Riviera releases new ‘Signature’ tours as Europe 2023 programme goes on sale

Riviera Travel is introducing 40 upgraded European and worldwide itineraries as part of its new ‘Signature’ tour collection launching in 2023.

The tours, which go on sale today (June 16), are for a maximum of 25 people and are designed to offer an “exceptional, exclusive and immersive” option.

They will include up to three new experiences, which will be added to Riviera’s established touring itineraries.

More: Riviera Travel unveils new city extension programme

Experiences include flying in a seaplane in Vancouver, a cable car ride in Dubrovnik, stargazing in Costa Rica and watching a flamenco show in Seville.

Guests on week-long tours will have up to three signature experiences included, while those on shorter tours will participate in up to two signature experiences.

Customers can take an eight-day Lake Maggiore, Orta and the Matterhorn tour, which, in addition to the established itinerary, includes an evening cruise around the Borromean Islands and a visit to the Villa Pallavicino’s gardens. Prices start from £1,199.

Sales development manager Paul Mellon said: “We have introduced the Signature tours to give extra enhancements to our customers, and to give them a greater experience in the destination.

“We use local tour guides on a lot of our current tours, but on our Signature tours we want to get two guides so customers can get smaller, more immersive groups when they are visiting a place of interest.”

Riviera introduced small group tours in 2021 but plans to extend its reach in the new Signature tours collection.

Mellon continued: “We launched our small group tours of 25 people or less last year, but that was only in Europe. Our Signature tours will be worldwide so we can offer these enhancements in destinations including North America, Costa Rica and India, as well as popular European destinations such as Italy, Spain and France.”

Joanne Lynn, head of product Europe and transport, said: “Signature tours will be an exceptional, exclusive option and offer the very best in immersive, engaging travel.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring our guests the opportunity to experience even more of the places we visit. Our team of experts has worked tirelessly to find the right blend of enhancements and bring out the essence of what makes travelling the world so special.”

In addition, Riviera’s European 2023 programme has gone on sale today, and includes some tours which had previously been removed from the operator’s schedule.

Mellon said: “We are reintroducing a couple of tours that we’ve had in the past but stopped doing when there wasn’t the demand for them.

“We are going back to northern Cyprus and have a tour to Stockholm and Copenhagen. We have found that customers now have the appetite to try new destinations and go to places more off the beaten track.”

Riviera’s 2023 fares have been frozen until July 31, 2022, which it hopes will encourage guests to book early as it “ensures everyone booking receives the lowest price”. Guests are also protected by Riviera’s price promise, meaning if fares are reduced they will be refunded the difference.