Cruising the Rideau Canal

Interested in a different way to travel?

I want to tell you about personal cruising. Several companies rent boats in a variety of sizes. Boats range from one to five bedrooms, many with their own bathrooms. You pilot the boat and relax from the upper deck. Routes include England, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Scotland. 

One of my clients recently returned from a trip on the Rideau Canal. This canal was built in 1832 and is 126 miles in length. This trip is spectacular because it offers a combination of canals and huge lakes. Most of the locks are still operated in the original way with chains and pulleys. The trip starts and ends at Smith Falls, which is a charming Canadian town.

The family of seven rented a four bedroom boat for a week. After the safety course, they entered their first loch. The group had to navigate the waterways and decide where to moor for the night. Thankfully the boating company provided a detailed map.

Highlights of the trip included a stop in Westport, which has some nice local restaurants and a vineyard just over a mile from the harbor. Perth is known for its delicious food and great array of shopping. The favorite spot for swimming and kayaking was Colonel By Island. Many boaters love this location to moor in open water for the night.

Contact me for details about this type of adventure trip. I can provide pricing for flights, transfers and boat costs. Be sure to practice your parallel parking before you go!