This holiday appeals most to people who enjoy a little activity and adventure and want the freedom to travel and stop where and when they please. It’s ideal for groups and families, hireboats having accommodation for 2 to 12 people. The holiday cost normally includes diesel fuel, cooking LPG, car parking and canal licenses etc. You may need extra cancellation insurance cover, because their standard policy does not cover overseas clients   However you may also find that there are additional benefits for overseas customers, some firms provide towels and groceries and some will pick you up from the nearest station or airport! They don’t do that for UK clients! Most boats have compact but comfortable interiors, subdivided into different cabins. Some beds are fixed, other convert from dining areas etc., other are bunk beds. Bedding or sleeping bags are provided. All have cooking facilities, some with fridge and microwave cooker. All have running hot and cold water from tanks which can be refilled from canalside taps. Cooking, heating and hot water are normally propane/butane fuelled. Toilets are usually flush type into onboard holding tanks which you will not need to empty during a one week cruise. Most boatyards offer this facility. Many boats have TVs and mains power from onboard batteries and some have recharging points for mobile phones and video cameras.         “I think we’d like a self-drive barge. Can they be easily rented?” Canal Vacations promotes the wonderful leisure opportunities on UK canals. We don't offer boats or vacations of our own! Our sister site Canal Junction has links to recommended Barge Hire Firms Plan Now via Canal Junction!