Anyone can pilot a boat. They are very easy to handle and no licence is required. When you get to the base, you will be given a personal lesson and taken out for a short trip to ensure you are completely comfortable before you head out.

For additional peace of mind, in the unlikely event that you run into any difficulties, local staff are just a call away. Ask Tracey from our office, she will be embarrassed, but she will tell you how terrific the 24 hour "boatside" assistance is… And just like cars, boats do come fully insured but an excess will apply if you have an accident or damage the boat but optional Collision Damage Waiver insurance is available.

So which base should you cruise from? Well to be perfectly honest, in all the years of selling boating holidays, we have never come across anyone who has accused us of selling them a ‘bad route’…on the contrary, there are more instances of people getting of the boat and immediately booking for the next year.

That's one thing we can guarantee and that is that a canal boating holiday is one you will always remember. Having said that, we do suggest that you first start off with a couple of brochures and read through the highlights in each cruising area, perhaps even do some research into the areas you are considering.

There are over 25 different cruising regions and each has its own unique character. Just bear in mind the season…If you are travelling in the cooler months like October, perhaps choose to cruise down South in the Midi area where it is warmer or just take appropriate clothing.

Our brochures do give you a temperature guide for the different months. So this is an appropriate time to explain the terminology. You may be offered an "out and back" cruise – which means you start from one base and you can then cruise in any direction but the boat must be returned to the starting base.

A one way cruise is just that. You cruise from one base to another. There are pro's and con's for each type. If you choose an out and back, you can leave your car, motorhome and even excess baggage at the base and when you return you just hop into your car and off you go. The downside is that you will cover the same ground twice, and probably end up stopping at the same villages for supplies….however, some people do enjoy the familiarity.

If you choose a one way cruise, we must point out that there is not one company that will guarantee a one way cruise, the direction thereof and could even change it to an out and back. Whilst this seldom happens, the right is reserved to do so and it is not an allowable reason to cancel the cruise. So a one way cruise should be checked 4 days before pick up.  Don't let this put you off though because the distances between bases is not great and the bases will often help move you to the other base.  It generally only happens if the previous hirer has cancelled and time does not allow them to move the canal boat.

If you do have a car and want to do a one way cruise, the staff at the base can move your car to the finish point. There is a charge of approximately Euro 90 for this service. The cost to do a one way is approximately Euro 100. If you have a hire car, do remember to tell the hire car company that you require an additional driver so this way the car is insured. They may need you to call the base and obtain the drivers name. So what about the locks you want to know.

Don't let the number of locks put you off. Personal experience has shown that every bridge you pass under or every tunnel you go through has been counted as a lock! So there are not as many as the brochure indicates.

Locks will appear a bit daunting until you’ve been through 2 or 3 and then suddenly, "you're an expert" and they become fun. Locks are part and parcel of life on the river. Most are open and closed by a lock-keeper, some are automatic and a few are hand operated. Use this time to chat to fellow boaters whilst you queue to go through (weekends and peak season), or to the lock-keeper. "Some"of them are really friendly.  We met a friendly lock-keeper who enthusiastically discussed the Rugby World cup details with us, we swopped addresses and he plans to visit us in Australia.  Other lock keepers will offer you fresh veggies from their market garden, home made cakes for sale or fresh eggs.

So if you are now ready to start planning your trip, may we respectfully suggest that you first choose your cruising area. The beautiful glossy brochures we have will assist you. Then have a look and see which canal boats operate out of the region you have chosen and then choose your boat. Now there are quite a few tips to choosing the right canal boat to suit your party and we'll be happy to offer suggestions.

Then choose whether you want an out and back or one way. Once you have the canal boat booked, we will be happy to help you plan getting to or from the base.  A hire car is an option before or after the cruise and will often work out more cost effectively than getting the train from say, Paris, if you are more than 3 persons. Again, let me assure you that this is one holiday you will remember for many years to come and the only problem is that we know you will want to do another again and again….

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