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With its labyrinth of canals, puttering vaporettos, and grand palazzos, Venice is undoubtedly the world’s most enigmatic canal city. Not only is it steeped in history, but every aspect of Venice \u2014 from its art to architecture and culture \u2014 seems tinged in beauty. Yet for all it has going for it, Venice grapples with its own set of challenges. As one of the most overtouristed places in Europe<\/a>, the city deals with boisterous tourists, overburdened infrastructure, and locals being edged out of an expensive, tourist-catered environment.<\/p>\n If you’re adamant on a holiday involving bridges, boats, and waterways but aren’t a fan of elbowing your way through throngs of tourists, here’s the good news: there are a handful of equally historic and intriguing canal cities around the world to wander. Think\u00a0Suzhou,\u00a0Bruges, and\u00a0Alappuzha.\u00a0Historically, canals were used for purposes of irrigation, trade transportation, and defense systems. Today, canal cities continue to captivate travelers for the novelty of intricate waterways intertwined with modern life, shaping each city’s culture, atmosphere, and character. With the help of travel guides, blogs, and traveler testimonials, we curated a list of five historic cities spanning Europe, Asia, and South America, each steeped in its own history, culture, and charm.<\/p>\n