If you’re looking for a vacation that will take you out on the water, check out these cities with waterfront play! While Venice wasn’t built on water, the city’s downtown offers plenty of opportunities for water play. Stockholm is another city that has a lot to offer water enthusiasts, as is Tigre on the Delta. Bruges is also a city built on water, and Tigre is one of the world’s oldest cities.
Venice wasn’t built on water
The history of Venice begins with its construction. In the late 1300s, wood pilings were driven into marshy soil to create a stable foundation. Wooden boards were then laid on top of these pylons and covered with stone, forming a foundation strong enough to support the weight of the stone above. The construction of these wooden piles was so successful that the city expanded rapidly. Wood needed for the first structures had to be imported from the mainland. The vast forests of Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro were the primary sources for lumber.
Throughout the centuries, the settlers who settled Venice began digging canals. They needed a more stable foundation for their homes. Then they started using the pilings to construct buildings. In order to keep the pilings from rotting away, they dug hundreds of canals. As the settlers built their structures, they pounded thousands of wooden piles into the mud. As a result, the wooden piles did not decay because they were submerged.
Stockholm is a city with downtown water play
In summer, a trip to Stockholm’s Kungstradgarden, a picturesque outdoor park, will get you and the kids wet, and soaking up the sun. It started as a kitchen garden and is now one of the city’s most popular gathering places. There are fountains, a giant chessboard, and even ice skating around Karl XIII’s statue! The water park is also a popular location for festivals and other events.
The Skeppsholmen Museum, Sweden’s premier modern art museum, was founded in the 1950s in a military building and later moved to a Rafael Moneo-designed edifice. The museum’s restaurant has a view of the pier and Djurgarden, and the permanent exhibitions include works by Picasso and Alexaner Calder. The city’s medieval city walls were discovered during the construction of an underground car park, which has since been converted into a museum.
Tigre is a city on a delta
When visiting Tigre, you’ll find a multitude of activities, from boating to water sports. You’ll find shopping, dining, and other options, as well as a variety of natural sights and sounds. Water sports are particularly popular, and a boat ride through Tigre’s delta is an experience in itself. A boat ride through the delta offers a serene speed while enjoying the beauty of the area. You’ll also get to see some of the city’s flora and fauna.
The surrounding environment is lush with a variety of plant species. During the 18th century, Tigre Island became a thriving agricultural center. After the yellow fever epidemic in Buenos Aires, tigre islands were viewed as a place of health. Despite its small size, Tigre is home to colocolos, capybaras, and other native animals.
Bruges is a city with downtown water play
The canals in Bruges, Belgium, make the city feel like a true Venice. The city’s canals, lined with brick mansions and stone buildings, winding paths, ornate churches, and imposing warehouses, provide the best access to the city’s medieval past. More than 80 bridges span the water in Bruges, which oozes cozy sophistication and European charm.
Minnewater Park is a picturesque spot in the center of Bruges. The Minnewater Lake, known as the “Lake of Love,” has been the scene of many heartbreaking love stories. It’s also home to the iconic Lovers Bridge and Church of Our Lady. The Church of Our Lady has an impressive art collection, including the tomb of the famous burgundy princess Mary. The beautiful 13th century painted sepulchers and statues of the queen are both worth seeing.
Zhouzhuang is an ancient water town in China
You can spend a day or two exploring the water town of Zhouzhuang. The admission fee is 100 yuan per person and includes entry to all sights. You can also take an organized boat ride for around 40 yuan per person, which takes about 20 minutes. The boat service operates until eight p.m. and different routes are available at different times of the day.
The town is home to over 100 classical courtyards, 60 brick carved arches, and 14 distinctive ancient stone bridges. About 60% of the residential houses in Zhouzhuang date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The town also boasts an authentic local culture with its Kunqu Opera and Xuan Juan folk theatre. There are also annual events, such as the ancient water town’s tea ceremony.
