Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel Review: Why We Keep Coming Back
If there’s one travel company that has surprised us in the best possible way over the last few years, it’s Riviera Travel.
When most people think of Riviera Travel, they immediately think of river cruising. That’s certainly how our journey with them started. We’ve now sailed on two of their river cruises, enjoyed a boutique yacht cruise around Southern Croatia, and even extended that adventure with a fascinating land tour through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Along the way, we’ve experienced everything from luxury river ships and intimate yachts to vineyard lunches, guided city tours, and some of the most memorable excursions we’ve ever taken.
As Tom and Dom Travel, we always pride ourselves on being honest about our experiences. We’ve been invited by Riviera Travel on several trips, but as always, they have had no editorial input into our content, and our opinions remain entirely our own.
So, after multiple holidays with Riviera Travel, what do we really think?
Who Are Riviera Travel?
Founded in the UK more than 40 years ago, Riviera Travel has built a strong reputation for escorted tours, river cruises, yacht cruises, solo holidays, and cultural travel experiences across Europe and beyond. Today, they operate an extensive collection of river cruise itineraries along famous waterways including the Rhine, Seine, Danube and Douro, alongside escorted land tours and small-ship yacht cruises.
What makes Riviera stand out is their focus on value. Flights, transfers, excursions, accommodation and many onboard inclusions are typically bundled together, creating a straightforward holiday experience without lots of unexpected extras. This emphasis on value is frequently highlighted by travellers comparing Riviera with other river cruise operators.
Our First Riviera River Cruise: The Rhine
Like many first-time river cruisers, we had concerns before stepping onboard the Jeffrey Chaucer.
Would the ship feel too small?
Would the slower pace become boring?
Were we too young for river cruising?
The answer to all three questions was a resounding no.
In fact, our Rhine cruise completely changed our perception of river cruising.
From the moment we arrived, Riviera had organised every detail. Flights, transfers, luggage handling and embarkation were seamless. By the time we stepped aboard, our suitcases were already on their way to our cabin, and we were enjoying a welcome drink in the ship’s elegant atrium.
Despite carrying only 176 guests, the Jeffrey Chaucer felt surprisingly spacious. Our cabin offered plenty of storage, a bright bathroom and one feature we absolutely loved: French balcony doors opening directly onto the river.
Every morning we could wake up, throw open the doors and watch Europe drift past.
It was magical.
Food That Exceeded Expectations
One area where Riviera genuinely impressed us was dining.
We’ve sailed on many ocean cruise lines, and we can honestly say that some of the meals onboard Jeffrey Chaucer ranked amongst the best food we’ve enjoyed at sea.
Breakfast offered everything from cooked favourites to continental options. Lunch combined buffet selections with freshly prepared dishes, while dinner became a highlight every evening.
Menus changed daily and often featured regional specialities inspired by wherever we were docked. We particularly enjoyed the way Riviera incorporated local culture into the dining experience rather than serving the same dishes repeatedly.
The Bistro restaurant at the aft of the ship was another standout. Watching chefs prepare meals in an open kitchen created a far more intimate dining experience than we expected on a river cruise.
By the end of the week, we were already discussing what we would order if we ever returned.
Excursions That Added Real Value
One of the biggest surprises of our Rhine sailing was the quality of the included excursions.
Many cruise lines advertise excursions, but Riviera genuinely delivered memorable experiences.
Highlights included:
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Riding the Stanserhorn mountain railway and open-air cable car in Switzerland
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Exploring Lucerne
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Food tasting in Strasbourg
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A fascinating vinegar tasting experience in Germany
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Visiting the Lindt Chocolate Factory
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Discovering the beautiful Rhine Gorge
The vinegar experience deserves special mention.
If somebody had told us beforehand that one of our favourite excursions would involve learning about vinegar production in a family cellar, we would never have believed them.
Yet it turned out to be one of the most immersive and memorable travel experiences we’ve had.
That’s something Riviera does exceptionally well. They often include experiences you might never book independently but end up loving.
Discovering Croatia by Yacht
If the river cruises impressed us, Riviera’s Croatian yacht cruises completely surprised us.
Our voyage aboard MV Corona around Southern Croatia felt very different from traditional cruising.
Rather than carrying hundreds or thousands of guests, we sailed with only 24 passengers.
Within hours everyone knew each other.
The atmosphere was incredibly relaxed and sociable.
Unlike a large cruise ship, embarkation took only moments. We simply crossed a gangway, received a warm welcome, and immediately felt at home.
Croatia itself proved to be the perfect destination for this style of travel. Riviera’s yacht cruises explore stunning islands, secluded bays and historic coastal towns while staying close to shore. Swim stops, local experiences and guided visits are all part of the journey.
One day we’d be sailing past Dubrovnik’s famous city walls. The next we'd be swimming in crystal-clear waters or wandering through charming island towns.
It felt less like a cruise and more like travelling with a small group of friends.
Extending Into Bosnia and Herzegovina
One of the most rewarding aspects of our Croatian adventure was the optional land extension into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is where Riviera’s escorted touring expertise really shone.
The transition from yacht to coach tour was smooth and exceptionally well organised.
Over several days we explored places we probably would never have visited independently.
In Trebinje we learned about local history, wandered through bustling markets and experienced authentic Bosnian coffee culture.
At a local vineyard we enjoyed wine tasting and one of the most memorable lunches of the entire trip, complete with local cheeses, meats and regional wines.
Then came Mostar.
Seeing the famous Stari Most bridge for the first time was genuinely special. Beyond the iconic bridge itself, the guided tour provided valuable historical context about the region’s recent past and complex cultural heritage.
Later, sitting beside the river enjoying a cold drink after navigating Mostar’s busy cobbled streets, we reflected on how much richer the experience felt because of Riviera’s knowledgeable local guides.
The Riviera Difference
After multiple holidays, certain themes consistently stand out.
Excellent Organisation
Whether it’s flights, transfers, excursions or hotels, Riviera handles logistics exceptionally well.
Travel days become significantly less stressful when someone else is managing the details.
Included Excursions
Many travel companies advertise included tours, but Riviera’s excursions often feel genuinely worthwhile rather than token additions.
Friendly Atmosphere
Both on river cruises and yacht cruises, the social atmosphere has been excellent.
We’ve met solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends, all sharing a passion for travel.
Great Value
When you consider the flights, transfers, accommodation, excursions, meals and onboard inclusions, Riviera often represents excellent value compared with booking similar experiences independently. This value-focused approach is one reason the company has developed such a loyal following.
Final Thoughts
When we boarded our first Riviera river cruise, we genuinely weren’t sure whether river cruising would suit us.
Now, after sailing the Rhine, exploring Croatia by yacht and touring Bosnia and Herzegovina, we can confidently say Riviera Travel has become one of our favourite ways to explore Europe.
What impresses us most is that Riviera consistently delivers experiences rather than simply holidays.
Whether it’s opening your cabin doors to watch the Rhine drift past, tasting local wines in Herzegovina, sailing along Croatia’s spectacular coastline, or discovering a hidden gem through an included excursion, those are the moments that stay with you long after you return home.
Would we travel with Riviera again?
Without hesitation.
In fact, just like we said after our first river cruise, we’re already looking at where our next Riviera adventure might take us.
Follow our latest adventures
We have traveled on the following Riviera Travel cruises. You can find a wealth of information by clicking on each!
Jane Austen
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