The first European to sail directly from Spain to India was Vasco da Gama. His journey, which began in 1497, was a landmark moment in the Age of Exploration. Da Gama successfully navigated around the southern tip of Africa, reaching the shores of India in 1498. This voyage opened a sea route that allowed Portugal to establish lucrative trade relations with India and other parts of Asia, particularly in spices and other valuable goods. Da Gama’s successful expedition helped to integrate these markets into the burgeoning global economy and reinforced Portugal's role as a dominant maritime power.