If you've never taken a boating holiday before then now's the perfect time to consider seeing other countries from the water rather than a coach or a car.

Offering the flexibility to set your own itinerary and promising one of the most relaxing ways to travel, taking to the canals, rivers and lakes of some of Europe's best destinations could be the ideal way to spend your holiday this year.

With plenty of boating holiday destinations from Le Boat to choose from, you're bound to find somewhere that suits your requirements, with everything from culture and art to action and relaxation on offer across Europe.

Gaining access to some of the continent's most beautiful cities via on of Le Boat's high quality vessels will give you an opportunity to see them in a way you never have before.

Why not try a boating holiday in Italy?

With cities such as Venice and Milan boasting significant canal networks, Italy is the obvious choice for people looking for boat holidays in continental Europe. I

f you decide to take to the waters in Italy then you will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery, cultural cities and, of course, wonderful food.

There really couldn't be a better place to choose if you want a mixture of everything on a boating holiday.

Venice – a classic boating destination

Boasting a complex network of canals and beautiful lagoon, it seems that Venice was made for a boating holiday in Italy.

One of the most popular destinations among those booking with Le Boat, Venice offers a taste of cultural Italy as well as some stunning natural scenery that will be hard to beat.

The city was founded more than 1,500 years ago and spans 117 different islands.

Its canal network comprises more than 150 different channels, which makes it the ideal spot for anyone in a boat.

Sight-seeing in Venice is best done from the water and if you would prefer to be guided around rather than trying to negotiate the canals yourself then you can always hire a gondola to take you exploring.

With more than 400 bridges criss-crossing the waterways that run through the city, you'll find marvellous architecture overhead on a regular basis.

But if you are touring around Venice then you must be sure to travel along its first canal, the Grand Canal, which runs the length of the city and is also home to its most famous river crossing – the Rialto Bridge.

Back on dry land and there are plenty more sights to visit, including the Basilica San Marco, San Marco Square and a whole host of art galleries and museums just waiting to show you yet more of the culture and heritage of this remarkable city.

Once you've had your fill of all things cultural from the city, it's time to take to the water again and explore a little further afield.

The islands of the Venetian Lagoon

With more than 80 islands dotted around within the Venetian Lagoon, you will never get bored of coasting along on the calm waters and stopping off to see what delights you can find on each of them.

Murano is one place that could be of interest. Known as the Glass Island, its tradesmen are famous for producing exquisite creations out of the fragile material.

The ancient art of glass-blowing is still practiced on Murano and visitors can watch as one of the master craftsmen delicately moulds the liquid glass into something beautiful, such as a vase or ornament.

You can even pick up your own piece of Murano glass work while on the island to take back as a memento of your boating holiday or as a gift for a friend.

Wildlife enthusiasts may want to spend a day at the Po Delta, which features a mixture of swamps, pinewood forests and lagoons. T

he area is a haven for wildlife and particularly birds, such as the great flamingo, spoonbill and the squacco heron.

Other boating holiday destinations in Italy

Not being a coastal city, Milan is not always associated with boating holidays; however, its canal network makes it a good location to head to.

And with many of the city's canals undergoing renovations, it is becoming increasingly popular with people seeking canal holidays.

The medieval and renaissance waterways are being returned to their former glory, allowing you to travel across the north of Italy from Milan to Venice.

You may even decide to take in Lake Maggiore, which is where the canal begins.

There are also plenty of attractions to keep you occupied if you decide to take a boating holiday in Milan rather than venturing further afield.

Culture vultures will no doubt be happy with all of the interesting architecture and history that Milan has to offer.

Among the city's best-known attractions are its world-famous opera house La Scala, the Duomo Cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo Da Vinci's painting The Last Supper.

So if you want to combine culture, art, history and natural beauty with a boating holiday then look no further than Italy's northern cities and Le Boat's wide range of itineraries and vessels.