8 Benefits of a Houseboat Vacation

Houseboats have recently become more and more popular and win the hearts of tourists, as well as experienced yachtsmen. And not without a reason! We have selected the top 8 advantages of a houseboat over a vacation in a hotel or on a yacht. 

By the way, quite recently the founder and main ideological inspirer of Interparus - Sasha Goron - fulfilled his old dream. He wanted to navigate the famous canals of France aboard a houseboat. The video diary of the trip can be viewed link.

Freedom of movement

This is probably one of the biggest reasons why houseboats are preferred. This way of transportation cannot be compared with a stationary hotel - you are free to go anywhere!

In addition, the hotel you book may not be located in the most picturesque place. Meeting a new morning on vacation to the accompaniment of a nearby construction site, a youth rock festival, or with a view of dilapidated buildings instead of the sea is clearly not what you would like. Hotel neighbors are also a separate topic of conversation.

Houseboat is a completely different matter. If you do not like the place, then just walk a hundred or two meters and you are already in a completely different, quiet and picturesque place. And if you immediately found your ideal place, then no one will forbid you to stay there longer.

Peace and quiet

If you find a quiet place for mooring, then with a high degree of probability you have found a fairly secluded and quiet place where hardly anyone will disturb your peace. No hassle with other boats like in a busy marina or noisy neighbors in a hotel - just you, birds singing, a cup of strong coffee or tea and local beauties.

Traveling with children who never sit in one place? Well, only ducks will feel discomfort, which children will frighten away with their games. From dawn to dusk, your child can frolic on the deck and not bother anyone.  

Active rest - healthy rest

The mobility of the houseboat allows you to go ashore without any problems at any time of the day or night. There is enough space on board to take your bike with you and to take regular outdoor cycling trips. If you are traveling in EU countries, then the number and quality of bike lanes will also be a nice bonus.

In addition, even on board you will definitely have something to do. Passing through a previously unknown channel for the first time, you will discover the joy of exploration and a kind of pioneering. 

And if you are tied to a place in a hotel, then on a houseboat the geography of your trip will expand significantly.

Impressions are our wealth

Your friends and acquaintances often showed you vacation photos or posted them on social networks. Let's be honest - the differences between these photos and the places they've been are minimal. Whether it's a voyage on a houseboat!

First, it's experience. Even if you already know how to sail, it will be easier to master a houseboat, but still it is something new. For a person who has never piloted a boat at all, learning how to operate a houseboat will be a little more difficult, but also not difficult. Now imagine - you are exploring the canals of France, Holland or even Venice on board a boat ... What could be better than seeing tulip fields, French castles and other attractions without guides, but on your own.

Secondly, houseboating is an experience. We can bring souvenirs, hotels and foreign things with us from the cruise. But much more important are our impressions and memories. And the houseboat will give you a long-forgotten feeling of traveling and discovering something new. What are the gateways alone worth!

Friendly houseboating community

The houseboat community is one of the most friendly, sociable and pleasant. Most experienced houseboaters have no problem sharing their experience and advice, and are also happy to just chat and share their impressions about a particular direction.

Believe me, the presence of sensitive and benevolent, if not comrades, then at least acquaintances, at first, greatly simplifies the journey. The main thing is not to forget to reciprocate and help neophytes learn the basics of houseboating. 

Forget about the schedule

We all know about breakfasts in hotels, which are served between 7 and 9 o'clock and other time restrictions. With a houseboat, you can forget about an alarm clock and a clear schedule. And although in some places it is better to moor at a certain time of the day, no one bothers to go a little further and find a quiet place where you can stop at one in the morning and at six in the morning. 

On board the houseboat, you cook your own food, choose the departure time, look for a mooring place, etc. In addition, in a secluded place, you can throw a party with music and not disturb anyone. If you are tired of living on a schedule, then a houseboat is your choice.  

My own guide

On board the houseboat, you can explore the region on your own. What are the benefits of this approach? Before you travel, you can make a list of the most interesting places for you and explore them at your own pace.

If guides on hot tours take you to the sights, as they say, gallop through Europe, then here you are free to choose how much time to devote to that castle or this chapel. By the way, somewhere nearby was the oldest pub in the area ...

Recreation on the water 

And finally, the most important thing is that houseboating is an ideal option for those who are not yet ready for long sailing trips or who are not going to get licenses and buy a yacht. 

You can operate a houseboat without a license, but you must complete a short training course that will take a minimum of time. As a result, you will get a complete rest on the water. It is difficult to find a more relaxing activity than slowly walking along the old canals of France, surrounded by local flora and fauna, as well as the water surface. Someone may remember fishing, but who is stopping you from combining houseboating and fishing? Just carefully study the local laws and waters where you can fish.

Relax your mind and body, take the helm and enjoy a relaxing time on the water. If you want to learn more about houseboating from our team, you can ask all your questions link.

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27.04.2023