Q: Send us news and information about an inland waterway tour from Netherland to Greece.

A: You have two major options:

1. Via the Rhine and Danube to the Black Sea and on to Greece that way.
2. Via the French Canal system. Again, you will take the Rhine (you need a strong engine as the current is very strong), then switch to the French system that will take you down the Rhone into the Mediterranean.

John Slot writes: Based on experience from earlier than 2003 travellers, the route to above destinations is via Belgium and France to reach the Med and then onwards via Corsica/Sardinia, Messina Strait to the West coast of Greece. This avoids the strong current and heavy traffic on the Rhine. Subject to there being no blockings in Belgium or France the route is:

Leave Holland at Maastricht, following the Meuse to Namur and Dinant. Enter France at Givet via Pont-a-Bar to Toul, over the C. de l’Est branche Nord. Then via Neuves Maisons C. de C. de l’Est branche Sud, the Petite Saone will bring you on the Rhone and down to Port St. Louis.

Back North same route, where you have to fight the Rhone. A friend did this with a 26-foot sailboat and small engine needing a tow at places. The time to go North is at the end of the summer. During early spring the current can be very strong due to melting snow and rain, making the river unsuitable for navigation.

My plan is to do the Netherlands – Turkey route early this summer using above described route. Any advice or warnings are very welcome! Coming from Turkey some years ago, we went via Canal du Midi to Bordeaux and then The Netherlands.

Our boat a “Pearson 365” draught 1.45 mtrs. the experienced maximum. We are available for inquiries.

John Slot  john.g.slot@gmail.com