Kayaking on Piława (Gwda) river in Drawskie Lake District (Pojezierze Drawskie)

We rented kayaks from www.mrowka.pl, they advised us on a suitable route, as long as we the time we had (4 days), the starting point and potential end points (and drive us and pick us up there), we got a map and all good advices. We started on the lake in Łubowo and finished shortly before Czechyń. Most beautful part is from Nadarzyce to Szwecja which is also a good optoin for 1 day trip. The river is amazingly clean with (crampons living in) until Głowaczewo. Before Głowaczewo is fishing farm which takes clean water from the river and later give it back but not clean anymore.... On the way you can sleep on the campings with fireplaces and evnings with the guitar(campings are in the map we got or just online) or in the wild there are many suitable places as well. Be aware that in few places are obstacles (power station, damming etc.) and you need to move the kayaks on the land for some meters (20-50 m). You need to be stron enough for it. River is shallow and very kids friendly. You can take kids of any age with.

Burano, colorful superb of Venezia

We started from Società Canottieri Treporti, were you can put easly kayaks on the water. Laggon of Venecia is very shallow and only on the fairway you have to be careful. Still we have sea kayaks. Water is very warm so even if you fall into the water, nothing happens. We jumped on puropose to have some refreshemnt. Burano is much more coloreful then Veneciaz and smaller - like the version of Venecia for children. It is also reachable by regular connection for turists so you do not need to go there by kayay.

Kayaking through Prague

One day rout from Praha-Modrany to Praha-Troja, ~14 km on Vltava river. On the way there are two locks that let to omit high weirs. Just be calrfull to choose the proper side of the river to land in the lock and not on the weir - worht to check a map before. The highlights are the Charles Bridge and Prague's Venice (very small on the left from Charles Bridge).

Fürstenwalde - Hangelsberg one day trip on kayak

Nice nature and calm river of Spree invites Berliners, and not only, for very nice route. We were lucky to do it by hot weather so we stop and swim and grill on the way. Start and endpoint are near bey train station so kayaking from A to B creates no problem on how to get back. Kayaks or canoes can be rent e.g. in KSS Canoeing Spree GmbH .

Kayaking on Archipelago Sea, Finland

This time we went on a trip without kids. Whole Finland is very safe and kid friendly, however kayaking on the sea was a bit too much for our kids. It would be definitely possible taking them for one day but not for a one week round trip. The winds might become quite heavy or waves too high. Plus sometimes it is nice to spend some time just as a pair.

To begin with: there were very little mosquitoes (because of the wind from the sea) and it was warm (20-25) which was perfect, because in the middle Europe it was this week when was 35-38 degrees. So all that we were afraid about, did not happen.

The coastline in National Park Archipelago is very beautiful - maps don’t lie, just islands, islands and island. Just behind the corner you see that the land you have seen from the distance is actually yet another island. Not prolonging of the one near you. The rocks smooth in the last ice age are heated from the sun, inviting you to land on the island and rest there. There were no people there(!). One can just choose some island for a rest or for a night and have it exclusively.

On lots of islands is some cottage or sauna, but even in the top season most of the cottages were empty. On the island Noto we camped on the camping site with sauna and open kitchen. As everywhere in Finland the camping sites are perfectly prepared, with wood and very clean. There is almost no plastic waste anywhere.

It is highly recommended using GPS and electronic maps for navigation. It would be too easy getting lost. Check the weather forecast regularly is a must. The cell phone coverage is excellent everywhere. At the end of our journey we’ve paddled during the wind 9 in Beaufort scale, however it was manageable while being hidden behind the islands. Just do not go against the wind or on open water. Even by so strong wind the waves are not too high between the islands. On the open sea it could be too much.

There were no people but we also have an impression that there are not too many animals and we did not manage to catch any fish.

We enjoyed a lot. Kayak is good choice for Archipelago (without kids). I can also image to visit that place again with kids on a sailing boat.

Czech Amazonka

Have your kid ever told you he wants to be jungle explorer? If yes, then the river Ploučnice is the the place for you. You can rent a canoe from the rental company meandry. They can also bring you to the start and pick up from the point were you finish. On the way you can experience Ploučnice gap, weirs, meander and in the landscape park (protected area) parts of the river lots of trees, bushes and wood in the water that make it a bit more difficult to go through but also build the impression of Amazonka.

Ploucnice gap

Ploucnice

Ploucnice

Weir, Ploucnice, km 52, Brennský Mlýn

Little Venice - Klein Venedig - in Berlin

Little Venice is located in the area of Tiefwerder and is located in the north-west of Berlin. Nature lovers will have a great time here. It is also an ideal starting point for boat trips, preferably on a paddle boat or kayak. You can rent a needed equipment in for example in http://www.der-bootsladen.de/ ( 27 euro/3 hours/4 people).In the bootsladen you will also get a map of the area. 3 hours is enough for a round. Or you can take it for a whole day and also relax on the lake, beach or in some restaurant near the water.