Unique Experiences on the Water
Annecy, France
The fairy-tale-looking town of Annecy is nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps" thanks to its romantic canals running through the city centre. From the boats sailing on the waters of the Thiou River, you can watch the pastel colored 15th and 16th century buildings lined by the canals.
Bruges, Belgium
The well-preserved medieval town of Bruges is famous for its canals that surround the city, as well as the colorful gabled houses of the Markt Square, the heart of the city. It is possible to see this dreamy city, which can be visited daily by train from Ghent and Brussels, with a 30-minute canal tour and explore it on the swan-filled canals that connect it to the North Sea. But don't forget to head ashore and explore its secret courtyards, boutique breweries and fragrant chocolate shops too!
Venice, Italy
It is impossible to talk about the canals and skip Venice. We can say that this is the most important of all canal cities. There is a very good reason behind this; More than 150 waterways surround 118 islands and flow under 400 bridges in Venice. In addition, wooden gondolas have served as the main means of transportation here for centuries and have survived as a classic Venetian icon. For this reason, taking a gondola ride on Venice's canals should be at the top of your to-do list as an indispensable experience that allows you to meet the historical and cultural aspects of the city. Although the city's most famous is the Grand Canal, exploring the back streets and hidden corners is also a unique experience.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok's first canals were built in the 18th century to act as moats to protect the Grand Palace on Rattanakosin Island. Then, the canals of the Thai capital soon became a way of life for the locals. However, as the city began to modernize, some of the canals were filled to form new roads. Thailand's canals called Thonburi and Klong Saen Saeb are still active channels where you can see many neighborhoods of the city by taking a boat tour. A little outside of the city center, Taling Chan is a floating market where you can observe and shop wooden boats filled with seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The 165 canals in Amsterdam are made up of intertwined rings around the center of the city, like a labyrinth of waterways. When the Dutch capital rose to prominence as a thriving commercial center in the 17th century, these canals were opened to expand the city, allowing merchant ships to deliver to the doorsteps of Amsterdam's iconic homes. You can follow the history of the city on a boat trip along these canals, during the day or at dusk, and pass by famous places such as the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. In some canals of the city, there are floating houses, which are preferred by both locals and tourists who want to have an authentic experience.
Suzhou, China
Famous for its elegant gardens and tranquil canals, a boat cruise along the ancient waterways of Suzhou can reveal much of the city's ancient history. The Grand Canal, which runs through the city center, is the longest and oldest artificial waterway in the world. With a length of approximately 1776 kilometers, it connects the city of Hangzhou to the capital of the country, Beijing. While some of Suzhou's heritage has been lost, the Grand Canal is still a very special place where visitors can experience Chinese traditions. The boats pass the traditional Jiangnan-style façades, the ancient city gates, and arrive at Shantang Street, the commercial and cultural center of Suzhou from the past dynasties.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Located about northeast of Amsterdam, the picturesque Dutch village of Giethoorn is built without roads and, as you can imagine, is extremely quiet. Instead of roads, hiking and biking trails and canals dominate the landscape. It is possible to experience Giethoorn in narrow water channels that flow past arched wooden bridges and cute thatched farmhouses.
Keywords: Belgium | China | France | Travel | Netherlands | Italy | Cities famous for their canals | Thailand