What are some unique places to kayak in Europe? A Backroads Trip Leader shares four unforgettable kayaking experiences in France, Ireland, Croatia and Norway, each offering a unique mix of history, culture, scenery and adventure.
There is something magical, almost mystical, about exploring some of the beautiful places on this planet by water: the satisfaction of propelling yourself forward with the strength of your own arms, core muscles tightening against the resistance of the paddle strokes. It feels otherworldly, or like a step back in time, to bask in the serenity of the waves gently lapping against the hull of the craft. These are the reasons I followed that joy and became a kayak instructor. And as you might expect, I particularly love the kayak element in the trips I have led across Europe.
Each Backroads trip has its own individual vibe; its own unique personality. Always beautiful, they result in memories which will last far longer than the tan from the sun or the slightly chapped lips from the wind. The same is true for the four different kayak adventures I have experienced. On paper, they sound the same: Kayak in a spectacular location with a knowledgeable local guide. In practice, they are more like siblings who were separated at birth.
France: Regal
Le Château de Chenonceau has a remarkable history. The centerpiece of a tangled love affair between Henry II, his wife Catherine de Medici and his lover, Diane de Poitiers, it is one of the most spectacular Renaissance châteaux in France and has the distinctive feature of spanning the river Cher. This characteristic led to it being used as an escape route in World War II, as its main entrance was in the German-occupied zone of France, whereas the far end of the gallery opened into the Free Zone, administered by the Vichy government.
Historical significance aside, it is a sight to behold and draws French and international tourists alike, who gather to admire the unforgettable architecture. So what better way to view it than from the river Cher? Away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds of visitors inside the château and gardens, you can weave in and out of the pillars standing in the flowing water and imagine what it would have been like to be there as part of the royal court in the 1500s. You can pause your paddles and almost hear Catherine’s Italian accent calling out orders to her servants; you can drift gently downstream and see the ghost of Diane overseeing the cultivation of her gardens. As you pass by on your little kayak, you’re dwarfed by the regal, elegant building towering above and around you.
Ireland: Enchanting
The Irish are famous for the depth of their welcome, their love of Guinness and their stories. The Emerald Isle is blessed with lush green foliage, helped of course by the persistent rain. Little wonder that kayaking in Ireland is as much a journey into history, fact and folklore as it is a physical activity. Paddling in a group can be a sensory explosion of sights, sounds, smells and feelings as our kayaks meander around Kenmare Bay. Senses are heightened, though, when we all stop and close our eyes. We hear fish jumping and birds calling, feel water dripping from our fingers and the wind lifting our hair, taste the tang of the seaweed we have just eaten. Then a voice starts to tell of days gone by, a musical Irish lilt hinting at sorrow and humor through the stories that are being told. At one with nature, you willingly share the water with the legends of leprechauns and faeries.
Croatia: Carefree
The Dalmatian Coast in Croatia gazes out over the Adriatic towards a scattering of islands of varying sizes and populations. The water is turquoise blue, thanks to the absence of sediment, and particularly salty due to evaporation and little rainfall. Bobbing in the water, you can see the fish that swim alongside you, and you can float without effort in the saline waters. If you are visiting Croatia and its islands, a daily swim in the Adriatic should not be missed. Kayaking in Croatia is fun! A marvelous medley of being in the kayak and in the water, paddling around islands and jumping in the water. Luxuriating in the refreshing feel of water on sun-kissed skin, we make our way to a cliff-jumping spot known only to locals and accessible only by water. Laughter and merriment ensue as we all try to dive or jump from ever-increasing heights and in gradually more ridiculous ways. Playful and joyful, embrace the childlike fun of playing in the water.
Norway: Sublime
The Norwegian fjords, formed by the slow scraping of ice as the glaciers retreated in the last Ice Age and the valleys were flooded by rising waters, are glorious. People travel from all over the world to appreciate the magnitude of this natural wonder from the surrounding hills and from the deck of a cruise boat. The mountains seem unending, and the fjords form narrow fingers of water reaching far inland from their origins in the North and Norwegian Seas. The people are honest and welcoming, true lovers of the outdoors who have literally grown up in nature’s playground where even schoolchildren spend one day each week learning in the fresh air. It can be wet, it may be windy, but it will always be breathtakingly, awe-inspiringly magnificent. Exploring the fjords by kayak feels like a dream, too beautiful to be real. The clouds shroud the high-reaching trees on the steep sides of the fjords, lending an air of mystery, with sea eagles circling high in the sky above their treetop nests. Disturbed in its patient fishing ritual, a heron flaps away on improbably large wings with a gentle squawk. Our kayaks nose their way through the maze of channels between rocky islands, through natural and manmade archways, skimming over the sand and rock in places, paddles whispering past ephemeral shapes of ghostly jellyfish. In the waters which time seems to have forgotten, you can paddle the fjords once navigated by Viking ships.
Four different countries, four different kayak adventures, four different types of magic.
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