was more atmospheric, friendlier and happier. All in my favourite part of the city: the Eastern Docklands!