Nicols
Canal boat holidays
The best-loved boating holiday specialist in France, Nicols makes the ideal choice for a different type of holiday, following your fancy aboard your own well-appointed boat through the canals, rivers and waterways of France, Germany, Holland, Hungary and Portugal.
Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a boat before – no previous boating experience or licence is required. The waterways are easy to navigate and the Nicols base teams will introduce your boat and guide you through all aspects of cruising, mooring up and passing through locks.
One of the best things about a boating holiday is the ever-changing view as you pass towns, villages and spectacular countryside at a little over walking pace – all enjoyed from a completely new perspective on your floating home-from-home.
Why Travel with Nicols?
With Nicols, you can enjoy the perfect mix of tranquil travel with more energetic activities such as cycling (bikes can be hired and carried on board), swimming, fishing and hiking. Half of the fun is in driving the boat, tying up to explore a little, and passing through locks with the entire crew getting involved, be it steering the boat, holding the mooring ropes or operating the lock gates.
- Simplicity – all Nicols’ boats are easy to drive. Using a steering wheel and the forward and reverse lever is all that’s needed to manoeuvre them.
- Calm and serenity – far from the crowds, surrounded by nature (keep watch for kingfishers, otters and coypu), discover the freedom of taking your time.
- Heritage and gastronomy – cultural treasures abound. And don’t forget the vineyards!
Ask an advisor
Speak to a Nicols advisor for advice on where to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect holiday.
Destinations & Tours
Key Destinations
France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal.
Creature Comforts
Nicols’ boats have all the home comforts you’d want (but which not all boating companies provide), including a spacious lounge area, comfortable cabins, modern bathroom facilities including a shower with doors, not a plastic curtain.
All Mod Cons
Nicols boats also feature a well-equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge freezer as well as an oven and hob. Most also have an upper sundeck or rear sun terrace – perfect for sunbathing, enjoying the view and dining alfresco.
Open Air Adventure
Larger boats also have a ‘flying bridge’ steering position, which means you can drive the boat in the open air from an upper level – the perfect way to enjoy the sunshine and scenery. It’s like having the top down on a convertible car.
For Budgets Of All Sizes
The scale and diversity of the Nicols fleet means there is something to suit all budgets, especially when tied in with the year-round special offers for seniors, couples, families and groups.
France And Beyond
Nicols has 19 different bases in France, from the Canal du Midi in the South to Brittany and the Loire. Plus, bases in the Brandenbourg and Mecklenbourg lakeland regions of Germany, Portugal’s Grande Lago, Gelderland in Holland and the Tokaj wine region and on Lake Tisza in Hungary.
Nicols look forward to welcoming you onboard!
Special Offers
Save 15% on boating breaks in France
No previous experience is needed to take the helm of a stylish Nicols boat and explore the rivers and canals of France.
Book by the 16th April and you and your crew can save 15% on one week holidays (10% on short breaks) in the Camargue, Brittany, Alsace, Aquitaine, Franche-Comte or the Canal du Midi.
The saving can be used on all 2023 dates and all Nicols boats (except the Fly range) – simply use discount code [email protected]
This offer cannot be used retrospectively or combined with any other offers.
For more details on this offer, please call 02392 401320 or
We regularly receive special offers and discounts from our travel partners.
For the latest offers and a bespoke quotation speak to a Nicols advisor on 02392 401320.
