To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe, the world's largest sailing ships still in operation, from Denmark, Uruguay, Poland and Ireland, gather in Lisbon for the "Tall ships race". The highlight for sailing enthusiasts: a nautical parade on the Tagus River, facing the Portuguese capital. It's also possible to climb aboard the huge ships to visit them, a godsend for "I love these boats because they use old techniques and that interests me," explains Filipe Batista, a Portuguese retiree. "I like looking at the different types of knots, the ropes, the sails, I like everything, really a lot." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES