The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, a 365-mile engineering marvel connecting the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo, turned 200 years old this year. It is a National Historic Landmark featuring 57 locks, 32 aqueducts (though not all remain navigable today), 15 lift bridges and eight movable dams.
These bicentennial celebrations provide the perfect occasion to turn our heads toward canal tourism. From North America to Europe and all the way to Asia, canals invite travelers to soak in centuries of culture and experience the luxury of slow exploration.
Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Canada
Ontario’s Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretching 125 miles from Ottawa to Kingston. It is the oldest continuously operating canal system in North America.
Highlights along this scenic waterway include vibrant ByWard Market in Ottawa, the historic Watson’s Mill in Manotick and the charming village of Merrickville lined with Victorian-era stone buildings.
Visitors can easily explore the canal by captaining their own boat. With over 50 years of experience, Le Boat operates a large fleet of self-drive canal boats you can book to explore Rideau Canal in your own pace.
Boating season runs between mid-May and mid-October, since during winter, the canal transforms into a large outdoor ice rink called the Rideau Canal Skateway.
Caledonian Canal, Scotland, United Kingdom
Are you a fan of Outlander? Set-jetting can take a slower, more immersive turn if you cruise along Scotland’s Caledonian Canal.
In the Scottish Highlands, the 60-mile-long Caledonian Canal runs from Inverness to Fort William, linking a series of lakes (’lochs’ in Scottish)—including Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy— and artificial locks, including Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in the United Kingdom.
Adventure Life offers a 7-day canal experience aboard the Scottish Highlander, a luxury barge with capacity for eight guests.
Before boarding the barge in Inverness, travelers can visit Culloden Moor, the scene of the famous 1746 battle, a pivotal moment in Outlander and Clava Cairns, the burial site of a prehistoric clan chieftain, widely believed to have inspired the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in the series.
Additional highlights include the ruins of Urquhart Castle right by the shore of Loch Ness and uninterrupted views of Ben Nevis near Fort William.
At the end of the Caledonian Canal, travelers can visit the historic Ben Nevis Distillery to taste Scottish whisky. It can be an ideal stop for those who appreciate savoring culture through its spirits.
Poet’s Way, Finland
The Poet’s Way is a historic and scenic steamboat route in Finland, operated by the legendary S/S Tarjanne, the country’s last remaining passenger steamship on a regular schedule.
The boat crosses Lake Näsijärvi, passes through the Murole Canal, and continues across Lakes Ruovesi and Visuvesi.
Why is it called the Poet’s Way? Tuomas Paloniemi from Visit Tampere told me in an email interview that “Passengers will be traveling through the same scenery that once inspired some of Finland’s most celebrated cultural figures: Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Finland’s national poet and author of the lyrics to the national anthem, and Akseli Gallen-Kallela, the iconic painter best known for his Kalevala-themed works and vivid depictions of Finnish nature and folklore.”
The 8.5-hour journey runs from Mustalahti Harbor in Tampere to Virrat Harbor on Wednesdays and Fridays, with return trips from Virrat to Tampere on Thursdays and Saturdays.
But passengers do not need to take the full journey. Paloniemi told me that many visitors choose the ‘Bike & Boat’ ticket, which allows them to bring a bike on board and hop off at any station to cycle any part of the route.
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve in northern Peru is often called the “Mirrored Forest” during the high-water season from November to May. Seasonal flooding creates tranquil canals, allowing travelers to explore deeper into the rainforest and get closer to the canopy.
Getting closer also means a higher chance to spot various bird species, monkeys, sloths, river otters, turtles and caimans.
During the low-water season from June to October, when aquatic life is more concentrated, spotting manatees, caimans, and anacondas are easier. It is also the best time to go fishing for piranha.
However, one species intrigues many travelers arriving in this corner of Peru: the pink river dolphins. Cruising through the tributaries with skiffs or kayaks gives travelers close-up access to the wildlife of this remote area.
Delfin Amazon Cruises also organizes ‘special interest voyages’ such as a 4-day tour in October 2025 with marine biologist Dr. Joanna Alfaro onboard. Guests can learn about this unique and fascinating species and how to spot and identify the two different types of dolphins, pink and gray. They will even participate in Dr. Alfaro’s research, collecting sound samples.
Lissy Urteaga, co-founder of Delfin Amazon Cruises, champions local artisans by helping create sustainable income opportunities for remote Amazonian communities. To do that, Delfin’s excursions also include visits to local villages, where guests can meet artisans and shop for handcrafted pieces made with natural dyes and fibers.
Qinhuai River, Nanjing, China
Nanjing, an hour by high-speed train from Shanghai, is a historically significant city. Its Qinhuai River was a vital canal system for trade during the Ming Dynasty.
“The Qinhuai River cruise offers a journey through the heart of a city that served as the capital for multiple dynasties,” said Summer Li, director of foreign exchange and cooperation division for the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, in an email interview.
“As travelers glide past Nanjing’s ancient landmarks, they’re experiencing centuries of history brought to life. No other canal tour in China provides such a vivid and beautifully preserved connection to the nation’s past,” said Li.
Visitors can embark on a 50-minute electric wooden boat cruise and float gently on the canal to see ancient teahouses, traditional gardens and remnants of the 650-year-old city wall. However, Li recommended taking the evening tour during Chinese New Year when the annual Qinhuai Lantern Festival takes place, a spectacular celebration dating back over 1,500 years.
“It is a breathtaking spectacle of vibrant themed lanterns, cultural performances, and festive celebrations – all of which can be enjoyed from the boat,” Li explained.
Sundarban National Park, India
Sundarban National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world’s largest mangrove forest. It is also a 2,500-mile tidal network where the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers meet the sea at the Bay of Bengal, perfect for cruising along its canals.
Sanjay Nair, wildlife photographer, conservation storyteller and co-founder of Safari Lab, a boutique travel company curating immersive wildlife experiences across India recommends Sundarbans as one of the most overlooked, yet natural canal destinations in the world.
To the question of what makes Sundarbans special, Nair highlighted that these canals are home to the elusive Bengal tiger, which swims across creeks and sometimes stalks the banks early in the morning.
“But it’s not just about tigers. There are fishing cats, leopard cats, saltwater crocodiles and rare river dolphins, all seen best from a boat. Also, over 250 bird species call these waterways home, including kingfishers, storks and owlets,” he said.
Machranga Cruise, recommended by Nair, is a luxury houseboat with seven cabins, uninterrupted panoramic windows and on-board gourmet meals. It is a comfortable yet immersive way to explore and connect with the region.