HONOLULU -- Travel across the world to Italy by stepping onto "the most beautiful ship in the world," the Amerigo Vespucci, this weekend at Honolulu Harbor at Pier 9. The historic ship, almost 100 years of age, was given a warm welcome by Mayor Blangiardi Thursday afternoon, and will be here until Sunday, July 28 as part of its global tour before it heads to Japan. 

The Vespucci ship is the longest serving unit of the Italian Navy, under the command of Captain Guiseepe Lai. Having served for 93 years, it is sailing currently for 20 months, visiting 36 ports in 32 different countries. There are about 400 military personnel, which includes the permanent crew and cadets from the Naval Academy.

The ship has carried out training activities annually except for in 1940 due to wartime events and maintenance work to benefit the Naval Academy cadets. It runs on diesel-electric propulsion (with modern and efficient diesel-generator groups integrated) and uses traditional sail navigation.

On July 30, 2007, the Vespucci was named a Goodwill Ambasaddor for Unicef with a ceremony in a Genoa port.

Visit the regal ship Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Honolulu Harbor:

• Friday, July 26: Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, July 27: Open to the public from noon to 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, July 28: Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour in Honolulu and events, go to TourVespucci.it.

Nuy Cho is the executive producer of Spectrum News Hawaii.  Read more of her stories here.