I’m beginning to realize that I’m obsessed with using boats to explore a new destination.
When I look at the last trip I went on (Lake Tahoe) and my upcoming travel planned (Big Bear, Chicago, Portland, Vienna, Budapest, Tbilisi, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Cape Town), they are all very different places that have one thing in common for me: I’m exploring each by boat.
This wasn’t intentional and until I thought about new topics for a blog post, it didn’t even cross my mind that I had planned travel around it. But as I think back to some of my favorite experiences while traveling, a great deal of them involve being out on the water.
Whether I’m visiting a city (recent boat trip: Istanbul), an island (recent boat trips: Kauai, Turks & Caicos, Belize, Santorini, and Palawan), or the countryside (recent boats trip: Colombia, Puerto Vallarta), I’ve enjoyed each and every time I’ve been out on the water.
For cities, a boat is a great way to get your bearings, to see the city from a perspective that you might otherwise miss, and to get some fresh air. For islands, they not only offer an opportunity to explore but also are often associated with other fun adds on, such as snorkeling, swimming, and diving. And for the countryside, you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and it’s often a great way to meet other like-minded travelers.
Finding boat trips in new places has never been easier, either. Although I’m not the biggest fan of Airbnb, I’ve had luck arranging trips with Airbnb Experiences and have also had good luck with TripAdvisor.
What’s your favorite way to explore a new destination?
