Then something happened, I became a mama. Yep it's crazy how much being in charge of a small person changes your outlook on life and where I would normally run for the hills, instead I'm channelling my inner daredevil and throwing caution to the wind. Slowly I've embraced the art of travel, and with an overnight ferry journey under my belt I was feeling quite confident to say yes to fun on the water.
So I thought I'd put together my top five boat inspired travel destinations that made me get on board ;)
Wild Kayak AdventuresThis has to my all time favourite thing to do in the Dordogne. The light in this part of France is magical and there's no better way to soak up the honey coloured villas and crumbling chateaux than winding along the gentle current of the Dordogne river. In total we kayaked 16km and F loved it, we even stopped by the shore to enjoy a small picnic and go for a wild swim. There are plenty of places to hire canoes and kayaks along the length of the river but I would recommend leaving yourself 2-3 hours for this particular activity and be sure to grab a bite to eat at the beautiful Beynac.
Croatian Island Hopping
Still one of my favourite travel destinations, the Dalmatian coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of unspoilt Islands drenched in sun and crystal clear waters. With over 79 Islands and 500 islets the Adriatic sea welcomes you with open arms to explore all it has to offer. I backpacked down the Croatian coast and can honestly say it has some of the most welcoming people I've come across in my travels. We took a ferry from Split and stayed on Hvar – one of the largest Islands – and hired a small boat to explore the coves and beaches dotted around, making it a perfect romantic getaway like some of these other sailing destinations.
Cruising Lake Como
Right up there on my places to revisit is the breathtaking Lake Como. After staying here as part of my Honeymoon this stunning Italian lake captures the spectacular scenery with deep blue waters and rugged shores, dotted with luxury Mediterranean villas and formal gardens. We stayed in the charming village of Bellagio with its narrow winding streets brought to life with wine bars and restaurants that lead down to the waters edge, and it's a quick hop over to Villa del Balbianello, which featured in the blockbuster Star Wars film. Whether you use the local water buses and taxis to hop around the lake or treat yourself to a bit of luxury with your own water limousines, this is certainly the place to visit for any romantics at heart.
Parisian River Cruises at Night
Sometimes the best way to see a city is at night and by boat. Away from the traffic and bustling streets, I always try to make times to cruise along the river when visiting one of my favourite cities such as Paris. Although this oozes romance and is perfect for couples, a trip on an open top boat as night falls is one of the most fun ways to introduce your little ones to the Eiffel Tower. Imagine passing under floodlit bridges and illuminated riverbanks only to be greeted by a most spectacular sparkling light show from this iconic landmark. F loved this and I can't wait to go back and do this one again.
Exploring the Canals of Venice
From speedboats and water taxis, enter a world where roads are exchanged for narrow canals and boats for cars. Venice is a city like no other, the beautiful architecture, narrow puzzling streets and stunning piazzas makes it one of the worlds most popular travel destinations. Hire your own private gondola to see the floating city in all its glory, and don't forget to check out some of these Venetian hot spots.
Now that I'm embracing the water and even trying my hand at wild swimming, I can't wait to see what other adventures await. Do you like adventure or romance? Where are your favourite places to splash around?
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