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Let yourself be inspired
Let yourself be inspired
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Our canal boats
Our canal boats
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River Trips the blog
Boating holidays for older crews
With a taste for discovery, our older crews love the idea of a more unusual type of holiday and trying something completely new. Travelling by boat shows a region from a completely new perspective and with Nicols, you can be sure of a memorable boat cruise.
Discovery, comfort and safety!
Whether you’re holidaying as a couple or with family or friends, Nicols boats are perfectly adapted to older crew members so you can have peace of mind that your canal boat holiday will be both comfortable and safe.
With Nicols boat hire you enjoy:
- Boats that are suitable for seniors with easy access on board, a terrace on the same level as the living room, a safe and secure staircase to access the roof deck. Everything is designed to make life easier.
- Comfort on board with en suite cabins, fully equipped kitchens, outdoor terraces for lunch in the sun… a floating home from home!
- Easy sailing – there’s no need for a boat license, experience or special physical skills. Canal and river boating is accessible to all, whatever your age!
- A great time whatever the season – canals and rivers are navigable in France from April to October and, for 365 days a year in Portugal! If you travel outside peak periods, such as summer and school holidays, you can enjoy attractive rates in addition to special discounts for those over 65 years old!
What our clients say
I was worried that my husband and I - both over the age of 65 - would not be able to sail a riverboat, even without a license. The Nicols team at the base gave us some tuition and a lot of confidence. Now my husband feels like a true captain, and can’t wait to set sail again!!
Maryse – 67 years old, retired.
So muchto see and do
Boating holidays offer so many activities that are popular with our older crews. In addition to the cruising itself, you can enjoy stops to explore the countryside, villages and towns – either on foot or by bike. Discover the history and heritage of the region, savour the local cruising and visit the renowned vineyards.
With your boating holiday taking you from village to village, you’ll find numerous ports and stopping places both on the outskirts and in the heart of towns and cities so you can discover historic centres and their cultural heritage.
As a couple or a group of good friends, holidays are all about pleasure, from stunning scenery to local cuisine. Dining in a good restaurant is always a treat and whatever region you choose there are gastronomic delights waiting for you. Even if you’re not tempted by one of the many restaurants in the villages and towns you explore, you’re sure to find delicious ingredients in the tempting markets and shops throughout your boating holiday.
You can’t go far wrong with food and wine in France but some of our favourite destinations for excellent food and wine are:
Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine wines or just partial to a good glass of red or white, don’t miss the chance to visit one of the many vineyards you will pass on your boating holiday. From discovering the process of winemaking on a vineyard tour to enjoying a tasting in a wine cellar, you can indulge your pleasure and grow your knowledge of wines during your canal boat.
Take a bike on board your canal boat and you’ll have the perfect complement to cruising the waterways. On dry land you can take advantage of cycle routes, greenways and bicycle paths that run along the water's edge. Explore the Vélodyssée in Brittany, the Vélo Francette in Anjou, the euro vélo 5 in Alsace, 6 and 7 in Burgundy - Franche Comté and there’s the tow path through Aquitaine, the Canal du Midi and the Camargue. Cycling is a great way to explore the countryside and to reach the villages, towns and special sights that surround your cruising route.
Our canal boat choicefor older crews
Nicols boating holidays are very popular with older crews and we have specially designed many of our boats to ensure the highest levels of comfort and ease of sailing, such as these boats in our Confort and Estivale ranges:
