Cruising Belgium On A Canal Boat (full tour)

We're not cruising the vast open ocean but we are navigating the floating existence that is canal boat life. In Belgium no less (home of the best beer in the world)! Because canals in Europe are the waters between worlds. They are a reminder of the interconnectedness of people, places, and even time itself.  Which is why I think we are so drawn to them.  European canals connect inland villages to the sea and flow from one country into another, like veins in the earth. 

Traders and travelers have used these waterways for over 900 years and now, so will we.  We're moving aboard a 37-foot purpose built vessel for novices like us wanting to cruise the canals.  Aka, enough bumpers and fenders to take on the stone walls of any lock or bridge. 

Join us for a full tour of our new home on the water, a few humbling bridge encounters and our first impressions of boat life in Belgium.

Try Before You Buy

If you have never tried out boat life, chartering is the easiest way to test the waters. Be it on the ocean, river, lake or canal. If you are considering the lifestyle, we highly recommend trying BEFORE buying. Of course, if you have a friend with a boat, even better (that's how we got started). But, there is no substitute for the experience of being in charge of your own vessel.

Charter Your Own Canal Boat

We found Le Boat through a general google search as we were looking into boat options here in Belgium. They have been offering up their boats for over 55 years, the prices were super affordable and they had last minute availability. So our search ended. We sent an email with a few questions and very quickly got a reply from a fan. Turns out, Le Boat watches our videos and very kindly offered up their Horizon 30 for our trip. Thank you Le Boat!

They have river and canal boat locations in the UK, Ireland, all over Europe (Scotland, we're coming for you) & Canada. So, if you fancy a trip of your own, check them out: leboat.com

Our first Canal Experience

In the video, we gave a shout out to our friend David of Cruising The Cut for introducing us to canal boating and joining us for our first ever canal boat adventure on a narrowboat in the UK. If you missed those episodes, here they are. It was an incredible journey!

THE ULTIMATE CANAL ADVENTURE BEGINS (full tour)

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be experiencing life on the canals as we navigate locks, bridges, tunnels, and aqueducts as we cross from the UK to Wales.

Gone With The WynnsNikki Wynn

DAILY LIFE ABOARD A CANAL BOAT (cruising Great Britain)

Today, we’re going to become lock masters (or so we think). This isn’t our first time to navigate a canal or locks (hello Panama Canal). But we never operated the locks and when cruising on a narrowboat, it’s practically a part of daily life.

Gone With The WynnsNikki Wynn

Our Most EXCITING Day of Narrowboating

This is our biggest day on the canals! We cross the highest aqueduct in the world, go through the longest, darkest tunnel in Wales and make our way to the source of it all, horseshoe falls.

Gone With The WynnsNikki Wynn