Ask Frank: Canal boats and villas in France and tulips and windmills in Holland
By Frank Barrett, Mail on Sunday Travel Editor
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This week, the Mail On Sunday's Travel Editor plucks out three new questions relating to a family boating holiday in France, a super-swish villa in the country's south and a river cruise in Holland...
Bring me flowers: Frank suggests a tulips and windmills cruise through Holland
QUESTION: My mum has always wanted to visit Holland. She is fit and doesn't mind walking but I think we would both prefer something like a cruise where we can sit and watch the world go by. Elaine, by email
ANSWER: A Shearings Holidays (shearings.com; 0844 209 7143) has departures in April for its seven-day Tulips & Windmills river cruise from £569 pp. The holiday includes four nights' full-board cruise, as well as two nights' half-board accommodation before and after your cruise. You will visit Amsterdam, the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens and have a chance to explore the elegant harbour towns of Hoorn and Volendam. Price includes coach travel.
QUESTION:We would like to take a family canal
holiday in France this summer but have a limited budget. Can you suggest
a specialist agent that offers good prices? David, by email
ANSWER: Have a
look at the website lateboat.com. It has all the leading companies for
boating holidays in the UK and Europe in one place, so no need to trawl
lots of websites to compare holidays.
It has a great range of boats on its
books starting from £480 for seven nights. The boat spec varies from a
two-berth traditional cruiser with basic facilities to a 12-berth with
indoor and outdoor seating areas and a Jacuzzi.
Prices change depending on the season and how close to the holiday date
you book. But the site does have a 'name your price offer' where you can
select your holiday and propose what you are prepared to pay.
Show-boating: Few family holidays can beat a river adventure through France
QUESTION: I'm celebrating my 50th this year and want to take family and friends to a fantastic villa in the South of France. Where should I look for inspiration? Diane Barnes, Weybridge
ANSWER: Check out the new Firefly Collection (firefly-collection.com) and have a look at their jawdropping selection in France - from the glamorous Château St Tropez to the gorgeous Villa Pearl surrounded by vineyards. Then there's the dramatic Bayview Villa with commanding views over the twinkling lights of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Self-catering heaven!
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR FRANK BARRETT?
Contact him at askfrank@mailonsunday.co.uk or on Twitter: @FrankBarrettMoS
