40 Years of Riviera Travel
In 2024, we're celebrating our 40th birthday!
We're pro-modesty in general, but it is our birthday, so we won't pretend we're not extremely proud of our heritage. We've done a lot over the last four decades – here are just a handful of our favourite moments...
The early 1980s: Humble beginnings
In the early 1980s, our founder Michael Wright had a handful of tents on a campsite in the south of France and a dream (it's cliché, but it's true). With his extraordinary passion for travel and history, Riviera Travel was born and, over time, we became the leading operator of river cruises and curated tours in the UK.
While our holidays have changed over the years, our values never wavered. Our mission is simple: to curate an exceptional holiday experience for every guest - exploring the places you can't wait to see with people you can't wait to see again.
1984: Bonjour, Paris!
On 8th March 1984, the very first Riviera Travel coach tour to Paris ran in conjunction with the Burton Mail and though we’ve had to upscale a couple of times over the years, our head office remains in Burton-upon-Trent.
Over the years our European tours grew, and back in 1992, you would have seen us in some of the country's most popular newspapers. After advertising with the Sunday People, we filled 35 coaches off a single promotion (needless to say, we knew we were onto a good thing, and so did you). Over the next 10 years, our profile increased as we worked with the majority of national newspapers like The Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian & Observer.
"The office used to be in the house next to the college in the town centre... Brochures didn’t exist - all tours were on individual leaflets that we would put together depending on what the clients asked for. Our three-night tours to Paris and Bruges would operate weekly and have potentially 8 – 10 coach tours each a week through March to November." - Julie Wood, Transport & Travel Services Manager Eurostar (2002 – present)
As our market changed, so too did our tours. Our guests weren't just travelling by coach - many were by air, using regional airports wherever possible to make travel as convenient as possible - much like we do today.
Our European tours grew and grew - and today, you can choose between our Classic, Signature or Walk & Discover tours. With our Signature tours, you can travel in great company with a small group (25 or less) of like-minded guests determined to truly understand their destination through handpicked cultural experiences. And our Walk & Discover tours include scenic walks accompanied by specialist guides.
So to celebrate our 40th year with us, here's what 2024 European tours could bring you:
For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, in 2024 you can travel via Eurostar on selected tours and river cruises in Europe.
Find out more about our no fly holidays
And whether you’re the kind of person who prefers travelling alone, or perhaps like your own space with the option of mingling at times, our solo traveller options bring your perfect holiday within reach. And for 2024, we’re introducing a new destination:
2006: World domination
Although we attempted tours to New York in 1986, it was another 20 years before we operated our first long-haul programme. Exploring remote destinations is every well-travelled adventurer's dream - including ours - so launching our first four tours was a big moment for us. Back then, there were no direct flights to South Africa, Peru, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, giving these tours an off-the-beaten-track feel. Unsurprisingly, worldwide tours were a massive hit, and we still travel to these destinations – and we’ve added many more, exploring Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and Australasia.
"My educational trip to California & the Golden West was the trip of a lifetime, and I was so pleased that I was able to do this with the very company that I work for. It was an experience I will never forget." - Sophie Barrell, Groups & Affinity Partnerships Executive (2005 – present)
This year we've combined adventure with relaxation with the launch of five new beach stay tours. If you've ever uttered the phrase "I need another holiday to recover from my holiday" then these tours are for you. You can enjoy an action-packed holiday exploring the cradle of civilisation in Jordan, wandering the back streets of India's Golden Triangle, or journeying through the misty mountains and rice paddies on a Vietnam tour. Then, unwind on a tranquil beach with a three-night stay by the coast- it's the perfect end to your holiday.
View our tours with beach stays
And we've introduced three new tours:
And, in 2024, solo explorers can enjoy the magnificent wildlife, awe-inspiring architecture and striking scenery of Ecuador & the Galapagos.
2009: We launched our first river cruise
In 2009, the waterways of Europe beckoned. We launched our first river cruises along the Rhine and Moselle. And we learned a lot during these early river cruises. Since those early days of cruising, we built our own ships which are some of the most luxurious vessels sailing European waterways, including the Danube, Rhône, Seine, Main, Dutch Waterways - and, further afield, the Nile and Mekong. Gone are the tiny portholes and fold-down beds of yesteryear, most of our cabins have plush queen-sized beds and French balconies. Find out more about our beautifully crafted ships and learn about life on board.
"We didn't offer river or ocean cruises when I first joined, so it was all very new to everyone when we started to offer river cruises for the first time. I remember Michael, our founder, was nervous about getting into the cruise business. The first vessel we used to charter was called the Serenade 2." - David Durrant, Designer (2008 - present)
Now, river cruising really does have it all - luxury, delicious food, a fabulous Cruise Director, attentive crew and beautiful destinations - so it’s no wonder it’s one of your favourite ways to travel.
To celebrate four glorious decades of exploring the world with you – and 15 years of river cruising - you can enjoy drinks with us throughout 2024. With our free Superior drinks package, you can watch the charming landscapes and cityscapes of Europe slip by as you sip a specially selected regional wine or a chilled glass of beer - and toast your holiday with like-minded explorers after another fascinating adventure onshore.
Find out more about our Superior drinks package
We've launched some incredible new river cruises too. So you can sail down the Douro on a brand-new ship, explore the historic treasures of the Seine, step back in time in medieval Germany and enjoy resplendent views of the Rhine.
And if you're not ready for your river cruise to end, you can extend it with our new Tour Extensions for 2024 in Amsterdam, Porto or Vienna.
2012: Cruising in the lap of luxury
Adding yacht cruises to our list of holidays seemed like a no-brainer in 2012 - with itineraries to Croatia and Turkey and Greece. Our yacht cruises drop anchor in pretty bays and quiet coves to explore or stay on board your very own luxury yacht and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic.
If you like swim stops in deserted bays and floating cities, then you'll love our new 10-day yacht cruise for 2024. Sail the emerald green waters of the Adriatic and explore the charming islands, sandy bays, pebble beaches and historic towns along Croatia's northern coast and enjoy a two-night stay in Venice.
2010: A Mediterranean Odyssey
2010 saw the first ocean cruise on the majestic Star Clipper. For those looking to explore a nostalgic experience that harks back to the golden age of sailing, our tall ship cruises on board the Star Clipper and Royal Clipper offer the nautical glamour of a bygone age while visiting beautiful destinations. And for 2024, we've introduced a fantastic new itinerary:
Plus, you can look forward to three exciting new itineraries for 2025:
Since 2010 we’ve added expedition cruises – ideal for visiting off the beaten-track locations like Iceland and the Arctic to encounter rare wildlife and stunning polar views (without the hardships faced by Shackleton and other adventurers of yesteryear) - and small ship cruises.
In 2024, we’ve launched a brand-new small ship cruise on board the newly renovated Celestyal Journey - you can explore Athens and cruise through the Greek islands, before relaxing for 2 nights in the Athenian Riviera.
What's in store for the next 10, 20, 40 years? We don't believe in spoilers, but we can't wait to show you what we've got planned.
We can’t wait to celebrate our 40th anniversary and 2024 with you. See you soon!
