2Giethoorn, Netherlands

This beautiful canal village is situated in the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands. In this village, the concrete areas are separated by numerous small bridges and canals. In fact, there are more than 180 bridges and so many canals that this place is known by many as the “Venice of the Netherlands.” The local government has outlawed motor vehicles here.

Visitors must park on the border. Bicycling and sailing are the only ways to get around the village (although legally you could probably try swimming). The preferred watercraft here is a noise-free vessel that the locals refer to as “whisper boats.” They run on electric motors rather than noisy gas-powered engines.  Click On the Next Button to See Next.

5 COMMENTS

  1. I all 10, no mention of Germany and it’s many rivers that traverse close to castles. I’ve heard the views are fantastic. Had hoped it would have been included herein, but also, I suppose it did not rate high enough on your scale of the ‘best’. Too bad.

  2. Yea, I liked it, but it doesn’t have a very big canal network. But I certainly beats Birmingham in terms of beauty.

  3. Yanagawa Japan is reknowm for its canals. Yanagawa is popular with Japanese tourists because of its 470 km of wide canals. Yanagawa riverboats, called “donkobune”, are used to take tourists around the city. In 1987 a video documentary was created by Studio Ghibli about these canals and their restoration. Yanagawa is the birthplace of Kitahara Hakushu, a Meiji era poet and writer of children’s songs. An annual three-day festival is held every November in Yanagawa complete with poetry readings, fireworks, music, and a great number of evening boat rides.

  4. Yes, it is a popular place with Japanese tourists. It’s a noteworthy locale and undoubtedly would have made the list had the list been longer. Thanks for your support and your comment!

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