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We hope you can learn from the Waggoner crew’s experiences cruising other parts of the world. It might help you plan the vacation of a lifetime. Read on…
Locks and Lines while cruising the Canal du Midi
by Lorena Landon The Canal du Midi is one of most famous canals in the world. Construction began in 1663 to link the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean via the river Garonne from Toulouse, which empties into the Atlantic. The Canal du Midi descends from a...
The Canals of Italy: A Different West Side
The canals in Italy, a different west side for the Waggoner Team. Editor and publisher Mark Bunzel, along with Danielle and her parents who speak Italian, and ourselves as crew, welcomed the opportunity to cruise the canals of Italy located northeast of...
Cruising the Canals in Italy Aboard the Le Boat Magnifique 7
From Venice, we boarded a pre-arranged taxi van to deliver us to the village of Precenicco to get set up with the Le Boat Magnifique 7. Precenicco is a Le Boat base and the starting point for our canal cruising adventure. After provisioning the galley with...
We’re Off! Cruising the Canals in Le Boat Magnifique 7
We're Off! Cruising the Canals in Le Boat Magnifique 7 in Italy. We departed the Stella restaurant facility at 8:40 in the morning to begin a 5 ½ -hour journey southeast to the town of Grado, located off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Red and green...
A Bus Ride to Visit the Ancient Roman City of Aquileia
During our stay in Grado, we took the public bus to the historic town of Aquileia, a short ten-minute ride away; the town is also accessible by boat via the Canale della Taiada and the Fiume (River) Natissa. At one time, the city was opulent with fortified...
An Italian Canal Boat Holiday: Cruising to Lignano
Departing Grado around 11 a.m., we headed westward at the continued slow pace of 4 knots. Canal boating requires patience, it’s a time to relax and listen to songbirds. You can’t be in a hurry, and planning your route from start to finish, based on the...
Locks and Bridges: How to Navigate the Canals in Italy
Navigating the Canals in Italy. From Lignano, we continued westward along the Canale de Lustri, then turned southwest into the narrow Canale dei Pantani. If you are wondering what the tidal range is for the area, it is only a difference of three feet, and...
Waiting out the Storm in Cortellazzo, Italy
Departing Caorle, we continued west along Canale Commessera and Canale Revedoli. While underway, we received a text message from Le Boat personnel warning of a pending storm with 35-knot winds. We were told to hold-up somewhere safe and not make any...
Canal Boat Ride to Burano, Italy: Colorful Houses, Lace and History
Cruising the canals of Burano, Italy where we enjoy colorful houses, lace and history. From Cortellazzo we made our way northwest up the Fiume Piave, passing under the many fishnets hung above the river between the villages of Cortellazzo and Eraclea. It...
The Wonders of Venice, Italy
After a lovely stay at Burano, we motored down the Venetian lagoon via Canale Giacomo and Canale delle Navi, arriving at the southeast end of Venice. We moored at modern Marina S. Ellena with the usual stern-tie procedure. To make things easier, marina staff use a...
The End of our Canal Cruise in Italy
The End of Our Canal Cruise In Italy Scheduled to return Magnifique 7 on June 27, we departed Venice, stopping at Burano to take on fuel. Our boat held 300 liters or approximately 80 gallons of fuel. The 40-horsepower diesel engine ran efficiently, but the...