Book Now! Pay Later
Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure.
Gold Trusted Service Award
Gold Trusted Service Award
Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Rosette
Boating expertise since 1969
With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
Boat
World’s largest fleet
We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
Life buoy
No boat license required
That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Book Now! Pay Later
    Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Life buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.
  • Book Now! Pay Later
    Take advantage of our low deposits and secure your boating vacation today with just a 25% deposit. 2nd payment (up to 50%) is due by December 31st, 2024. Balance due 90 days before departure.
  • Gold Trusted Service Award
    Gold Trusted Service Award
    Awarded by Feefo, which independently collects reviews from our customers, the award recognizes businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
  • Rosette
    Boating expertise since 1969
    With over 50 years of experience and expertise, we're passionate about providing unbeatable vacations on the water.
  • Boat
    World’s largest fleet
    We have more river and canal boats available than any other operator, available to hire between April and October. Our wide range of boats sleeps between 2-12 people.
  • Life buoy
    No boat license required
    That's right! You can rent and captain your own boat for a short break (3 nights minimum), a week or longer. We'll show you everything you need to know before you set off.

European 2024-2025 school vacation dates calendar

Planning around school breaks or choosing quieter times can help you get the best deals and avoid the most crowded periods at popular destinations. By aligning your travel plans with key dates from September 2024 to September 2025, you can ensure everyone in the family can join in, making it a memorable trip for all. Whether you're looking at UK 2024 holidays or planning ahead for a vacation in the UK 2025, this guide will help you navigate the best times to go on vacation for 2024 and 2025, showing you when popular tourist areas might be busiest.  

Our boating vacations offer a range of experiences, from exploring serene waterways to enjoying exquisite countryside backdrops and engaging in exciting activities. Our detailed school vacation calendar includes all school breaks for major European countries such as France, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, helping you plan your perfect getaway.

European school vacation dates 2024-2025

Autumn school vacation dates 2024

DatesFranceUKGermanyNetherlandsBelgiumIreland, Italy, Spain
Week from 02/09 to 08/09     Spain, Italy
Week from 09/09 to 15/09     Italy
Week from 16/09 to 22/09      
Week from 23/09 to 29/09      
Week from 30/09 to 06/10  Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia   
Week from 07/10 to 13/10  Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Saxony, Bremen & Lower Saxony   
Week from 14/10 to 20/10 ScotlandSaxony, Bremen & Lower Saxony , Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland   
Week from 21/10 to 27/10Zones A, B & C Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern & Schleswig-HolsteinSouth regionWallonia 
Week from 28/10 to 03/11Zones A, B & CEngland, Wales, Northern Ireland (from 31/10 only)Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern & Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria & Baden-WürttembergNorth and Central regionsFlanders , WalloniaIreland
Week from 04/11 to 10/11      
Week from 11/11 to 17/11      
Week from 18/11 to 24/11      
Week from 25/11 to 01/12      
Week from 02/12 to 08/12 Scotland    

Winter school vacation dates 2024 - 2025

DatesFranceUKGermanyNetherlandsBelgiumIreland, Italy, Spain
Week from 09/12 to 15/12      
Week from 16/12 to 22/09     Ireland, Italy
Week from 23/12 to 29/12 Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland  Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia Baden-WürttembergNorth, Central, SouthFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 30/12 to 05/01 Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Schleswig-Holstein North, Central, SouthFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 06/01 to 12/01  Hessen   
Week from 13/01 to 19/01      
Week from 20/01 to 26/01      
Week from 27/01 to 02/02  Saxony   
Week from 03/02 to 09/02  Berlin, Brandenburg, Thüringia, Bremen, Lower Saxony   
Week from 10/02 to 16/02Zone BWales, Northern Ireland (only from 13/02)    
Week from 17/02 to 23/02Zones B & CEngland, Scotland, WalesSaxony North region  Ireland
Week from 24/02 to 02/03Zones A & C Saarland, SaxonySouth and Central regionsWallonia 
Week from 03/03 to 09/03Zone A Bavaria Flanders, Wallonia 
Week from 10/03 to 16/03  Hamburg   

Spring school vacation dates 2025

DatesFranceUKGermanyNetherlandsBelgiumIreland, Italy, Spain
Week from 17/03 to 23/03  Hamburg   
Week from 24/03 to 30/03      
Week from 31/03 to 06/04      
Week from 07/04 to 13/04 Zone B Scotland, EnglandBremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt & Thuringia  FlandersSpain (Melilla and Ceuta)
Week from 14/04 to 20/04 Zones B & CEngland , Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland (from 17/04)Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt & Thüringia, Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, & Saarland, Saxony Flanders (inc. Easter Monday 21/04)Ireland, Spain (national except Baleares, Cantabria, Valencia, Navarra, Pais Vasco)
Week from 21/10 to 27/04 Zones A & C Wales, Northern IrelandSchleswig-Holstein, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony & Saarland  Ireland, Spain (Baleares, Cantabria, Valencia, Navarra, Pais Vasco)
Week from 28/04 to 04/05 Zone A   All regionsWallonia 
Week from 05/05 to 11/05 Scotland 5th and 6th May  WalloniaIreland
Week from 12/05 to 18/05      
Week from 19/05 to 25/05      
Week from 26/05 to 01/06 England, WalesHamburg Flanders (30th May) Ireland
Week from 02/06 to 08/06   Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (06/06-10/06.)   
Week from 09/06 to 15/06   Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria (10/06-20/06)   Italy

Summer school vacation dates 2025

DatesFranceUKGermanyNetherlandsBelgiumIreland, Italy, Spain
Week from 16/06 to 22/06  Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria (until 20/06)  Ireland, Italy 
Week from 23/06 to 29/06 Scotland from 25th June   Ireland, Spain, Italy
Week from 30/06 to 06/07 Scotland, Northern Ireland Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-Saxony Flanders (from 1st June)Ireland, Spain, Italy
Week from 07/07 to 13/07Zones A, B & CScotland, Northern IrelandHessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-SaxonySouth regionFlanders, Wallonia (from  5th July)Ireland, Spain, Italy
Week from 14/07 to 20/07Zones A, B & CScotland, Northern IrelandNorth-Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-SaxonySouth & North regionsFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 21/07 to 27/07Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandBerlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-Saxony All regionsFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 28/07 to 03/08Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandMecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Würtemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-Saxony All regions Flanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 04/08 to 10/08Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandBavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Würtemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland,  Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-SaxonyAll regionsFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 11/08 to 17/08Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandBavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein,  Baden-Würtemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland,  Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringia, Bremen & Lower-SaxonyAll regionsFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 18/08 to 24/08Zones A, B & CEngland, Scotland, Wales, Northern IrelandBavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein,  Baden-Würtemberg , Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-WestphaliaNorth & central regionsFlanders, WalloniaIreland, Spain, Italy
Week from 25/08 to 31/08Zones A, B & CEngland, Wales Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein,  Baden-Würtemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, North-Rhine-Westphalia  Central regionFlanders Ireland, Spain, Italy
Week from 01/09 to 07/09 EnglandBavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein,  Baden-Würtemberg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg  Ireland, Spain, Italy
Week from 08/09 to 14/09  Bavaria, Baden-Würtemberg   Ireland, Italy
Week from 15/09 to 21/09      Ireland

 Ideal boating times

PeriodIdeal DestinationsWhy is this the perfect timing?

Spring break

  • Early boating before peak season
  • scenic nature views

Summer break

  • Long trips
  • Warm weather
  • Outdoor activities

Autumn half-term

  • Peaceful getaways
  • Cooler weather
  • Exploring historic sites

Holiday highlights

HolidaysDateDestinationActivities

Good Friday and Easter Monday

18th April & 21st April 2025

Thames River, UK

  • Historic sites
  • Scenic walks
  • Traditional pubs

Labor Day (France, Germany, Italy, Spain)

1st May 2025

Brittany, France

  • Crepes and cider
  • Seafood feasts
  • Medieval villages

King's Day (Netherlands)

27th April 2025

Amsterdam Canals, Netherlands

  • City-wide celebrations
  • Museums
  • Cafes

Bastille Day (France)

14th July 2025

Canal du Midi, France

  • Local festivities
  • Fireworks
  • Historical tours

By planning your boating holiday around key dates like UK holidays 2024 and UK holidays 2025, you can avoid the busiest travel times and enjoy a more relaxed vacation. With Le Boat, you have a once-in-a-lifetime boating holiday while making the most of school holidays and public holidays.

 

Tips for planning your boating holiday

  • Early booking: Secure your dates and get the best availability by booking early, especially around popular periods such as summer holidays in UK 2024 and UK holidays April 2024 and 2025. 
  • Packing: Ensure you pack essentials for your boat holiday, including suitable clothing, food, and safety gear. Proper preparation for the unique aspects of a boating holiday can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
  • Preparation: Thoroughly prepare for your holiday by planning your itinerary around quieter periods if you can, avoiding peak times like May bank holidays in France and other UK public holidays. This will help you maximise your time on the water.

By following these tips and planning around key holiday dates, you can ensure a fantastic boating experience with Le Boat.

Ready to book your perfect boating vacation?

Book now to take advantage of the best offers!