Le Boat is the No.1 provider of boating holidays on Europe and Canada’s beautiful inland waterways, bringing together 50 years of experience, expertise and memories. With the world’s largest fleet of over 900 self-drive boats, Le Boat offers the widest choice of fabulous boating destinations, operating in 17 regions across nine countries, including the United Kingdom. The operator has announced a special Black Friday Sale, offering discounts of 20% on cruises to all destinations excluding Italy, on all departure dates, and up to 25% on specific dates, the offer applies to a range of boat types and lengths of stays. Holidaymakers are advised to get planning, with the flash sale beginning on 21 November 2022 and ending on 27 November 2022.
Cruise along the Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi has multiple start locations to choose from and holidaymakers can traverse more than 150 miles of scenic waterways along the 17th Century network of canals that connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Famed for its wine tasting and world-class gastronomy, the Canal du Midi is also rich in history and heritage, boasting impressive cathedrals, grand châteaux, ancient ruins, and medieval cities. A seven-night self-catered stay on the Canal du Midi, starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base in Port Cassafières, on board a Clipper sleeping six, arriving 3 October 2023, is priced from £1,267 / £211 pp (was £1,689 / £282 pp, saving 25%).
Le Boat (023 9222 2177, www.leboat.co.uk)
Sample seafood in Brittany
Home of the series of Bergerac, guests can admire Celtic land laced in canalised rivers studded with towering castles seemingly at every turn in Brittany. And being not far from the North Atlantic coast, seafood at takeaway cafés is in order. Venture to Dinan for the museums, historic sites and fine restaurants. Cruising north to Dinan puts guests on the canal and cruising south on the Vilaine takes travellers all the way to the sea at the commercial port of La Roche-Bernard. The Vilaine is a total of 218 kilometres (135 miles) and it’s delightful. A seven-night self-catered stay on a Magnifique, which sleeps up to 10 people, starting and ending in Messac, departing 12 April 2023, is priced from £2,129 / £213 pp (was £2,839 / £284 pp saving 25%).
Le Boat (023 9222 2177, www.leboat.co.uk)
Re-discover the Thames
A self-drive Thames cruise allows holidaymakers to explore the western section of the river. Here, moorings are easy to find and the distance between locks is greater than at the river’s eastern end, which means more cruising. Stop off at Henley-on-Thames, the home of British rowing, then head to historic Windsor for a tour of the Castle, before mooring up at Hampton Court. A seven-night self-catered cruise on the River Thames, departing on 3 June 2023, starting and finishing at Le Boat’s base at Benson, on board a Caprice sleeping up to six, is priced from £2,129 / £355 pp (was £2,839 / £473 pp saving 25%).
Le Boat (023 9222 2177, www.leboat.co.uk)
Search for animals on the Rideau Canal
Given that the waterway intersects numerous conservation parks, it’s little wonder that nature-lovers flock to the Rideau Canal to witness its abundant wildlife, from sunbathing turtles to resident blue herons and sleeping river otters holding hands as they float down river. Travelling by boat allows holidaymakers to explore the region at their own pace with Le Boat’s Smith Falls base serving as a portal to the natural beauty of Ontario. For those who wish to get a flavour of Canada’s city life and its friendly citizens, there is Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto all within reach of the base. A seven-night self-catered cruise, starting and ending at Le Boat’s Smiths Falls base in Ontario on the Rideau Canal on board a Horizon 2 sleeping five, departing 22 May 2023, is priced from £2,073 / £414 pp (was £2,764 / £553pp saving 25%).
Le Boat (023 9222 2177, www.leboat.co.uk)
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