Have you ever wondered what you are going to do this holiday with your family? You want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city but you want to have an experience of a lifetime that does NOT include driving at 50 km an hour the whole day and only spotting a few impala?

There is an alternative – you can rent a houseboat and explore the countryside from the water’s edge.

Houseboats are becoming more and more popular amongst holiday goers as it has the same feel of your home and is a wonderful way to get a different view of your area.

Many houseboats for rent have amenities, even the basic ones, like full kitchen facilities, television and radio, hot an cold water and full bath and bedrooms. It can be accurately compared to a self catering apartment by the sea, but the only difference is – you are ON the sea!

One interesting destination where you can spend your holiday is on the Vaal River. It is the perfect place to get a houseboat without a motor and just cruise along the Vaal River, taking in the spectacular views and viewing the wonderful birdlife in our area.

They offer staff parties, year end functions or just a sundowner ride along the vaal river where you can enjoy the different rides ranging from an hour to three hours just lounging and having a glass of wine or a cocktail.

They offer their houseboats as B & B’s as well, charging a set price for accommodation which included three meals a day and all other amenities that comes with it. They do not hire their boats out for self catering though – they are there to spoil you. Meals will be prepared and the boat will be kept clean and tidy for you and your guests by the staff that will be onboard for you to enjoy the experience.

There are houseboats around the world catering for tourists. Some are basic and are used as a fishing vessel for your fishing experience and in Asia, there are fully functional 5-star hotels on water! Other countries like France, Asia, the Netherlands and India all offer houseboats for rent on either a self catering basis or a fully serviced basis as like you would get in a hotel.

The nice thing about renting a houseboat, wherever it would be in the world, is that the whole family will find something on the trip that may entice them. Dad can have his fishing excursion while big brother does some skiing, big sister does some tanning, mother and small sister can do some shopping while the boat is docked. All these activities can be done while lounging on your houseboat with your feet in the cool water.

So renting a houseboat for your vacation is truly one of the most relaxing experiences that there are – a perfect way to forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city.