River trips · WORLDWIDE
A private charter is the river on your schedule, for a family, a proposal or a group that would rather not share. These 12 are priced per boat or per head, with the capacity each one takes.
See Paris from a small private boat with Artur’s family business. In 1.5 hours, your captain takes you from Port Javel Haut past the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Pont Neuf, and Notre Dame. Guides may include Robert, Rado, Patricia, or Artur. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and ask about the boat size before booking.
“Had a great time! Well worth the money and would absolutely come back and do it again.”
Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus aboard a private yacht for up to 12 people. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Galata Tower, and more while enjoying tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit, cookies, and baklava. An English-speaking local guide provides context, with Wi-Fi and a restroom on board.
“Was a great experience and really enjoyed the cruise. They were very nice and it was well organized. The snacks were good and beautifully views and the guide was very informative”
Set out from Ânima Durius in Pinhão on a private yacht with a glassed-in lounge, openable roof, and 360-degree views. Your guide may be Barbara, Paulo, or Caio, all praised for friendly local insight. Choose a one to four-hour cruise, admire the Douro vineyards and stone walls, and enjoy a glass of Port wine.
“Barbara was an excellent captain. She provided some local information and took some pictures of us. All such a pleasant experience.”
Set out from Kabataş on a private yacht for a two-hour English-language cruise past Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi, and the Maiden’s Tower. Your group gets fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, lemonade, tea, coffee, water, and a restroom aboard. Guide support may be available, with Elena and Nour named in guest feedback.
“This people called me many times before my booked fully paid trip asking to move my trip for 2 hours earlier, than at the end that have changed the meeting location which was 30 min far from existing one, I had to pay extra money for the taxi and spend another hour in Istanbul traffic, so bad experience. Because I booked it for my mother birthday for certain time and location close to our hotel. Boat is super old, it doesn’t worth the money, you can take cheaper one and it will be the same”
Meet your guide beside Saint Mark’s Square for a one-hour small-group boat ride along the Grand Canal, Giudecca, and quieter waterways. Expect live commentary in English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish, with views of Rialto Bridge, Ca d’Oro, Accademia, grand palaces, and canal-side homes. Bring a camera and avoid large bags.
“Very much worth doing. Guide gave some great history on Venezia and the views were amazing.”
Set out from Marina da Afurada with hosts Nadia and Paulo for a private two-hour Douro cruise. Pass Porto’s six bridges, Ribeira, Gaia’s Port cellars, and Foz do Douro. Expect English commentary, local snacks, drinks, blankets, and a sunset setting when weather allows.
“I booked this tour for our family of three (husband and 21-month old daughter). We could not have been more delighted by the hospitality and kindness shown to us by Nadia and Paolo. Their boat is very comfortable for a small group and we were able to sit on the bough and enjoy the perfect spring sunny day. This was my daughter’s first time on a boat and any apprehension she had was immediately neutralized by the beautiful and delicious snack and charcuterie board that was clearly prepared with love by Nadia (and her mother!) We immediately felt like family, Paolo played peekaboo with my daughter while steering the boat…”
Spend three private hours on the Mekong with a local boatman, not a tour guide. From Can Tho’s modern riverfront, you pass stilt homes, fruit gardens, fishermen, and schoolchildren by boat. Choose sunrise or sunset, bring a WhatsApp number for meeting details, and expect a calm, unscripted ride with no market or attraction stops.
“We had a nice and quiet time on the river with our nice driver.”
Join Susana and Sérgio for a private two-hour sunset cruise from Freixo Marina to the Douro estuary and back. Expect bridge views, Porto and Gaia by day and night, a cozy boat, blankets, music, and a charcuterie board with wine, Port, and non-alcoholic drinks.
“Susana and Sergio were lovely! Susana was knowledgeable about the various buildings we sailed by and was very patient with my thousand questions :) Sergio has custom-built several accessories on the boat to make the ride more comfortable - a drink holder, a charcuterie tray, etc. They even changed their usual charcuterie menu to account for my food allergies. We highly recommend them!”
Take a private, shaded pontoon boat across Bacalar Lagoon with an English or Spanish guide. Swim at the Pirate Canal and Bird Island, see Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda, enjoy fruit, drinks, music, and kayaking, and ask for captains such as José or Carlos when booking if available.
“Super expérience, malgré le moteur de notre bateau défectueux. Notre guide était super gentil et le tour était finalement très intéressant. Je recommande vivement cette excursion.”
Set out from Douro Marina at 7 pm for a two-hour private yacht cruise along the Douro. You’ll sample local port, enjoy Portuguese snacks, and hear about sights including Ribeira, Cais de Gaia, the Luís I Bridge, and Foz do Douro. The boat returns to the marina.
“Was a fun night, four of us with only another two people in the boat, so lots of room. The boat was beautiful, very high-end experience and the offerings were lovely. The staff was Warm, welcoming and accommodating, it was a beautiful evening. We missed the sunset, by Read more”
Set out from Douro Marina with Miguel and his family team for a private two-hour cruise past Porto, Gaia, six bridges, the Port wine cellars, and the Douro estuary reserve. You get a welcome drink, room to move around the boat, an onboard toilet, and commentary in English or Portuguese.
“Miguel and his father made the trip a very nice experience! Douro Marina was easy to reach by Uber/Bolt (7 EUR from the center). Highly recommended. Boat was comfortable & extremely well maintained. Looks smaller on the foto as it is, you could go also to the front. Even toilet onboard.”
Spend 7 to 8 hours in the Douro with a private guide, executive vehicle, premium winery visit, tasting lunch, and one-hour river cruise from Pinhão. You will taste Port and Douro DOC wines, eat at a restaurant with valley views, and ride with sparkling or Port wine served on board.
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