boat tour zaragoza

THE BEST Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

THE 10 BEST Province of Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in province of zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

2. UR Pirineos

3. Alcorce Rafting & Kayak

4. River Guru

5. River Ebro Catfishing Holidays

6. Río Escuela

7. Alcorce Aventura

8. Verticalia Aventura

9. Jalon Activo

10. catmaster.

11. Bahia Mansa

12. Urlaub Nach Mass

13. A&T Ebro Paradies

14. Club Capri

15. catfishing caspe, 16. mequinensa activa, what travellers are saying.

• Alcorce Rafting & Kayak
• UR Pirineos
• Río Escuela
• Verticalia Aventura

THE 10 BEST Province of Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in province of zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

2. UR Pirineos

3. Alcorce Rafting & Kayak

4. River Guru

5. River Ebro Catfishing Holidays

6. Río Escuela

7. Alcorce Aventura

8. Verticalia Aventura

9. Jalon Activo

10. catmaster.

11. Bahia Mansa

12. Urlaub Nach Mass

13. A&T Ebro Paradies

14. Club Capri

15. catfishing caspe, 16. mequinensa activa, what travellers are saying.

• Alcorce Rafting & Kayak
• UR Pirineos
• Río Escuela
• Verticalia Aventura

GoNOMAD Travel

Inspiration and links to plan your trip.

Spain: Zaragoza, The City of Delights

Zaragoza Welcomes You

By Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Imagine my smile of anticipation when, sitting on the coach to Zaragoza, I found out that the central bus/train station where I would shortly be arriving was called Delicias, or Delights in English.

A city that chooses such a name for a visitor’s first point of call can only be full of pleasant surprises, I thought.

The bus station itself is brand new, modern and huge, more like an airport than the usual European bus or train terminal. Orientation is easy and, best of all, there were plenty of taxis at the taxi stand which made for an easy start to a visit.

The fare to my hotel in the center of the old town came to €10.95 and the friendly driver waived the cents. Not every cabbie will do that, so I really got off to a pleasant start.

On the River Ebro

Zaragoza is located at a distance of 270km north/west from Madrid on the shores of the river Ebro, Spain’s second-biggest river. I came by coach from Alicante but you can take the AVE from Madrid to Zaragoza in less than 1½ hours, arriving at Delicias.

One of Spain’s oldest cities, Zaragoza was founded around 25BC by Caesar Augustus as a Roman settlement. Over the centuries, Arabs, Los Reyes Catolicos, Middle Ages, and Renaissance have left many outstanding monuments, not to mention the modern architecture which graces the complex taken up by EXPO 2008.

Add to this a thriving nightlife, countless tapas bars, museums, shops of every kind, parks, buses, tramways, and bicycles for hire and you will never be short of entertainment or transport in Zaragoza whichever your tastes are.

I decided to see as much as possible by two means: a) a boat trip on the river Ebro and b) exploring on foot.

Boat trip on the river Ebro

The Ebro has always been an important part of the history of Zaragoza. It cuts the city in half and is spanned by a total of 24 bridges, ranging in age from the 15 th century Stone Bridge to the 21 st century Pasarela Monterola, a pedestrian crossing supported by a 75m high mast suspended from 46 cables.

The best way to see the bridges and to pass under them as well as admiring some of the most famous historical buildings of Zaragoza is by taking a boat trip which lasts about one hour.

Walk along Paseo Echegaray y Caballero until you come to the Club Nautico , descend some steps to the river and you have reached the quay for the boat trip.

Departure times are announced on a notice board, no trips between 2 and 5, the Spanish siesta is kept here like many other towns in the country.

The trip starts off leaving the Stone Bridge behind, then gliding along with Zaragoza’s most famous landmark, the Basilica del Pilar.

You can see roof tiles, towers, niches, and carvings which are hidden from the land side. You pass under bridge after bridge the history of each being explained by a recording.

Small islands peek out from the water and on your right you approach modern times, in the form of parks, the aquarium and finally, the Pasarela Monterola, growing more and more impressive as you draw closer.

The boat then pulls in at the EXPO dock for 15 minutes. If you fancy seeing the Water Tower and the EXPO complex, you can get off and take one of the later boats back, or you remain and enjoy the return journey along the opposite shore of the river. This little boat trip is certainly a pleasure and inexpensive at €6 pp.

Go walkabout in Zaragoza

Zaragoza is one of those cities where many of the main sights are grouped closely together in the old part adjacent to the river, so you can see a lot by taking a walking round trip.

What’s more, it’s flat which means you don’t have to exhaust yourself by climbing up and down steep hills and countless steps, very convenient if you happen to visit during the summer.

My hotel was located in Avenida Caesar Augusto just opposite the central market, nice to look at with the colorful display of fruit, vegetables, and flowers.

Turn right and you are at the beginning of the immense Plaza del Pilar, the heart of Old Zaragoza .

First, you come upon a beautiful urban waterfall just opposite the remains of the Roman Wall, then proceed towards the Basilica del Pilar.

According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle St James in 40 AD perched on a pillar and asked him to erect a chapel around this place. This was the beginning of what has become the gigantic Basilica with the column inside in a separate chapel which pilgrims and tourists kiss for good luck.

Next to the basilica, you find the pure renaissance building of La Lonja which was the stock exchange with a remarkable ceiling looking like clouds and flowers.

Cross the street and visit another impressive church, Cathedral of El Salvador , commonly known as La Seo which was erected on the site of the ancient Forum Romanum as well as a later mosque.

On the opposite side of the plaza you find one café, bar and restaurant after another but, beware, this is the center of tourist attractions and the prices are accordingly.

If after all that art and culture you crave refreshment, turn into Calle Don Jaime and then criss cross what is called El Tubo , the district of food, drink and entertainment.

Self-Service Tapas Bar

My favorite was a self-service tapas bar that offers all you can eat for €14.90 which consists of hot and cold tapas, sweets including a chocolate fountain, melon, and other sliced fruit and will certainly restore your strength.

Every so often you will come across street art, sculptures, and artistic graffiti and finally have a look around the shops displaying traditional Catalan costumes and embroidery.

There is a lot more to see in Zaragoza , like the Palace of Aljaferia, The Goya Museum and the Royal Cavalry Museum or you can spend a good part of a whole day visiting the EXPO complex. My time was limited to two days and they turned out to be full of delights, as promised by the train station on my arrival.

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THE BEST Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

Desert Belle

Explore Saguaro Lake on a tour boat cruise. Beautiful sightseeing tours.

Saguaro Lake Tour Boat Sightseeing Cruises

Desert belle cruises.

Originally launched in 1964, the Desert Belle has been cruising the waters of Saguaro Lake for over fifty years. Relax in air-conditioned comfort on one of her 80 minute narrated cruises and see exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vistas. This is the perfect spot for both Arizona residents and out-of-town guests. The Desert Belle is a unique way to enjoy all the beauty that Arizona has to offer.

NARRATION CRUISE

Enjoy an 80 minute cruise describing the History, Geology, Geography and Wildlife native to the Sonoran Desert narrated live by a coastguard certified captain!

MUSIC CRUISE

Live music is offered every weekend and features some of the most talented musicians in Arizona. From pop to jazz to classic rock, these popular cruises sell-out quickly.

WINE & MUSIC CRUISE

Wine cruises are offered Wednesdays in the months October-June . Enjoy award-winning wines and great live music while cruising the beautiful waters of Saguaro Lake.

CRAFT BEER & MUSIC CRUISE

Craft Beer cruises are offered Fridays in the months of October-June. Enjoy some of Arizona’s finest craft beers while listening to great live music aboard the Desert Belle.

PASSENGER TESTIMONIALS

We have been to Arizona quite a lot, and didn't even know about this tour! We had such a peaceful day on the Lake. It was very informative and so beautiful. You just cannot go wrong. It is a steal at this price. You will love it! We are for sure going again . . . probably every time we are in Mesa. Oh, those beautiful mountains and cactus!

Enjoyed it! We thought this was a very nice thing to do and enjoyed our cruise. The guide/captain was very informative, and it's a wonderful cruise.

I've heard of this tour a few times before I decided to try it. My sister was visiting Arizona so I wanted to show her around and this was a great idea . . . Worth trying if you live here or if you're visiting from another state.

One of the best tours we took while visiting Phoenix. My sister even said that she enjoyed this tour more than our visit to the Grand Canyon! It was only approx an hour drive from Phoenix and well worth it. The views on this tour are amazing! Our tour guide was Captain John and he was fantastic. He did a great job explaining the history of the lake, Arizona, and the animals that live there. Throughout the tour he would point out animals and we were able to see a few bald eagles! Well worth the money for this tour, the views alone are breathtaking!

EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF SAGUARO LAKE BY BOAT. SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING TOURS DAILY.

The Desert Belle operates Under Permit From the USDA Tonto National Forest. All prices subject to change.

Desert Belle Cruises © 2019 All Rights Reserved

You look for an unforgettable experience?

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Your own private paradise

Set sail upon azure waters, a symphony of serenity. Embrace the gentle breeze as your vessel dances across the waves, carrying you towards your own private paradise. Islands emerge from the horizon, each one a mystical sanctuary waiting to be explored. Rugged coastlines appear, adorned with charming villages and ancient ruins, inviting your curiosity. Anchor in secluded coves, where golden beaches meet turquoise coves, tempting you to dive into their refreshing embrace. Roam through picturesque towns, with cobblestone streets and vibrant markets, immersing yourself in the local culture. In this nautical odyssey, tranquility and wonder intertwine, creating memories to last a lifetime.

Where do we depart from?

Departure starts in Fosa Harbor in Zadar: A historic point surrounded by ancient walls. Here, boats sway gently in the crystal-clear waters, creating a picturesque scene that adds to the bustling atmosphere of this charming harbor. This captivating harbor offers a glimpse into the past, with it's maritime activity, diverse architecture, and culinary delights, setting the stage for an immersive journey through time.

Experience Adriatic coast on a authentic boat tour.

Enjoy refreshing swim at the beach of the island.

Experience jumping from the boat and snorkeling at the bay of the island.

Explore charming villages and learn about the culture and history from your local skipper.

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Read some reviews of our tours

We‘ve had a truly amazing time and the trip definitely exceeded our expectations. The itinerary is great, a bit of swimming, a bit of hikking and lots of chill. It’s been the best 4 hours spent on a boat and great value for money. The area we visited is truly beautiful. The skipper Šime is really cool, he gave us good recommendations, he was very helpful and accommodating, we didn’t feel rushed at all. Last but not least, easy contact via google chat and WhatsApp.

Fantastično, odličan domaćin! Sve pohvale! Izvanredno iskustvo!

We had an amazing day on the boat! Sime was very friendly and made sure we were super comfortable. The boat itself was beautiful as well. We made a few stops on the islands, enjoyed the nature there and went for a swim. Sime really took our wishes into account and made sure the schedule was flexible. I would definitely recommend!

Lovely boat trip around Zadar, highly recommended! We made three stops, one of them by a tiny nearby island that you can explore on foot. Our guide was very thorough and told us many stories about the area and life on the islands, and you can tell he really loves what he does which is amazing! Will definitely go again if we are ever back in Zadar.

Proces rezervacije je brz i jednostavan, a Ante izuzetno susretljiv. Sami izlet je bio odličan, poslužilo nas je lijepo vrijeme pa smo mogli uživati cijeli dan. Preporučujem svima željnima sunca, mora i bijega iz gradskog života.

Ready for new experiences?

THE 10 BEST Province of Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in province of zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

2. UR Pirineos

3. Alcorce Rafting & Kayak

4. River Guru

5. River Ebro Catfishing Holidays

6. Río Escuela

7. Alcorce Aventura

8. Verticalia Aventura

9. Jalon Activo

10. catmaster.

11. Bahia Mansa

12. Urlaub Nach Mass

13. A&T Ebro Paradies

14. Club Capri

15. catfishing caspe, 16. mequinensa activa, what travellers are saying.

• Alcorce Rafting & Kayak
• UR Pirineos
• Río Escuela
• Verticalia Aventura

7 Best Seville River Cruise Tour Boat Trips (Yacht & River) 2024

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• Description
• Additional information
• Reviews (20)

Seville is well known for its rich history, grandiose, old century architecture as well as the beautiful Guadalquivir river. As the capital of Andalusia, Seville is located southwest of the Iberian Peninsula and is a wonderfully scenic location. It’s perfect for couples and honeymooners with enough excitement to be well-suited for solo travelers as well.

There are tons of fantastic facts about Seville that make this unique and exciting place all that more interesting. Keep reading to discover great river cruises in Seville, Spain.

Highlights:

• Cruise along the Guadalquivir River
• Live commentary from English-speaking guide
• Music on board the boat

Know before you book::

• Bring a light jacket
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Wear comfortable shoes

As with the rest of Spain, there are some fantastic tapas tours around Seville. There are lots to do within the city (and province) of Seville. There are some amazing sights to see, you can visit the aquarium, Four Arts Center, or Seville Cathedral as well as enjoy the famous Guadalquivir River in Seville, Spain.

Discover some of the best spots in Seville from aboard a boat, you can enjoy the Guadalquivir during sunsets, stroll through the plaza before lunch, or visit the Alcazar.

Seville Boat Trip Prices

Although there are a ton of free things to do in Seville, the boat tours are reasonably priced and filled with lots of valuable sights and activities. Basic tours start from around 12 Euros and can reach anywhere north of 80 Euros (15 USD to 100 USD). For more details, compare prices across the ticket providers below:

Seville Boat Times

Many tour operators organize their tours at varying times to accommodate a large number of people interested in the tour, many tours are also available in different languages like English, French, and Spanish, etc.

Many tours will begin at the hour, although you’ll have to confirm with your ticket as there are also various meeting points. You’ll have to ensure a timely arrival so as not to get left behind.

Best Time to Go

Seville, with all of its bell towers and sculptures, makes for a wonderful trip at any time of the year. There’s so much to do regardless of the season. Although, if you’re considering a boat cruise or a paddle-surfing experience, you may want to pay closer attention.

The weather in Seville is known to get quite hot. During summer, it’s considered as one of the hottest cities in all of Europe. For this reason, you may want to visit from spring through to early summer or from autumn and into winter.

Guadalquivir River Cruises Seville

While the river in Seville is a great way to get out of the hotel and enjoy the open night sky, there are lots of things to do in Seville. Some of the best cathedral tours in Spain can be found in this quaint city.

If you’re wondering how to get around Seville besides the regular bus and car route, you may want to consider a cruise down the river. Other than cruises, you could also explore some of their fun activities like kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-surfing.

The Guadalquivir River has so much on offer, keep reading for a comparison of some of these tours below.

Seville Guadalquivir Cruise

Along the Guadalquivir river, Seville, your undivided attention will peruse the decorated sidewalks of Triana and other pavilions. This tour is perfect for families, solo travelers, or couples.

With this cruise, you’ll have one hour to explore the views of many Seville monuments. Here you’ll see the Plaza de Espana and a range of historical bridges. Ensure to reserve a table at your favorite restaurant for after as this tour doesn’t cater to any meals and drinks.

• Panoramic roof and great vantage point
• Lots to see
• Only small groups allowed
• No meals and drinks provided
• No hotel pick up
• Can get quite cold

Seville Guadalquivir Yacht Tour

With this tour, you’re greeted with a drink and some light snacks. While the food is not the main attraction, it certainly does make things a little bit more interesting. They have a varied gourmet menu that is tailored to the seasons and contains some of the Spanish favorites like cava, panna cotta, paella, and Iberian ham.

Either way, don’t get distracted by all of the great food and forget to see the astounding views. The tour operators give you the option of choosing the duration of your trip; you can decide between one to two hours. Thus allowing you to see more of Seville like the Torre del Oro and Puente de Triana.

• Live commentary
• Music & bar service
• Virtual tour with 3D glasses
• Hotel pickup and drop off

Exclusive Seville Boat Tour w/ Tapas

Not many Seville boats are exclusive and dedicated specifically to you. With this tour, you and a group of your closest friends can enjoy the serenity of the river with just you and the crew. This one-hour trip takes you around to the area of La Cartuja Island.

Along the trip, you’ll learn a ton of history and see many of the best sights, like Isabel Bridge and Palacio de San Telmo. This tour is specifically great for intimate groups and romantic adventures.

• Blankets for the trip
• A drink per person & tapas meal
• Music & commentary
• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Any extra drinks

Alcazar & Cathedral Sightseeing w/ Boat Tour

With this tour, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a full sightseeing adventure. You can view many of Seville’s greatest attractions and experience an hour cruising the river.

If you’re a determined traveler that loves to do it all, this tour is for you. It is a great option for small groups of inquisitive adventurers.

On this tour, you’ll come to learn all about Seville, from the Former Jewish Quarter( Santa Cruz) to the Plaza de Los Venerables. Your experienced and informative guide will show you around via minibus and clue you up as you go along.

There are options to upgrade your package to include the Seville Cathedral and the Alcazar de Seville if you’re interested. Although, most importantly, you’re able to end it off with a lovely tour down the Guadalquivir River.

• Skip-the-line tickets
• hotel pick up and drop off
• Local guide
• No meals and drinks are included
• Lots of tour times to choose from
• Sightseeing from a new perspective
• Live guide available on most tours
• Not all tours have meal options
• Not handicap friendly
• Doesn’t include hotel pick up and drop off

Specification: 7 Best Seville River Cruise Tour Boat Trips (Yacht & River) 2024

Photos: 7 best seville river cruise tour boat trips (yacht & river) 2024.

20 reviews for 7 Best Seville River Cruise Tour Boat Trips (Yacht & River) 2024

RosangelaSH_D – March 18, 2022

O barco não apareceu no lugar marcado, liguei no WhatsApp que consta na reserva e até hoje não recebi nenhuma resposta. Pedi reembolso do valor e o pedido está em análise. Tenho foto em frente a Torre del Oro antes do horário.

Ivan_P – February 22, 2022

Very relaxing and enjoyable river trip. Informative narration along the way. Refreshments – only drinks in cans – would have appreciated wine

Sandra M – September 10, 2021

I loved this! We saw so many things! Our guide Antonio was super cool and funny! I suggest you do it because you will go down the Guadalquivil, go see the plaza de toros and also go to the Basilica de la Macarena.

Shirley C – September 10, 2021

Andres was an excellent guide on 1 August 2017. He lives locally and knows the area and its history. Highly recommended.

Iza – September 10, 2021

A wonderful way to see Seville, thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Beryl_R – September 10, 2021

Wonderful trip of a beautiful City. Friendly and helpful and very informative. I had a really fantastic time

Simona_F – September 10, 2021

I don't know why we could book on line since They cancelled our trip 2 times!!!! At the end we couldn't go!

Jennifer_B – September 10, 2021

I would pass on this in the future. The "guides" are not interactive and actually not even seen during the tour. And the river provides very luch life, but that also means you can't see a lot because of the trees. It's fine if you just want a little boat ride.

Amanda D – September 10, 2021

The group size was way too big and they had several different types of tours in one group. So the guide had to keep stopping to figure out who had to leave and who stayed. Lots of wasted time! Melissa the guide was great and so was David our bus driver, they just dumped way too much on them! Then we got to the afternoon river cruise and were handed off to Lola. Not friendly or informative. She talked so fast you couldn’t tell when she was switching from Spanish to English. And when asking questions she would get mad at us. We wanted Melissa back!

Kim N – September 10, 2021

Enjoyed the tour with our guide. We were picked up on time and had a full day of sight seeing. The guide Jesus was great. Funny, knowledgeable and entertaining. Interesting thing was after lunch we had to find our way to another pick up point on our own. It was ok for us as we like to walk. Cruise was a bit slow for my liking.

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THE BEST Zaragoza Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in zaragoza.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. ebroNAUTAS

Georgetown canal boat tours face uncertain future after NPS ends partnership

Scott Gelman | [email protected]

April 11, 2024, 8:00 PM

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There are lingering questions about the future of Georgetown’s C&O canal boat tours, after the National Park Service announced it’s ending its philanthropic agreement with the nonprofit Georgetown Heritage .

Last month, NPS said the agreement is being terminated effective April 29. However, in a statement, the agency said the move doesn’t “change the operation of the canal boat in Georgetown.”

D.C.’s government paid for the construction of the canal boat and Georgetown Heritage, the nonprofit that works to improve National Parks in Georgetown, owns it. The organization operates the boat under a separate agreement with the Park Service.

Maggie Downing, Georgetown Heritage’s executive vice president, said the group’s ownership of the boat isn’t in jeopardy, “but what it will take for us to be able to raise the money and keep this organization going is certainly going to be challenging in the next couple of years,” she said.

“We do remain committed to owning and operating the boat,” Downing said. “But I think it may be a difficult path getting there.”

The nonprofit will have some time to work toward that goal. The boat won’t be operating for the next two years while repairs are made to the canal. The soonest the boat would be able to return to the canal is 2026, Downing said.

About 40,000 people have participated in the tours over the two seasons they were offered, according to Downing.

“It’s a really leisurely experience to look out and see Georgetown from a different vantage point, and to learn about the history, to hear the stories of the people who built the canal and who lived their lives along the canal,” Downing said.

Georgetown Heritage operates the boat under a cooperating agreement with the Park Service. The Philanthropic Partnership Agreement allowed the nonprofit to fundraise for projects in the park.

The group had plans to make accessibility improvements along the towpath, and to install “recreational opportunities down at the aqueduct, a dock for canoeing and kayaking along the canal,” Downing said.

“The cancellation of the Philanthropic Partnership Agreement really puts the future of any of those improvements to the park in danger,” Downing said.

In its March statement, the Park Service said terminating a philanthropic agreement is rare and happens “only after exhausting all other avenues to try to resolve the issues.”

“There have been multiple violations of the Philanthropic Partnership Agreement that have led to irreconcilable differences in the partnership, making it impossible to maintain the collaborative relationship necessary to accomplish mutually identified goals as required by the PPA,” the Park Service said in a statement to WTOP. “Georgetown Heritage has promoted actions that disregard the NPS mandate to protect park resources.”

The agreement, Downing said, was terminated because “current leadership at the park no longer wants to pursue these projects.”

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.

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Travel bucket list idea:

Boat rides under the Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls National Park, Argentina

Be prepared to get wet!

These tours begin with a ride along a forest trail in an open-topped electric bus, followed by a half-kilometre walk through the jungle to the river bank. Visitors then climb into a large inflatable boat and ride right under the San Martin drop, close to the most intense part of the Iguazu Falls – the Devil’s Throat.

With regular troops of vehicles on the paths, the safari offers little chance of seeing wildlife. But getting this close to the waterfall is thrilling.

Getting there & doing it

Two companies offer the trip – Macuco on the Brazilian side and Iguazu Jungle on the Argentinean side. Macuco offer more time in the forest, Iguazu more time on the river, including white-water rafting some rapids. Rafting with Macuco is possible only on a longer, pricier tour, using paddle rather than motor boats. Prices are almost identical.

Iguazu Jungle do not take children under 12. Macuco have no age restrictions for their standard boat trip, though no children under-14 are permitted on their rafting add-on.

Be sure to bring sealable dry bags. The waterproof bags given by the companies are not substantial enough to protect electronic equipment.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, seven days a week. The falls are at their most spectacular when the river is high (usually April and May), though boat tours can be cancelled if the river floods heavily.

Avoid the busy Christmas and Carnival (Mardi Gras) periods when there is heavy tourism and tours get booked up.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Iguazu Falls Tour, Boat Ride, Train, Safari Truck

Puerto Iguazu

Price: $148

Min age: 13

Rating 4.64 / 5 [194 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Iguazu Falls: Argentinian Side with Boat Ride, Jungle-truck and Train

Price: $178

Rating 4.43 / 5 [87 ratings]

Iguassu Falls Combo Tour: Visit to the Brazilian side and Waterfall Boat Ride

Foz do Iguacu

Price: $200

Rating 4.04 / 5 [47 ratings]

Destination guides

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Two National Parks – one in Brazil, one in Argentina – created to protect an astonishing 3km-wide waterfalls in a vast area of protected rainforest. One of the world’s great natural wonders.

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Georgetown Heritage's partnership end raises concerns for DC's canal boat tours

T he National Cherry Blossom Festival brings thousands of tourists to D.C. every year. With spring in full swing, this is also the time of year the Georgetown C&O Canal Boat Tours get ready to operate. But the end of a philanthropic partnership between Georgetown Heritage and the National Park Service (NPS) could put that future in jeopardy. 

The philanthropic agreement is set to end on April 29. 

SEE ALSO | NPS will soon start $12.7M rehab project on historic Georgetown canal this month

Maggie Downing is the EVP of Georgetown Heritage. She said when people think of Georgetown, “They think of the Kennedys and the fancy beautiful architecture of the residential neighborhood. But a huge piece of the neighborhood’s history is this industrial area and the canal is the spine of lower Georgetown.”

The canal was built in the 1830s and went out of operation almost a hundred years later. During that time there were even plans to pave it over and turn it into a roadway, but community members rallied together.

“It became a National Historical Park in 1971,” said Downing.

In 2014, this community came together again to create Georgetown Heritage. The non-profit organization would work with the NPS to preserve the canal and bring back the boat.

“The park service had taken their old boat out of service in 2011 because they didn’t have the funds to repair their boat,” explained Downing. “So Georgetown Heritage got the funding from the city to design and build and launch a new canal boat.”

More than 30,000 visitors have taken a tour on that boat since. Through two agreements, Georgetown Heritage could operate the boat and fundraise for the park service.

But in late February, “we were given a 60-day notice of that partnership being terminated,” said Downing.

Georgetown Heritage can still operate the boat but won’t be able to fundraise for the park service.

“The canal boat program, it's not a big moneymaker,” said Downing. “So we've always had to subsidize the program through philanthropic support.”

When asked if the end of the philanthropic partnership meant the end of the canal boat tours, Downing said “We hope not. But that’s something we’re actively in the process of determining right now."

The change also puts some of their other planned projects on hold like making the popular towpath safer.

“After it rains, it becomes basically a mud pit,” described Downing. “I want people to understand that without Georgetown Heritage, the canal would be in even worse shape than it is.”

NPS said there were “fundamental differences in the vision and values between the National Park Service and Georgetown Heritage. NPS said it will expand its work in Georgetown with the C&O Canal Trust. 

You can read their full statement here:

"On February 28, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) notified Georgetown Heritage of the termination of its philanthropic partnership agreement effective April 29, 2024. While this philanthropic agreement is ending, the NPS remains firmly committed to our mission in Georgetown and all along the canal’s 184.5 miles. The NPS will begin a $12.7 million NPS-funded project in Georgetown in the coming weeks. This does not change the operation of the canal boat in Georgetown. The District of Columbia government funded the construction of the canal boat and Georgetown Heritage owns the boat, which it operates under a different agreement with the NPS.

The philanthropic agreement with Georgetown Heritage, signed in 2019 with the goal of enhancing rehabilitation efforts, environmental and historic education, and community engagement along a 1-mile stretch of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Rock Creek Park in Georgetown, has been severed because of fundamental differences in the vision and values between the NPS and Georgetown Heritage.

Terminating the philanthropic agreement with Georgetown Heritage means that Georgetown Heritage’s activities intended to generate philanthropic support for the NPS including fundraising events, donor cultivation, and electronic giving will halt.

As we move forward, the NPS will expand its work in Georgetown with longstanding park philanthropic partner C&O Canal Trust and will continue to foster partnerships with organizations that share similar missions, values, and goals. The NPS remains steadfast in its dedication to the American people, ensuring that their national parks continue to be places of wonder, education, and inspiration."

See the cast of 'Ghosts' experience their characters' history at the Library of Congress

The snarky spirits who inhabit CBS comedy “Ghosts” are appreciated not only for their silly antics and sometimes-wise observations, but also for their distinctive characterizations.

The motley crew inhabiting the fictional Woodstone Mansion in the series (Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT, and streaming on Paramount+) span centuries, from the 1020s (strapping Viking Thorfinn) to the late-1990s (handsome Wall Street bro Trevor).

Given their diverse histories, it seemed fitting for the Library of Congress in Washington to dig into the ghosts’ backgrounds. Earlier this week, five of the eight “ghosts” – or, more precisely, their human actors – toured the historical building and were shown artifacts from the time period of their respective otherworldly alter egos.

“We saw, to a surprising degree, issues we are talking about today that are reflected in writing 100, 200, a thousand years ago,” said Asher Grodman (Trevor).

“It’s almost like you coined the phrase, ‘history repeats itself,’” responded Rebecca Wisocky (Hetty) with a laugh and comfortable arm squeeze of her co-star.

History presented itself in the form of maps, sheet music, manuscripts and audio recordings curated for Wisocky, Grodman, Richie Moriarty (Pete), Danielle Pinnock (Alberta) and Román Zaragoza (Sasappis). (Missing were Brandon Scott Jones (Isaac) , Devan Chandler Long (Thorfinn) and Sheila Carrasco (the currently-MIA Flower).

Here is what they had to say about how seeing the items affected their view of the supernatural.

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Rebecca Wisocky (Hetty, late-1800s)

Some historical artifacts: “A Repository of Fashion, Pleasure and Instruction” (Harper’s Bazaar, Feb. 21, 1874); “The Curse of Cocaine is Spreading in New York” (New York Journal, Jan. 10, 1897); “The Perils of Child Labor” (Journal of the American Economic Association, March 1890).

“What is so fun about my character is she gets it all wrong so often,” says Wisocky. “You can watch her and believe she’s a feminist and realize through Alberta (a 1920s ghost) that all right, women should have the right to vote. But then, as it was in her time, she still hates the Irish.”

Asher Grodman (Trevor, 1990s)

Some historical artifacts: A 1994 map of downtown Manhattan; “The Soaring ‘90s” and “Goodbye, Golden Decade. Now What Will the ‘00s Bring?” (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 13, 1999); “2000 and Counting” (USA TODAY, Dec. 31, 1999); Brokerage Firm Safety Directory (May 1995).

“I was a kid during the (Wall Street) era, so it doesn’t feel like history for me. All of the cool kids were part of it and I was watching,” Grodman says. “But we’re looking at these (ghosts) from a modern-day perspective. I don’t think any of these characters are idiots, but it’s easy to fall into the thinking of, ‘they did dumb things back then.’ But some things, like Blockbuster, they’re businesses that are gone, but they were doing really, really, really well at the time.”

Danielle Pinnock (Alberta, 1920-30s)

Some historical artifacts: Copyright deposit from Scott Joplin’s opera “Treemonisha” (May 19, 1911); typescript memoir of “Happy in Hell” by Noble Lee Sissle about the formation of the 369 th Infantry Band, aka “Harlem Hellfighters” (undated); lead sheet of “Blind Man’s Bluff,” the earliest known song from Edward “Duke” Ellington (1923).

“Seeing all of that sheet music today, I was like, I want to get on the piano and play it immediately,” says Pinnock. “To also learn there was a jazz singer famous during that time, Alberta Hunter, which I think is where my character comes from as well, and find out she was best friends with Langston Hughes … The 1920s was such a beautiful time for Black artistry. So vivid and brave.”

More: Surprise! CBS renews 'S.W.A.T.' for Season 8 a month before final episode was set to air

Román Zaragoza (Sasappis, 1600s)

Some historical artifacts: An 1852 reprint of a 1656 map of the New York and New Jersey area, Van Der Donck’s map of New Netherland (1656); account of the first contact between the Lenape and Europeans (“The Voyages of Giovanni de Verrazzano," 1524-28); Indian land grants record (1726-71).

“The word I keep coming back to, seeing all of this, is emotional. Seeing what New York looked like before the Dutch got there and what it looked life afterward and to have our curator, who is Munsee, talk about her family, it felt so real, not like a textbook,” says Zaragoza. “When we finished I was like, whoo, it’s heavy. Emotional, but beautiful.”

Richie Moriarty (Pete, 1970s/1980s)

Some historical artifacts: “Archery Safety” from The Boy Scouts of America merit badge pamphlet (1978); “Ant Watching” (T.C. Schneirla, 1971); "Dungeons & Dragons comics (1988, 1990).

“They took some fun creative license and it was so evident how much effort they put into curating things for our characters, like Pete’s love of comics” Moriarty says, “Even from a specific episode: Pete had a weird storyline and was watching ants, so they found a book about ant watching.”