Using hire boat on the canals in Holland you do not require any licence or ticket, anyone can turn up and off you go, with or without instruction. Boats in Friesland are hired out well in advance, even now is getting too late for next summer there.Many have done this before you and told their story in books or online.
A Google search for cruising inland waterways Europe will get you started and if you want to test it first, there are many rental companies all over.
I'd suggest The Netherlands, up in Friesland. Fair rental rates, very easy going, friendly people, non tidal and with easy locks. Thousands of free moorings (and some payable), well maintained canals going from one city center to the next hence not hard to find shops along the way.
There are differences depending on the countries you visit and the rivers/canals you choose. The big 'highways' for commercial traffic indeed are different to the smaller waterways fit for leisure traffic.
The needed certificate for inland waterways is CEVNI. You can get it online and it really isn't very difficult.
Remember to check your air-draught ...Another benefit when hiring a boat there is that you can get one made for the purpose. If going the Elfsteden (eleven cities) route the standard bridge clearance it 2½ meter, about 1.35 deep and in several places so sharp turns that you need both stern- and bow thrusters to get around the corner.
Numerous models to choose from, e. g. the lovely Wiidvlet 10.50 x 3.55, designed for two persons, proper island bed, double glazing, central heating, separate heads and shower:
One of the most important things to decide is what sort of boat? Several years ago we were in the same situation and decided that we certainly didn't want to take our catamaran sailing boat over for obvious reasons and didn't want a planing motor boat either. That leaves either a river boat with a small engine (ideal if you never want to go to sea) or a displacement or semi displacement hull with low air draft to go under bridges (so no flybridge boats!) We bought an Aquastar Oceanranger 33 and found it great but the disadvantage is running 2 150HP engines at idle speed for long distances which is not ideal but not as big a problem as many would claim and gives you sea keeping qualities if you still want to cross the channel or bum around in the med. Needs some thought and it depends very largely on deciding if you are going to stay inland or still motor offshore.
Hi have asked a friend for info. try stew proud on facebook. his wife does the planning, he does the driving. travelled very extensively thru the north european states.
