Ultimate Canal Boat Cruising (36 hours in Bruges)
Even when the mist is hanging thick and the sun is sleeping in, there’s a certain poetry to canal boat life. And it certainly doesn't take long to get in the flow of things.
Everything about the canals demand patience, from waiting for bridges to open to watching the boat rise and fall in a lock. Experiences like this remind us to slow down and just enjoy the little things. The rhythm of it slows our pulse—until it doesn’t. Because just when we think we're entering a lull, there's a freighter to dodge or another boat who needs a jumpstart. Never a dull moment when boating through Belgium.
We're only a couple of days into living aboard this 37ft vessel and today we're floating into the "Venice of the North"…AKA Bruges.
Spoiler alert, it is everything people said it would be—bridges, towers, cobblestones, and charm that oozes around every corner. It’s touristy, sure, but deservedly so. It feels like stepping into a living museum that smells faintly of sugar, salt and malt. The buildings are painted with history, and the canals weave it all together. Sure, this isn't exactly the same Bruges traders and explores once hauled their spices and wool to 900 years ago. But according to UNESCO, it's as medieval as we're going to get in the 21st century.
In the moment and even looking back now, I think it might be the most beautiful city we've ever been to.
Did you miss last weeks video? The one where we moved aboard this canal boat? If so, here it is.
Nikki Wynn
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. They have river and canal boat locations in the UK, Ireland, all over Europe & Canada. So, if you fancy a trip of your own, check them out (no boating experience needed): leboat.com
