Sailing holidays are becoming more and more popular, and not just for experienced boaters, but for young, amateur groups too.
If you’re sailing around the Greek islands, then waters are bound to be calm, and you do get training before you set sail, in case you do run into problems. If you’re holidaying in the peak season (July to September) then sailing can be a nice way to enjoy the weather without the rush of the people and you get a really nice amount of seclusion and privacy.
That is one of the main reason why sailing has become so popular, and you’re free to explore however you wish, eating a new dish in a new area every day, whilst embracing the sunshine 24 hours a day.
Owning a canal boat give you the chance to explore in a completely different way, but whilst it can be one of the most enjoyable and relaxing forms of boating, it can be a bit of a nuisance at times.
Mooring a huge canal boat is a big problem in many towns, but you can overcome it if you plan out your journey in advance. It’s important to know that some mooring spots are designed specifically for canal boats, but residential vacancies are in short supply, so it is best to find a boat club, pub or restaurant.
You can find short term moorings in marinas, and this is an ideal option if you’re a continuous cruiser, however, you should do your research on marinas first, to avoid disappoint and a wasted journey. Finding permanent mooring is a lot easier than finding a short term spot, but there are options out there and you’ll find them if you do your homework.
Bruges is one of those mysterious places. There are so many historic buildings, cobble streets and vintage stores, whilst it’s not hard to find peace and quiet, especially when you’re by the riverside.
If you ever get the opportunity to head over to Bruges, then you should make sure you take a boat ride. The rides on this river are only operated by tour guides, and it’s cheap, while you get plenty of nice facts to keep you entertained along the way.
It’s amazing how many homes are situated on the bank of the river, but there are small factories too, as well as hotels and you mustn’t forget your camera, especially when the towers come into view. Bruges may be known as the horse and cart city, but whether it’s warm, frosty or wet, you must enjoy a boat ride.
When you’re travelling for long periods of time on your boat, you need to be comfortable, and that’s why it may be beneficial to spend a little bit more on your driver’s seat.
A comfortable seat can make a big difference in terms of having an enjoyable journey, and there are many different shapes and styles to choose between. Testing before you buy is important and a seat you buy form a website may look comfortable yet once you’ve installed it you find that it’s worse than your original seat, and you may struggle to get your money back.
A comfortable seat may cost a considerable amount, especially if it’s made of high quality leather by a leading manufacturer, but it will be worth the cost in the long run so long as it’s comfortable.
A non-slip deck covering can be really important in terms of safety and many boaters opt to install it, especially during the rainy periods. It may not look impressive, but it’s comfy to stand on and you’ll always be guaranteed a good amount of grip when you’re moving around, no matter what pair of shoes you’re wearing.
Non slip deck coverings can also be provided for work surfaces and dashboards so your belongings are not always sliding about, and if you’ve never considered installing it, think again because it’s remarkably cheap and easy to install.
You can decide between different colours, to match the inside and outside of your boat, while you can also choose between different thicknesses and patterns.
Canal boat B&B’s are growing in popularity throughout the UK, and for a number of reasons. Just like with a regular bed and breakfast, you can expect to see high quality customer service, but you get the added benefit of being able to escape from highly populated areas, and the opportunity to travel and visit anywhere you like (provided they’re near a canal).
With a canal boat, you can travel anywhere you like within 50 miles. This means that if you hire a barge in London, which offers a B&B service, you could visit anywhere you like within the South-east. You aren’t limited to a local area when travelling through canals. With most boat B&B’s you don’t just pay for a bed and breakfast, but for the run of the ship. You can direct the boat to any location you like, or even just cruise around aimlessly, enjoying being out on the water.
Britain has some of the most extensive canal networks on the face of the planet, and for good reason; we invented the things (except for irrigation canals, the Romans used those). This means that travelling through canals will give you the opportunity to visit most of England, from old market towns, to massive industrial cities. You can experience much of the history of England and its empire by travelling along its causeways.
If you’ve come to realise that this is the case, then you may be considering buying your own barge to travel the length of England. There are certainly some advantages to this option, but it does require a lot of work to get a great experience from it all. You may well decide that sticking to renting rooms in barge B&B’s, or renting an entire boat, are better options, as it will require less work and you’ll have everything sorted out and ready for you to enjoy yourself.
Canal Boats and Tours Through British Canals