We are interested in taking a self drive barge trip with our 2 teenage sons. We love the opportunity to spend time together just the 4 of us, but wouldn't want them to be bored. Has anyone done this trip with teenagers? Did they enjoy it?

We were a group of 12 with three teenage girls. They liked it. They participated in all the boat activities, including the cooking and working the locks. But since none were my child, I can't say much more.

Thanks, I think my kids may enjoy it too.

We did the Alsace area (just my husband and me) and vowed we will bring the kids this next fall. They will have a blast handling the ropes, piloting the boat (they're old enough), riding bikes....my husband and I just plan on relaxing! There is so much to see and do, and if the locks are manual that'll keep t hem busy for sure.

Hi W,

Do your sons enjoy travel at a fast walk?

Are they easy to get along with 24/7 in close quarters?

Have any of you been together on a boat for a weekend?

Are you experienced boaters?

Ira's questions are good ones, except for the boating experience. You don't really need any experience, though like everything, it helps. But it's not a precondition.

Which country are you thinking of? The narrow canals of the UK, the older Mediterranean and Breton canals of France and the industrial waterways of northern europe are all entirely different experiences. The British system is delightful and almost totally geared to leisure, but there's always the weather! The French system, outside the north, though larger in scale is great fun. On both these systems the lads will be kept more than busy enough to avoid boredom unless they shrivel up when deprived of computers etc. I would avoid northern europe, as there,s a huge amount of commercial traffic and I find it all a bit bleak.
When you hire a boat,particularly in UK, go for larger, rather than smaller and ensure that there is adequate heating/hot water etc. Remember in UK the boats are normally only 7' wide. Don't get less than 50' length. In France go for the canal d'ile et rance or the canal du midi. www. british-waterways. co.uk or www.canal-junction.co.uk have details of hirers.
Enjoy, its great fun. I've been doing it for 30 odd years and still keep coming back.

In response to all the questions, we have travelled extensively together, both in luxury accomodations, and cabins/camping accomodations. I am not really concerned about being together a lot. In fact, that is the part that I like. However, we have no boating experienc at all. Will this be a problem? We were interested in the canal du midi in France. I think my kids would love the locks, and helping drive the boat. Any more suggestions?

Thanks!

I have been on the Canal Midi twice in a self-drive from Rive de France. We have gone both ways - Bezier to LaSegala and vice versa. We preferred going downhill, from La Sagala to Beziers, since you don't have to let folks out to rope the boat through the canal. They just step off the boat.

As to boating experience, as I said before, it really isn't necessary. Having said that, if you stay overnight in the Carcassone marina, you need to back in to the quay, which takes a bit of effort and finesse.

The boats only go about 5 mph.