Family friendly boating vacations

A relaxed approach to life and friendly locals makes Canada the perfect cruising region for families. The Rideau Lakes in particular are packed with spots for water sports, swimming and fishing – a great way to keep the kids (and adults!) entertained. The traditional hand-operated locks on the Rideau Canal are also manned by teams of Parks Canada employees that makes the locks not only extremely safe and easy to use, but lots of fun! Finally, after an action packed day moor up at one of the charming local towns and villages. Here you’ll find child friendly activities and events hosted throughout the year, as well as restaurants with a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for the whole family.

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The famous River Thames winds its way around countless parks and picnic spots, such as Pangbourne Meadows, excellent places to moor up and have a picnic, enjoy a game of cricket and generally let off steam. For an action packed day of family fun, Thorpe Park will entertain with plenty of white-knuckle excitement and Legoland will captivate the younger ones with lots of fantastical fun. A day at Beale Park offers a unique collection of rare and endangered birds, an owlery and animal favourites including monkeys and meerkats, a choice of several adventure play areas and a narrow gauge diesel railway. Just a tube ride away is an exciting day exploring England's famous capital city. Take a flight on the London Eye, see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and have some spooky fun at the London Dungeons.

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For a perfect mixture of seaside fun, cruising and Mediterranean sunshine, the Camargue is our number one choice for families. The Canal du Rhône à Sète runs parallel to the Mediterranean coast and the beaches are great for kids - they are large and deep, so there's no real risk of over-crowding. And many of them have lots of shops and restaurants and fun-fair amusements to keep kids occupied once they've had enough of swimming. Visit Les Rochers de Maguelone in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone for a full day of activity with its 22 aerial tracks. Equipped with a harness and attached with a system of ropes and karabiners you walk on ropes, ladders, swing bridges and planks through the trees.

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A cruise along this section of the famous Canal du Midi takes you through sun-drenched countryside and medieval towns and villages. Set high up on a hill, Carcassonne's ancient walled city is Disneyworld-perfect. This fairy tale collection of drawbridges, towers and atmospheric cobbled streets was reputedly the inspiration for Walt Disney's The Sleeping Beauty and is perfect for a day of family medieval exploration. Plus, don't miss a wine-tasting adventure with a difference. Burrow down deep beneath the Corbière massif. At 80 metres below ground, the Terra Vinea tour includes cellars containing hundreds of oak barrels, a small underground lake and a sound and light show. Part of the tour take place on board a small train, which the children will love!

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The trendy and breathtaking region of Alsace Lorraine is perfect place for the kids to appreciate the great outdoors, with a good mix of modern-day excitement thrown in. The Arzviller boat lift, a marvel of modern engineering, is an unforgettable experience and will be a highlight of their holiday. A gigantic trough lifts/descends boats by 45 metres. Stop in Strasbourg for a unique and vibrant atmosphere. This cosmopolitan city is great for shopping, sightseeing and excellent restaurants. And don't miss Europa Park, a short distance from our base at Boofzheim and Germany's biggest theme park providing a sensational mix of adventure, entertainment and white-knuckle thrills. The 85-hectare grounds are divided into themed lands, 13 of which feature the architecture, food and flora of a particular European region.

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