NiceTriGuy

We had a wonderful vacation on the canals of France last year, and I'm now inspired to see if I could put together a combination boating trip/ business meeting on the waterways of England or Scotland for a group of 10 summer 2000. Likely 1 or 2 boats, perhaps captained/catered with stops at local hotels enroute for meeting facilities. Anybody have any suggestions for charter companies or agents, etc.? <BR>

Sandra

Call Abercrombie & Kent. They do everything -- or they will tell you who to call. Or, better yet, call your travel agent and let him/her do the legwork for you.

Ben Haines

Fodors <BR> <BR>Drear Mr Hallman, <BR> <BR>If you use a travel agency, especially a posh one, you'll pay them a hefty percentage. You might at least start by going into http://www.yahoo.com, then entering "british canal" and then the section oin "charter". A useful page is http://www.canals.com/hotel-bt.htm, the section for "UK". There are boat hire companies north of Oxford that can make you decent offers. Naturally, they know the waterside hotels of the Midland counties. <BR> <BR>If you have software for newsgroups you might download uk.rec.waterways. The people on the newsgroup are a rather deep into their field, but I'm sure that if you put your message there you'll see what the enthusiasts have to tell you. <BR> <BR>It's a delightful idea. You'll all be tempted to inattention, but if you can fight that you might well all get into a mood that lets you plan together well. <BR> <BR>After your reading, please write if I can help further <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR>

Sheila

This is something about which I know little (but hell! when did that ever stop me?), but I did some research on it last month for someone else.They had a narrower focus and were only looking at Ireland or Scotland. And this is what I said:- <BR>Cabin cruisers we got, on Loch Ness/the Caledonian Canal and Loch Lomond. The contacts for the operators are not leaping to hand but if you have an interest I'm sure I can find them for you. <BR> <BR>In Ireland, last year I visited Fermanagh and a lake system to die for on Upper and Lower Lough Erne. <BR> <BR>IMHO we (the Scots) have the grander scenery but they (the Irish) have the better water. Let me know if I should search for those contact details for you. <BR>I went and browsed a bunch of boating mags today but couldn't find anything as good as these <BR>http://yacht-club.net/lochness/ <BR>http://www.holidaysafloat.co.uk/caleycruisers/index.htm <BR>http://www.boating.holidayuk.net/index.htm <BR>http://www.boating.vacationuk.com/ <BR>http://www.loch-lomond.net/boating/boating.html <BR>http://www.ni-tourism.com/asp/cruisingform.asp <BR>http://www.cruise-ireland.com/locate.htm <BR>

xxx

ttt