The most beautiful cities in the history of navigation (except Venice), according to research

With its labyrinth of canals, vaporettos, and Grand Palazzos, Venice is undoubtedly the most powerful Canal City in the world. Not only is it steeped in history, but every aspect of Venice – from its art to architecture and culture – seems to be taken in beauty. But for all it has done, Venice grapples with its own set of challenges. As one of the most successful places in Europe, this city deals with tourist attractions, overcrowded infrastructure, and places where the locals have been pushed out of the expensive, touristy area.

If you love a vacation that involves bridges, boats and waterways but aren’t a fan of wading your way through crowds of tourists, here are some great historical and interesting stories from around the world. Think Suzhou, bruges, and alapuzha. Historically, frogs were used for irrigation purposes, transportation, and defense systems. Today, the Canal cities continue to inspire travelers to be unselfish for the complex waters that are intertwined with modern life, shaping each city’s culture, atmosphere and character. With the help of Travel Guides, blogs, and travel testimonials, we used a list of five top cities to start riding in Europe, Asia, and South America, each focusing on its history, culture, and charm.

Read more: 25 beautiful island vacations that won’t break the bank

Amsterdam, Netherlands

One cannot talk about the Canal cities without talking about Amsterdam. Owned by a complex network of 165 canals and 1,281 bridges, built gradually since the beginning of the 17th century, the caral ring took the rightful distinction as a UNESCO World Garner site. Built by Vions feat of hydraulic and civil engineering for trade, shipping and flood control, Amsterdam has retained its historic charm while adapting to modern life.

Tourists explore the waterways of Amsterdam by using the many boat companies offered by different companies, which now operate boats that follow the city’s engines in the city’s tracks and more independent changes for tourists to see the city. Featuring large old buildings, it is surprising to note that the locals live not just like the water but also on it: About 750 lower boats have been built by the citizens just as the merchants did in the 17th century. On the water, Amsterdam is easily explored on foot or, for the more adventurous, by bicycle. As a spectacular way to get around, cycling in Amsterdam is not for the faint of heart, as locals navigate the wide cycle paths with relentless speed and purpose. Accept the unsigned rules included in all Amsterdam Locals: Keep in your lane, avoid swimming, and signal before every time.

Even more than its museums, restaurants, cafés, and parks, what is most powerful about Amsterdam is the way its canals bear witness to the centuries that oppose them on their banks. As a redditor puts it well, “Amsterdam is special because people live in the old city despite the tourists, not because of them.”

Brakes, Belgium

According to its well-preserved medieval and gothic, cobblestone streets, and cobbled canals, the brakes highlight the cultural spirit and the construction of sensitive living structures (but with few visible crowds) – they easily find its historic center a UNESCOWR World Heritage Site. Its canals have existed since the 9th century, growing into a strong and organized network to accommodate the collapsed trade during the 12th century.

Often welcoming day-trippers making the long journey from Brussels, Bruges is quaint enough to explore on foot but packs a sight-seeing punch. Taking a tour of its famous canals is an efficient, informative, and fun way to experience the city from a different perspective. Canal Tours depart from only five docking points around Bruges. The routes are pretty standard, although there may be deviations following weather or construction work around the waterways. The boats will float sites including the funuinage, a 13th century reserve (and a UNESCO World Heritage site) that was full of women (cunuines) who tried to serve God single while remaining part of the secular community, and the Ntani basen Santatho hospital, which is under observation, among others. You will also find a reflection of the power of Bruges’ belfry, which rises 272 meters above the roofs of the surrounding ancient buildings.

Separate from the boat, take a walking tour deep into the fascinating history of the city. The walk reveals Instagram-worthy views of Bruges’ waterfront against a backdrop of ancient buildings, flower-lined streets and picturesque bridges. Find your way to the Peerdebrug Bridge (Horse Bridge) to view the Groenerei (Green Canal) – Considered the most romantic canal of all the brakes.

Suzhou, China

Just an hour’s drive from the futuristic, skyscraper-laden Shanghai (which received the moniker “Land of the Jetsons” from Vuru rick Steves) lies in Eastern China Rick Steves has traveled for 25,500 years. Although removed from the rest of Europe, its compelling European resemblance won the favor of the explorer Marco Polo, who visited the small water town in the century 13 – high praise indeed from the Venetian himself.

Like Venice, Suzhou is run by Wezyways, with daily life bustling on its banks. Unlike Venice, Suzhou’s urban fabric is dotted with Red Chinese lanterns, freshly laundered clothes hanging from makeshift hangers on its Serpentine streets, and groups of elderly Chinese people playing cards on the sidewalks. Traditional wooden boats, filled with tourists or merchants, float along the water to purify the water, slowly disappearing under the hidden chiefs as the locals and tourists lean on the irons above. The streets are lined with restaurants, traditional teahouses, restaurants, and places that sell everything from souvenir trinkets to signature bean-tossed snacks. With over 4,000 years of silk cultivation, Suzhou is the place to buy silk in all its forms.

Unless you speak Mandarin, most foreign travelers choose customized boat tours with English-speaking guides. After the canal ride, make your step count by exploring the streets of Suzhou (Historic Pingjiang Road is full of restaurants and the famous Cingvenir residences) and the revelation of the Classical Chinese style architecture and one of the four most visited levels in China.

Alappuzha, India

Far removed from the noise and chaos often associated with Indian cities, the skills of Alappuzha (also referred to by the British Colonial-Era’s Name, adppey) tell a different story. Located in Kerala on the southwest coast of India, these backwaters – called the Venice of the East for its famous waterways, lakes, ponds, and canals – welcomed a bustling trade back in the 18th century.

Today, visitors can ride along the palm-fringed waterways on houseboats. In the past he used to transport rice and other goods across the backaters, house boats (kettuvallams), 80 meters long, made entirely of coir. They took a backseat as the travel infrastructure around Kerala developed, but they were once again popular enough to appeal to tourism. Used boats are now equipped with overnight yachts: bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas, ranging from luxurious accommodations to modest accommodations. Regardless, they offer glimpses of life alongside Kerala backwaters, even stopping in small towns and markets. Looking for more adventure and flexibility? Wrapping the backings on the side of the kayak will allow you to visit small canals that houseboats cannot reach.

On terra firma, several landmarks bear the cultural heritage and maritime history of Alappuzha. Explore the 150-year-old City Lighthouse or visit the International Coir Museum, dedicated to the Coconut Palm Fiber fabric woven by hand – literally and figuratively – into the everyday life of decorations.

Tigre, Argentina

Organized in the Paraná Delta, only 30 minutes away from Buenos Aires, the Tigre, the city around Luján, DisconCeives, and the Tigre River – you have transformed the natural streets of Venice that are only accessible by boat. The agricultural product went from the Delta islands to the Tigre, on the way to Buenos Aires, between the 16th and 18th centuries. But the tigre blossomed beyond the nearby town with the arrival of the Tigre Club, Argentina’s first casino, at the beginning of the 20th century. The casino, along with the infrastructure of water sports such as sailing and diving, tigre established as an accessible entertainment area close to the city. Although its popularity waned in the 1930s, its waterfront charm appealed to tourists, many of whom explored the Delta’s canals by boat or K.

There are many boat tours of the Tigre River Delta, ranging from group tours to private catamaran tours. In a more friendly way, the board is the lancha Colectiva (Interisleña Water), which is used by the locals to go to and from Tigre and the Delta islands, if you can navigate the language barrier. To get a real taste of Delta life, consider renting a cabin on the islands to return again and again to the charming, candlelit tigre field.

Breaking down

We cast a wide net to capture a geographically diverse range of Canal towns, showing how culture, architecture, and history have shaped your destination. Our jumping-off point was the list of Canal cities by travel guides such as Fodor’s Travel, Qantas Airlines’s Flight Inside Travel, and the Daily Mail. We’ve also featured a list of many bloggers, working with both known and off-the-beaten-path destinations before diving in, specific features from sources like Lonely Planet, top travel websites, and official travel websites. Travel videos, Reddit threads, and TripAdvikor reviews are provided for first-hand views on the world’s best canal destinations.

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Read the first article on the islands.