Boating holidays across Europe

Arguably one of Europe’s most popular destinations, France is a nation of contrasts and variation. From culture soaked cities to idyllic villages in small French communes, France has something for all tastes. One of the best ways to see the best of France is from its many waterways. Combining natural river routes with the country’s former industrial canals, there are not many areas that can’t be travelled via a boat. There are a number of routes that shine above all else, and it is these that are best for canal boat vacations.

In France, there is no waterway more famous than the Canal du Midi. This man-made canal system was constructed during the late 17th century and has long since been a source of pride for French civil engineering and modern tourism.

Starting in the city of Toulouse, the Canal du Midi snakes its way through southern France and finally flows in the Mediterranean lagoon coastal region of Étang de Thau. Canal boat holidays in France mainly cover this area of the country. This is mainly because the Canal du Midi route combines everything that is great about barge holidays in Europe. From the fantastic canalside views of the French countryside, warming southern French weather, endless sights of historic and cultural intrigue to some of the best cuisine found in France. All of this can be seen easily with a Canal du Midi boat hire.

It is not only the sun-soaked waters of southern France that have appeal. The northerly French provinces of Brittany, Burgundy and the Loire Valley all offer their own experiences and create their own unique waterways boating holidays.

Ireland is a country so defined by its rolling green hills and rural expanses, that there are few better ways to travel and see the nation than by canal boat. Canal boat cruises can be made throughout Ireland and along one of its main waterways, the River Shannon. As the River Shannon is intersected by canals and other river tributaries, River Shannon cruises can take you to every corner of Ireland and even into the UK’s Northern Ireland. As the isle of Ireland is relatively small compared to many other European destinations, creating a route across is an easy undertaking. Following the River Shannon’s course, from source to sea, means you can travel in a number of different directions and makes Ireland the perfect destination for canal boat holidays for a beginner.

Boating holidays in Ireland can start from a number of different destinations, and finding the right one for you depends on what you want out of your canal cruise. Many may wish to start their boating holiday from Ireland’s capital, Dublin. This is perfect for those flying into the country and renting their boat in the city, as the rental can be acquired and returned in the city. Another reason for starting your Irish riverboat adventure here is the fact that Dublin is connected to the national waterways via the Royal Canal.

Taking the Royal Canal and the River Shannon routes will allow you to see all that Ireland has to offer. The River Shannon interlocks with a series of loughs and lakes, adding to the appeal of Irish barge boat holidays.

Known as one of the low countries, the Netherlands’ topography lends itself perfectly to waterway exploration. The country is crisscrossed by a network of canals, rivers and estuaries, creating a perfect landscape in which to travel via barge or boat. With many of the Dutch towns and cities being built intertwined with the country’s canals, canal holidays throughout the Netherlands can be some of the most rewarding.

Take Holland’s capital; for instance, Amsterdam is a city that is constructed seamlessly with an interlocking network of canals and waterways.

Boat hire in Amsterdam will allow you to tour the city with ease and see its many sights from the comfort of your boat. Boating holidays in Holland can cover the country in many directions, enabling you to see all corners of the country.

Starting in Amsterdam, canal boat trips make their way south and into the Dutch countryside. Heading south-east, holidaymakers can boat all the way to the city of Utrecht, winding through the countryside as you go. Opting to take the south-west route will take you all the way to the city of The Hague, which can also be done in one loop. As well as boating into Holland’s interior, trips can be made northerly to North Holland and the surrounding North Sea coastline.

Alongside your traditional European destinations such as France and Holland is slightly obscure, yet none the less rewarding destination of Germany. This vast European nation has its own fair share of history, culture and diversity. With such a variation in landscapes and regions, canal boat hire in Germany gives visitors the chance to see the cities of Hamburg and Dresden along the Elbe, Dusseldorf and Cologne along the Rhine and the idyllic countryside of Bavaria along the Danube. Similar to Amsterdam, the city waterways of Germany’s capital Berlin allow visitors to travel throughout the city via its rivers and canals; this provides a whole new way of seeing and experiencing the city.

Barge holidays in Germany can start from a variety of different locations, all depending on which part of the country you are in. Starting your holiday in Berlin will provide you with a number of canal boat routes, and deciding on the route for you can be a difficult one. Taking an easterly route will allow you to travel from Berlin via the River Spree, opening up into the idyllic Brandenburg countryside. This river route winds on for miles and will eventually take boaters to the German-Polish border.

Taking the western route from the capital will open up the state of Saxony-Anhalt before you. A journey this way will incorporate iconic stops such as Potsdam and Brandenburg. Taking your barge boat rental north from the German capital means you can boat your way as far north as Schwerin and even on to the North Sea beyond.

It is not only the northern European countries that offer waterway holidays. In fact, Italy is one of the best destinations for European canal boat cruises . With destinations such as Venice available, one of the most famous canal-strewn cities in the world, choosing Italy for your boating holidays abroad is a fantastic choice. Starting from Venice, canals run throughout the city and Veneto region as a whole. With canals and rivers running westwardly from the coast and into Italy’s interior, there are several routes which to take.

With the numerous inlets and waterways linking the sea to the country’s interior, there is almost a limitless number of routes you can take when travelling along Italy’s eastern coast. Visiting the city of Venice alone is amplified by seeing it from the water. This unique perspective of seeing the city from this view makes an Italian trip up there with some of the best canal holidays in Europe.

Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, is one of the most perfectly placed cities to be explored via its waterways. As the whole of the country is on a flatter plane, the building of canals was easier, and the routes of its rivers flow easily through the country. The city itself is a collection of crisscrossing canals and streets, providing the ideal waterway road to explore the city and what a city it is. As the capital of The Netherlands and as a European city of culture for centuries, Amsterdam has pleasantly to see and do.

One of Amsterdam’s more famous landmarks is the former home of the Frank family, an unassuming Jewish family that the world learns from from the wartime diaries of the family’s youngest daughter, Anne Frank.

Anne and her family hid in the attic of this home for two years, during the Nazi occupation of the country. Visitors can view this preserved home and attic and see it as it was during those harrowing years.

Amsterdam is also a city renowned for its impact on the pages of European art history. One of the best places to see this impact is at the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of work by the Dutch painter anywhere in the world. As well as this, there is also the former home of one of the greatest Dutch masters, Rembrandt van Rijn, to explore. This also houses works by the famous artist and is a step back into the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century.

When you embark on one of the best canal boat holidays in Europe, boating down the Canal du Midi, there are many fantastic landmarks and settlements to see. Constructed in the late 17th century, the canal was and is an impressive feat of engineering and one that opens up the south of France for exploration. While navigating the Canal du Midi, the waters will pass through the town of Carcassonne, and no holiday along this canal would be complete without stopping off at this jaw-dropping settlement.

The city of Carcassonne is a citadel fortress and one of the best-preserved examples in all of Europe.

The citadel walls and turrets expand royally around the city, with huge castle walls and towers looming large all around you; Carcassonne is truly an awe-inspiring destination. Contained within the city are some of the best-preserved Medieval buildings, creating a look found nowhere else. This dual UNESCO site attracts millions of visitors every year, and it is easy to see why. You can make your way freely around the citadel city, yet you will need to book a tour to explore the walled ramparts. As well as the impressive walled city citadel, Carcassonne is also home to the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire is a 13th-century church that was constructed in the Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. With so much to see, it is important to allow yourself enough time.

One of the highlights of travelling throughout the Emerald Isle by boat is seeing its capital city Dublin from the waterways. On entering the city via its Royal Canal, boaters can moor in the city and be in its very heart in no time at all. As the capital of Ireland, Dublin has its fair share of history, culture and activities in which to enjoy and sometimes even one day are not enough to see all the city has to offer. Let us take a look at some of the best things to do in Dublin when visiting via boat.

One of Dublin’s most iconic locations in the city’s Temple Bar. This cobbled street is the epicentre of the city’s thriving nightlife scene, with bars booming with traditional Irish folk music seven days a week; this is where you are likely to discover your new favourite Irish live act. Another of the city’s must-see sights is its Guinness factory; home to the iconic Irish stout. Taking a tour of this factory has become a right of passage when visiting the Irish capital.