A vacation touring one of the navigable channels in Europe is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a unique experience. Only in our continent are more than 30,000 kilometers of canals running through some of the most important rivers, such as the Elbe, the Rhine, the Loire, and the Danube. Navigating through them allows us to enjoy the landscape differently since they cross castles, charming villages, or vast green fields.
Today the circulation is relatively simple since a license is unnecessary, and the boats are rented for days or weeks. These are easy to maneuver and have all the necessary amenities.
Canal du Midi, France
This canal was built in the 17th century and is more than 240 kilometers long. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. You will cross it in barges, fully adapted river boats.
The best route on the Canal du Midi is to start from Toulouse. Then, the next stop is Avignonet-Lauragais, which is worth strolling through its narrow streets. Castelnaudary is the great port of the Channel and is known as the “pink city” for its many brick buildings. The next essential stop is Carcassonne, a medieval city also declared a World Heritage Site.
The last stops would be Le Somail, the nine locks at Fonserannes, Beziers, and Agde. This small city was built in an ancient volcanic region, and its cathedral was made of basalt stones. Also nearby is the Thau Lagoon, a small inland sea near the Mediterranean.
Discover the rivers of western France and become a boat captain on the Mayenne.
Located north of the Loire, the tributaries of this same river are navigable. Currently, four allow fluvial tourism along 283 kilometers between three provinces. These rivers are the Sarthe, Maine, Oudon, and Mayenne. There is the possibility of alternating stays in the different itineraries, which allows one to know the diverse landscapes and areas of interest. This waterway set has become France’s second favorite destination for river tourism.
A very fun proposal is to become a sea captain. In the port of Chenillé-Changé, next to the Mayenne River, we can pick up a boat from the company Le Canalous, which will become our home for two days. The fleet of ships has various formats to accommodate from 2 to 12 people for a weekend, several days, or a week, and it is not necessary to have a card. Inside are two cabins with bunk beds, an equipped kitchenette, a shower, toilets, and heating. Learning to use the rudder and changing gears located in the cockpit is a matter of minutes.
Caledonian Canal, Scotland (UK)
Sailing through the Caledonian Canal is an incredible experience. The landscapes in Scotland seem to be taken from a movie; this time, it would not be less. You will have the astonishing beauty of the Highlands in the background and cross steep lakes and valleys as you pass through the Great Glen, a geological fault line.
This enclave is a unique place in the world. Filled with castles perched on hills, sleepy towns, and lakes, it is the ideal destination for river tourism. The starting point is Fort William, and, without a doubt, the essential ones on the Caledonian Canal are Lochs Ness, Lochy, and Oich.
Some cities along the canal that are interesting points for tourism are Banavie, Fort Augustus, the best enclave to enjoy Loch Ness and the castle of Urquart and Drumnadrochit. You will finish the tour in Inverness. Here it is recommended to visit its castle, the Ness Islands, and hike the final stretch of the Great Glen Way.
Canals of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
The circuit of the navigable canals of Amsterdam has been declared a World Heritage Site. They are the perfect option to learn about the city’s history from a different point of view. There are four main canals: Singel, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, with the greatest tourist interest.
The Herengracht Canal, or “Gentlemen’s Canal,” is one of the most picturesque. In it, you will learn about the architecture of the houses from centuries ago that once belonged to the wealthier classes.
The Keizarsgracht, or “Emperor’s Canal,” is the second most important and the widest since it is more than 31 meters wide. You can see the Museum of Photography of Amsterdam FOAM, the Van Loon Museum, and the Keizersgracht church. Also noteworthy are the many mansions on both sides of the canal.
Prinsengracht, or “Prince’s Channel,” is very close to the Jordaan neighborhood, and along its route are some of the city’s most important points. One of the highlights is the Noorderkerk church, the Anne Frank House Museum, and the famous Westerkerk church .
The Singel Canal stands out for passing through the historical center of Amsterdam and is the most important. Along the canal, you can see the Ronde Lutherse church, the narrowest house in the world, the Koepeler church, the Torensluis bridge (the oldest in the city), and the famous Flower Market.
River route along the Rhine River (Germany)
The Rhine is one of the most important rivers on the continent and the most used waterway in Europe. With more than 1,200 kilometers, it has a large navigable stretch from Basel to its delta in the North Sea.
The Rhine Valley area is a highly recommended destination with its meandering, rolling hills of vineyards, medieval villages, and the castles on its banks. We propose a tour departing from Koblenz, taking the opportunity to visit its most touristic places. Near the city are the courts of Stolzenfels and Lahneck, worth visiting.
The next destination is Boppard, a town founded by the Romans and surrounded by vineyards, making it a perfect place to walk and relax. Next, and entering the Rhine Gorge, we reach the cities of Sankt Goar and Sankt Goarshausen. Both are presided over by impressive fortresses.
The next stop is Rüdesheim. The city center has a very good atmosphere enlivened by local music. It is worth visiting the Brömserburg castle, as it offers wonderful views. The river route ends in Mainz. Founded by the Romans, it is famous for its carnival and its historic center with a Romanesque cathedral and a Gothic church.
Shannon-Erne Canal, Ireland
This canal recreates the old Channel of 1860 but with a more modern structure dating from the 1990s. It runs through two magnificent rivers northwest of Ireland, the Shannon and the Erne, which run through the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Deep.
Through this tour, you will enjoy nature in its purest state, such as lakes, swamps, and islands, and a journey through history through Celtic lands, where you will find ruins of monasteries, medieval churches, and imposing castles. The ruins of Clonmacnoise, Carrigglas Manor, the Brian Boru Museum, and Portumna Castle are noteworthy.
Sailing on the Shannon-Erne is suitable for beginners, but you must keep an eye on the weather, as you have to be careful when it is windy in open water. We suggest you start your adventure in Carrick-on-Shannon and then go through places of interest such as Dromod, Roosky, Lanesborough, Athlone, Clonmacnoise, and Banagher and end the journey in Portumna. If you prefer to extend the trip, you can also continue to Killaloe via Mount Shannon, where it is highly recommended to visit Holy Island.
