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Amazing boat rides from around the world

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There are a variety of articles and books that detail the greatest road trips and rail trips, but there are not many that show interesting boat trips. In light of this, Leisure Boating goes in search of the some interesting (not the most luxurious) boat trips around the world. Boating encompasses romantic travel at its best, so get packing, we’re going on a boat ride, but it’s not all champagne and caviar.

AMAZON RIVERBOAT, PERU

Hidden away in the Amazon Basin is the jungle village of Iquitos and this is where you will find the Ianchas which are the riverboats common to the area. These Ianchas enable exploration down the rivers that house the jungle lodges and other villages. The Ianchas amble downstream at a slow pace along the Amazon River to Brazil, or wend their way upstream on the Ucayali River. The boats usually have two or even three decks and they can get crowded. Cabins are available but sleeping in a hammock on the open deck in the cool breeze is one way of really understanding the true experience of travelling on one of these riverboats.

AMAZON RIVERBOAT, PERU
AMAZON RIVERBOAT, PERU

LONGBOAT RIDE ALONG THE TEMBELING, MALAYSIA

Taking a motorised longboat trip along the Tembeling River from Kuala Tembeling in Malaysia is a wonderful way to take in the lush tropical flora and fauna found in the area and make your way along to the Taman Negara National Park which is Malaysia’s largest National Park and one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world. The three-hour journey will be dotted with fishermen on their fishing boats, small riverside villages of the Batek tribes that inhabit the area. You’ll see an abundance of monkeys, the occasional water buffalo and children playing at the riverside. You can pick up a longboat at the Kuala Tembeling Jetty which is a few kilometres from the town of Jerantut. You can also get the required permits here. The trip finishes at the national park headquarters at Kuala Tahan where a ferry can be taken into the main park for more jungle exploration.

LONGBOAT RIDE ALONG THE TEMBELING, MALAYSIA
LONGBOAT RIDE ALONG THE TEMBELING, MALAYSIA
LONGBOAT RIDE ALONG THE TEMBELING, MALAYSIA
LONGBOAT RIDE ALONG THE TEMBELING, MALAYSIA

MANLY FERRY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Though the Manly Ferry is touted as commuter transport rather than a tourist boat ride, it’s still one of the best trips around Sydney Harbour. It’s also one of the cheapest rides and the perfect way to see the beautiful city from the water. The boat is owned and operated by Sydney Ferries and departs each day from Circular Quay, travelling past the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and onto Manly, which is one of the city’s seaside resorts with a white sandy beach. Try and get a seat at the front of the ferry for the best views and arrive early to get a good place in the queue. The evening ferry trip will offer the beautiful Sydney Opera House lit up in all its glory.

MANLY FERRY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
MANLY FERRY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

GRAND CANAL BY VAPORETTO, VENICE, ITALY

Travelling by gondola is well documented in Venice and is a great way to travel, but the canals can be expensive. A cheaper, yet still a great experience is a ride along the Grand Canal in the Vaporetto water bus. The trip in the Vaporetto offers excellent views and takes sightseers for a 45 minute journey down the Grand Canal from Pizzale Roma to San Marco Valaresso. You don’t get the gondolier in his striped shirt but you’ll still have a great experience with some excellent sightseeing opportunities. The Vaporetto wends its way down the canal and stops at about 20 places.

GRAND CANAL BY VAPORETTO, VENICE, ITALY
GRAND CANAL BY VAPORETTO, VENICE, ITALY
GRAND CANAL BY VAPORETTO, VENICE, ITALY
GRAND CANAL BY VAPORETTO, VENICE, ITALY

DISKO BAY, GREENLAND

Taking one of the many Disko Bay cruises that go among the icebergs from the town of Ilulissat which sits at the edge of a 40km ice fjord off Greenland is a truly amazing experience. The sheer magnitude and scale of the icebergs is awe-inspiring, so don’t forget to bring along your camera. Cruise ships such as the Sea Spirit anchor in Disko Bay where 360° panoramic views of calving glaciers, turquoise icebergs, picturesque mountains and colourful villages make up the wonderful vistas. Keep an eye out for the numerous whales that enjoy the calmness of the waters there. Operators such as Greenland Tours offer excellent packages.

DISKO BAY, GREENLAND
DISKO BAY, GREENLAND
DISKO BAY, GREENLAND
DISKO BAY, GREENLAND
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