Cruising to Relaxation
Le Boat is the world’s leading selfdrive canal boat holiday provider in Europe, offering modern, fullyequipped self-drive canal boat holidays for all budgets and group sizes, in 10 different locations around the world including France, Holland, Italy, the UK, Scotland, and Canada. Best of all, no boating licence or prior experience is needed! Our experienced Le Boat teams provide a demonstration on how to operate the boat before guests set off, captaining their own boat and experiencing the regions along the way at their leisure.
You too can enjoy a holiday that has been dubbed ‘the fastest way to slow down’ as you cruise leisurely past beautiful vineyards, natural wildlife, and quaint historic towns along your journey. Moor alongside the picturesque canals and cycle into towns and villages on bicycles, sample the local foods and wines, and fetch your freshly-baked baguette and cold meats to enjoy back on the boat. You could also describe the experience as travelling in a cosy floating villa, with all the comforts of home – and each day you wake up in a beautiful new destination! Enjoy all of the creature comforts of your home on the water, on a boat kitted out with a braai, Wifi, sound system, fully-equipped kitchen, and comfortable beds and bathrooms. Best of all, you can sit up top on the deck of the boat and watch the sunset on another perfect European summer’s day!
Many South Africans have opted to enjoy a canal boat holiday in recent years, as it has become known as a ‘hands-on’ way to experience the true European culture and history, while getting away from the bright and busy city lights. The way of life along the European canals is quieter and simpler, not to mention the overall costs of enjoying the local food and wine being lower, as you are not paying big city prices. Plus, you are supporting many of the local farmers and family-owned businesses along the way. Many travellers enjoy being in control of their holiday, and with Le Boat you can truly explore at your own pace and decide to linger for longer if you find a spot that you love along the route.
Popular cruising destinations for South Africans include France, Holland, and Italy, to mention only a few. Within France itself, the Canal du Midi in the south of France is well-known as a popular destination for your first-time barging holiday, as there are route options with little to no locks, and you also get to enjoy a bit of the culture, history, and gastronomical delights that the region has to offer. Another firm favourite region among South Africans is the Burgundy Franche Comte and Loire Valley area, with its sprawling and lush vineyards that go on for miles.
As a starting point, and to give yourself and your group enough time to enjoy everything that a canal boat holiday has to offer, we recommend cruising for a minimum of seven days. The minimum number of passengers needed is two, while some of our boats can accommodate up to 12. We have found that the perfect combination is usually no more than three couples
Prices start from as little as R6,000 per person for seven nights. Many of our travellers find a barging holiday an affordable way to holiday, as the boat serves as both your accommodation and your transport during your time in Europe. Our boat prices are model, time of year, and cruising route dependent, so the best is to phone our reservations team to ensure that you get the best possible deal on your holiday. Our experts will suggest timings, stops along the way, and the best boat for your group so you can start planning the holiday of a lifetime!
For more information, please visit www.leboat.co.za and to see our current special offers, download our latest brochure. You can also phone +27 21 200 1838 to speak to our friendly team and find out more about our holidays, as well as to get a free quote.